Balmain Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Never a dull moment in fashion-land. After the John Galliano-scandal and the rumors about who’s going to replace him, Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin was the next in line to cause gossip and speculations. He was absent from the label’s show and although a spokesperson from the brand insisted he was just feeling unwell and tired, others spread the rumor he was in a mental institution since te beginning of this year.

Let’s hope for Decarnin he is rested by now. And for his collection: it seemed he toned it a bit down, it was actually rather minimalistic – with the black, white, silver and gold. But the designer sticked to the strong shoulders and his favorite mix: skinny pants, jackets, boots, short skirts and T-shirts.

Ann Demeulemeester Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Almost entirely black. Ann Demeulemeester sticked to her own language, and let only a little bit of red and blue speak for itself – mixed with black that is. It was dark, goth and tough yet beautiful, romantic and fragile/edgy at the same time.

The Belgian designer strated with aggressively tailored looks, some cut from hard leathers, and all laced with loose strips trailing in the back.  But the softer, gentler and more feminine side of the collection showed up with beaded fringed jacket and dresses. Dresses were softly draped. Feathers decorated most of the oufits, which gave it a more warrior-look:  Demeulemeester stuck raven-black feathers into wide cartridge-pleated straps, like bullet belts.

Balenciaga Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Again the Balenciaga-collection was full of modern, surprising fabrics, silhouettes and clothes.

The punk spirit of last season seems gone but is replaced by a softer, more feminine theme. Soft, draped longer length skirts, knitted leather, tunics worn over pants, skinny pants with zippers at the back of the legs, soft oversized coats and comfy sweaters made a gentle look. Of course there we graphic colorblocking elements in the collection, andbesides black, white and gray Ghesquiere used orange, blue, brown and green.

Thierry Mugler Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

The show of Thierry Mugler was the talk of the day, yesterday. Not only because it was Nicola Formichetti his first womenswear-collection for the house – but because Lady Gaga would also be part of the show. It’s great when a designer is supported by a star, but it also distracts you from the clothes that are actually shown. And that’s a pity. Formichetti designs for the stage, like Mugler himself used to do. These are extraordinairy clothes for extraordinairy women – popstars, clubgirls and stylists who can use some outrageous clothes.

The collection was mostly in black, white, pale beige and Mugler’s royal blue, and there were some molded plastic show pieces, as well as animal prints. The silhouette was minimal, with close-fitting dresses that sometimes looked like a second skin. I heard Lady Gaga already ordered some pieces. No wonder.

Gareth Pugh Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Gareth Pugh was back this season with a good old fashion-show. And his language didn’t change much really: black is still his friend and gothic is one of his favorite sources. But he also embraced fluidity and color.

Rochas Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Rochas’ fall collection is Marco Zanini’s definition of chic. He reconnected with his Swedish roots with charming results. The outcome became a refresher course on fashion classics. There were the boxy kick-pleat skirts and Shetland wool sweaters, oversized coats in felted wool and swingy jackets, paired with leggings or capri pants. Elements of  tailoring were sprinkled throughout, including some  blazers with hefty shoulder pads. For night, Zanini took a  turn showing black brocade cocktail dresses with exposed zippers.

Streetfashion Paris Womenswear FW2011 Day 1

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Prada-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-dress or that vintage Yves St. Laurent? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Paris Fashion Week.

Dries van Noten Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Dries van Noten presented a beautiful, restraint collection, mainly in black, white and camel with flashes of color and exciting prints. He got inspired by David Bowie and the Ballets Russes and translated that into a romantic collage of print, color and textures. And it was ultrachic. Lond coats over pants, golden skirts with black sweaters and dresses cut with intense yet visually discreet asymmetry.

Josephus Thimister Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Again Dutch designer Jospehus Thimister tried to make a comeback, after the presentation of his haute couture-collection a year ago. Hopefully he will last longer now. Thimister started his show with total black and total white outfits – suits, dresses, jumpsuits – loose, draped, for men and women. The most interesting part though was the second half of the show, where Thimister used his obsession for fabrics to present rough, tough knits and garments made of hairy felt and skin in white and grey tones.

Bonjour Paris!

Today we start with our postst about Paris Fashion Week. Our team arrived yesterday. Of course we’ll try to inform you as fast as possible. Look out for pictures of Mugler, Dries van Noten and Rochas today.

« Previous Page — Next Page »