We Have Lift Off
Who doesn’t live for the Chanel runway shows! They are without doubt the most exciting and this season Karl Lagerfeld didn’t disappoint as he sent us blasting off to space with the launch of his fall 2017 collection, once again proving that your imagination is the only limit when it comes to fashion. This mega show had models strutting down the spaceship themed runway that even featured an actual rocket-ship in the middle of the stage. Was this Lagerfield telling us that this collection was about to be out of this world? Yes!
The models started strutting their stuff down the runway showcasing the designs that featured metallics, jackets with a space-blanket feel and glittery silver boots with a steel cap toe – moon boots anyone? We’ll take 10! Sequin covered headbands and rocket ship bags topped it off giving this collection a galactic feel. To close the show the rocket took off with its jets glowing and blowing smoke concluding that Chanel once again wins.
All For The Dramatic Effect
For Demna Gvasalia’s FW17 collection this designer continued his fascination with oversized, dramatic figures, and we don’t know about you but we are here for it. Being the house’s 100th anniversary most of these pieces played on untouched Balenciaga couture as a salute to its legacy, adding just a few tweaks and inflating silhouettes and shapes. Injecting his own twist Gvasalia’s highlights were the printed logos on shoes, asymmetric fastenings on outerwear and futuristic sunglasses which screamed upcoming street style trend. Meanwhile, an array of sweaters that were paired with couture showpieces and high, vibrant boots added a pop of colour.
Let’s Talk About That Headgear
Rick Owens showcased his latest collection with his army of models who were decked out in impromptu head-dresses. Elsewhere, there were walking balloon suits and brutalist applications of leather. Puffer jackets wrapped around bodies and sneakers were abnormally high in a compelling way. We love the cool, wearable vibes this collection is giving off. Not one to disappoint, Owens always knows how to put on a show.
Minimal Is Where It’s At For H&M
With such big name models including the Hadid sisters, Adwoa Aboah and Winnie Harlow walking the runway there was no question that this collection is one that’s going to be a hit with the younger generation. Held at the iconic Tennis Club de Paris, H&M showcased their latest collection’s minimal designs to a star studded audience such as Nicki Minaj & Alexa Chung while The Weeknd performed live, making this quite the show. A handful of menswear looks were also featured throughout which was a first for this retailer’s usual runway showing.
Subtle Symbolism
Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Valentino collection showed us that art should be lived and not just looked at. Focusing on dresses, this collection featured little to no skin as many looks were high-necked and long sleeves with an A-line silhouette that hid any trace of a curve. The collection boasted airy silks, prints and elegant colours, long coats and edgy boots . Each outfit was paired with a red beaded necklace that featured a golden charm hanging down making this the perfect runway-ready outfit.
50 Shades Of Blue At Dior
The inspiration for Maria Grazia Chiuri’s second women’s collection for Dior was the colour blue. The show notes explained that it was one of Christian Dior’s favorite hues and included this line from his 1954 book The Little Dictionary of Fashion: “Among all the colors, navy blue is the only one which can ever compete with black; it has all the same qualities.”
Chiuri explored a wide range of blue hues on the runway while there were splashes of black and gold throughout the show. Another key trend that seemed to rule this runway was the use of berets as every look was topped off with a leather beret as seen on front row muses Rihanna and Kate Moss. Some of the standout looks included a chunky blue cable knit sweater paired with a delicate dégradé tulle skirt; a range of blue velvet pieces which is obviously a major trend this season, some with embroidered lily flower designs and a double-breasted navy blue tailored jacket with lapels that continued past the shoulder blades. Reappearing were the waistbands with logos, jackets and straps from Churi’s debut collection with the addition of monogamy bags to finish the outfit.
It’s Survival Of The Fittest
Walking to Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit”, Gigi Hadid opened this season’s Balmain show wearing a fringed skirt and gold-striped lips which seemed to be a theme for all the models. Gold, brown, bronze, caramels and black filled designer Oliver Rousteing’s palette as he mixed heavy-metal rock motifs with jewel encrusted jackets and gowns. Head to toe monochrome knits and various textures and cuts were all featured throughout this show as was fur jackets, cow and zebra printed pants and crocodile print giving viewers major jungle fever.
This Just In, Day To Night Is Back!
WE ARE OBSESSED! Saint Laurent’s latest collection may as well be the definition of goals. Using an enormous raw amphitheater with tiered stadium seating as his setting, Anthony Vaccarello’s latest collection for Saint Laurent celebrated the ubiquitous party girl and with plenty of luxe remixes of day-to-night who wouldn’t want to buy every piece? Uh, yes please! With the club soundtrack set to concert-grade audio, it was a fittingly pulsing backdrop to a collection of rotating party looks. Riding the trending 80’s wave this designer showcased all-over glitter, glinting ruched metallics and exaggerated silhouettes and shapes. Featuring more romantic styles, there were also ruffled gowns, lace, and floral motifs.
Magical McQueen
Sarah Burton wowed audience members with pieces that showcased dense imagery of dresses beaded with silvery trees, white lace figures with kissing doves, medieval tapestries of flora and fauna, trailing threads and witchy symbols of stars and suns. Also present were black-gray pantsuits with long, belted coats and jackets; some in leather, and some with asymmetric folds flying elegantly off to one side. To hold tribute to McQueen, Burton touchingly had her team stitch his name and date of birth into the decoration of a dress in a centuries-old style, making this season’s collection a definite success.
Designer Makes Catwalk Debut
Let’s all take a moment to bow down to the queen that is Vivienne Westwood. Even though this designer has as of last year officially handed her label over to husband Anthony Kronthaler, she proved that she still reigned when she walked the catwalk in two designs, one being an oversized pink and purple pinstripe bomber jacket with matching asymmetrical hem skirt that we have been obsessing over. The Alpine styling reflected the fact that this British label now has an Austrian designer, a point Kronthaler made in notes accompanying the show. The signature Westwood silhouette, with its skilfully draped curves came in rich, Klimt colours. One model carried a dog down the catwalk, while others wore takeout coffee cups in their hair. The designs were an eclectic clash of prints and patterns, all heavily layered and styled with a punk sensibility.
Bigger Is Better
At least for ACNE Studios this is true, going big and bold with designs and over-sized bags. Jonny Johanson sure has his own way of re-writing the rules. Playing with linen dresses in earthy tones that seemed to be cut along a warped asymmetric line and often teaming the look with floral prints gave off a fresh feel to the collection. Another key trend seen on this runway were experiments with tailoring and proportions. There wert pinstriped jackets layered over pin striped blouses teamed with pin striped trousers to sweaters covered in polka dots and tinted sunglasses, adding a positively playful feel.
Ending With A Bang
Louis Vuitton closed Paris Fashion Week in style as Nicolas Ghesquière took viewers to The Lourve to showcase his latest collection. Models walked the runway to Frank Ocean’s ‘Pyramids’ in designs that were visibly more down to earth than the setting. This collection showcased glossy leather and satin coats, silk dresses that added a feminine touch and pops of denim and fur that were all paired with lug soled boots and accessorised with the one and only LV monogrammed bags.