When the first models began to devour the runaway at the Grand Palais during the latest Paco Rabanne fashion show, the question in the air was an inquisitive one: will mister-maniac-colour, Manish Arora, control his chromatic impulses? As the show unfolded, this incertitude quickly disappeared.

In fact, the 2012/2013 Paco Rabanne collection recovered the ancient heritage of its founder and it was put in modern terms by one of the rising stars of the fashion scene. Mr. Arora got the inspiration from Françoise Hardy, a French singer of the 70’s, a woman described as “a femininity with no complexes and far from the usual clichés”.

A sharp silhouette with graphic contours, where architectural language is the key element for any piece, was the fundament of such a solid collection. Gold and silver were sapiently mixed with black and ash; the stain of colour came on a catchy, royal blue. Emblematic pieces as the mini metallic dress, worn by Brigitte Bardot in 1969, were re-edited as well as the cotte de maille, now made with tulle. The techniques invented by Paco Rabanne have been well studied and well adapted by the new designer who has taken all under control.

Bref, we might be attending a rebirth of this ancient House, that had been dormant long enough.