Lanvin Look 1 / Look 2 / Look 3 / Look 4 / Look 5
Paris Fashion Week has begun, and I’m wishing more than ever I was there. I’ve only been to Paris once, and honestly, I don’t feel like I did it right. It was essentially a 48 hour blitzkrieg of my friends and I trying to see as much as we could, and spending at least 12 hours a day on our feet (I was foolish and wore gladiator sandals that provided ZERO support to my flat-footed soles and my hooves have never quite healed), running around the metro from place to place. We weren’t able to embrace the laissez-faire attitude, sit with baguettes and wine, and just people watch. Since leaving, I’ve known that one day I MUST go back and see Paris properly.
The Paris collections thus far have been very beautiful, very eclectic, and very chic. For now I’ll just discuss a few that caught my eye.
Alber Elbaz is such an artist, and his masterpieces for Lanvin‘s Fall 2014 are no exception. The collection is very rich and fanciful. What appealed to me most was the dark and moody palette, combined with the elegant, yet curious looks. This was so Elbaz, and SO Paris. It’s official, I want to tar and feather my existing wardrobe, so it looks more like these garments. As an applique, feathers are by far the most exquisite and sophisticated option. They add a bizarre touch of intrigue to an extremely stylish collection. This Lanvin woman is highly cultivated and a bit like a curiosity found in museum herself.
Balmain Look 1 / Look 2 / Look 3 / Look 4 / Look 5
Strike that. I don’t want to go to Paris, I want to go on Safari with Olivier Rousteing. His Fall collection for Balmain is majorly gorgeous. I’m so in love with this collection. Rousteing is an unbelievable designer, with such insane talent. The details in the collection are totally breathtaking. I love all the leather pieces, I don’t know how he can make it look heavy and hard, and then have it drape and pleat so beautifully. The global inspiration made for such a creative and eye catching show. So many different textures and prints, but it remained completely harmonious. There are so many different looks each offering stylish and unique designs. I find it almost impossible to pick one favourite look!
Balenciaga Look 1 / Look 2 / Look 3 / Look 4 / Look 5
Balenciaga has long been one of my very favourite labels. In my eyes, Nicolas Ghesquière can do no wrong. When I learned of his departure from the brand I was so upset, as he had been doing such amazing things for the House, and I didn’t want Balenciaga to lose that momentum. However, when I found out that Alexander Wang would be his successor, I was thrilled. I love Wang’s aesthetic and design, and could envision how that perspective would translate nicely to Balenciaga. I think this Fall 2014 collection is my favourite of Wang’s so far. I loved the simplicity of many of the pieces, though I realize they aren’t really simple at all. But the clean lines and minimalist style of many of the looks gave off that appearance. The looks were unfussy, such as the belted long leather jacket, but the detail of the textured leather made it so sophisticated and unique. The metal grommets and knitted designs on the leather, short-sleeved dresses were almost unnoticeable, but so cool once you looked closer. It’s these fine details: the silhouette of a black jacket, the weaving done on the black and blue netted dress, and the marled effect of the colourful coats (just to name a few) that really made each look land a place in my heart. Not to mention the amazing shoes!! Thigh high leather boots? Yes please! Oxblood little booties? Over here, size 9! Wedged stilettos? Don’t mind if I do! I’m really liking where he’s going with the brand, as it still has the distinctness that Ghesquière brought to his collections, but Wang has brought his own cool, hip ease to it as well.
This is only the beginning folks…so many more of my favourites to come. What will Hedi Slimane send down the Saint Laurent runway? Or Raf Simons for Dior? Or Maison Martin Margiela?? Chloé?? Céline??? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: What will the amazing Ghesquière show for his first ever Louis Vuitton collection?? I’m beyond excited!
the rêve head 