Paris Fashion Week: sensuality and a return to the past

Once Milan fashion week drew to a close on 28th September, with plenty of criticism and comment (the collections looked poor, according to some critics, and not at all luxurious because they were deeply influenced by the economic recession), the spotlight turned to Paris, where the last of the four important world-famous fashion weeks took place.

Paris became the international capital of fashion from September 28th to October 6th, hosting thousands of international buyers and the editors of the most important fashion media, there to describe in detail each new trend and each extravagance in color or style proposed by French designers for the next spring-summer season 2011.

Many world famous French fashion labels took part in this important event, offering their vision of the woman of next spring-summer, a sensual creature who loves luxury but always has an eye on the past , in particular referring to the gothic look of the 80’s or to the classic styles of the 50’s, as suggested by the innovative John Galliano for Dior.

The woman of summer 2011 loves wearing gorgeous mini dresses, or long refined dresses slit to the thighs, leaving her legs uncovered for a touch of undisputed sensuality.  Some designers agree on splashing bright colors such as red, green, yellow, blue and fuchsia everywhere, while others envisage a more understated woman dressed in black and white, especially for an evening party or a special gala, when elegance is a Must. In this case, however, sensuality is expressed with sheer sections in the dress itself, at the back, the hips  or  the legs, whose perfect beauty is further enhanced by very high-heeled  shoes.

Many designers, on the other hand, disregarding the seasonal warmth, see the woman of next spring-summer 2011 as a punk rocker, completely dressed in black leather with brass buckles and pins everywhere, leather boots and brass necklaces and bracelets, as proposed by Balenciaga  or Balmain.

Accessories such as handbags and belts are much used by French designers both with a more casual look and used to complete and give light to an elegant evening dress.

However, let’s look in more detail at the styles and the new trends introduced by some of the most famous labels of the French fashion scene.

 

Which is the look to adopt next spring-summer 2011, according to what was suggested at the latest Paris fashion week?

 John Galliano, designer for Dior, suggests a look deeply influenced by the fabulous 50’s , imagining the woman of next spring-summer dressed as an extremely sexy and colorful pin-up, with her short fringe and very heavy make-up, absolutely gorgeous in her prettiness. The eccentric designer sends his models down the catwalk in gorgeous colourful soft chiffon cocktail dresses enriched by garlands in pure Polynesian style.

The evening look is 100% Dior, characterized by rich, silky dresses, with opulent decoration. Whether short or long, evening dresses are absolutely colorful and sexy, with sheer sections and slit skirts.

Handbags, as woman’s most faithful friends are an essential part of Dior’s collection and they are held by the handles or simply clasped in the hand , even tote bags resembling suitcases. However, a casual look contemplates comfort at its purest level, so big bags also have to be completely practical in some specific situations; this is why Galliano includes a classic shoulder bag with a very long strap that can be worn cross-body, giving a woman the ease of wearing a comfortable bag hands free.

Dior’s look, next spring-summer 2011, will be characterized by color, as written above, with very gorgeous shades such as lilac, fuchsia, coral red, yellow, green, ivory which will light up your summer and your special style.

Givenchy, thanks to its designer, the Italian Riccardo Tisci, offers a very interesting collection. Tisci perfectly knows how to transform a woman into a sexy creature, adopting an intriguing, but dark, punk style. Black is the prevailing color of Givenchy’s fashion line, accompanied by accessories recalling the punk, nonconformist look, outside the norms of society, for the real self made woman.However, Givenchy’s collection also includes some more romantic details given that a woman must never lose her sensual side. Jackets and leather clothes are combined with more aggressive accessories while legs are revealed in sheer trousers and skirts.

Tisci’s creations are rarely accompanied by a handbag but if it has to be used, it’s preferable to wear a shoulder bag, the smaller the better.

Provocation: this is the key word characterizing Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring-summer 2011 fashion collection. Its unique style in fact is addressed to every woman in the world, no matter whether she is plump or slim, tall or short. His collection is focused on enhancing the sensual side of the woman through the use of sexy fishnet stockings, mini dresses with details in denim or tulle or lace trims. Ponchos are asymmetric, undergarments are transparent while jumpsuits are abundant and fashionable. The woman dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier, will wear sexy mini shorts and sheer bustiers next summer or refined leather suits.

Chanel proposes joyful dresses characterized by wide skirts, or very nice pink and black  mini-dresses accompanied by a refined pochette, in perfect Chanel style. Most of Chanel’s creations are embellished by gorgeous decorative feathers or flounces in tulle or lace. The fabrics used are very silky to better enhance the woman’s form and her natural sensuality. Small handbags and pochettes are clasped in hands, even when provided with a chain-strap. The evening look is an explosion of light and elegance thanks to the use of shiny fabrics and decorations. The pochette is a MUST HAVE for the evening style, according to Chanel but it has to be tiny, smaller than a wallet.

Pink, black, dark grey, green, yellow, sky-blue, are the fashionable colors of next spring-summer for Chanel designers.

Yves- Saint Laurent sees the woman of next spring-summer 2011 as a sensual woman wearing classic suits or mini dresses in total black, turtledove or blue during the day, while she transforms into a sexy creature at night wearing gorgeous evening dresses with slit skirts and ruches on the decolleté. Very wide belts are adopted to enhance the waist line while high heeled sandals, rigorously in black, blue or white, complete this sensual look.

Valentino introduces very elegant dresses in beige or grey shades enriched by a thin belt at the waist line and finished with a neat bow. Mini dresses are made in shiny fabrics and they are enriched with flounces, ruches and sheer sleeves. The high waist line is a Must of the next summer season 2011, according to what was proposed by Valentino’s designers so, this element is strongly enhanced in each creation.

Evening dresses are colorful (turtledove with golden decorations, coral red, blue, white, ivory) and decorated with shiny streaks, lace or ruches, to convey the image of a sensual-chic woman. The uniqueness of Valentino’s collection is also espressed by the accessories accompanying the woman’s look, and, in particular, by the handbag that, is often provided with strap for daywear while it becomes a glamorous pochette at night. However, Valentino enriches both the versions of this accessory (so precious for the woman), by providing it with a  small hand strap attached to the front of the bag, where the woman can insert her hand and keep her “faithful friend” always by her side, clasping it in her hand and protecting it from  thieves. Then, most of the shoulder bags have a removable strap so, with this short hand strap, they can easily transform into nice clutches in less than a minute!!!

What do you think about the collections we’ve reviewed here?

Do you like the styles proposed by French designers at the latest Paris fashion week or do you prefer the collections shown at Milan fashion week?