Oh, to be able to afford an entire wardrobe of Riccardo Tisci's Givenchy. The man renowned for turning gothic black, punk studs and rocker leather into elegant, whimsical, womanly ready-to-wear has done it again.

In a Spring Summer collection influenced by the subtle, and not so subtle, sexuality of artist Robert Mapplethorpe’s photographs shows once again why Tisci is considered a major force in the fashion world.

The paradoxical mix of S&M hardware, couture-like draping and sheer billows of material floating down the runway makes one want to give up work and become an elegantly starving musician.

While the rest of high end fashion is blinding us with either crisp, pristine white or garish, primary colours – think Alexander Wang and Prada – or boring us senseless with yet more camel, Tisci’s Givenchy wafts us away to a more interesting place.

Sure, not all of us can get away with backless dresses, S&M harnesses or see-through pants, but we can wear the neatly tailored skirts with zip accessories, the square-cut waistcoats and the perfectly-cut bootleg trousers.

And if, like me, you can’t afford the clothes, the bags are to die for! This season’s Nightingale comes not only in classic black leather but also in a classic leopard-inspired “Animal” print, one as a black-to-print degrade. The Antigona is available in sorbet shades of blue, green and the dreaded beige – although in this instance it has a touch of blush to liven it up.

There are also fab, furry versions of a small hobo and a tote; even a furry cream print clutch. The clutch shape pops up in an elegant leather version with zip detail that echos the ready-to-wear collection. And there are a bunch of those now hot tiny sling bags as well in a variety of leathers and colours.

The “Animal” print of the bags is also echoed on some pieces of the collection; the amorphous “leopard” print turns up in classic colours of black and gold, but the lighter, flirtier version in blush tones lends a softer edge to the overall collection.

Once again Tisci has created a collection of covetable clothes, bags and accessories – there are gorgeous cuffs, chains and belts available – that manage to combine his uniquely dark vision with the eminently practical. 

Oh … if only I could win 4D!

The Givenchy store is located on Level 1 at Paragon Shopping Centre on Orchard Road.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE GIVENCHY READY-TO-WEAR SS2011 COLLECTION: