The quirky ceiling of the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne's new lobby is made up of 100,000 pencils in 25 graduated colours and it was a befitting setting for the 2012 Haute Couture presentation of Maurizio Galante, who had designed it.

Inspired by mother nature's gardens, Galante’s collection came together as an imaginary flower bouquet full of surprises, a magnificent Herbarium of rare and fantastic flowers. Fluid and supple organza “corolle” contrasted with a small silk stem-like top; a chlorophyll green silk cape formed a young flower bud; mouse colored pistils decorated the body and a black taffeta cape composed of knotted wide ribbons echoed the convoluted roots of a tree.

Generous, rounded volumes for the silhouettes’ upper part were in contrast to tight fitting forms, resulting in a poetic and sensual allure. As the models sashayed down the runaway, crowned with floral headpieces, the theatrical looks came alive.

Galante’s exquisite experimental couture played with materials and shapes, with cut-out strips and elaborate pleating.

As Published in Couture by Designaré - Vol 2 (April 2012)