Highlights from Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019

“Save the best (fashun) for last.” We’re guessing that Paris is already used to carrying that burden, and so far has never failed to give us what we expected from it. So to wrap up the slew of fashion shows, here are the highlights from Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2019.

CELINE’S UNISEXUAL APPROACH

Hedi Slimane made sure that the Phoebe Philo era of tailored menswear-for-ladies is done and gone by sending down the runway a sea of glamorous black frocks and zippered party girl dresses. Celine’s new creative director also had male models wearing unisex ensembles that were glittery, padded, and totally ’80s inspired.

LIPSYNC FOR YOUR LIFE, BALMAIN EDITION

Olivier Rousteing’s S/S ’19 collection for Balmain was opened by Cara Delevigne singing along to Prince’s “When Doves Cry”—totally on theme, as most of the collection looked high-fashion mummy-like. From mummy to mommy jeans, Balmain’s looks for the season is a mix of deconstructed denim and stiffened, pleated garments warped and wrapped around the body. It also would not have been a Rousteing collection if there weren’t the pointy and sparkly embellishments finishing off each look.

GUCCI ICONS ONLY

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSDLHjitr0/?taken-by=gucci

Alessandro Michele’s inspirations for the new season were both classic and campy: Legendary singer and actress Jane Birkin (yes, the woman who also inspired another label to create a handbag named after her) made a special performance for the show while country legend Dolly Parton’s face was printed on a denim vest for Gucci’s S/S ’19 collection. Other ’70s and ’80s elements abound, with the excess of glitter, fringe, and feathers fitting right in at the Le Palace in Paris where the fashion show was held.

DANCE WITH ME, CHRISTIAN DIOR

An ode to dancers and prima ballerinas, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s collection for Dior put the focus on tutus, leggings, and leotards worn with ballet shoes. Finally, here’s the chance for those who never quite made it to the end of dance school experience the thrill of looking a bit like Odette (or Odile) even when offstage.

SAINT LAURENT WALKED ON WATER

Black, gold, shorts, sexy—these were all that mattered to Anthony Vaccarello as the new creative director at Saint Laurent. Oh, and of course, for the models not to slide and tumble down the flooded runway. Mini dresses in black, leather shorts, and gold highlights made for a skintastic and spectacular show.

Images from Indigital.tv