What’s trending in fashion? A new Birkin, oversized jackets and sheer dresses
Covetable leather accessories, fairytale gowns and voluminous jackets are on the agenda for the 2021 Fall/Winter season, as seen at the recently-concluded Paris Fashion Week.
At Paris Fashion Week, Hermes presented leather-accented ensembles, Louis Vuitton pumped up the volume, while Chanel fused a ski-themed aesthetic with Parisian chic. (Photos: Hermes/Louis Vuitton/Chanel)
As the grand finale of fashion month, Paris Fashion Week never disappoints with head-turning looks debuting on the runway. This season, designers proved once again why the City of Lights remains the world’s unbeatable fashion capital.
Ever since luxury houses pivoted to digital runway showcases, Hermes’ fashion week films have been one to watch. This time, the house presented what it called a triptych of shows, kicking things off in New York (with a dance choreography) before moving to Paris (for the fashion runway) and concluding in Shanghai (with a second dance choreography).
As a typically traditionalist brand, Hermes’ clothes were focused on leather-accented ensembles with subtle accents. It was the accessories, however, that stole the show. The iconic Birkin bag was given a style upgrade with a detachable compartment that can be used as a clutch.
Other covetable accessories seen on the runway include a new Double Tour strap for the Apple Watch Hermes, and the Kiss Holder, a leather necklace meant to hold your lipstick.
Over at Chanel, it was a succession of tweed coats for a ski-themed collection. Virginie Viard took her Chanel girls to the streets of Paris, before bringing them on a night out at Castel, a club favoured by the fashion crowd. Here, models took off their coats, revealing sheer dresses, delicate blouses and slinky bandeau tops.
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Never one to stray from drama, Louis Vuitton’s runway show took place at the Louvre, filmed in the deserted Michelangelo and Daru galleries. The collection was all about volume, with supersized dresses, voluminous tulle skirts and oversized jackets.
Accessories, including sure-to-sell-out bags, incorporated Greco-Roman inspired drawings by renowned Italian art atelier Fornasetti.
Notably, models walked to a soundtrack created by Daft Punk, the Parisian electronic duo that recently announced their break up after 28 years of making music.
Titled Disturbing Beauty, Dior’s show was a fairytale-inspired theatrical spectacle, filmed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. In particular, Little Red Riding Hood was given an edgy makeover, as Maria Grazia Chiuri filled the runway with hooded capes, black leather dresses and princess-style tulle gowns.
Fashion week was also sprinkled with celebrity stardust, with supermodel Gigi Hadid making her return to the runway at Versace. Donatella Versace introduced the new Versace La Greca print, a new monogram that features “sharp angles, clean lines and a strong palette”.
Meanwhile, Meadow Walker, daughter of the late Paul Walker of Fast And Furious fame, opened the runway at Givenchy’s show.
Under new creative director Matthew Williams, the house is sporting a totally new look. Outerwear was oversized, but contrasted with tailored shirts, suits and pants. Hardware, a signature of Williams, took centre stage in the tailoring, and was also featured as embellishment on dresses.
