Sunday, April 7, 2013

Fall 2013 Review - Part 3 Paris


The Paris shows are always the most eccentric, the most daring and the most extravagant. The grandest of the grand old houses show in Paris and they know how to put on a show...

Impact @ Chanel




Atmosphere Photos From the Fall 2013 Collections - Dries Van Noten
Drama @ Dries Van Noten


Atmosphere Photos From the Fall 2013 Collections - Louis Vuitton
Mystery @ Louis Vuitton


There were some common trends among my favorites like retro at Louis Vuitton and Mui Mui and punk at Junya Watanabe.

1960'S Overcoats at Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton channeling Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8

Amazing flower petal sandals at Louis Vuitton



Mary Janes and Neckerchiefs at Mui Mui

Mui Mui
The iconic motorcycle jacket meets the classic 3/4 overcoat at Junya Watanabe

This season in particular there seemed to be many more designers adopting the practice of playing with cuts. Where they are cutting clothes not only asymmetric but purposely off center, like off off center. There were also some odd proportions which ultimately felt like the designer was just trying too hard to be different - for example Barbara Bui. We saw a bit of this in Spring too, but there was a very large group doing this in Fall. I don't know how successful it is when you can't help but ask, "Is it supposed to fit like that?" I feel that if you are wondering, they aren't succeeding. Below are examples of the worst and the best;


 Barbara Bui : The proportion of this suit - the flared short pant with the low rise and the wide shouldered jacket just don't work. They seem as if the designer were cutting the suit this way just to be different, not to be flattering.

 
The most successful designer cutting asymmetric and experimental was Haider Ackermann.

These looks are all cut so well and fit so perfectly that there is no question regarding the designers intention.

Haider Ackermann Fall 2013
Extremely cool boots @ Haider Ackerman




Some other notably cool looks came from the following designers:


Volume and drape at Gareth Pugh




Detail at  Comme des Garcons.



Givenchy Fall 2013

Mixing patterns at Givenchy.  I love all the colors - the soft pink and cherry red. I love the floral print and the shiny boot against the softness of the silk.
Elie Saab Fall 2013
Channeling a modern day Katherine Hepburn look at Elie Saab

Long and fluid at Ann Demeulemeester. I would put this with a simple fitted black leather jacket and some long layered necklaces.
Akris Fall 2013
Chic and Easy @ Akris


Valentino Fall 2013
Demure and Detailed @ Valentino

Alexander McQueen Fall 2013
Keeping the torch lit @ Alexander McQueen



 All in all Paris proved once again to show a good mix of cutting edge strangeness and chic covetable fashion. I for one am looking forward to the September issues and all the creative ad campaigns... Thanks for reading!