Lady LUX

As Paris Fashion Week marches on, the runways continue to stun with chic aesthetics. Featuring dark hues, layering and pops of color, Christian Dior, Isabel Marant and Haider Ackermann were standouts amongst the weekend shows.

Raf Simons’ second ready-to-wear collection for the house of Dior did not disappoint. The collection carried on spring’s love affair with black and white but offered pops of color in a vibrant red swing coat, blush mixed with graphic offerings and several looks featuring the early drawings of Andy Warhol. Simons’ love of contemporary art was evident in this collection from the collaboration with Warhol to the reinterpretation of the classic Dior houndstooth featured on tops, bustiers and shoes. Three knit looks in black and white were particularly detailed and striking. Peplums and asymmetry were featured throughout the collection and offered very wearable options for a variety of ages and body types. Amen! With this collection, Simons' stamp on the Dior brand was clear yet he remained true to the vision of the storied house. Not a bad way to end a week that started with Jennifer Lawrence winning her Oscar in Dior haute couture!

For Fall 2013, Isabel Marant dispensed with her usual bohemian fare and went dark and simple, albeit comfy. The collection was heavy in black, navy and charcoal with some cream to lighten up the mix. Looks featured thin, sheer fabrics and lots of layering for an overall long and lean, rocker-chic vibe. Studded details made showings on mini-skirts, shirt hems and wrap skirts. Looks were also accented with thin scarves embellished with studs and paillettes. Skin was on display via cutouts on the chest of several slinky dresses and tops. Also of note were some great coats in shearling and other boy-meets-girl styles. For those looking for the next iteration of the ubiquitous wedge sneaker, Marant showed a dressier version in ponyskin with Velcro straps. Let the “knocking off” begin…

Haider Ackermann’s latest featured a dark palette of black, brown, charcoal and olive as well as his first foray into fur. Models wore layer upon layer of mannish tweeds, woolen jacquards, olive drab, leather and rugged nutria; coat over coat over suit and jacket over jacket over wool trousers. As complex as the layering sounds, it was done with the artful tacking and wrapping for which Ackermann is known. The designer wanted to explore the thin line between strength and fragility in the strong women who are his muses. The collection offered look after look that suggested a warrior woman who was ready for whatever comes her way. There was a lot of nice tailoring in the strong shoulders and wrapping yet oversize pants and jackets were also featured.

While New York, London and Milan are already complete, Paris Fashion Week still has a few days to go so stay tuned for a complete recap.

Read more Fall/ Winter 2013 Fashion Week.

Tagged in: fashion week, runway, christian dior, paris fashion week, isabel marant, haider ackermann,

Fashion / Runway