FASHION Magazine

Paris: Day one

Posted on February 23, 2008

By Sarah Casselman

Shown: Balmain Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Ah, Paris! The people watching, the shopping–I am lusting after a white patent, oversized Longchamp clutch.

As for the shows.... First up was Balmain, held in a grand salon at the Westin. Think Louis XIV style–everything from chandeliers to champagne. Sympatico with this decadence, Balmain put on an ’80s-inspired rock‘n’royal-themed show with lots of sequins, shimmer, lace cutouts, super skinny pants and frilly micro minis. Goddess dressing took on a much more body-con look with sexed up, asymmetrical neckline numbers. On the opposite end of this scale, several swingy gowns appeared boasting layers of heavy crystals–oh Linda Evans where are you now? Loved the coloured animal prints and the stunning silver sequin blazer on model Carmen Kass. Long, straight locks were paired with natural faces and a fuller, groomed brow. Crowd consisted of beaucoup de ladies who lunch.

See photos from the Balmain show.

See photos from the Rick Owens show.

Grabbed the fashion bus–filled with the coolest kids (editors!) in town this week–and headed over to Bruno Pieters. Before running into the show I made a mouthwatering trip into Ladurée for a mini macaroon sugar rush. Truly a Marie Antoinette moment.

The photogs at Bruno started chanting, “Go, go, go!” because the show was très late. Finally models were sent out in camel suitings, mannish oversized coats with epaulettes and skinny ties with button-down shirts, with an overall palette of grey, black and white. Slick parted hair was scraped into low ponytails and were paired with a dark red stained lip. Tons of Elizabethan-inspired neck ruffles in white and black have me wondering who really can pull off this rather royal look. Went mad for the cropped tux jacket and skinny pants. Perfect modern day dressing. Lots of layers and knits had me thinking of my fashion director Susie Sheffman. Silver and black capes with minimalist fold details were stunning and the scene stealers in the show.

A.F. Vandevorst was très late to begin as well. Models were sent out in a menagerie of slick black puffa jackets. Belted and teamed with skinny black pants or striped tights, it was all very glam in a Glad garbage bag kind of way. Ethnic-inspired knits were layered and paired with oversize trailing scarves. Paint-splattered faces on models added a dimension of drama to an otherwise sombre show. The only bubbly aspect of it was the champers flute, which arrived chez moi earlier that day, with my invitation to the show attached on a string. Tons of black in the manner of cape coats and oh-so-sexy corsets with heavy exposed clasps–very boudoir bunny in a dark sort of way. Fave items: anything quilted, like the red quilted skirt with slight volume, and the apron-style skirts with long ties. Accessories: stunning liquid silver booties and heels, studs, and slashes of glass shards on shoes! J'adore. See photos from the A.F. Vandevorst show.

Finally sat down to dinner at Café Ruc–the see and be seen spot during fashion week. Spotted a group of models, hunched over Diet Cokes and–gasp–frites!

Hair guru Eugene Souleiman made an entrance just as we were leaving, obviously ready to work his runway magic here for the week. That’s all for now! Bonne nuit xo!

Categories: Runway Report | Paris