Trend Report: Spring 2008

Now that the Spring shows have ended (and what a whirlwind these six weeks have been), I’ve decided to look back at what was presented in each city. The plan is to gage what trends–clothing, shoes, and accessories–we have to look forward to when the temperature starts warming up, and the days began to get longer while the nights become shorter.

Cinched Waists
Alexander McQueen
Martin Grant
BCBG Max Azria
Lela Rose
Lanvin

Bold Color
Catherine Malandrino
Céline
Requiem
Junya Watanabe
Giambattista Valli

Floral
Balenciaga
Stella McCartney

1920s & 1930s
Temperley (South of France)
Christian Dior (1930s)

Dark Lips
Christian Dior
Lanvin

Flowing, kaftan-like dresses
Giambattista Valli
ADAM
Stella McCartney

Grecian Silhouette
Lanvin

Grey
Erin Fetherston
Sophia Kokosalaki
Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

“Although some would call his designs outrageous, London-born designer Alexander McQueen has garnered attention for many years due to his ability to create clothing that is original and innovative.”

–from a paper titled “Notes on Style” that I wrote three and a half years ago during my graduate study.

The opinion remains. There are many designers whose works I admire, however Alexander McQueen’s name is usually at the forefront if I’m asked who some of my favorite designers are. In my everyday life, when I think about clothing that I would wear, I’m more drawn to the Catherine Malandrino/Diane Von Furstenberg/Martin Grant aesthetic. From an artistic stand point, from a visionary standpoint, though, I adore and appreciate Alexander McQueen’s artful beauty.

His collections veer into the whimsical, which I enjoy. And what holds them together is the careful construction of each piece; a close attention to some detail, whether it’s the precise cut-outs in a stiletto or the swooping curves of a tall hat. Everything is crafted to tell a story, and what a great storyteller he is.

[Photo credits: style.com]

Treat Her Like a Lady

Martin Grant’s collection for the Spring does exactly that. He’s created finely tailored clothes that accentuate the best parts of a woman’s body–her shoulders, her legs, and her neck. However, there was one miss, and it was the hot shorts that he made. Yes, they accentuate super long legs, but I found them to be a bit much. Aside from that, I was in love with the collection. There were details on each of the outfits that are worth mentioning: the single button; the cinched waists; the perfect gathering at the hem. The color palette was simple in creams, camels, and greys, but there were moments that he punched up the collection with eye-popping lime or shimmering pink.

[Photo credits: style.com]

More from the Shows in Paris

Stella McCartney continues the floral theme seen in the Balenciaga show. Her collection was very floaty and flirty, quite reminiscent of an ethereal nymph.

Giambattista Valli went for the girly hues in rose, canary, and powder blue.

Céline went for the bold in everything from clothes to bags to shoes. Très chic!

Some of the silhouettes, particularly when looking at Stella McCartney and Giambattista Valli, also recall a 1970s vibe with the paisley print and roomy caftan dresses. Groovy!

[Photo credits: Getty Images; WireImage]

The Best Day

Thursday, October 4th, looks as though it will be my favorite day of this whole Paris Fashion Week business.

Giambattista Valli, Céline, and Stella McCartney are showing!

Balenciaga Doing What Balenciaga Does Best

I first read the words Nicolas Ghesquière about eight years ago. The context in which my eyes skimmed that name is quite…unique. I loved reading Internet soap operas at the time. There happened to be web drama title “A Lovely Light,” which took place in bitchy Hollywood, with actors who were up-and-coming and socialites who were fighting the aging process. In any case, the author of this web drama (I forget her name) named dropped various designers, and the name Nicolas Ghesquière was one of those. Maybe it was the fancy accent mark over the “e” in Ghesquière that stuck out to me, but ever since then I have never forgotten his name. It doesn’t hurt that he isn’t bad to look at.

And neither is his collection. The classic Balenciaga shape is present in the clothes the models wore, but those fabrics are simply heavy and lush. The shimmer beneath the lights are spectacular.

Of course, there was also this piece (and several others like it) that reminded me of what Bradley Baumkirchner created for his Cher-inspired piece on Project Runway’s Seaosn Three. And it wasn’t good.

[Photo credits: elle.com]

Christian Dior’s Glamourpuss Catwalk

It’s no secret that I have an affinity for vintage fashion. John Galliano provided that with his collection for Christian Dior. Very ’20s chic, I’d say.

And if we’re to look at how each look was accessorized, I would say that the hat trend will not be going anywhere any time soon. Which is good for me because I have a cloche and a Kangol that I haven’t worn in some time now. I’m also impressed by the Dior shoes. Very dramatic.

[Photo credit: elle.com]

Like Visiting an Art Gallery

Vivienne Westwood never ceases to amaze me. Her designs are unique, but not in a crazy, off-the-wall way, either. Her Spring 2008 collection is very reminiscent of an artist’s palette. Close attention was paid to cut and angle, as well as to fabric choices.

While it may be hard to imagine wearing a Vivienne Westwood creation as one sees it on the catwalk, what calls to me is the creative level of her various designs. The second dress, for example, recalls something floral in the way that it is shaped. The skirt is the stem while the top, billowing and full, is the actual flower.

I also found several of the detail shots inspiring.

[Photo credit: elle.com]

Are we there yet?

Yes; yes, we are.

Now that Paris Fashion Week is upon us, I am beside myself. It’s the week that I impatiently wait for twice yearly. Today, Monday, October 1st, Vivienne Westwood will be showing as will AF Vandevorst, Yohji Yamamoto, and Christian Dior.

Tomorrow, I await pictures of Balenciaga, Junya Watanabe, Viktor & Rolf, Véronique Branquinho, and Jean Paul Gaultier, as they are showing on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s line up includes some real heavy hitters. There’s Valentino, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, and Christian Lacroix.

Thursday will bring us Giambattista Valli, Stella McCartney, and Céline.

Friday there’s Alexander McQueen, Chanel, and Sonia Rykiel.

Saturday we’ll get to view what Chloé, Hermés, John Galliano, and Martin Grant have in mind for Spring/Summer 2008.

And on Sunday, the final day of Paris Fashion Week, Vanessa Bruno, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, and Miu Miu will be showing.

By no means is this list exhaustive. These are simply the designers whose collections I’m most looking forward to seeing. To view a complete list of the collections schedule, you can got to modeparis.com.

Project Runway

…makes its season four debut on November 14, 2007.

Can’t wait.