John Galliano Fall 1999 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Editor’s Note: When we talk about Y2K in fashion we talk about a look, but it’s 1999 that is the turning point. As Nicole Phelps turns her attention to this special year, we are adding five archival shows to the archive.

The boys were back in town at John Galliano’s fall 1999 show. The previous season’s Roman boy-toys were replaced by grease-streaked construction workers romanced by the “uptown girl” models. Opening the proceedings were coats in Poiret-like cocoon shapes made using textiles with patterns borrowed from Africa and the Far East. Second-skin skirt suits in gelato colors followed, and the collection concluded with satin slip dresses in jewel tones like ruby and amethyst.