Going over the designs from Paris Fashion Week Couture, one brand had a star studded Runway Walk. Normally, this is a bad omen, the focus shifts from the looks to the celebs. Prophecies coming true scare me. Not mentioning the name of this brand or designer as I watched the fashion video, a lesson learned. Do not watch DUNE while taking MDNA. Fashion is fun, a bit silly but the line to stupid was crossed. When the models walked as if they were wounded from Hyena attacks, time for a design rethink. Certainly, the global publicity for the brand will be enormous. However, laughing with you is different from laughing at you. I wonder which will win out.
Saint Laaurent Creative Anthony Vaccarello took the brand off the Paris Fashion Week schedule in April 2020, announcing it would create its own calendar. Two days ago the brand unveiled the Spring/Summer 21 collection. What can I say? Yes. I really loved the looks.
A throwback to the fun days of going out. A celebration of just being wonderful and fabulous without guilt. The attention getting halter neck and sleeveless silhouettes are for a woman not afraid of chic attention.
Vaccarello designed sixty six looks for going out to Studio 54 to meet Liza and Marisa Berenson.
Biker or exercise shorts styles were not my favourites, Chic Cheap.
Saint Laurent does not need my review. But, I had to give credit where credit is due. It is good to see a fashion megabrand still rooted it its historical sophistication.
Paris Fashion Week Men kicked off this season online. In the New Normal fashion shows are not in style. Designers delivered their latest looks via digital platforms. Below are some highlights:
The New Normal has affected glamour. Nothing has been untouched. The first Paris Fashion Week Couture moved online this season. I expected straight forward presentations but some brands took inspirations from different sources, producing short films.
This is an overview of Day 1.
An added bonus, menswear looks from Hermes.
https://youtu.be/MSOt2_kUXBg
My reaction to seeing fashion online. I am a bit sad. Part of the fun is attending the shows, soaking in the atmosphere, witnessing the creativity.
Is the future of the fashion business online? I am not convinced. Stay tuned for my video.
Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture is over. This season, a strange feeling hovered over the French Capital. Numerous strikes have paralysedFrance. President Macron’s reform policies have not gone down well the citizens. I am not familiar with Gaul politics and economy but Paris was a city filled with tension. How many strikes occur in Paris on a weekly basis? I knew this would be a different fashion week when my flight was delayed. When I arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport, the first announcement I heard, “Due to industrial action,,,”. “Welcome!”
Secondly, Paris was really cold and gray. One day the temperature hit -4. Not pleasant weather for running around from show to show or standing outside for an extra 30 or 40 minutes. This fashion week events never start on time.
All shows had extra security on hand. The entire city has been on alert for threats.
Is This Worth It?
My problem with fashion has been the democratization has been haphazard at best. I am beginning to wonder if it is worth attending a fashion week. Standing in lines, Fighting crowds, the expenses, the ROI seems to diminish. Has Instagram and social media has been a blessing or a curse? A lot of invites, a lot of attendees, but why? The agencies cannot keep up with the requests. The crowd control situation is the same as a South American Bus Station. However, strangely, many shows were not at full capacity.
At one show, I saw how exasperated the staff became. All of the sudden there are so many stylists, photographers, and influencers. HUH? I asked a few to show me their work. An Instagram Selfie is now an editorial. Then, there are those who borrow or buy clothes (later returned) for a fashion show appearance. The people who really work during fashion week cannot dress as if their are attending the Red Carpet Met Gala. I can spot them a front row seat away.
Thankfully, I do not have the need to be seen at every fashion show. If I sit five rows back, I ususally say, “send me the pictures”.
GoodBye
The big news from Paris Haute Couture Week, sadly, the last show for Jean Paul Gaultier. Sexual, imaginative, and ahead of the gender curve designer bowed out after 50 years on the scene. Gaultier stopped making Ready to Wear designs years ago, now, no more Couture looks. The star studded show was packed with his friends walking the runway. His classic breton stripes interpretations and ethnic chic influences, his frivolity will be missed.
I am still going over the looks from Haute Couture Week, please stay tuned. A lot of reviews coming soon.
Do women still want to wear wedding dresses? Is this too traditional for the 21stcentury? After the past few young royal events, everyone wants to feel like a princess.
The centerpiece of Ziad Nakad’s couture collection is the wedding dress fit for a 18th century noble bride.
I am not going to ignore the rest of the Lebanese designers lush looks made up of embroidery, pastel colors, and stones. This is a man who loves women at their most glamourous.
