Summertrend 2012: In Your Finest PJ’s

Ever felt like skipping the fuss of getting dressed and just going out in your nightwear? Than we’ve got good news for you, ’cause hitting the streets in your finest PJ’s in the latest fashion trend. Brands like Stella McCartney and Jil Sander showed the coolest pajama’s by combining sloughy tops with lean trousers. Also, Jonathan Saunders and Antonio Marras joined in on the trend as they mixed loose fitting silky printed blouses and pants together.

Small polka dots, checks and paisley prints definitely are the way to go with this new summer look. Color-wise it seems best to opt for old-school pajama-worthy shades like gray, light blue and deep blue. Stella mixed hers with flat flip flops, yet as Jil Sander proved a chunky heel can be pretty chic with this look as well. Just don’t over-accessorize this nighttime ensemble. In fact, as shown on the runway this look doesn’t need any extras at all!

Let’s hope this ‘Bedtime Chic’ look stays around a little longer, ’cause looking on trend was never this easy.

Alexander McQueen Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Futurism with softness, looking forward in a positive way. That was what designer Sarah Burton had in mind by creating her fall collection for Alexander McQueen. Burton presented it in a collection that was about lightness wit a core of power: futuristic princesses in “exploded” silhouettes in pristine white or enormous froths of pink feathers, their faces behind sleek visors. This was a story like only the McQueen house can tell and present, it left the commercial collection in the showroom. But that collection will for sure have connections with the show-pieces – same colors, same perfection and elegance.

 

Valentino Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Folk seemed to be the theme of the Valentino-collection, but we couldn’t tell that from the clothes. Or is must have been the dresses with native motifs that reminded of Greece, Russia or the Orient. But the black leather that opened the show, told a different story.  All in all it was a smooth, feminine collection with the familiar dresses and jumpsuits, softened with macramé seams and passementerie details.

The focus was at day-wear  with smart-looking frog-closure coats and Aran sweaters dotted here and there with crystals. For evening there were long, loose-fitting shorts in black leather with a tunic and an embroidered velvet vest—black tie, but with a modern touch.

Chanel Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Besides the impressive front row (which today featured stars like Katy Perry, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Elisa Sednaoui and Poppy Delevingne) the second best thing about a Chanel fashion show is it’s backdrop. This morning enormous translucent amethyst crystals filled the Grand Palais show area. They formed the inspiration for modern 3D pieces, like coats and dresses with multifaceted bodices in multiple shades. And actually the crystals were visible in every little part of the show. From the models crystal heels, to their shiny velvet pants, up to their shimmering jackets, enormous brooches, luxurious necklaces and their crystallized brows. Besides his classical, usual suspects (tweed coats and twinsets) Karl Lagerfeld added some modern items, like cigarette pants, leggings and multicolored graphic knitted sweaters (we even spotted a knit hoodie!). They made the collection feel younger and fresher than before. The extremely talented designer even proved you can never be too young for Chanel by sending a little boy out on the runway sporting a quilted Chanel bag (yet another Chanel highlight).

 

 

 

 

 

Yves St. Laurent Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

It was the second time this season we had to say goodbye to a talented designer. More than a week after Raf Simons left in tears, it was now Stefano Pilati’s turn to present his last collection for Yves St. Laurent. After seven years he definitely left the fashion stage. A place some people think he should have left much earlier since his collections were not always well received. despite all the critic, it was thanks to Pilati that the house of YSL made profit after years in the red.

Pilati’s last collection was one of dark sensuality, something he presented before. The models looked perfectly glamorous and they were dressed in a style of aggressive femininity, thin black silhouettes, cinched waists and lots of leather. Jackets had strong shoulders, pants and skirts were lean and sleek. More intimidating were the dresses in colored mesh, like the harness of a knight.

 

Chloé Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Pastels for winter, you gotta love it. Elaborating on this year’s major summer trend Clare Waight Keller brought on pastel blues, yellows and shades of pink. Inspired by London and Paris she mixed outdoor with elegance, sporty with sophistication, bold with subtle and grunge with grace. Belted woolen coats and large kable knit sweaters are bound to become the ‘most wanted’ pieces of the collection. As enormous kneelength shorts and beautiful lace items proved to have some showstopping power of their own. It’s definitely over with the minimalistic designs for Chloe, yet this French fashion house still doesn’t need a lot of fuzz to make a mind blowing impression.

Givenchy Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

The Givenchy-collection was built on strength and confidence, with elements of equestrian motifs from the Seventies. Riccardo Tisci’s signature tailoring came first with variations on riding jackets done in combinations of pony hair, fur and leather that were placed on precise panels. More elaborate outerwear showed Tisci’s leather and fur workmanship, with graphic, diagonal patches of red, black and brown fur spliced on a jacket.
In the end the designer brought some lingerie-like dresses, soft and feminine with their lace-appliquéd, camisole-like tops and pleated skirts.

John Galliano Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Inspired by drawings of Aubrey Beardsley (an influential illustrator and writer in the late 19th century) Bill Gaytten came up with luxurious ensembles for English women. His models were all dressed up in asymmetrical capes and dresses with enormous collars, large gloves and feather fascinators as their accessories. Especially the delicate designs in pleated satin and embroidered sheer fabrics appeared graceful. Done in shades of olive green, cinnamon, light mint and ruby red they seemed perfect for winter. And even though you could see every bit of the models’ bodies through them it still made the girls look classy.

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.

Costume National Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Yes it was a dark collection, but it was an elegant kind of dark. So instead of studded rough leather designer Ennio Capasa created gracefully cut leather pieces, that formed rich details on skirts, coats and pants. And not only the leather was in perfect ‘shape’; every single item in the show was perfection. We would love to get our hands on those majestic coats, powerful pleated pants and minimalistic dresses. The only few items that were a bit off were a series of see through turtle necks, with tape on them to cover the models nipples. The rest of the collection proved Capasa is classier than that and a more subtle kind of sheerness suits him and his Costume National women way better.

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