Summary:
Paris Fashion Week's autumn/winter ready-to-wear collections featured major houses like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton showcasing trends such as flamboyant headwear, oversized shoulders, and structured tailoring. Notable moments included Zendaya sparking marriage speculation with a ring, Victoria Beckham presenting a "resurgent" collection amid family attention, and designers drawing inspiration from sources ranging from Art Deco to 1990s school styles.
Main Topics Covered:
- Key trends and collections from major fashion houses
- Celebrity appearances and related speculation (e.g., Zendaya, Victoria Beckham)
- Designers' creative inspirations and thematic directions
Zendaya's ring and Stella McCartney's horses - the sights and trends at Paris Fashion Week
As our thoughts turn to the hope of spring following a grey and dreary start to the year, fashion is always one step ahead.
As Paris Fashion Week drew to a close on Tuesday, we were given a tantalising peak into what might filter onto the high street later this year as the major labels debuted their autumn/winter collections. It was the turn of the women's ready-to-wear collections, following January's haute couture week.
All the big fashion houses showcased their wares including Chanel, McQueen, Chloe, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Balmain, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney.
The usual A-list set were in town including Margot Robbie (sporting a new haircut) and Zendaya (sporting rings on her wedding finger).
Here's a taste of what we've seen over the past week.
'Resurgent' Victoria Beckham puts family feud to one side
Designer and Spice Girl Victoria Beckham thanked her family for their support after her show at Paris Fashion Week over the weekend.
Following a very public fallout with eldest son Brooklyn, she posted a picture of herself with husband Sir David, sons Romeo and Cruz and daughter Harper, as well as Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel.
Lady Beckham's post read: "Thank you for always being there to support me. I love you all so much."
The Guardian's fashion editor, Jess Cartner-Morley, described the designer's collection as "resurgent", noting its coral and jade party dresses inspired by the palette of Art Deco portrait painter Tamara de Lempicka, plus her classic trouser suits and ribbed knits.
Pop queens got the memo at Vivienne Westwood
Grammy-winning singers Chappell Roan and Lola Young attended Vivienne Westwood's show and were clearly inspired by the late designer's deconstructed boudoir look.
Andreas Kronthaler, Westwood's widower and long-term design partner, has been the legendary British label's creative director since 2016.
As usual, UK heritage was evident in the oversized checked overcoats in muted autumnal shades, alongside punk tailoring and some very interesting headwear.
Zendaya steps out following marriage reports
Zendaya was spotted at Louis Vuitton's show on Tuesday sporting some sparkly jewellery alongside a simple gold ring - which looked like it could be a wedding band to us.
Rumours that she has married fellow actor Tom Holland have been swirling for a couple of weeks now, but neither has officially confirmed the news so far.
Flamboyant headwear and oversized structured shoulders were the order of the day at the Vuitton show, which took place on the final day at the Louvre.
One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti, Blackpink's Lisa and actress Anna de Armas were among the other attendees.
Christian Dior took a chance and got sunshine
Northern Ireland's Jonathan Anderson, who took over at Dior last year, got lucky with the weather as he showcased his collection in the Tuileries Garden, with models walking across a bridge over a pond full of water lilies.
"It's a promenade, the idea of people dressing up to walk in the park," he told Vogue.
His charming, whimsical collection featured ruffled tutus, sculptured soft knits, peplum jackets, skirts with bustles and plenty of shearling fabric.
Matthieu Blazy continues to enthral with third Chanel collection
Blazy took over the legendary fashion house last year and has been keen to take his cue from Coco herself, with his latest collection showing individual flair while also being instantly recognisable as Chanel.
Boxy tweed boucle jackets with fringed trims and structured brightly coloured handbags were the order of day, with various materials including lace also on display.
Dries van Noten goes back to school
Dries van Noten's Julian Klausner paid homage to the 1990s/early noughties with his maxi denim skirts with the must-have high split.
There were also classic duffle coats and prep school-style blazers alongside intricately patterned dresses with delicate cut-out designs.
As is customary for the Belgian label, many of its models wore boots with their outfits on the catwalk. Some jackets and skirts featured gold fabric and tapestries.
WWD's Samantha Conti noted that Klausner drew inspiration from "the multicultural 'treasure box' of Antwerp in its 16th Century heyday, Flemish still life paintings of fruits and birds - and high school in the 21st Century."
Stella McCartney's dozen dancing horses
There was plenty of inspiration for fashionistas at Stella McCartney's show, including colourful knitwear and crocheted tank tops - but it was the horses that stole the show.
The designer, a big supporter of equine therapy, featured 12 dancing horses at her presentation, which she said also celebrated the Chinese year of the horse.
She wore a "My Dad's a Rock Star" T-shirt as Paul McCartney was in the front row. Cute.
Saint Laurent keeps it classy
Anthony Vaccarello's collection featured various versions of the classic tuxedo suit, silicone-coated lingerie dresses and faux fur coats.
Jewellery was prominent, including huge pendant necklaces and chunky gold pieces.
If you're wondering why we're calling the collection Saint Laurent, that's because it's the official name of the ready-to-wear line. The full name of the fashion house is still Yves Saint Laurent.
'Lord of darkness' Rick Owens goes underground
While the label's avant garde, exaggerated designs may seem a little out there for ready-to-wear, we bet you'll be wearing a pared down version of a Rick Owens high collar or fake fur jacket come Christmas.
Known as the "lord of darkness", Owens' collection also included some innovative materials including an Italian fabric usually reserved for body armour, and sequinned boots.
Meridiano
