The last two days of Paris Fashion Week are always crammed with back-to-back shows from big brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton, and smaller ones like Sacai and Shiatzy Chen – two Asian labels that have been showing in Paris for years. This year, the well-edited Sacai show was a chic take on the preppy-with-a-twist aesthetic that is a signature of the label. Meanwhile, Shiatzy Chen’s collection, named Stroke of Brilliance, was a homage to Chinese ink painting and the power of the brushstroke in Chinese art.
Stella McCartney kicked things off on a chilly Monday morning with a star-studded front row that included Natalie Portman, Rob Lowe and Greta Gerwig.
The British designer meant business. The models looked ready to take on the world – or just a busy day at work – in wide-shoulder suits and trench coats paired with roomy bags and a copy of The Stella Times “newspaper”.
McCartney also knows how to do sexy, revealing just enough flesh, always hinting rather than overexposing. Draped and cut-out gowns were great examples of that.
A dove pattern, which also appeared in the form of jewels made with recycled gold in collaboration with 886 Royal Mint, was a leitmotif of the show and a reference to author and birdwatcher Jonathan Franzen’s book The End of The End of the Earth.
Among the best looks were “cloud knits” made from recycled nylon and crystal-embellished separates, such as a denim shirt and trouser combo that had just the right amount of sparkle.
The invitation to the Balenciaga show came with a golden wedding band engraved with each guest’s name. Demna, the label’s creative director, meant it as a way to profess his love for fashion and to celebrate his almost 10-year marriage with the house.