Parisian prints
The latest looks from fashion week
October 16, 2016
During the last week of September and the first week of October, multiple celebrities and staff roam the streets of Paris for fashion week. With houses like Valentino, Hermes, and Dior showcasing their latest looks, it’s no wonder that reporters flock to events like these while rest of us eagerly follow along on social media.
Yves Saint Laurent led the pack as models sporting their Spring/Summer 2017 collection owned the runway. During the first part of the show, models flaunted boyfriend and girlfriend jeans with black velvet or leather tops. This method of mixing and matching different textures to created a modern, aesthetically pleasing effect, with the black tops adding a hint of chic. Little by little, Vaccarello added so gold accents, in jackets, skirts, patterns on dresses and a brooch with the brand’s logo. Every detail was planned, down to the earrings, which varied depending on the looks but managed to flow seamlessly with the outfit as a whole. Jump to mid-show and the feminine looks become more masculine with blazers and high-waisted leather pants taking center stage. But Vaccarello didn’t stop there and continued to play more with textures and mix fabrics like leather and lace. Vaccarello’s daring approach produced stylish, androgynous looks that left the audience wanting more.
Balmain arrived in style on Thursday, with pop culture’s most famous people, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Kendall Jenner in the front row. The featured looks had models show off flashy colors and daring patterns boldly contrasted with black.
Dior was up next with Maria Grazia Chiuri choosing sporty and chic as the main looks. Ruth Bell opened the show with fencing attire. A star-studded front row included Kate Moss, Jennifer Lawrence, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard and even Rihanna. The fashion was filled with wordplay, tarot figures, and pure shades of red, white or black. The lightness of the materials and the bee, Dior’s symbol showed attention to detail while the hair was the showstopper, with buns and twisted braids to name a few. Dior stuck to tradition in this show and remained, as always, chic and delicate.
Valentino stunned crowds with its traditional “perfect red” mixed with pinks, to form dresses of all lengths that are sure to stand out at a cocktail gala. If Valentino couldn’t escape the temptation of street chic, with models coming out in trench coats, leather jackets, and parkas. The fact remains that the pleats, frills, and embroidery associated with the brand maintain their position as the focus of the show. Through outfits influenced by street style, Valentino has proven able to evolve with the times.
The Hermès show was probably my favorite. Maybe because I love this brand and its style, or maybe because it’s my mother’s favorite high-end shop. During the show, audiences admired the leather second skin effect, the discrete zippers, and the pop of pink. We always recognize the Hermès brand through its simple and chic style. It can adapt to every women and morphology, and these traits are evident in its success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riISdeX-9_E
The 9th show was Chanel, led by Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld’s preference of “to be” rather than “has been” was evident in his tech-filled show. The mix of colors and metallic effects made for a chic and sexy look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HATSOtteKc
The last show was the Louis Vuitton show, which was held in the new Louis Vuitton shop. Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director, chose some basic pieces like tailors and trenchcoats but added a contemporary effect, breathing new life into what should’ve been ordinary outfits.