After the once-powerful Christian Lacroix was reduced to a licensing operation by a Paris court, what is a surviving "underdog" couturier to do?
"I can't do couture like Chanel or Dior. Of course not," Anne Valerie Hash admits. "But I do want to experiment."
Hash's experiment involved hand-me-downs from fashion's finest. "I had this idea to do something about personal clothing, memory, and identity, so I started writing to people I admire and asking them to send me something of theirs to transform."
With a pair of pajamas from Alber Elbaz, Tilda Swinton's Vivienne Westwood tee, Jean Paul Gaultier's Breton shirt, Pete Doherty's frogged drummer-boy jacket, a veil from Diane Pernet, a Chanel jacket from Daphne Guinness, and Charlotte Rampling's spencer, Anne Valerie Hash created a fluid and revolutionary couture collection.
Reminiscent of a nonchalant Parisian synthrock star, Hash combined the adventitious pieces to create shining looks in relaxed silhouettes.
This is a perfect example of the proper way to respond to the ailing economy. Instead of selling out to Walmart or Target, Anne Valerie Hash designs a notable and culturally-relevant collection, inspiring reinvention while upholding quality.
