Paris Fashion Week...

Nobody does fashion week quite like the French and two shows I look forward to each and every season are those by Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Every season both fashion houses go all out not only in terms of the clothes but the decor, the make-up, the props, every slight detail is made to be absolute perfection before the show goes on. Last season we saw Karl Lagerfeld create a cold, winter crystallised fortress for Chanel. The models even had crystallised eyebrows.

And for Louis Vuitton we've seen countless amazing perfomances and it's safe to say that Marc Jacobs takes catwalk to a whole new level. First we saw the carousel and then there was the steam train, this season nobody knew what to expect as Jacobs seriously never fails to surprise. 

First up was Chanel. However, this season the catwalk was like no other as huge wind turbines and a solar panelled floor took centre stage powering the building. Whilst most interpreted the turbines and panels to be Lagerfeld promoting ethical fashion with the use of renewable energy sources the designer himself did in fact say that wasn't his intention at all. The wind turbines were more about a demonstration of the mood, the wind, the breeze and the serenity of the collection.

The collection started with a very much monochrome theme. The emphasis was on the shoulders, they were boxy, broad and lead into huge bell sleeves, there were jackets, jumpers, dresses each following the same trend. We also saw strapless dresses, wedged striped shoes, stone wash denim, tweed and obviously pearl embellishment to give it that signature Chanel style... Classy and elegant as always.

Finally the one we'd been waiting for...Louis Vuitton.

Four escalators lined up where the models came down in twos before making their way down the catwalk. Each outfit featured just two block colours and whilst Jacobs focused on stripes for his own label for Louis Vuitton it was all about squares, like a checkerboard. There were little crop tops, dresses, trousers, bags, even the floor, all in the same pattern...simple yet amazing.

The silhouettes, head scarves, patterns and beehive hair heavily demonstrated the 60s inspiration behind the collection.

After seeing this and Moschino in Milan I think it's definitely safe the say that the 60s will for sure be making a comeback next spring.

:)

By Jessica Simm