Past, present and future converge at this month’s Paris Fashion Week 2022.
Paris Fashion Week FW22 commenced on Monday to feature this year’s Fall/Winter 22-33 collections following a two-year absence due to pandemic lockdowns. While we pend the conclusion of one global crisis, another is unfolding. The Ukraine invasion continues to weigh heavy on Europe and the world and, therefore, will do the same on the week’s events.
Of the ninety-five houses listed on the schedule, fourty-five are physical shows, thirty-seven are physical presentations, and thirteen are digital-only events. Amongst those partaking in physical shows is Louis Vuitton, Isabel Marant, Dior, Saint Laurent, Loewe, Balenciaga, Chanel, Off-White, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, Chloe, Givenchy, Valentino, Balmain, Vivienne Westwood and The Row.
Live-streaming, however, will remain a big part of the event, with the brands named above and many others adopting the format for specific components of their shows.
First up, a tribute to Virgil Abloh
Opening the week was a tribute to Virgil Abloh- who, among many things, was the founder of Off-White.
The brand’s showcase, Spaceship Earth: an Imaginary Experience, was led by his close friend Naomi Campbell, who also walked his final show in January last year.
The Louis Vuitton creative director was honoured on Monday with a cast of super and new-age models, who were also some of Abloh’s most faithful friends.
Amber Valletta and Helena Christensen, Adut Akech and Kendyll Jenner, and the Hadid sisters were among them.
Karen Elson, Cindy Crawford and the Gerber’s also walked to pay homage to the industry legend.
Louis Vuitton continues to hold a majority stake in Off-White and believes the label can endure and prosper in the absence of its creator.
“Off-White is in the position that Dior was in 1957 (when its founder died),”
– Louis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke told Business of Fashion.
The Guest List
Rhianna and her bump were accompanied by A$ap Rocky, alongside other surprise guests including Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss, Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls.
Check out the full presentation below:
New Arrivals
The Row
Established in 2006 by Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, The Row focuses on remarkable fabrics, impeccable detail and precise tailoring. What develops is timeless and classic pieces with an edge.
Germanier
Germanier is an eco-friendly label founded in 2018 by Kevin Germanier. The brand utilises luxury up-cycled fabrics and inspiration from a futuristic utopia to produce attention-stealing details. The brand is a favourite among celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Kristen Stewart, Björk or Sunmi.
Ester Manas
Ester Manas is a sustainable and inclusive brand that aims to celebrate every woman of all shapes. Founded and designed by Balthazar Delepierre & Ester Manas, the duo set a theme of sensuality and empowerment for Paris Fashion Week 2022. This played out across a range of sheer lingerie-influence dresses, peephole knit pieces and printed tees.
Christoph Rumpf
Christoph Rumpf proposes to redefine a sense of luxury by converging the traditional men’s wardrobe with modern and theatrical details. The outcome works to celebrate masculinity and femininity to equal extent.
Mossi
An ethical ready-to-wear that was born in the spirit of integration and sharing. Mossi mixes artistic collaborations and artisanal knowledge to develop their clothing. Each season, the designer tells the story of his collection surrounding the creative partnership.
Benjamin Benmoyal
Benjamin Benmoyal, a French-Israeli fashion and textile designer, founded his label in 2020. His work draws inspiration from his Moroccan origins and focuses on volumes and drapings from traditional outfits- weaving colourful striped fabrics for a truly extrodinary outcome.
Chen Peng
Chen Peng is a London-based brand established in 2015 by Chinese designer Peng Cheng. He works a one-sized fashion label that aims highlight personal styles and empower all people to pursue beauty no matter their size. The brand’s celebrities followers include Rihanna, Lady Gaga, P!nk, Bella Hadid, and Fan Bingbing.
Thebe Magugu
A luxury South African fashion brand that offers sleek and forward-looking ready-to-wear collections, incorporating details from South Africa’s storied past. This acts as an honour of culture whilst the brand also looks to intersect novelty and unwavering quality.
Cecilie Bahnsen
Cecilie Bahnsen operates at the intersection of couture and ready-to-wear, creating luxury wear with a loose, timeless style. The Danish label intersects traditional fine French fashion with Scandinavia design. Bahnsen (the founder) hand-designs unique fabrics for the coming collections each season.
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