Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s first show for Benetton in Milan
Milan Fashion Week kicked off this Tuesday with some sad news: the death of “Kaiser” Karl Lagerfeld was announced just as designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac presented his first—very colorful—collection for Benetton. JCDC paid tribute to the iconic designer before beginning the show (which opened with Luka Sabbat). For this collection, JCDC revived the messages of tolerance that previously made United Colors of Benetton so successful—the brand’s main ambition has always been accessibility for all. Castelbajac added his light yet inimitable touch of Pop: playing with colors, adding drawings, designing cut-out silhouettes. There were references to cartoons (Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Droopy), as well as oversized knits in looped wool and collars shaped like sheep. Several recognizable faces made the trip to sit front row: president and founder of the brand, Luciano Benetton, plus Jeanne Damas, Louis-Marie de Castelbajac, Caro Daur and Caroline Vreeland. Though marked by the loss of a modern icon, the day stayed celebratory with JCDC’s #RainbowMachine for Benetton.
