The legend of Ys
Christian Le Drezen draws from the culture and ancestral traditions of his native Brittany for the elements of his eminently modern and personal style. The legend of Ys, the city as the story goes - was swallowed up by the waters off of Douarnenez due to the thoughtlessness of King Gradlon's daughter. This rather forlorn tale of dissolute life is from whence the designer finds his inspiration this season. Legend has it that on windy days one can sometimes hear the bells of the foregone city from the shore. But at the Carrousel du Louvre, ethereal beauties resurfaced from the waters in long linen dresses embroidered with waves, printed with seashell and algae motifs, in jackets and dresses in pleated fabrics or wrinkled scales. To wander on the shores, they layer long coats, long tunics with cut panels or long apron shirts with oversized pants or ankle length skirts. While the ankles are always covered, the bandeau dresses and sweaters attractively reveal the shoulders. There are creative marriages of rustic and sophisticated materials, linen and viscose lace, macramé or crochet poplin lace, fishnet and printed tulle, crepe and double chiffon and gauze. The skirts, cardigans and tops are adorned with airy angel hair, like trappings of fine algae. The colors are those of the shores and Breton houses: sand, stone, rope, the slate-grey of the roofs and a hortensia blue evocative of the bouquets which decorate doorways in Finistère, plus frothy white and deep ocean blue with a sudden burst of deep purple.
Virginie Transon
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