FASHION Magazine

Paris: Day three

Posted on February 25, 2008

By Sarah Casselman

Shown: Tsumori Chisato Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

A rainy start to the day – oh mon Dieu, my freshly flat-ironed locks! – so I snuck in a grande Starbucks to wakey wakey while reading the WWD review of Dior yesterday.

Tsumori Chisato
I totally think this line is quirky and cute, a good way to start the day. Lots of mini pleated skirts, origami folds and tuck details, and plenty of romantic renderings in the way of rosettes, lace, frills, beading, puffed sleeves and washes of ivory, petal pink and dove grey. Gotta-get-it goody: ombré tights.  Leave on the rack: the oversized art project of a poncho. Two words: buyer’s remorse.  Chisato combined fabrics, like silk with astrakhan, whose paths would otherwise never cross. One frock rocked graffiti-style print that said “I love me,” while others sported the designer’s name. Here’s one designer that doesn't wait for the press reviews to sing her praises. See photos from this show.

See photos from the Balenciaga show.

I grab the metro and go up and down so many stairs en route to Viktor & Rolf that I think my feet are on fire. Mental note: tomorrow flats will be my best friend. The scene outside V & R is crazy between the air kisses, the Kanye West and fiancée sighting, the rain pouring down on all of those beautiful slick bomber jackets–THE jacket of choice so far this week–and the super late start to the show. But the first look down the runway means business: a grey wool coat with the word NO boldly popping out from the chest.  Models looked severe with their slick ponytails, ruby red lips and heavy black smudgy eyes.  The 'no' theme was emblazoned across models’ faces, t-shirts and coats. Suddenly this powerful little word has taken on major meaning. Or maybe it just looks wicked cool....you be the judge. Fave detail: gold metallic staples on jackets and coats. Lots of metallic flashes from ankle strap stilettos (major crush!) to the skinny black suiting with mini peplum (full-on love affair!). Piece to buy for fall: the military-inspired coat with epaulets. See photos from this show.

Jean Paul Gaultier
Over an hour wait but lots of fabulous faces to gawk at, including Catherine Deneuve and her designer friend Gilles Dufour. Ms. Deneuve looked stunning and I was mesmerized by even her tiniest movements,like the flip of her hair. Such a beauty. Such an icon.
Within the first few moments of the show I knew that I loved it. Such a classic show, nothing new or experimental  but entertaining (soundtrack included Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”) and fabulous  (Coco Rocha started off the show by whirling around in a hooded cape.) Tons of fur here, raw edging, Davy Crocket-style hats mixed with leather suitings, skinny suits and liquid metallic accents. Very savage with an urban warrior mood. Funny then, that amongst all this raw revelry, several demure-looking silk frocks appeared. Loved the matchy match aspect–red dress with red tights. Best new trend to try for fall and sure to be in all of the look-for-less pages. See photos from this show.

Dinner at Livingstone for a little Thai and then floated home with visions of Jean Paul dancing in my head. Bonne nuit xo.

Categories: Runway Report | Paris