RUNWAY: John Galliano FW11

John Galliano has been riding a creativity wave the past few seasons, and continues to do so with this collection, where his main inspiration, it seems, is Black Swan or at least the ballet world. A live pianist brought the crowd to silence as the first model strutted down the runway, immaculately made up by the wonderful Pat McGrath, with a large furry hat and multiple layers of wool, cashmere and jersey and his hat covered in snow. The show Galliano was divided into thirds, or into three acts. Act One was of a man who seemed to have come far away to join the Galliano School of Ballet, wearing all his beautiful clothes onto him so he he would have less to carry. Act Two brought sartorial genius in the form of super sharp suits, flow-y scarves tied around the neck, very Parisian-by-way-of-Moscow, with the man we saw in Act One transformed into a ballet star. The final act had the models striped down and ready to practice their craft.

Stripping away Galliano's styling and make up, the clothes are revealed to be exceptionally well made and tailored, like the oversized wool coat in the second look with the exaggerated lapels that's become Galliano's staple then there are the slim fitting and well tailored suits and jackets that make up the second portion of the show. Then the final part is full of wonderful separates from tight fitting basics, knee-height boots and other pieces a plethora of lush fabrics.