Fashion Week: The Ups and Downs

LS2 brings the run down of Paris and Milan.

By Louise Donovan

Summer may still seem like a distant possibility at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped the fashion world from looking far into the future. In Paris and Milan fashion week, the autumn/winter collections took the world by storm to show us what we will all be dressing in by the end of the year.

In Milan, there was only one word to describe Peter Dundas’s collection for Emilio Pucci: microscopic. The variety was impressive- bright blue feathers, gold chiffon fringed with tassels or lace adorned with gold, but the length of the mini dresses remained the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF0UDm29GXs 

Whether in fur, tweed, wool, or animal-print, the attention was ultimately drawn to oversized outer garments. Roberto Cavalli ran his models down the catwalk in a bright red patterned coat, lining the sleeves with fur. Reindeer -patterned chunky cardigans dominated the D&G collection, giving the clothes a very Christmas/winter vibe. Similarly, Missioni provided a colourful array of knitted capes.

Things were a little more calm and classic, as to be expected, in Paris.

At Yves Saint Laurent the mood was uncompromisingly sober. City chic was the theme of the collection, with oversized blazers, harem pants and high- waisted pencil skirts all in black or white colours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pjlciWhbvY 

In complete contrast to Pucci, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton discarded the micro mini.  “Designers are always saying they’re going to do a collection for women, but then every girl on the runway (catwalk) is under twenty,” explains Jacobs. Instead, all skirts reached mid- calf or the floor giving the collection a sophisticated, very- 1950s feel. 

Balmain, on the other hand, was giving a definite two fingers up to the conservatism generally upheld in the capital. The show was over the top, with lots of gold and plunging necklines. Big shoulders and sequins still dominated his collection; however there was one surprising white Snow Queen-esq cape that appeared at end of the show. But it seems it was the soundtrack that had the most impact; Prince’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ gave the fashion crowd a treat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuQMWIx0GfY&feature=related

All in all, Paris and Milan fashion week seems to be slightly confusing. The trends were of two extremes: crazily short or unadventurously long, wild and tacky or highly conservative? What we can take away from this is to abide by fashion’s golden rule: don’t religiously follow the trends. Wear what you like and what looks good. Although do expect oversized coats and gold sequined dresses to be raining supreme next winter.