Paris Fashion Week A/W 18 - Top 5

So that's a wrap! Another fashion month has drawn to a close. Here is my top 5 review from Paris Fashion Week...

Christian Dior

As of late, Dior collections have championed feminism and this A/W offering was no different. Maria Grazia Chuiri took inspiration from the Paris student protests which took place in 1968. References came in the form of the fabrics of choice - crochet, archival patchworks and peace sign intarsia's. I adored the colour pop prints and ombre knits as well as the great layering pieces. Embroidered tulle dresses have fast become a Dior signature, and these closed the show displaying a high level of craftmanship. Dior sunglasses are always a coveted seasonal must have, and this season they had mono lenses and were oversized rimless styles.

Balenciaga

Demna Gvaslia was referencing a 'snowboarders paradise' for his latest collection for Balenciaga. The idea of snowboarding and skiing brought about the concept of layering clothes and oversized silhouettes, which also nicely referenced Cristobel Balenciaga's iconic bubble gowns. Razor-sharp tailored jackets were paired with ski pants which elongated the legs. Traditional fabrics such as tweed and wool were bonded onto foam, resulting in a more tech driven feel to the collection. Skintight mini dresses, in velvet, had a gymnastic leotard appeal to them and prints from these dresses also carried across to pleated skirts.

Lanvin

Opinions have been divided over Olivier Lapidus taking the helm at Lanvin last season, but I have to say that I personally really liked this collection. Silhouettes were all pretty wearable, with no daring cuts or pieces that won't translate well off the runway. For me though, it was the strong pop of colour that drew me to the collection. Clashes of orange and blue were striking and was the combo of yellow and pink. Heavy silk was the fabric of choice, and ombre vinyl coats and cross-body bags with built-in phone holders modernised the collection.

Marine Serre

Marine Serre may only be on her third collection, but is fast becoming one of my favourite new designer brands. Athletic silhouettes (bodysuits and cycling shorts) tapped into the market for all things athleisure, which continues to be a macro trend. Scarf prints were fashioned into dresses and handkerchief hem skirts, and I loved the contrast of these feminine pieces layered with skin-tight long sleeved tops and statement sneakers. Whilst some pieces were modern, others were classic in their tailoring (checked blazers), proving that Marine Serre is shaping up to be a brand that can appeal to many different markets.

Off-White

Off-White is definitely having a major fashion moment at the present, being one of the hottest brands to be seen wearing. Virgil Abloh took his latest collection down an equestrian route, cue riding boots and horse motifs. Tapestry featured heavily throughout the collection and came in shades of blue and green. They inevitably had a heritage feel to them, but managed to modern at the same time. As always with Off-White there is an strong emphasis on street style, and we saw that here with hooded parka's and tech body-con dresses. One-shoulder leather dresses and undercut bodices were amongst the standout pieces.

For a more extensive look at all the A/W 18 collections, be sure to follow my Pinterest (details below). If you take a look at my 'Runway Favourites' and 'Fashion Lookbooks' boards you will see a huge number of the latest collections.

Stay tuned to my blog so my A/W 18 trend report series which will be coming next month...

Phillippa x

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