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PARIS FASHION WEEK ENDS WITH A BANG

6 Oct 2011
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Paris Fashion Week went out with a bang this year. Among the talking points were the Louis Vuitton fashion merry-go-round set-up in the Louvre’s Cour Carrée, Kate Moss making a rare runway appearance closing the show for Louis Vuitton and Karl Lagerfeld’s underwater set and a live appearance by Florence Welch at the Chanel show.

Here is what ELLE’s fashion assistant Tarryn Oppel has to say about our five favourite shows.

Louis Vuitton

‘After the hardness of Fall, we wanted something gentle and kind, fragile but strong, too.” So said Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs and how right he was! The pastels, sheer fabrics, feathers and flower appliqués, contrasted with croc skin bags, metallic accents and sharp laser cutting, most certainly gave it that balance. The collection’s too sweet to fault, but then again, who are we to criticise such a detail-driven genius?’

Spotted in the front row: Uma Thurman, Alexa Chung and Natalia Vodianova (all in Louis Vuitton).

Chanel

‘Karl Lagerfeld created a set that resembled an underwater world complete with clam shells. I’ve seen this concept done many times, so what could he possibly add that was new and exciting? Fabric choice and manipulation, and those metallic shoes, were what kept me excited! I believed his story: with ruffled skirts and dresses that resembled sea sponges; sheer, pleated tops that reminded me of gills, and lustrous off-white fabrics that shone like pearls. I loved how he carried that through in the styling by replacing belts with pearl strands, yet still stayed true to the spirit of Chanel by including a few boxy tweeds and beautiful dropped waists.’

Spotted in the front row: Poppy Delevigne. Alexa Chung, Jared Leto and Inès de la Fressange.

Alexander McQueen

‘Sarah Burton’s inspiration might have come from a similar place to Karl Lagerfeld’s, but this was just on another level. From the coral tones and the abstract prints, complexity in design and fabric manipulation, to the hair and make-up and that absolutely amazing showstopper ‘fish’ dress, it was dreamy, yet goddess-like and left me in awe. I’m almost speechless.’

Spotted in the front row: Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault, Net-a-Porter’s Natalie Massenet, Holli Rogers and Rachel Zoe. (‘I was disappointed that Kate Middleton didn’t put in an appearance as we know she’s a fan. If I were the future Queen of England, I would pull some strings to attend Paris Fashion Week,’ said ELLE’s Cheska Liackman)

Valentino

‘Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri’s collection for Valentino was just what you’d expect: feminine and graceful. What made me smile was the unexpected styling of all the beautiful dresses that were paired with flat sandals, as well as the inclusion of leather. That deep-red collared leather dress was a winner and all the pieces that fused leather, sheer fabrics and lace were a highlight for me!’

Spotted in the front row: Jessica Biel, Natalia Vodianova and Alexa Chung

Miu Miu

‘Miuccia Prada said that she’d “wanted to try something different” but I was left slightly underwhelmed. Forgive me if I’m out of line, but the first half of the show seemed bland and not what I’d expected from Miu Miu. I was however happy when a few folk prints came along, and I like the boat-neck coats with those big, black ribbon ties, but I’m afraid… that’s it.’

Spotted in the front row: Face of Miu Miu Hailee Steinfeld, Caroline Sieber and blogger Garance Doré.

Images from Style.com