PFW Diary: Trendspotting at Rochas, Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga, Mugler, and more!
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Paris feels like the Amazing Race, what with a crammed show schedule, road detours, and invitations that go poof in the night. But what’s Paris without a little drama, oui?
The important thing is that strong themes are already emerging. One is the trend of opulence everyday—like a shimmery brocade skirt with a wool crewneck sweater, as we saw at Marco Zanini’s collection for Rochas. The same idea surfaced at Barbara Bui where a gold foil wrap was worn with navy pants. Don’t save your precious items for special occasions, designers seem to be saying. It’s the fashion equivalent of using your good silver with your everyday china. Do try this one at home.
Another emerging theme: Asia Major. Dries Van Noten photographed traditional kimono and dragon robes, and then used magnified portions of the prints on jackets and coats. Decorated dragons appear on dresses at Barbara Bui and Japanese warriors were cited as an influence at Mugler.
Also noticed and which may or may not explode into trends: Sheer skirts and dresses with wide opaque panels at Balenciaga and Mugler, and shoulders that are curved, winged, flapped and folded at Carven or were squared off at Balmain.
Bernadette Morra is the former editor-in-chief of FASHION magazine. She has been covering the Canadian and international fashion scenes for more than 30 years, first at The Toronto Star, then at FASHION. Over her long career Bernadette has interviewed many fashion world legends including Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Gianni Versace.
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