#bestinshow is a feature in which Prancing Through LIFE contributors collate their five favourite collections from New York, London, Paris and Milan each season. Below lies what Paris has to offer this coming A/W.
1. Céline
For me, Phoebe Philo’s latest collection was on point. While remaining ultra modern, the new Celine assemblage included hints of 90’s grunge with layers of mesh, gingham and chunky footwear. Philo herself describes the effortless way in which each look was styled as being put together ‘like a collage’, and that’s exactly how I prefer my layers: erratic, but considered.
2. Chloé
Chloé is known for being ultra-feminine, and I just thought I had to present here the top four printed dresses that creative director Clare Waight Keller sent down the runway. I’m such a sucker for a pretty pattern, but these looks were grown-up rather than girly, and I really thought they stood out amongst the neutral palette that Chloé traditionally opts for. Plus, I rate the wide rim of the booties – ultra flattering on bare calves.
3. Valentino
The inspiration for the latest Valentino collection seemed to have been taken from the 60s to the beginnings of time as dresses morphed from bold geometrics into embroidered starbursts. From looking at my four favourite looks here, it’s hard to imagine the first dress as being a component of the collection, but Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeded, sans difficulty, in turning pop-art prints into quintessential Valentino.
4. Miu Miu
Miuccia Prada redefines luxury once again with a plastic mac. Alluding to the moment of genius when she made simple black nylon backpack into a desirable item, this collection challenges the norms of high-fashion in a big way. Sheepskin, waterproofs and wellingtons – it looks like Prada’s targeting the British doesn’t it? Anyway, it was big and bad, and made a splash during PFW, and I loved it.
5. Louis Vuitton
Thank you, Nicolas Ghesquière, for making the zip-front fashionable again. To me, the latest Louis Vuitton collection resembled a mashup of professions: rodeo girl, aviator, ski instructor – but all using the most luxe of materials possible. The designs themselves covered the essentials, but along with the butter-soft leathers and an emphasis on the waist, the sex appeal was enhanced subtly. What a debut.
Charlotte Dawnay
Charlotte Dawnay is the ART & FASHION Editor of Prancing Through LIFE. She also studies French and Spanish at Edinburgh University. She loves the work of surrealist artist Joan Miró and has a terrible addiction to avocado. This we’ve noticed is a common problem and although we cannot recommend anything to treat this addiction, we do sympathise.
If you’re interested in getting involved with PTL – drop us an email on prancingthroughlife@live.com.
(Images sourced from: www.style.com)