2019-10-01 Singapore Tatler

wereusheredtowardstheshowspace,wenoticedaline
ofwaitersbearingglassesofProseccoonsilvertrays.
“Ifthere’s such a thing as a fashion marathon, this certainly
feels like it,” I quipped as we walked past a “drink station”
everyfivesteps.
Asweinchedclosertoourseats,weweregreeted
byanorchestraoffemaleharpists.Thencamethe
visualfeast—goldscaffoldingswereerectedfromthe
groundupholdingtogetheraseatingarenaandastage
backedbythemostmagnificentofbackdrops,the
TempleofConcordia.
I noticed a rather diverse group of VICs, but my aim was
to speak to the Chinese clients to hopefully get a clearer
understanding of how they really feel about being in Sicily
as an important customer of the brand. I’m usually quite
fearless when it comes to such matters, but this time, I felt
the jitters as I didn’t want to risk being disrespectful, or
worst get told off just before showtime.
I held my breath as I approached an impeccably dressed
Chinese family. The mum, clad in a slinky gold gown
and with a chic pageboy hairdo, was seated with her
eight‑year‑olddaughter,whowasdressedinaredtullemini
withthebrand’sSacredHeartemblemembroideredallover

heroutfit.Afterexchangingpleasantries,Iaskedher the

burningquestion:“AsaChinesenational,howdoyou feel

beingseatedattheveryfrontofthisshow?”

Withnaryanyhesitation,andinthemostelegant of

Mandarinphrases,shereplied:“Thedesignershavebeen

verysincereovertheyearsandwhateverhappenedis

athingofthepast.It’sfinenow.Weareokaywithit.”

Mymindwasracing.Whatdoesthatmean?HasChina

gottenoverthecontroversyjustlikethat?Aretherest of us

justoverlysensitive?Justthen,theambientmusicstarted

tofadeout,signallingthestartoftheshow.Ipaused and

tookmyseat,butIcouldstillhearthelady’sanswers

ringinginmyhead.

DOWNTHERUNWAY

Thegoldenhourcastagloriousshadeofamberonthe

temple’sfacadeasthefirstmodelemergedfrombehind

itscolumns.Afresh‑facedChinesemodel,looking

likeaGreekgoddess,openedtheshowdrapedina

magnificentlybeadedgolddresswithamatchingcape.

Theancientcolumnsseemedtocomealive,glistening

withhereverymove.Theamountofbeadworkinthat

dressalonewouldhavetakenmonthsandalegionof

embroidererstocreate.

Thelookthatcameafterwasevenmore

extraordinary—aboatnecktopmadeoutoftinygold

feathersthatendedwithashimmeringchaton‑beaded

fringeskirtandpairedwithankle‑highgladiatorsandals.

Asthesunset,anothertroopofmodels,ledby1990s

supermodelHelenaChristensen,appearedlikeshadows

thankstotheblackdressestheyworewhichlentasharp

This dramatic ensemble channels warrior princess

meets 17th‑century Renaissance painting

CanadiansupermodelJessicaStamin oneof thefivejaw‑dropping

ballgowns presented at the end of the show

92 singapore tatler. october 2019