The 2013 Autumn/Winter Paris Fashion Week saw designers from the classical Chanel to the outrageous Alexander McQueen parade their designs on the international stage. Some designers edged beyond the style restrictions – for phenomenal results – whilst others maintained continual excellence through recycled trends. Whatever your style, a quick overview of the highlights is necessary for any fashionista to re-affirm their opinions and memorize the coming winter trends!
Saint Laurent
The re-christened Saint Laurent début their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection with enigmatic style, utilizing gothic leather boots with sleek silhouettes for a fierce, rebellious look. Trading the previously demure Yves Saint Laurent trends, Heidi Slimanes offered breath-taking floor length gowns with plunging necklines amidst elegant fur jackets and glamorous sequined shift dresses to attain an assertive, feminine look. The intensely sexy collection aimed its designs towards a younger audience, with camel coloured woolen jackets and modest floral dresses more akin to the wardrobe of Hermione Granger than Samantha Jones. This deeply stunning collection employing grunge-elegance has placed a new spin on classical recreations, associating itself with power, confidence, and individuality.
Chanel
The world’s most notorious luxury brand focused the divine influence of Coco Chanel through the latest designer themes to create an astounding collection of stylish oversized coats, flawless knits, and variations of the classic little black dress. Set to dominate everything from the catwalks to the sidewalks, Chanel merged classic elegance with daring designs for an enchanting streetwise edge. Black thigh high leather boots emphasized a punk tinge, creating a dynamic impact with the minimalistic skater skirts and knit tops. Surrounding a 50ft globe pinpointed with every Chanel store across the globe, Karl Lagerfeld enchanted audiences with the superb beauty of his designs, and the sheer magnitude of its backdrop.
Hermes
Ridden with disappointment about the scarce appearance of the famed Birkin bag, the minimalistic style and neutral palette of Hermes remedied the loss. Hermes encompassed simple, stylish elegance with dominant textures to create a balanced, classical look. The fierce leather jacket added spice to the collection as the traditionally neat, chic styles also reappeared through perfectly cut capes, and figure hugging skirts and dresses. Catering for the neutral colours, sharp shapes and intrinsic designs enhance sophistication, encompassing the appearance of ‘chic belted work wear’.
Valentino
For those with a passion for sophistication and refinement, Valentino presents an exquisite range of elegant simplicity and charming originality. Focused on accentuating the beautiful finesse of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaulo Piccioli entwine gentle naivety and delicacy with subtle poise and a royal colour palette to achieve extraordinary depth with their classic designs. The collection of austere lines, defining innocent-looking outfits that came out later in bold blacks and reds, presents a uniquely magnificent image. Delicate embroidery established itself on the cuffs, yokes and collars of numerous dresses, adding a girlish charm to these womanly ensembles.
Miu Miu
Renowned for their sweet, colourful designs, Miu Miu struck the runway with an explosion of colour, statement coats, and exciting winter looks. This quirky label brightened up the traditional winter gloom with an overload of polka dots and stripes atop elegant, slimming winter dresses and coats. Designer Miuccia Prada defined the lustrous collection with regal silhouettes and the seductive off the shoulder look, bringing a touch of romance to the scene. The essential Miu Miu individuality of the sailor collars contrasted beautifully with each ensemble, serving as the perfect accessory. A lovely, rousing show from start to finish.
Louis Vuitton
Never one to miss a chance to drop jaws and widen eyes, Marc Jacobs designed a seductive line of stunning get-ups, leaving some models striding out in little more than silk pyjamas and transparent dresses. Set amongst an alluring hotel corridor, the collection hosted a series of delicate lace ensembles, fur coats with embellished sequins, and ostrich feathers detailing dresses and coats. The unique colour combinations accentuated elegance and poise, whilst cinched waists loosely defined the individual figures of the models. The flirtatious gowns and romantic dresses re-defined beauty, however the highlight came from the designer himself. To the delight of the audience, Marc Jacobs emerged with bold, dashing style in red silk pyjamas covered in little owls and crazy monsters to take his bow.
“She’s romantic, erotic, decadent, glamorous, and loves luxury” – Marc Jacobs.
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