Chanel ss2015 - Catwalk Review

This show was girl power like you'd never seen it before. Karl Lagerfeld clearly wanted to make a statement and succeeded in style as he called in supermodel Gisele to walk for his latest Chanel catwalk show. But apart from that, the clothes and the setting were absolutely remarkable. If you thought it was impossible for Lagerfeld to top his ginormous 'supermarket sweep' from last year, he upped the stakes even higher with a genuine Parisian street, filled with houses, paved streets and even real puddles! The Grand Palais was pretty packed out!

The clothes were very Chanel - you had the tweed suits, monochrome basics and pearls. But the use of the stripe was printed onto dresses and skirts while the everyday, grey working suit was given a stylish makeover with palazzo pants and oversized jackets. There were some lovely bright jackets and tops, knit and cashmere while the relaxed attitude of the show was cool and chic. I thought the use of grey as a bass colour for spring was interesting, so perhaps Lagerfeld has predicted subdued weather for the new year.

As for the epic finale, models paraded down the 'street' holding huge plaques baring slogans and messages. 'History is her story,' 'Free Fashion' and 'Make fashion not war' were just some of the messages making quite a statement as Gisele and Cara Delevingne shouted through megaphones at the fashion press. Karl Lagerfeld proudly strutted his stuff down the catwalk - it's hard to believe this man is over 80 and still designs like a young genius. Trust me, this collection had Instagram as Twitter in a mini meltdown, especially with Cara and Kendall Jenner walking the runway. An amazing show and well worth the wait!

More from Day 5 at Paris Fashion Week - Valentino and Alexander McQueen...

Valentino 

Alexander McQueen

#PFW - Givenchy, Stella and Chloe

Sonia Rykiel - There's not really too much to say about this show as nobody does effortless, Parisian chic like Sonia Rykiel. There was navy, white and khaki as well as jumpsuits and summery parkas, that could probably be used for autumn too. And with Miranda Kerr making a surprise catwalk appearance, this collection has the fashion approval of many fashion elite out there.

Givenchy - Kim Kardashian and North West seemed to draw all the attention straight off the catwalk and onto the front row. But, I am going to focus on the collection which was pretty amazing. Everything was black and white except for a baby pink dress, which gave it a very sexy theme. Crucifixes and plunging necklines were reminiscent of daring nuns while the supermodel line up was spectacular!

Chloe - It was beautiful and clean. From the lace dresses to the knee high gladiator heels in beige and cream, the Chloe girl is extremely cool and very chic. I loved the laid back attitude of the whole show and the way the models hair just seemed to wave effortlessly as they walked. The details were exquisite, the colours perfect and the word 'sell out' springs to mind very quickly.

Stella McCartney - Denim is a trend for spring summer 2015. That has been firmly established after the Stella show this Monday morning. There were some amazing white pieces while the summery prints on dresses and skirts at the end of the collection were so inviting and original. As always, the tailoring was perfect and so crisp whereas the show had a slickness only Stella can produce.

#PFW - Dior, Mulger and Isabel Marant

Jean Paul Gaultier - So that was the last ever ready to wear show for Gaultier and what a finale it proved to be. It was fun, energetic and very sexy with pin stripe suits and daring dresses. It was a show which celebrated women, big and small, proving how great a designer Gaultier really is. For years he has delighted us at Paris Fashion Week, so to say goodbye is sad. What a way to bow out...

Mugler - This collection really cheered me up. In recent seasons, the Mugler catwalk shows have never really wowed me, but this collection had something different - it was beautiful. The pastel cropped tops and the mid skirts were lovely as were the colours and metallic hues thrown in for added effect. The black pieces were highly wearable and the overall mood of the show was sweet and sugary. A wonderful spring collection really!

Dior - There isn't much to say about this Dior show. The clothes literally say it all. There was beauty and elegance running throughout with historical detailing reminiscent of Marie Antionette. White was the colour of choice and Raf Simmons made it work so beautifully, this collection will be a sell out. You can't help but get swept up with Dior... 

Victor & Rolf -  Always amazing and a huge highlight of Paris Fashion Week, design duo Victor and Rolf never fail to surprise.  From the shoes to the coats and jackets, there was colours and fun but serious enought to fit in with the Parisian chic of fashion week. 

Isabel Marant - For easy, understated chic you really can go wrong with Isabel Marant. This show was summery with pretty prints and mini dresses yet sophisticated with beige colours and tailored jackets. From day to night with ease. 

#PFW Best in Show

Balmain - I love Balmain! I just want to put that out there, so yes, I am very biased towards this particular collection! It was cool, hip and sophisticated with monochrome garments opening the show followed by boxy geometric dresses, trousers and shirts in brightly coloured check patterns. As always, the waist was nipped in and the midi skirt was extremely tight, but that's Oliver Rousteing and that's Balmain! Plus with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kendall Jenner, Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn prowling the catwalk, this show was a showstopping event. Take it or leave it...

Lanvin - There was drama, depth and darkness to the latest Lanvin collection, designed by the one and only Alber Elbaz. From the stunning minimal maxi dresses which opened the show,  to the royal brocade print on trousers and skirts alike at the end of the collection, there were clothes for every occasion, tailored to absolute perfection. I especially loved the stiff jackets and the quality of the fabric. This was Parisian fashion at it's best. Amor.

Balenciaga - Alexander Wang has done it again. His latest rtw collection for the iconic Parisian fashion house was chic, stylised, slick and beautiful. Lovely pastel colours, clingy maxi dresses and draped silks across the shoulders just added glamour to this already luxurious collection. Wang has proved an enormous success, and with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and baby North sitting on your front row, its not difficult to see why!

Vionnet - I don't usually pay much attention to this old fashion house, seeped in heritage, but this show was ABSOLUTELY beautiful! Madeline Vionnet, who made her name during the 1920's and 30's would have been proud of this lovely collection, as her bias cut was used to full effect. The use of fine materials like silk and chiffon was exquisite as well as the beige/cream colours which gave the overall show a sense of understated elegance. Beautiful...

Nina Ricci - Colour blocking, sweeping silhouettes, nipped in waists and elegant proportions. For grown up dressing, you really can't go wrong with a bit of Nina Ricci, especially as their fairytale creations are just so wearable as well as highly sophisticated. I though the cashmere jumpers were divine as well as the sugary sweet, sandals and accessories.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015: Catwalk Review

Dramatic, feisty, passionate and ornate! It could only be a Dolce and Gabbana show! As the fashion pack waited with baited breath for the new collection to start, a red catwalk set the scene to beautiful effect. Similar to the Mens ss2015 show, staged earlier in the year at London, this catwalk collection was inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Spain and the effects this empire had on Italy.

There was a lot of red, black and white with hints of flesh on show. As always, embellishment was heavy and ornate, with one model wearing a gold crown and a crystal encrusted bodice. Shapes and silhouttes were pretty much the same from past seasons, but the way in which the clothes were styled and arranged was magnificent. From the boxy Matador jackets to the swinging lace dresses in silk and chiffon, everything was equisiste and amazingly detailed. Models wore big belts with crisp white shirts, earrings were huge and glistening while shoes were surprisingly tame - a lot of flat ballet pumps. I especially loved the use of embriodery and applique techniques on jackets and skirts along with the colours which were passionate blood reds, maybe to reflect the fiery Spanish and Italian cultures. Dolce also had a couple of form fitting suits sent down the runway, which is always a nice surprise as the tailoring is emmaculate and a staple of the brands heritage. Attention was paid to the female body, with corsets and bodices drafted into dresses to highlight the waist and bust areas to perfection; very sexy but in a sophistcated way.

On a beauty note, hair was slicked back with a middle parting, with flamenco style red flowers in tight buns at the back of the head. It was extremely Spanish with a simple touch of elegance. Pat McGrath, chief make up artist, went for a dramatic look with dark lips and eerily white powdered faces which went wonderfully with the overall look of the collection. The music too was also dramatic but beautiful - who doesn't want to watch a show with Spanish guitars strumming rhythmically in the background?

As for the finale! It was a big show stopper with models parading down the runway in identical white shirts, black heels and red knicker-boxers encrusted with precious jewels. Model of the moment Kendall Jenner led this throng of Italian beauties, a controversial decision considering her reality TV background, but it was goose bump tingling! As the models lined up at the front show space, everybody waited for the two main men to take their bow which came with a tremendous applause. A perfect end to a perfect show, and a clear highlight of Milan fashion week. Dolce and Gabbana are indeed the masters of Italian design and just keep getting better and better each season. Bravo!

Milan Fashion Week - Day 4

 

Emilio Pucci - Yes, Peter Dundas was certainly feeling the 1970's for his latest collection for power house Pucci. There was high glamour, tie-dyed dresses, printed jumpsuits and a certain supermodel called Naomi Campbell who took a turn down the catwalk. This collection was amazing, with bright orange, yellow and tan colours popping off the runway. And my favourite model Natasha Poly opened the show! Pucci's defiantly got my seal of approval. 

 Roberto Cavalli - Lovely prints, maxi dresses, lots of animal patterns and sophisticated pastel colours. Bright bursts of colour opened the show then gave way to beautiful summer pieces with delicate undertones. The use of lace was incredible. I would just snap up this whole collection if I could afford it!!! I want, I want, I want!

Bottega Venetta - Very sculptural and architectural - this was a classic Thomas Maier collection with some lovely jackets, dresses and cashmere tops. Alessandra Ambrosio, Kendall Jenner and Gemma Ward all walked for this show so there was defiantly supermodel style! Simple and beautiful.

Giorgio Armani - I was actually quite surprised at just how beautiful this show was. The dresses at the end were divine, with the draping effects across the body complimenting the female figure wonderfully. It was very Milanese with some amazing bags and shoes. The embellishment on some dresses were perfect and I loved the sunglasses in-cooperated into various looks.

#MFW - Day 3

Versace - Donatella Versace stated that she was Inspired by a more modern, young and fresh vibe for her latest collection. It was still very sexy with mini skirts and leather, but there were also pretty pastel ensembles and logo baring silk shirts. I loved the geometric and sporty influences, with stripes and bold patterns clear trends. Love Versace!

Moschino - I know I'm pretty late publishing these photos from the Moschino show, but let me tell you...it has been one of my favourite collections of Milan Fashion Week so far! 'Barbie Heaven' was the clear motto of the show, with models scarily mirroring Barbie doll looks and proportions while wearing a lot of pink. This show looked like it had just jumped out of a Barbie movie, literally. Plastic Fantastic! Jeremy Scott certainly has some amazing ideas for his shows, from McDonalds last season to Barbie this spring/summer 2015. Wow!

Prada -  Dark and grungy yet structured and tailored. This was my understanding of Miuccia Prada's latest catwalk collection, which I have to admit was not one of her best. First of all, it looked more like a fall collection rather than something suited for spring, but then Prada likes to shock and surprise. Plus, Miuccia doesn't follow the fashion rules! I loved the coats which were belted at the waist in tan, maroon and black whereas the dresses reeked of Italian style and sophistication. And yes, the whole 'wear socks with your heels' trend seems to be back!

Blumarine - Pretty, perfect and linked to the wonders of the sea. Blumarine always give us a little slice of Italian glamour with something special on the side. For spring, its clear that Blumarine want their customers to feel cool and collected in pastel colours and floral prints. All the colours were very soft and tame and their models looked naturally beautiful with minimal make up and straigtened hair.

Etro - This fashion house is a favourite of mine. I love the use of prints, paisley patterns and colour which makes Etro just so unique and cool. For spring, there was a sense of 70's boho with garlands of necklaces, gypsy skirts and layers of fabric thrown carelessly over one another. Aztec prints also crept onto jackets and dresses while I spotted a cute wrap dress too. Overall, a great collection full of character.

Missoni - Another luxury Italian brand who take prints and pattern to a whole new level are Missoni. However, this collection seemed to tone down the usually outlandish patterns and instead focused on a more delicate, tailored look with sweeping silk dresses and crafted evening jackets. All models wore fun headscarfs wrapped tightly around their heads and the shoes were wearable (and comfortable!) summer sandals. I'll take a piece of that any day...

Milan Fashion Week: Best in Show

Just Cavalli - I absolutly love this fashion label, just becasue it is so much cooler than the main Roberto Cavalli fashion line. This show was sporty, wearable, fun and cool with lots of print and pastel colours. I loved the silk dresses that showed part of the leg in a kind of maxi effect. So refreshing and lovely for summer!

Emporio Armani - Blue, blue and more blue!Giorgio Armani went all sailor chic this afternoon for his latest creations, with plenty of tailored jackets lined with white and cool, baggy trousers to keep off the Italian heat. Mr Armani always likes to deliver an extremely wearable collection with seperates to suit all aspects of your wardrobe, and this collection did exactly that. From shoes, ruffled dresses, buttoned jackets and huge sunglasses, there was something for everyone!

Dsquared2 - This has long been one of my favoutire Italian fashion shows. Dean and Dan Caten are probably the most talented twins in fashion with plenty of creative juices flowing. For Spring 2015, they took a different approach comapred to their usually flamboyant clothes. Block colours were a main feature on leather shirts, shorts and a line coats. I loved the use of fur and the geek sheek glasses adding a touch of sophistication. Amor!

Fendi - Cara Delevingne, Malaika Firth and Joan Smalls all graced the runway for Fendi's latest show, and what a show it was! I loved the swinging mini skirts adorned with print as well as the cute light blue hues on dresses and trousers alike. Hair was messy but stylish in a wispy sort of way and the luxury leather bags were to die for! Fendi is always amazing, not that I'm biased or anything!

MaxMara - Most known for their famous coats, MaxMara is a label which seems to just have the whole package. This morning there were funky 70's hats (very Bianca Jagger) and cool maxi dresses in tonal subtle brown colours - orange, tan, grey and chocolate brown.