Paris Fashion Week kicked off in true Parisian style. Nicola Formichetti, creative director of the house of Thierry Mugler, showed his spring-summer 2013 collection at Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, a Parisian museum of architecture. The collection didn’t disappoint with the slightly new direction Formichetti took in creating every-so-slightly less structured pieces to embrace both the non-con and sexy short hemline trends seen throughout PFW. However, the structure, complexity and definition that Mugler is known for was certainly not lost in the process, as the collection was markedly more feminine than that of past seasons.
The show was also spiced up with a little Gaga style. As Formichetti is also the stylist extraordinaire of popstar Lady Gaga and as such recieved a gift from the iconic singer for his show. Although she couldn’t make an appearance due to her tour and performance that day in Zurich, she gave Nicola a new, unreleased single for the soundtrack. Titled “Cake,” the track is Gaga’s first rap song. A video of the collection featuring the new Gaga song was released today.
Other highlights at the start of PFW included Gareth Pugh’s True Blood worthy collection, featuring a monochrome colour palette with a few bold, vampy red pieces thrown in for good measure. The collection can only be described as sexy, futuristic geisha-esque and although a few pieces proved bizarre, they were nonetheless intriguing and strangely elegant.
In our minds a Balmain dress is instantly recognizable, and this is still very much the case for ss13.This season had a very harlequin-esque feel, showcasing jumpsuits alongside the classic Balmain strong-shoulderd dress shapes.
Another favorite of the day was the Nina Ricci collection. Pieces had a classic romanticism feel with a slight gothic twist this season that oozed sex appeal. It would seem that the Fifty Shades of Grey influence that has been seen throughout Fashion Month struck again with the notably dominatrix-inspired bondage pieces that took the show’s runway.
Paris Fashion Week’s weekend was a thrill ride for fashionistas featuring Vivienne Westwood, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano. Raf Simon presented a ready-to-wear line for Christian Dior that as a whole was contemporary and modern with a hint of romanticism. While Vivienne Westwood featured models that channeled Marie Antoinette with their hair and outfits, and the makeup featured both aristocratically powdered and large brown heart painted faces. Overall very cute and fun looks in true Parisian fashion.
Among all the major houses that debuted collections over PFW weekend, the Jean Paul Gaultier collection was the most memorable, inspired by music icons. Expanding upon the late Amy Winehouse inspired show back in January, this time looks were inspired by David Bowie, Boy George, Madonna and legendary Michael Jackson. We are sure the show almost felt like a concert with the numerous multi-colored stage lights and eye-candy outfits.
It seems the best were saved for last, with PFW closing out with some of our favorite shows of the whole week. Not a true PFW without a sumptuous Chanel show at the Grand Palais, Karl Lagerfeld wowed us again with his magical touch, yet again managing to rework the iconic tweed jacket. The collection was a flawless mix of classic Chanel style and contemporary femininity. To top off the show, hula-hoop and leg-inspired bags along with oversized pearls completed the looks as statement pieces.
One of our favorite shows of the week, Sarah Burton’s vision for Alexander McQueen left us awestruck. Beautiful does not even begin to describe the intricate gowns and dresses that flowed ethereally down the runway paired with mysterious, elegant beekeeper-esque veils.We can’t wait to see which celebs don these masterpieces!
The closing day of PFW saw a phenomenal first as Louis Vuitton transported audiences to a futuristic fashion paradise with his show that featured pairs of models descending onto a checkerboard runway via four glowing escalators. To match the venue the collection featured predominately checked patterns that created a clean, pure feel in the outfits. To compliment the pattern outfits had simple, classic cuts and were paired with simple barely-there accessories. The show was truly a fashionistas stairway to heaven!