Céline Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

We spotted lots of minimalistic, leather camel-and black colored outfits in the audience at Céline. The ultimate proof that Phoebe Philo’s collection of last season was a big hit. And after what we’ve seen today, we’re quite certain this new spring collection will do just as well as the last one.

Philo again opted for a minimalistic approach; clean cuts, wide sleeves and long tuxedo pants. All with a masculine touch. In between a lot of white looks were some strong-colored outfits. First denim-like blue linen and then a slightly brighter blue combined with Burgundy leather.

New were the thank tops with zip-details, the extremely low V-necks and a few graphic colored prints. Overall: a perfect summery variant to the collection we saw half a year ago.

Cacharel Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

Sweet bubblegum colors and papery fabrics gave the Cacharel-collection a young and sporty energy. The prints were innovative: blurred florals and blotches in neon-shades gave it all an otherworldly edge.

Haider Ackermann Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

Everytime you see a collection of Haider Ackerman you are wondering how it is possible he can make leather look so sensual, elegant and modern. The black motorcycle jacket seemed his startingpoint and like a wizard he turned it into halters and vests with curls and bows and he let clash with large kimono jackets worn off the shoulder. He mixed it with black suede trousers – low and tight- or long pleated evening skirts.

Long narrow skirts and black jersey dresses and tops were held in place by just a few cords. Shoulders were small and razor-shape. And his signature cropped jackets were finished off in back with heart-shaped bows.

The color-palette was strong with royal reds and blues and a shot of yellow. The colors were shown in gowns bearing dramatic cutouts at the hip and spaghettistraps, or were an accent on lapels and linings, flashing out from a black jackets rolled sleeves. The overall effect was dramatic and modern. No wonder the audience cheered ecstatic.

Streetfashion Paris Womenswear SS2011 Day 4

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Louboutin-heels, your latest Dries van Noten-jacket or that vintage Prada? 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.

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

The summer collection of Jean Paul Gaultier wasn’t the best we’ve seen so far, yet it was clear JPG himself had a great time working on it. Like at his last menswear fashion show he designed several 3D items which the audience could watch through their 3D glasses.

And if you think 3D-fashion is strange; the rest of the collection was just as crazy. Singer of the band Gossip, the curvaceous Beth Ditto, opened the show. But she wasn’t the only ‘fuller model’. JPG hired several other plus-size models for his show. Although you can hardly call Crystal Renn that nowadays.

The girls all had wigs on, the kind that reminded us of David Bowie’s hair back in the late sixties. Their hairdos in a way matched the tough leather jackets, lace up boots, sheer lace, denim suits, printed tights and leather shorts.

Red patent leather formed quite a contrast with the softer leaf and floral prints, but so did the red & white and blue & white stripes JPG never misses in his collections.

Another trademark you’ll always see in his shows: his famous cone bra corsets, which were just as pointy as the shoulders on some of the jackets.

Beth Ditto’s closing performance made the show unforgettably entertaining, yet we were not fully convinced by JPG’s new summer wardrobe.

Sonia Rykiel Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

The weather in Paris hasn’t been very good the last couple of days. But as it was raining outside, inside the Sonia Rykiel fashion show it felt like a sauna (a little smelly sauna actually). Yet despite the smell we enjoyed the typical Sonia Rykiel show full of colors, stripes and knitwear.

The show had a seventies vibe and felt very happy due to the bright shades (pink, red, yellow, turquoise) and of course the smiling models with their frizzy hair.

Just like last season the designs (the men’s suits, the jumpsuits and the knitted dresses) were very oversized. Although some silhouette was created by what looked like stiff karate-belts in all kinds of brights. Other accessories were clutches, ultra large bags and hats with playful tassels.

A few detailed printed and sequined jumpsuits, shown towards the end, seemed the only new items Nathalie and Sonia came up with for spring. Even the finally, with groups of models appearing on the runway acting all crazy, was nothing unexpected, but it sure was fun to watch and led to some beautiful runway pictures.

Viktor & Rolf Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

Today Dutch designer-duo Viktor & Rolf presented a summer collection inspired by the plain white shirt and the striped banker shirt. Two very masculine and minimalistic items, which the designers managed to transform into a very feminine collection.

Their ‘shirt symphony’ started with several blue and white looks. They all had multiple collars and cuffs on them, each one a little bigger than the one before.

Shirt tails for a change were not hidden, but popped up from under the legs of mini shorts at the front and the back. They were extremely long, reaching to the models ankles.

The color palette changed from blue to black, orange and turquoise. Only a few stripes and a zebra print were added, letting the fantastic clothes speak for themselves.

In a few black and white as well as in some turquoise and black designs Viktor & Rolf brought stretch (= tight-fitting) jersey and voluminous shiny silk together in a way only they can do that.

For the finale they even created more volume and took the masculine/feminine theme of their show to its extreme. White bridal gowns came down the runway perfectly matching the soundtrack of the show (Billy Idol – White Wedding). Their  lace embroideries, multiple layers, cuffs and collars were a perfect ending of, yet another, great Viktor & Rolf show.

Junya Watanabe Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

With coffee and croissants being served the Junya Watanabe fashion show was a good start of a busy fashion day in Paris. His new collection was pleasant to watch as well, although it was much of the same thing.

Black/Navy and white stripes were used throughout the whole collection. The stripes were combined with prints of lifebuoys, anchors and sailing boats. Plus the girls wore straw hats. But to conclude that Watanabe was inspired by a nautical theme, would be wrong. He stresses there were NO nautical references in the show. Instead he claimed Tokyo Dolls were his inspiration. The models in fact promoted the style of Harajuku teenagers. Alright Watanabe, if you say so.

The clothes looked easy-going (some outfits appeared even more comfortable than pajama’s) and playful. Loose-fitting striped pants and dresses as well as many trench coat variations.

Who walked in today’s show we’ll never know, cause Watanabe covered all the faces of the girls with a white fabric and gave them bright colored wigs. Next time robots instead of models mister Watanabe?

Lanvin Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2011

Alber Elbaz is one of the few designers who thinks about what women want before he starts designing. He thinks about their lives, their work, their obligations, their worries. And he tries to make the best possible clothes for them. Next spring he offers them many choices from long flowing skirts to flat and smooth day-dresses to pantsuits inspired by athletic wear (his pantsuit is an elongated jacket over skirts and stretch leggings) . There was even a nylon raincoat.

Elbaz doesn’t like perfection, he loves wrinkles. And his collection seemed a hymn to skin: wrinkled in pleating, stretched in all those sheaths. It was a spectacular foundation on which he could use heavy colors. From elegantly taupe to acid yellow, hot pink, and aqua. The designer doesn’t like pantsuits either, so the focus was at his favorite uniformstyle for women: dresses. They came in one-shoulder styles, in a navy stretch fabric, with two dark zippers at the front and a belt. One navy dress had sleeves to just above the elbow and a deep V-front.  Simple flat sandals were the key-shoe.

The shoes in fact were the reason the show started one hour too late. When Elbaz noticed during the rehearsal that the models couldn’t walk on the high heels he planned for the show, the designer decided to skip the shoes and change them for other. That’s what I call respecting women.

Streetfashion Paris Womenswear SS2011 Day 3

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Louboutin-heels, your latest Dries van Noten-jacket or that vintage Prada? 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.

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