PARIS FASHION WEEK – SPRING/SUMMER 2013

PARIS FASHION WEEK – SPRING/SUMMER 2013

By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer: George Whylie

Videographer: Maxine Nolan

One of the most romantic fashion weeks of all is Paris Fashion Week which took place from September 25 through October 3, 2012. Some of the most famous designers in the fashion world launched their Spring/Summer 2013 Collections for the style experts to view and absolutely admire.

This fashion week easily draws some of the brightest celebrities curious to see what the next season holds. Looking breathtaking in blue, Taylor Swift was seen at the Elie Saab show.

Emma Stone was the beauty in black at Miu Miu.

Not far from her was Amanda Seyfried who was ravishing in red.

Lending a bit of moral support for Marc Jacobs in his newest position at the fashion house of Louis Vuitton was a designer herself, Rachel Zoe, who chose a blue wool coat with black trim, very chic.

All in black with spots of sparkle was Hilary Swank who was dressed in Moncler Gamme Rouge, the label of the show that she was attending.

Front row and center at Chanel was Jennifer Lopez looking feminine and lovely with her little daughter, Emme.

Saint Laurent had a few celebrities in attendance; Jessica Chastain, Kate Moss and Salma Hayek.

Wowing the crowds in black leather and what resembled an animal print was Alexandra Richards, daughter of the famous duo of Patti Hansen and Keith Richards. She had come to see the fashions at the Giambattista Valli Show.

Wickedly beautiful in white was Scarlett Johansson who was attending the TOD’s signature collection launch at the Italian Embassy in the French capital.

A common theme seemed to be the desire for exaggerated glamour and glitz. That was achieved through metallics and rich fabrics, some adorned with embellishment.

Chanel gave us strapless dresses with a reminder of that floral freshness in varied lengths and the majority of the outfits were accessorized with oversized pearls in grays and whites. The exaggeration came with the hula hoop BIG ‘C’ bag. The look was clean with well defined lines. Cropped jackets added a bit of edginess to the suits, a step away from Chanel’s traditional suit dressing.

The Alexander McQueen Collection highlighted the honeycomb with huge gowns privvy to the crinoline influence. Golden jackets, peplum vests and plenty of tapestry hit the runway in huge form. We got hit with a bold rainbow of colors and veiled hats that looked as if they belonged on beekeepers but with that sophisticated appeal. Off the shoulder dresses were sultry and very suggestive. Jewels and fishnets simply added to the glitz of the collection. The amount of detailing and intricacy that went into the Spring/Summer 2013 collection was amazing.

Balenciaga put a unique take on Spring/Summer 2013 with jagged hemlines and black and white beyond compare. The strapless mini was full of asymmetrical lines. Criss-cross halter tops were paired with adorable skorts. Of course, jackets dress up the look. Leather was a popular fabric for a look meant to last. The handkerchief skirt was interesting and intriguing.

Valentino went for head-turning and effusive with embellished body-hugging gowns in pearl, gold and plunging neckline black. Cap sleeves were used to master the dramatic appeal. Lace was surely a way to flatter the femininity of the woman. Outerwear made its debut in heavy yet silky fabrics with imprinted patterns that made the statement of the moment.

The week opened with the metallics and animal prints of Anthony Vaccarello and then moved on to Gareth Pugh and his fashions that took us back to the Renaissance.

We moved on to Dries Van Noten with flowing florals in almost any kind of outfit imaginable and then Alexis Mabille going from the simple to the stunning. There were so many designers to marvel at and delight in the designs. Givenchy, Celine, Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Miu Miu and Elie Saab all played a huge part in bringing their vision of Spring/Summer 2013 to the runway.

An end to a star-soaked week was Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. Imagination was in the air with wild colors and patterns, loads of preppy fashions, minis and maxis and more. Checkerboard patterns and solids were the perfect combination. Black was sparkling with class and elegance. Cut-out dresses made us reminisce about the 60’s, an era gone by. Where there was one, there was certainly two.