Daily Front Row

2010 March 8

Viktor & Rolf’s Fantasy Factory!

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Viktor Horsting, Kristen McMenamy, Rolf Snoeren
SWAN View Gallery

(PARIS) Galliano and Lagerfeld might love their camera time on the runway, but no designers in recent memory have spent as much physical time on the catwalk as Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren during their brilliant presentation at the Jardin des Tuileries. Suddenly, the designers became even more intriguing than the often-unpredictable Lindsay Lohan in the front row--and she didn’t even mind. “It was absolutely incredible,” said the actress. “I could only dream of these two dressing me on stage one day.”

Lohan was, of course, referencing the run of show. Kristen McMenamy appeared on stage looking like a chic grey wolf on steroids, closely followed by designers who pulled off her 23 layers only to put it back on again to the delight and awe of the front row. “They looked like special agents on a mission,” quipped their long-time collaborator Alex de Betak.  “But they both wanted to reference their famous Maggie Rizer Matrushka collection from a decade ago.”  That, and a certain fantastical factory: "This was our long-awaited Willy Wonka moment,” smiled the designers backstage. “We need that magic touch in the clothes – that’s what makes into fashion to us.”

The hero of the day tuned out to be McMenamy, who survived about 300 pounds of weight and twenty minutes of hard labor on stage.  “After a little yoga I’ll be ok!” she told us backstage. “We had half of a rehearsal and that’s why we’re all very, very nervous. And as that stage was spinning, and the designers were pulling me and dressing me, I just felt a little pressure of the heel. So it wasn’t the heat, just the good old women’s shoe issues. But I never I thought I was going to pass out!” And that’s a good thing since Fabien Baron, Anne Christensen, and others immediately started whispering compliments and offers into the seasoned model’s offers. “Just find me at the Meurice!” was her prompt response.
VALENTINE UHOVSKI