Nina Ricci Paris Fashion Week Presentation replicated at Neiman Marcus Houston Galleria Store
I was fortunate to be able to be at Neiman Marcus to see the spectacular visual display that the NM people executed superbly, that replicated the Nina Ricci Paris Fashion Week presentation that had just ended the week prior and was literally packed up in Paris and brought straight to Texas…..Houston, first and then Dallas. I was able to chat wtih Peter Copping, Creative Director for Nina Ricci who gave me an in depth look into the collection and his inspiration for developing such beautifully feminine pieces with just a slight twist on the masculine side as he took inspiration from the romantic 18th century man……who wore jabous and longer coats as their every day garments. Peter said they were able to resource actual garments was a vision of Mr. Darcey in Pride & Prejudice, close enough in time for me. In the styling of the garments there were many subleties of that 18th century man…..pencil skirts with shirttail hems, lots of great white shirts, softly tailored long white coats over shorter skirts with tuxedo shirts, and grey flannel trousers to give the NR look a different touch.
Various textures and styling techniques complement all of the white in Peter Copping’s Spring 2014 Nina Ricci collection
I asked Copping why so much White and Neutrals in his collection? He said for him, who looks to do something different each season, he had just come off of his cruise collection which was packed with bold color from Bright Yellow, Jade Green and Poppy, that he felt a “cleansing of the palette” was due and the way to go. He accepted that because white was dominant, followed by neutral shades of nude and blush, that to achieve the interest that he always seeks in his collections, a turn to texture in the fabrics was his choice……lots of lace, beading, embroidery, soft chiffons and tweeds with metallic fabric embellishments were just the right combination. My very favorite piece in the collection was a mirrored and white embellished skirt that you would have to see to appreciate. I would take that skirt in a minute and have it first on my holiday gift list…..takers anyone???
Nude colored waistcoat, taken from the 18th century male influences of this collection, was entwined with sequins to catch the light in the room; shown with a very feminine blush dress underneath
Pops of feminine prints were added to this collection of soft neutrals
Topless protesters rush the stage in protest of sexualization in modeling industry on the runways during Paris Fashion Week…..a publicity stunt, I asked Peter Copping? ”Not at all, quite a surprise that I only got a glimpse of from behind the stage, however in the end did garner much publicity for this collection debut for Nina Ricci!”
Peter Copping, Creative Director of Nina Ricci
About the Man: I found Peter Copping to be a charming British man, who has made Paris his home for 18 years and was very devoted to his life in Paris,(although he will always consider him, first an Englishman). He studied at Central St. Martins, did internships at LaCroix and Sonia Rykiel and studied un der Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuiton for 12 years. The following are some quick questions that I asked of him about his impact on the Nina Ricci collection and about Peter Copping, the man.
RP: What do you feel to be your greatest impact on Nina Ricci?
PC: Consistency, clear vision for Nina Ricci
RP: Who is the Nina Ricci woman that you design for?
PC: Quite open; broad age range, from the very young to the mature woman; a woman who looks and uses feminity for strength and not as a sign of softness or weakness
RP: How do you like to spend your time away from your design work?
PC: In the country with my partner, where we spend relaxing times, gardening, antiquing, reading….a release from my every day design life which I work to organize well, so that I do have those times for leisure on the weekends.
RP: Please describe yourself?
PC: Creative of course, curious….when in cities, loves to discover the flavor of the city; favorite place to visit on my time is still the English countrysides.