Urban Survival

MEGA travels to Hong Kong for an exclusive look at the F/W ‘18 collection of Givenchy.

- Suki Salvador

When Meghan Markle alighted from her bridal car at the Windsor Castle, she wore a pristine white long-sleeved gown with a boat neck detail by Givenchy artistic director Clare Waight Keller. While the immaculate gown received mixed reactions, many people ultimately loved the creation of Keller. Since May 19, 2018, both Keller and Duchess of Sussex have set a standard for feminine dressing. This minimalist yet sophisticated manner of dressing is not new, but in true sartorial cyclical fashion, female minimalism is back at the French house of Givenchy.

There is a new air of femininity at Givenchy, one that we haven’t seen in a while, it is apparent with a female helming the maison—the first for the luxury brand in its 43-year history. When you think of the brand over the last four decades, images of black, white, and leather come to mind. You think of conservative garments done in good taste. Its creative directors have truly mastered the tough, mysterious, urban sophisticated look that most city dwellers have come to love. Upon arriving at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, guests were welcomed by the perennial white backdrop with the iconic Givenchy logo emblazoned. It gets interesting once you enter Central Pier No. 8 where the fall/winter 2018 offering of Keller at Givenchy, her second ready-to-wear collection for the brand, was presented. Suede burgundy and navy blue drapes hung from the ceiling all the way down to a wooden floor.