The 2019 edition of Paris Fashion Week came to a close on 5 March. The nine-day fashion extravaganza, which began on 25 February, showcased designs by new labels, like France’s Jacquemus, as well as by established fashion houses, such as Chanel (whose Karl Lagerfeld tribute became the talk of the town), Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. Here are the highlights, by Swati Singh.
Chanel
With Karl Lagerfeld’s posthumous Chanel show in Paris, the fashion world said a final goodbye to the designer. For Chanel’s fall-winter 2019 show, the set was transformed into a wintery Alpine village. There was a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, bright blue skies and a tinkling icicle-like soundtrack. The models were dazzling in their neatly tailored wide pleat trousers, organza ruffled blouses and embroidered Nordic sweaters. Oversized tweed jackets were paired with roomy trousers, and white Tulle “snowball” dresses were created with a close-fitting bodice and a fluffy skirt. The models kicked up the faux snow on the ramp with their furry winter boots with Chanel’s fanny bags hugging their waists.
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen’s fall 2019 collection had a story behind each outfit, behind the stage setting, and even behind the seating for the show. For this collection, Sarah Burton went to the cities north of Manchester—to Macclesfield, her home where she was raised, and nearby towns—for inspiration. Burton wanted to showcase the culture, tradition and products of England. From made-in-England wool to the local festive traditions, from the grey moors and seaside views to the mills with their bolts of fabric and machinery, all of it found its way into the collection. The collection featured tailored suits, white shirtdress. For the show, the audience sat on bolts of fabric from these mills.
Louis Vuitton
There’s been a lot of talk about designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s latest Louis Vuitton collection, which closed the Paris fashion week on Tuesday evening. The collection comprised quilted floral-print jackets, oversize vests, leather skullcaps, Pierrot collars, balloon-legged trousers and shark-fin lapels. There were slip dresses, huge padded motorcycle leathers, check pencil skirts, rakish jumbles of denim and tartan, florals and leopard print. Makeup gave the models deeply sculpted cheekbones and dark lips as if to emphasise the strangeness of their angular faces, rather than the beauty.
Christian Dior
Christian Dior lit up the Paris catwalk with a celebration of 1950s youth culture. The luxury label’s latest offing comprised silkscreened t-shirts that paid tribute to the 78-year-old feminist poet Robin Morgan. The show referenced her three anthologies: Sisterhood is Powerful in 1970 (said to have helped spark the feminist movement in America), Sisterhood is Global in 1984, and Sisterhood is Forever in 2003. Designer Grazia Chiuri showcased brand signatures like bar jackets and new look skirts. Leather jackets paired with whispier, polka-dotted skirts, ample skirts and chequered prints in red dominated the collection.