Paris Fashion Week: Fresh Talents

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Paris Fashion Week: Fresh Talents
All of the fashion world rushed from Italian fashion capital Milan to the next destination and biggest event of the season, the highly anticipated Paris Fashion Week. Nine days of runway shows and presentations of spring/summer 2013 collections started with upcoming talents showcasing their designs. My first show of the season was Portuguese designer Fatima Lopes, which is increasingly gaining recognition among fashion lovers. Naturally, I was really excited to get right to work and start this fashion week but the moody Parisian weather somehow didn’t share that excitement with me. Rain, however, couldn’t dampen the spirits of fashionistas who flocked to the shows, striking their poses for paparazzi as usual. Somehow I ended with two invitations to the show, so I invited my friend with me to see her first ever fashion show. She was thrilled. The amazing venue of Teatre de Ville was transformed into tropical paradise. We could hear exotic birds singing on the speakers and enjoy the exuberant green plants on set. Clearly, the theme of the collection was luxurious paradise. Models walked the runway to strong beats like queens of the Amazon. They were wearing sexy dresses with asymmetric cuts that revealed plenty of skin. Form fitting silhouettes with some inspiration from the tradicional asian costumes worked as a very seductive formula. Black combined with vibrant and colorful print of paradise nature pictured an illusion that took our imagination to desirable exotic destinations. Amazons were decorated with golden accessories from PP From Longwy that were made especially for this lavish collection. Small clutches and sky high shoes were embellished with lilies, bracelets and necklaces were shaped as blooming flowers. I was blown away. The altogether look of the collection was strong but dreamy, very naturalistic but cosmic at the same time. I had to skip a few shows that day due to my other work obligations but I was sure to check all the reports as soon as my schedule cleared out. I was most impressed with the following three designers: Belgium based designer Veronique Branquinho showed a beautiful spring/summer collection in gold, kerosene and navy colors. It’s very simplistic and wearable, the long dresses, cool shirts with rolled up sleeves and the classic pantsuit will definitely find room in many closets. Another Belgium designer worth mentioning is newcomer Cédric Charlier. His designs included oversized pieces, zipper details, intriguingly cut dresses and abstract prints. Models closed the show with radiant orange garments that made us all wish for next summer to come as soon as possible. Anthony Vaccarello is the most known from the bunch. His collection consists of everyday pieces that most women will love to wear.  Personally I love the long blazers, oversized shirts, draped skirts and dresses with peek-a-boo cuts. The metalic print and colors will surely be a big trend next summer. By the comments on Twitter it was clear that everyone was impressed by the closing act – Anja Rubik with her gorgeous long legs in a smoking hot black dress. The second show I had pleasure seeing on the first day of Paris Fashion Week was one of my favourites, Steffie Christiaens. By the number of anxious guest waiting outside Garage Turenne I knew we shared the same excitment. The show started fashionably late with more than a 30 minute delay. I tought to myself: »this better be worth waiting for!«  And it was. Underwater photography was Steffie’s main inspiration for the spring/summer 2013 collection. Her water nymphs walked down the runway in a dream-like dresses, tailored jackets with big volumes, pencil skirts and fitted pants. The collection was powerful and full of contrasts. Clothes were both soft and hard at the edges, flowing and at times structured, romantic with pastel colors and very down to earth in black, seductive with transparency and serious in shapes. The collection is very sculptural what makes it at times kind of futuristic. Steffie Christiaens is always designing on that thin line between wearable and conceptual and this collection is no exception. If some pieces have a simplicity to them, others clearly invoke our imagination. The cuts are unexpected, the clothes are fitted, yet they have volume.  Although some pieces may look simple at first, their material and color selection makes them truly special. Imaginary water patterns and moon shapes seem to repeat in most looks. Same moon shapes also seem to be the theme of the gorgeous accessories. Massive necklaces, round shaped sunglasses, small clutches, black and gold cuffs and earrings with long chains that looked like they’re going to chain the models to the runway were all complementing the fantasy collection. The show was as brief as it was intense and by the look of the guests around me they were both satisfied and intrigued. First day of fashion week clearly set the tone for the whole season, making us hungry for more. TBC. Images courtesy of Cédric Charlier and Steffie Christiaens, respectively.
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