What Happened at Paris Fashion Week
Courtesy of The Guardian
Written By: Natalie Ladino
Paris Fashion Week 2021 has officially wrapped up and it’s been a mesmerizing week filled with risk-takers, new collaborations, and inspiration from all over the city. Paris, in itself, is a city of inspiration and artistry. The wide boulevards intertwined with the River Seine make Paris the perfect place for fashion central. Fashion week reflected themes we’ve seen across the world over the past month: bold colors, reimagined shows, and innovation.
Eye blinding colors and prints have been a thread in the fashion weeks across the globe. Dior and Rochas revealed their takes on what it means to be bold. Dior focused on color and prints during the show. Maria Grazia Chiuri described her show as a comeback for the younger generation: “Something graphic and clean, minimal and positive. Because I think we have to give an optimistic outlook to the future” (Vogue). Dior reimagined their show; instead of a classic runway, the set was rotating circularly and models walked around the stage exhibiting the colors and prints from the new collection. Adding to the trend of boldness and flamboyance, Rochas showcased influential pieces of print and color. One of the most intriguing pieces was a pair of black thigh-high boots with accents of silver sprinkled throughout the leg, as seen below (Valerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times). The boots are not just unique; they represent the darkness and mystery that Rochas encompasses. They are only one example of the remarkable shoe-wear designed by Charles de Vilmorin, a 24-year old creative director for Rochas. This week had experimentation and distinguishing articles to bring fashion to the forefront as it should be.
Courtesy of The New York Times
Experimentation with sets and fabrics spearheaded the fine distinction in Paris. Designers took their own route for how to display their shows. Dior had a rotating ring where models would step off, Valentino immersed itself into the lively streets of Paris to show anyone and everyone, and Balenciaga made the show about the guests by having them walk a red carpet prior to entering the show ﹣adding to their concept of interacting with their guests. Designers are delving into a new direction where runways are no longer straightforward walks, but an interactive and momentous experience for viewers and guests alike.
Designers like Nina Ricci and Stella McCartney are working with experimentation, as well. They incorporated novel vegan fabrics into their runway shows. Using vegan fabrics is their medium to send messages about the climate and ocean preservation. Onlookers are no longer only looking for beautiful fashion, but want pieces that speak to society about crucial issues important to them.
What’s the future of fashion shows? From New York to Paris, we’ve seen a drastic change in how designers are showing off their art. Coming back from COVID, eccentric fashion is coming out; bright colors, fun prints, unique styles signify the risks designers are willing to take. Fashion is coming into an era where time is of the essence, boldness has to be done now when we are out in front of the world, not tucked away in our homes. Paris Fashion Week embraced coming together, out of a pandemic, to celebrate art and creativity in the city of lights.