>> Riccardo Tisci launched a capsule collection of his greatest hits — called Redux — along with Givenchy Resort 2010 in June, but what he failed to mention before is that this isn't just a one-time thing: he plans to show a Redux collection twice a year alongside his pre-collections.  In stores in October, the first Redux collection, focusing on studs and white blouses, will also include shoes — all less expensive than the usual runway offerings; prices start at approximately $350.

>> Backstage at Givenchy today, a sign read: "No girls on the runway if they haven't eaten before." The show ran over an hour late, was in a hard-to-reach location, and guests froze in the outside venue, but they were allayed by Riccardo Tisci's homage to the Middle East, complete with live musicians playing karkabou. "I dream of Riccardo's genie!" Joe Zee exclaimed.

Tisci not only attracted editors but fellow designers: Pucci's Peter Dundas joined Christian Lacroix in the show's front row. And all the models had their hair dyed black especially for the occasion — which was apparently quite impressionable on Lara Stone; Iris Strubegger debuted a new crop and newcomer Antonella Graef opened the show.

>> Last Friday, employees at Christian Lacroix were informed the the workforce would be cut from 124 to 12, and the house would close at the end of July — effectively reducing it to a licensing operation — unless a buyer could be found. Today at the Arts Decoratifs, Lacroix showed what may be his last couture collection to just over 200 guests, a set of 24 looks entirely privately financed, which the designer described as: "A collection which is finished, but which was not completed under the usual conditions. It is like a sketch, a drawing for a painting . . . the classic repertory of the house, what is left, the hard disk."

The mood was sober, but staid: badges declaring "Christian Lacroix Forever" were handed out and a sign reading similar was held across the runway.  There were tears aplenty as the designer took his walk with bride Vlada Roslyakova, and no red carnations were on the seats, ready to toss in the finale as has been the custom at Lacroix's couture shows since he started in 1987.  But he did receive a standing ovation, and Lacroix is not ready to give up: "What really churns my stomach is wondering what is going to become of the workrooms and, for the moment, none of the solutions I am looking at would save the couture side of the business."

Some are wondering if he may renew his relationship with LVMH — under whom he originally launched his label in 1987. Just an hour after his own show closed, he was spotted backstage and front row at the LVMH-supported Givenchy show, where he posed for photos with Delphine Arnault.  The Times UK noted that Lacroix, "beaming in the front row at Givenchy doesn't look like a man whose label is finished."

>> Turns out that Riccardo Tisci is tickled that Michael Jackson has been snapped wearing one of his studded Givenchy jackets — and the studs aren't going away anytime soon.  The designer launched a mini-collection within his Cruise 2010 collection solely devoted to black pieces embellished with gold studs, and another mini-collection focusing on white blouses.  But if you want a hint at what Riccardo will do with Givenchy for Spring 2010, check out the tailored, white stretch pieces.

>> Louis Vuitton switched their advertising image up last season, replacing Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott with Steven Meisel after a six year partnership.  This season it looks like Givenchy is up for rebranding — they've adopted Mert and Marcus after collaborating with Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for nine straight seasons, and ditched the black-and-white, edgy look of recent seasons for a little color and a touch of French classicism.  “It’s a new step,” Riccardo Tisci said. “I wanted to give this feeling of going from a studio to reality. It’s important to give reality to women.”

Tisci's muse Mariacarla Boscono is the only model carrying over — joining her are Ranya Mordanova; Leonor Scherrer, daughter of retired couturier Jean-Louis Scherrer, who Tisci says he's "completely in love with . . . she represents France in all senses: the elegance, the aristocracy, the darkness of France"; Iris Strubegger, who doubles in the season's accessories campaign, shot by Mark Pillai; and Adriana Lima, who just announced her pregnancy today, making her return to high fashion.