Paris Fashion Week: Christian Lacroix makes runway return in collaboration with Dries Van Noten

After a decade out of the spotlight, the famed Frenchman is back, with a show designed with Belgium heavyweight, Van Noten

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  Head to toe jacquard in chartreuese and orange by Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Leopard print and antique florals by Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Fearless pattrn combinations from Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix show a lavish brocad jacket for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP 

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  Faded florals and smokey tiger stripes at Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Even the humble mac warrents lace detailing, Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Surface decoration at Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP.

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  Rich brocade fabrics at Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

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  Bold surface design is paramount at the collaboration between Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, Spring-Summer 2020. AFP 

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  The kings of colour, Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix's Spring-Summer 2020 collection. AFP

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  With a flower in her hair in homage to Lacroix's past collections, the bride, as envisioned by Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, for Spring-Summer 2020. AFP

Something truly seismic took place on the Paris Fashion Week runway yesterday. This is not about hemlines shifting, or round vs square for toe shapes, but something really huge.

Christian Lacroix collaborated with Dries Van Noten for the spring / summer 2020 collection.

It has been confirmed the pair worked on the collection in secret for months, each bringing his unique vision to the project.

So what's the big deal?

Anyone who ever watched the television programme Absolutely Fabulous will recognize the name from Eddie's frequent cries ("But it's Lacroix sweetie") and it was no coincidence the French designer was chosen.

Since he threw open his doors in 1987, Lacroix became a byword for opulence, mixing rich silks in vivid colours with densely worked gold and jewelled embroideries.

Although beautiful to behold, such work is understandably expensive to both create and buy, and in 2009 Lacroix was  forced to shutter his couture house, effectively losing the right to his own name in the process.

Unable to work under his own moniker, since then Lacroix has all but vanished from fashion, turning his talents to theatre design instead.

But he is now back, making this collaboration the first time in decade the great man has graced a runway.

Dries Van Noten is himself adept at translating world patterns, techniques and heritages into pieces that serve modern living, and enjoys a well earned reputation for exquisitely cut and decorated looks, that educate as much as they adorn.

That two such esteemed, surface pattern driven designers have now joined forces is almost too much to take in.

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