New / Style Takes Paris PART II: The Far East and The Wild West
Oriental influences are prominent on the runway and on the front row, from geisha-esque make-up to kimono-inspired silhouettes and prints that reinterpret Japanese typography. Others look to the Wild West for inspiration – think tassels, cowgirl boots and sheriff’s badge.
Alexander McQueen
Inspired by the vintage Japanese kimonos she has collected throughout her career, Sarah Burton of McQueen channels geisha-samurai hybrids for the new collection. Models wore black lacquered masks and their pony tails tied up high judo-style. Pastel hues and floral prints blossom on jacquard silhouettes, further echoing the Japanese theme. The centrepieces of the production – Marc Quinn’s gigantic bronze orchid sculptures – are a good representation of the aesthetics, contrasting delicate florals with bold execution.
Kimono silhouette reinterpreted McQueen style.
The Japanese influence completes Sarah Burton’s storytelling for men’s and women’s SS15 collections.
We love the body strap harness and romantic skirt combination.
Carven
The French label’s golden boy Guillaume Henry’s now off to Nina Ricci. His last collection with Carven draws inspiration from the silhouettes of the ’60s, motor racing – models holding the purse as helmet – and Japanese typography.
Sporty silhouette featuring Carven in Japanese on the front showcases designer’s source of inspiration.
Carven’s signature print this season is traditional Japanese painting reworked.
Model holding the bag as a helmet.
Charlotte Olympia
It’s not difficult to pick up Western influences from all the tassels and cowgirl boots that we’ve been seeing on the runway yet Charlotte Olympia has dedicated the SS15 collection entirely to the theme. And so she calls it, “It Happened out West”.
Charlotte’s signature tongue-in-cheek style is evident in the cigarette clutch and sheriff star sling-backs (right).
The all-time bestseller Kitty ballet flats have evolved into Kitty moccasins.
It’s all about funky heels this collection.
Nine days and 93 shows later, Paris Fashion Week wraps up on a high note. STYLE travelled to the city of fashion to see the trends unfold and the major players behind. Read on for our favourite looks at the shows, our fashion week round-up and pieces that we can’t wait to get hold of next summer. With Vivian Chen