Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2016

While maximalism was upcoming in so many fashion collections of the last few weeks, there was no sign of the more is more style rule at Hermes. It was as minimal as so many fashion houses have been showing over the last few years. Including the model’s barely there hair & make-up. Not necessarily a bad thing, of course. Without any distracting chandelier earring or neon colored troll hair our eyes were solely on the clothes. A selection of practical day wear in a vibrant color palette. Not mind blowing attire, but very wearable strong pieces. Like a white pleated midi skirt with matching long sleeve top with graphic lines. Or a red midi co-ord paired with sneakers in the same shade. Not to mention those white short combined with a sleeveless cream colored trench. Simple yet strong. Some outfits perhaps were a bit too crisp and clean and a little too much of what we’ve been seeing before the last couple of seasons. Not a collection to make headliners, but luckily Hermes’ Apple watch collection – to be released this week, yet not one pair at sight in the show – is already doing that. So not to worry. After all accessories are bringing in the big bucks at Hermes.

Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Womenswear Paris FW2014

Hermès-designer Christophe Lemaire ended Paris Fashion Week on a sophisticated note, with a lineup executed in the ultraluxurious vein the house is known for.

Lemaire surfed on many fall trends, most notably men’s wear via oversize coats and suits and textures boldly mixed in a variety of surfaces. There was an overall ease to the relaxed silhouettes, including the opening look, a chic gray coat over a white shirt and slouchy pants.
Standouts came with Lemaire’s play on the silk scarf. He worked it in unexpected ways — the back of a shearling vest, for example, or as the base of a silk-and-cashmere shell top shown with a decadent mustard-colored crocodile skirt.

This is Hermès, and so leather was key. Lemaire used it for a black draped dress and a dark green coat with an easy, sporty fit, among others.

 

Hermes Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2014

Christophe Lemaire took Hermès into the jungle for Spring. Lemaire’s big influence was Henri Rousseau, the Frenchman who painted jungles without ever having seen them. The pendulous flora of Rousseau’s work were duplicated in the print that opened the show, with boots to match. The artist’s dark jungle green colored tops, shifts, crocodile culottes, and a wrapped leather coat. It was, in fact, color that marched this collection on: mulberry, teal, sky blue, sunset orange.
The collection looked generic viagra price easy, with voluminous shirts over a suede skirt, a generously cut linen suit, a blanket-weave wrap skirt.

Hermes Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013

For fall Hermes took several fashion classics and gave them an unexpected new twist. Like a navy trench coat that was double breasted and got an extra zipper. Or the pink sweater worn over a turtle neck, combined with an orange belt. Not to mention the red jersey pants with matching jumper, yet contrasting orange shoes laces. But despite these ‘odd’ accents, the Hermes man still is as properly dressed as ever come fall. He’ll look sharp in his navy colored suits and casual in his cashmere sweaters. His leather pants and coats will give his style that edgy touch. As perfect leather shoes, gloves and bags proof he is a man who cares about details. And the item that probably says the most about this man is his croc leather jacket; making him fashion forward, perhaps even trend setting.

Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2013

Turquoise, camel, brown, yellow and blue; a gorgeous color palette was Christophe Lemaire’s first hit ingredient to the Hermès spring collection. His oriental aloha prints that popped up several times during the show were a second success part. And combined with perfect tailoring; there were lots of strong looks to be spotted.

Full on leather looks, like a turquoise croc ensemble, and leather detailing put the H into Hermès. And of course new Birkin bags (a weekender and a backpack) had to be introduced.

To complete the celebration of all things Hermès the models wore the brand’s scarves (in contrasting prints) around their necks (held together by a chic pin) and around their wrists. Even a fashion newby would be able to see what articles Hermès’ focuses on. Yet we don’t blame Lemaire. A heritage as strong as that of Hermès has all the right to be put on display.

Hermes Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2013

The Hermes-collection designer Veronique Nichanian sent out were sporty silhouettes in unexpected fabrics. Like zippered parkas in chiffon calfskin; T-shirts in perforated leather; and sweaters inset with lambskin panels.
Appealing were the sophisticated, summery suits done in deep blue linen canvas or virtually sheer seersucker in pale shades. Along with a series of single-breasted, navy wool and mohair tuxedos.

Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Christophe Lemaire opened his show  with a group of platinum-card-holding gaucho girls, with tweed blanket shawls fringed in black leather, ballooning pants tucked into boots.  The South American accent gave an sexy accent to the masculine tailoring. The sizing was loose and generous. The outerwear was strong, especially woolen coats and capes in green. There was also a Hermès version of the tracksuit: T-shirs, cardigan and slim pants in light suede in spicy shades. For evening Lemaire suggested silk skirts in foulard prints and loose velvet tops.

Hermes Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Maybe the looks Véronique Nichanian sent down the runway weren’t the best showpieces. The show felt a bit tame a perhaps mist some spectacle or some extravagant jaw-dropping designs.

Then again, when it comes to real life wearability this Hermès collection will get the highest scores. There was about anything any man could possibly need for his winter wardrobe. Slick suits, check. Long jackets, check. Woolen sweaters, check. Tight turtle necks, check. And of course it wouldn’t be a Hermès winter collection without some solid leather pieces like a jacket, trenchcoat, pair of trousers and even a croc leather shirt.

This all presented in a color palette changing from green tot burgundy and from blue to black made up for a pretty solid fall/winter 2012/2013 clothing range.

Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Paris ss2012

For spring 2012 Christophe Lemaire combined the most beautiful silhouettes, colors and materials together in his Hermès looks. His RTW-collection was looked serene and comfortable. Long, loose tunics and caftans in cream and orange like shades set the mood for the show.

They were followed by fully buttoned blazers, tops with standing collars, printed and asymmetric dresses with kimono sleeves. Models wore those with headbands, scarfs, bold bangs, simple golden necklaces and gorgeous leather bags (of course!).

Sexy was not the right word for the collection, but the models sure as hell looked confident. And we see absolutely no reason for them not to do so. It was a perfect, slightly Asian-inspired, show with clothes women will actually be able to wear.

Hermès Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

After big names like Jean Paul Gaultier and Martin Margiela, Hermès chose a less more well known designer to create their womenswear-collections. But not a less talented one! Christophe Lemaire (45) has been in the business for ten years, building his own brand and helping to give sportswear-related brand Lacoste a more fashionable face.

His first collection for Hermès was a mix between comfortable yet dressy sportswear and the loose layers we know from the late seventies. Chunky knits, tweeds, leather pants (sometimes with boots attached to it), straight T-shaped leather tops and beautiful coats and deux-pieces in a patchwork of the famous Hermès-shawls. The tunics and  and djellaba-inspired dresses gave it a slightly eastern touch. Colors ranged from off-white to black, mustard, petrol and orange.

Different from what we’re used to see from Gaultier, but still luxurious and elegant in a quiet way.

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