15 Photos
As Fashion Week ups the ante with some of the biggest names showcasing their AW16 collections – think Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent and Hermès – spread across the city, we headed to a string of presentations from one arrondissement to another.
Longchamp
We have long since loved Longchamp and Jeremy Scott’s collaborative work, bringing into fruition super fun, edgy and discernible travel bags. The AW16 travel ‘it’ bag has that 90s vibe where you’re on the phone to your girlfriends for hours and hours. Very retro and playful. Elsewhere in the collection, the pieces are connected with nature. The booties nod to a strong palette of forest greens and muted browns with vegetable and animal influences, while the RTW give a sensual, feminine touch, cutting a luxurious figure.
Paule Ka
Set in the urban space of Palais de Tokyo where there’s untouched, exposed concrete, Banksy style contemporary wall art and a cafe to eat and drink cool food, we bunched up with scores of eager press to view the collection. This presentation was simply breathtaking.
The entire collection was sprawled out across a small warehouse size space and was fantastically interactive. From the music to the behind-the-scenes details on show, it was a very visceral experience. Expect French values, dazzling evening wear and cinched waists. It was a beautiful spectacle where in and among the press was Creative Director Alithia Spuri Zampetti.
Zadig & Voltaire
Not too far from Palais de Tokyo, it was a 10 minute walk to the Zadig & Voltaire showroom. Honouring its roots, the AW16 collection pays tribute to the city in which the fashion house was born. The always very urban theme has vintage effects, prints, mesh cocoon-like shapes (both feminine and masculine elegance) and has a very “I’m wearing my boyfriend’s clothes” feel.
Tommy Hilfiger
Just as this happened, a freak hailstorm spat down from the skies – not great for fashion, not great. But as we dried off we perused the Tommy Hilfiger collection which is deep set into the nautical feel.There are military coats steeped in tradition yet cut oversized in winter wool and trimmed with gold medals and bullion. Fisherman sweaters are softened with bits of tulle and wide-leg sailor pants turn up cropped in velvet – the perfect showcase for sky-high loafers with big sequin bows. The mix continues with Breton stripe tops done in leather, pretty pajamas and breezy silk dresses printed with drawings inspired by sailor’s tattoos. As always, it’s an eclectic mix.
Bedouin
We’ve been ardent followers of Andraya Farrag’s #stylewithoutborders line, Bedouin for a while now, having interviewed the designer a few months back. Just like the collection is a hybrid of many cultural influences, Andraya jets between London and Dubai, two very different fashion scenes, all the time. The bubbly designer walked us through her easy-to-wear pieces and even fashioned the key, spacesuit (we say!) inspired jacket. All her pieces allow you to wear them anywhere: cold, hot, rain, shine, the functionality of Bedouin is its selling point – and the very cool cuts (love the off-the-shoulder and peek-a-booness) give your style a sense of definition.
Georgie Bradley
Editor In Chief
