No fashionable love affair would be complete without a stroll along the Seine. Over the past week Paris has hosted the fashion elite for the fin d’amour for spring summer 2015’s fashion collections. From 50 shades of Kimye to 50 croissants, Paris Fashion Week included an eclectic mix of entertainment and fashion, from burkha prints to skate parks and celebrity pranks. Here’s our pick of the shows and trends we fell in love with during Paris Fashion Week…
BEST IN SHOW
The week’s love affair commenced with Dior, and Raf Simons’ long A-line coats worn with Bermuda shorts and skirt suits complete with unique sock booties, adding a street style edge to the usual Dior lady.
Dior
Environmental and political messages were woven into the week, with Hussein Chalayan’s dresses depicting burka clad women and Kenzo’s backstage message “Kenzo would like to remind you that there is no Planet B. Protect what’s precious,” which was broadcast in several languages into the skate park where the show was held.
The most surprising political rally came courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld’s models staging a faux riot on the Boulevard Chanel declaring “Tweed is better than tweet” and “Make fashion not war” to the soundtrack of Whitney Houston classics, while carrying bags with faux political slogans. There was certainly tweed, suits, colourful shirts and Gisele wearing a striped cardigan with matching booties!
The Chanel rally at Paris Fashion Week
Stunning show sets included Dries Van Noten’s Midsummer Night dream magical mossy effect runway, inspired by John Everett Millais’ 19th century Ophelia painting, and designed by Buenos Aires-based artist Alexandra Kehayoglou. The collection evoked bohemian and festival vibes, as models wore silk brocade shorts with bomber jackets and tunics adorned with gold threads. The fairytale finale had models lying or sitting on the grass effect runway.
Dries Van Noten
Sonia Rykiel and Balmain’s collections exuded sassiness with models sent down the runway in grid and stripe effect dresses and skirts, which left little to the imagination. World McQueen turned the heat up by creating a fierce army that was part Geisha, part Samurai, wearing laser-cut leather harnesses and black face masks, softened by organza flower skirts and silk jacquard tunics.
Elie Saab, a regional favourite, showcased a selection of stunning oceanic and tropical print inspired shirt dresses, pret a porter for Hollywood starlets and ladies who love luxury. We’ve fallen for the juxtaposed monochrome and tropical print shift style dresses.
KEY TRENDS
Paris fashion week continued the themes seen in New York, London and Milan. Key fabrics included silk, leather, lace and suede.
The 70s, once again, was a big influence from long coats paired with tiny shorts or trousers, as shown at Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney and Giambattista Valli, while oversized clothing was on-trend at Kenzo.
The mid-calf skirt is a wardrobe must-have, grab yours from Mouret, Celine, or Commes des Garcons.
Celine
Bohemian and festival-themed looks created a vibrant mood at Isabel Marant, Dries Van Noten or Chloe.
If you’re feeling risqué opt for short skirts from Saint Laurent, and accessorise with sequins, turbans and platforms for a rock n’ roll look.
Slits and peekaboo holes will keep you in shape as showcased at Celine and McCartney, as will the sporty looks from Carven, Acne Viktor and Rolf.
If you’re feeling body-brave the transparent effect, as seen at Balmain, will certainly evoke amour.
The hues for the seasons are light and breezy or popping, as shown at Acne and Carven, with floral or graphics prints reigning supreme.
Joan Smalls at Balmain
MODEL(S) OF THE WEEK
No fashion week runway has been complete without Kendall Jenner and this continued at Paris, from Balmain to Givenchy and Rykiel. KJ’s Paris debut was flawless.
Kendall Jenner at Givenchy
Sonia Rykiel’s line up included Kendall Jenner, Miranda Kerr, Georgia May Jagger and Joan Smalls.
Karlie Kloss, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner all walked for Balmain. While Gisele appeared on the Boulevard Chanel with fellow protestors.
THE FROW
The journalists were in love with Kanye West and the entire Kardashian clan. From Balmain to Balenciaga, Kim and Kanye whipped Paris into a storm. Narrowly escaping being pushed to the floor by Vitalii Sediuk on the way to the Balmain show, baby North experienced her first show wearing Kanye’s label, Yeezus.
Kim Kardashian with baby North and husband Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week
Emma Ferrer, the granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn turned heads at Lanvin (when everyone could look away from Kimye).
At Chloé Rosie Huntington-Whiteley joined Ellie Goulding and Oliva Palermo in front row while Dior’s ladies included Marion Cotillard, Carla Bruni and Dakota Fanning.
Marion Cotillard and Dakota Fanning at Dior
BACKSTAGE GOSSIP
Grace Coddington had a mini style icon Alonso Mateo.
The Kardashian clan partied the night away at Balmain.
Words: Natalie Morrison, founder of SHIFT Fashion
Images: Getty
