After spending four weeks in an utter fashion frenzy, either rushing from country to country then from show to show or spending the month pouring over a multitude of images back home, it really does take something really special to re-energise, awaken and lift the spirits of the weary fash-pack... Valentino.
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented the most exceptional ready to wear collection for Valentino at the end of Paris Fashion Week. I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw the images pop up on my iPhone whilst running to a meeting. Each of the 73 ethnic, opulent, folksy, medieval, exotic and regal looks were more majestic and striking than the last. The severely WOW-beautiful micro-minidresses (below) would be much appreciated in my wardrobe.
PFW: Chanel SS'14
Karl Lagerfeld’s transformed the stark, white-walled Grand Palais into an art gallery setting for his SS’14 Chanel collection during Paris Fashion Week. As well as exhibiting several installations and sculptures, such as an awesome Chanel No 5 robot, artists including Kandinsky, Pollock, Oldenberg and Duchamp also heavily influenced the ninety-odd designs that still managed to remain identifiably Chanel.
The headphone’esq pearl bauble necklaces really caught my attention, as did the model’s themed, artistic eye make up. The monochrome socked patent court shoes(below) were almost certainly chic on the day, but the practicality of this footwear is clearly questionable! Right... I'm off to buy a peroxide wig.
Below (L-R) Clockwise: I do sooo love a Chanel FROW!! Lou Dillon, Vanessa Paradis, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Laura Bailey and Caroline Sieber.
Tommy Ton's PFW Street Style Snaps
We all know that the fashion seen off the runway during fashion weeks can frequently be just as exciting and eccentric as that seen on the runway and Canadian photographerTommy Ton’s coverage for Style.com is unrivaled. Giving us all a glimpse into what some of the most glamourous fashionistas wore to and around the most talked about fashion events of the year, I always spend FAR too much time pouring over Tommy's brilliant street style snaps from Paris. There are also always plenty of pics of Anna Dello Russo (above), Tommy's fashion editor muse, in many of her striking ensembles.
Here is a small, delicious, taster...
Photographs courtesy of Style.com
PFW: Balenciaga SS'14
Alexander Wang’s second collection as the creative director for Baleciaga was stunning. Lantern and peplum silhouettes, handwoven fabrics in curved proportions and innovative perforated leather in light grey, whites and soft pinks were shown alongside the brand’s signature voluminous tops worn with smaller bottoms. These looks were all cleverly mirrored for the audience on the SS’14 runway at the Observatoire de Paris.
Architectural works of art.
PFW: Stella McCartney SS'14
Amidst the modern tomboy aesthetic Stella McCartney has long been associated with, some lighter, more romantic designs were also displayed on the catwalk during this Paris Fashion Week. J'adorrre these two delicate lingerie-laced SS’14 dresses (above) worn by supermodels Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne.
PFW: Isabel Marant SS'14
I love how Isabel Marant designs such feminine and elegant pieces yet manages to creates such boyishly cool, rock and roll looks. “It's the contrast of two ideas that I’m always trying to work with,” the designer said after previewing her ‘Tough Romance’ SS’14 collection filled with floral dresses worn with strong-shouldered tuxedo blazers, ruffle-tiered tops worn with hotpants, and frilly lace skirts slit to the thigh and worn with studded ankle boots. So very cool.
Credit Buy: Alice by Temperley's Celia Dress
Oh Zut Alorrrrrs, I am suffering from THE worst case of Le FOMO... I am daydreaming of being in Paris for Paris Fashion Week. Yesterday, attempting to make up for the intense lack of croissants and couture in my life, I headed to Megan’s café in Chelsea (above) for brunch and pretended I was at Café de Flore... This helped un petit peu. Today however, I am wishing I was floating nonchalantly down the Champ Elysees in this beautiful polka-dot tulle Alice by Temperley Celia Maxidress (below, RRP. £445.00 at net-a-porter.com). Cool, alluring, flirty and with just the right amount of je ne sais quoi.
Je voudrais this beauty and a Eurostar ticket s'il vous plait.
HAWT: Olivia Palermo in Christian Dior Shoes
Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.
Olivia Palermo arrived at the Christian Dior A/W'13 Ready-to-Wear show during last week's Paris Fashion Week wearing these incredible heels from Dior's Spring 2013 collection. The black leather slingbacks featured a mirrored purple cuff.
Shoe envy factor? High.
Looking as gorgeously stylish as ever, Olivia (left) paired her shoes with a striped sleeveless Dior dress, also from their SS'13 collction, and the Felder Felder Nashville fur-trimmed wool coat. Olivia's burgundy bag was also, of course, by Dior. Aside from the unfortunate use of fur on her coat, Olivia's look is as flawless and perfectly polished as ever.
Kate Moss Walks for Louis Vuitton AW'13
Two years ago it was a cigarette, last year a carousel, and this year it was a cropped black wig. Kate Moss once again walked the Louis Vuitton Fall 2013 runway on the final day of Paris Fashion Week last week. Kate wore the revealing, floral embroidered gown with her signature nonchalance, supporting her good friend, designer Marc Jacobs.
The show had a real Downton Abbey vibe – according to the show notes this was translated with an ‘attitude of getting dressed up only to find the most glamorous destination is one's own hotel room.’ With that energy in mind, models emerged from behind closed doors adorned in a selection of gorgeous 1920’s-style French lace lingerie dresses and shimmering long-sleeve gowns covered in rounded, lavish overcoats in dusky pink and soft grey. 1940’s-style inspired suits, ladylike shirts and jackets in an array of velvet, tweed, printed satin (and unfortunately fur) made for an elegant, sophisticated collection (despite the lack of bras - apparently not so 2013). I adored the luxe silk pyjamas which were not only worn by several models on the runway, but also by Marc Jacobs himself as he took his bow (below).
PFW - Alexander McQueen
'Bees' was the buzz word at the Alexander McQueen SS’13 show in Paris. Luckily without a stripe in sight (could there have been a more prevalling trend for next Spring?!) this collection honed in on the female form, going 'back to womanhood' and merely using bees, which designer Sarah Burton explained are “a matriarchal society where the females rule,” as inspiration to portray this.
There were clinched waists, caged peplums and figure-hugging cigarette pants in honeycomb prints, jacquard fabric and golden hues. Flowers and bees were seen decorating dresses, and models even wore bee-keeper style hats and glittering, golden platforms as they strutted to the tune of ‘Sugar Sugar.’ The McQueen Bee.
