IT FELT STRANGE and wonderful to see fashion filling our social media feeds once again, after so much time away. Some shows were projected to our screens in the form of live video streams, some were artistic films, while others still were small live shows in front of Parisian audiences for the first time in ages. Fashion always makes us dream, which is a lovely thing during these uncertain times, and dream we did. Here are a few of our favourite settings, thoughts, and looks from the Fall 2021 haute couture season ...
If you loved the Saint Laurent Fall 2017 RTW collection, you will adore this one, for the Isabel Marant Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear collection has the same rock n' roll vibe, but with a little more feminine refinement typical of the designer. There were ’90s supermodels Amber Valletta and Carolyn Murphy, and '80's statement pieces (think oversized earrings, metallic finishes and rhinestones), and pretty ensembles consisting of ruffly silver tops paired with crystal-encrusted denim. There were big-shouldered blazers cinched with wide leather belts and paired with glittery shoes, ruffly mini skirts with super-tall over-the-knee boots and an altogether perfect wearability in a collection tinged with a little sexiness for good measure.
THERE IS A CERTAIN JE NE SAYS QUOI in Parisian street style. It is almost as if outfits take less effort and look nonchalantly put together. Shirts are slightly buttoned down and slip off the shoulder with an insouciant innuendo, hems of pants and blazers become frayed, and colour gives way to monochrome and tonal hues.
FASHION AND CULTURE REMAIN INEXTRICABLY INTERTWINED in the house of Valentino, a fact proven at the elaborate set up of the Fall 2015 couture collection. Not only were guests treated to an alfresco fashion show in the legendary Piazza Mignanelli — where Valentino himself would set his fashion shows, with locals peeking from their windows and the sunset painting the square in a golden light — but the whole of Rome was transformed into a museum of the fashion house...
While many advocate finding your own style and every-day uniform, when one sees Gigi’s ever evolving ensembles they realise that need not be the case, for one of the great things about clothing is that it can serve as a costume for the woman you feel like being today.