Nicola Formichetti headlines Audi Fashion Festival’s opening show

Although he’s known as the chief stylist of the Haus of Gaga, Nicola Formichetti does more than just dress pop icon Lady Gaga. (Although we wouldn’t exactly call it “just”.)

He also happens to be the fashion director of Vogue Homme Japan, and has worked with esteemed labels like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and the late Alexander McQueen.

But it’s his contribution as creative director to Parisian fashion house Mugler that we’re zooming in on, as it’s the reason he’s arrived on our shores: Formichetti presented Mugler’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection on Audi Fashion Festival’s first night. And Formichetti as opening act of what is considered Singapore’s biggest fashion event of the year did not disappoint.

With Thierry Mugler’s “Insectes” 1997 Spring/Summer collection as reference, Formichetti and designer Sebastien Peigne have redefined the body’s proportions to dramatic effect. Exaggerating the shoulders to look unusually broad, the duo has created the illusion of a smaller waistline with peplum dresses that accentuate a woman’s silhouette.

Add in huge flurry sleeves and evenly lined leather that intriguingly resemble an insect’s underside, and it’s hard not to visualise a praying mantis strutting down the runway with pomp. The result is a a collection that allows the Mugler woman to achieve a good balance of power and feminine elegance.

Just some observations from my end, some photographers said they wished the lights were a little brighter and it would have been better if the runway was built on a heightened platform for a better view.

I loved how the tempo of the first part of show was brought down a notch to allow the audience to appreciate the detailing of the white peplumed dresses.

So it was no surprise to find the opening act of the festival thronged by a bevy of celebrities, including Dr Georgia Lee, Ashley Isham, Dick Lee, Nat Ho and Arissa Cheo.

To cap off the night, guests were treated to an after-party at the Red Dot Museum, where copious amounts of bespoke Belvedere vodka were served. Renowned New York-based DJ group The Misshapes also performed a set, much to the crowd's delight.

It was a great way to kickstart the Audi Fashion Festival, which is now on its fourth year. Two blockbuster shows by designers Zac Posen and Roland Mouret are up next.

A Fashionide.com contributor who's wearing too many hats at the same time (pun intended). James lives and breathes parties, beautiful people and the intricacies of fashion. Ever ready to pick a fight with some random dude who's got his hands on that last funky bow tie.