Can you believe that Fashion Month is almost over? Seems like it just flew by! Luckily, we are ending things on a high note with amazing collections coming from Paris.
Isabel Marant’s Spring 2012 collection took all those things you used to wear in highschool but won’t admit to now – jerseys, track pants, tie-dye – and made them oh-so-cool. She mixed prints like nobody’s business: florals, patchwork, snakeskin, you name it. She also created chunky knits that looked majorly comfortable, the perfect transition pieces for spring when there is just a slight chill lingering from winter. Lovely lace also popped up – reminiscent of vintage pieces you might have picked up on holiday to Mexico. The collection hit so many different notes, yet worked in that Parisian way of throwing a million things on that shouldn’t go together – but somehow do.
The Spring 2012 collection from Roland Mouret was ladylike as always, but he sexed things up a bit this season with cut-outs of all shapes and sizes, some even in the form of an eye. Shades of blue stood out in the collection amidst nudes, black, white, and dotted prints. Suits of all sorts could be seen throughout the collection – structured jackets paired with shorts, skirts, and pants. And of course, lots of what Mr. RM does best – beautiful, curve-hugging dresses for the sexy siren in all of us.
Oh how we love Maison Martin Margiela. This Swedish designer created a collection that felt deconstructed – in the best possible way. Seemingly unstructured pieces with exposed zippers and seams came down the runway, but we’re sure that countless hours were spent achieving that just-undone-enough look characteristic of this maison. Margiela was clearly inspired by the column this season, creating dresses, skirts, and pants all with a vertical silhouette. Leather was everywhere as well, adding that hard edge we have come to love from the designer. Another highlight – the oversized outwear that was larger than life!
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The Spring 2012 collection was classic Stella McCartney: comfortable, wearable pieces, with just a hint of the sex appeal she introduced last season. White, seemingly the non-color of the season, opened the collection, which then transitioned into intricate prints that originally decorated men’s ties. She showed menswear inspired suits that have come to be her signature, but in more relaxed silhouettes that have become popular in the past few seasons. There were also sexy minis with mesh inserts, a popular fabric this season, seen at Alexander Wang among others. The entire collection was fresh and playful, just what we have come to expect from this talented designer.
Another amazing show from Paris – Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Architectural details were sprinkled throughout the collection, showing up on structured lapels and ruffles that seemed to defy gravity. Sharply tailored suits came down the runway in cream, black, blush, and even silver sequins. Softening the collection were gorgeous LBDs and LWDs, which were feminine and sexy, showing skin through sheer inserts and lace. The roster of models was amazing – and the show was closed with a rare appearance from Ms. Giselle Bundchen (a.k.a. Mrs. Tom Brady). I can say with conviction that I would wear absolutely everything that came down the runway.
We have come to love Phoebe Philo at Celine for simple, clean lines – but she switched things up for Spring 2012. The collection was inspired by couture silhouettes from the 1960s, but Philo made them modern. Oversized pieces, from jackets to pants, were a major theme of the collection, tempered with cinched waists that kept the designs from looking like sacks. The palette was darker than what we would expect for spring, punctuated with bright whites that have been present in nearly every collection this season. Unlike most of the Spring collections, there were no prints, which allowed the structural details of each piece to remain the focus.
Alber Elbaz’s Spring 2012 collection for Lanvin crossed new territory for the designer. Known for their gorgeous dresses, this season Mr. Elbaz tackled the suit, shown with pants as well as skirts, even suit jackets and vests AS dresses – which were utterly amazing. But separates didn’t have all the fun. Ethereal dresses in sheer fabrics with delicate pleats and exaggerated shoulders floated down the runway (he was said to have been inspired by an angel in hell). They were sexy and edgy, a slightly devilish Lanvin angel, if you will. Everything about the collection was modern and beautiful, after all as Alber says, “modernity is beauty.”
Check back tomorrow for more from Paris Fashion Week!
