On Friday, the CSM graduate finally unveiled his first collection for the house at Paris Fashion Week, and sure enough, there were polka dots, floral embellishments and pleats in abundance. Inspired by the exuberance of the ’80s and ’90s, Reed dressed an inclusive cast that included burgeoning supermodel Precious Lee in lashings of vibrant jewel tones, audacious silhouettes and staggering platforms.
“As a queer kid growing up in Arizona, French fashion was my escape,” Reed said. “Nina Ricci felt like my idealisation of Paris: it had a dreamlike romanticism, with a deep respect for femininity, but it ultimately felt light-hearted and accessible to every kind of woman.” Reed indicated his intention to honour the history of the house while catering to a modern consumer, culminating in a daring, playful new vision for Nina Ricci he hopes “will be more inclusive and exciting than ever before”.