Last season designer Oswald Boateng got a lot of flack for toning down his Spring collection for the House of Givenchy. This season, Boateng commented that his no longer going to tone down his collections and start adding color to give the Givenchy collection some life. For the opening section Oswald showed a number of looks with tapered leg pant but slowly added more full leg pants. Shift from tweed to wool and even this seasons velvet. In the opening the look was this seasons English classic looks. From the Windsor check suits and pants to the bulky wool and tweed pants paired with contrasting vests. Boateng’s focus this season is certainly on Givenchy outerwear, the main trend for Fall/Winter. His first outerwear look was perfection, a bottle green suede waist length coat. I must have it!

Oswald Boateng does dabble with a few of this season’s trends but he did hope to continue on with some looks we saw last season, Like the baseball sweaters and last seasons “it” color, techno blue! Sadly these looks were not any must haves. One trend that Boateng hit was his velvet blazer and pants in a rich rust color. For the second section he showed more outwear pieces including a full-length gray knit jacket with matching knit scarf.

Although gingham has not traditionally been a Fall/Winter fabric, Oswald really used the fabric in strong looks, which tones down the loud print. He also explored this year’s trend of shearling in a wool tweed overcoat with a heavy shearling color. This coat will certainly be seen around the slopes next season.

The must have pieces at Givenchy are endless. Although I have narrowed it down to two looks. First are the velvet pinstripe jackets in rust or dark hunter green with a matching vest. The second are Boateng’s wool herringbone overcoats. Show in a dark brown and honey brown with a jean or corduroy pant and cardigan.Oswald Boateng has kept his promise; Givenchy has been given a new life. I am sure Monsieur Givenchy is watching the DVD of the show right about now and clapping with excitement. Boateng’s powerful use of color didn’t go overboard. It was near perfect! Bravo Monsieur Boateng!

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