Paris: Day five

By Sarah Casselman

Shown: Stella McCartney Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Started the day with Stella McCartney – big celeb draw (Kanye et fiancée, Twiggy looking very chic in her beret, Sir Paul), although judging from the mélange of oversize sunnies, there had definitely been some late-night revelry.

Despite the fact that Stella’s collection was nothing new, she churned out a well-edited mix of coats with signature anorak details, cozy knit layers, little dresses with slight skirt volume (love that tulip effect) and yummy felt pieces. Fall piece to covet: the coat-of-arms print dress. Song that Kanye was lip-synching to during the show: “Pump up the Jam,” and with such an early morning call, the fashion pack definitely needed to. Stella grabbed a quick bow while the DJ played “Yesterday.” A homage to her proud papa perhaps? See photos from this show.

On to Barbara Bui. Loved the music that started the show and am desperately trying to find out what it was…anyone? Anyone?

Bui showed oversize purple hobo bags, lofty platform heels with wide ankle straps, fur coats, exotic-skin frame bags, belted tunic dresses and a selection of leather separates. Fall must-have: The statement pendant necklace. The bigger, the better. Look for it to take the spotlight on cords, velvet or ribbons.

Back to the base of the Eiffel Tower (I am so busy running around that I have to keep looking up and remembering I am in Paris!) and to Giambattista Valli, which did not look like a fall collection at all. The colour palette consisted of white, blush and shots of fuchsia and red. Sort of an ethereal mood – ivory silk dresses with white fur stoles attached like wings, frock coats with stunning, tiny tiers of ruffles on the back, knot and rosette accents. Jackets boasted brooches and enveloped the models like light soapy bubbles. Overall flavour: A soft, sophisticated, grown-up glamour. See photos from this show.

Took the Metro (am Metro genius now!) to rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré, hopped over to the Roger Vivier showroom and nearly lost my marbles over the dark mirrored room filled with buckles, plaid and patent shoes and bags. Now I know why they call Paris the city of amour!

The grand finale of the day was the Yves Saint Laurent show, fittingly held at the Grand Palais. Celeb sightings: Julianne Moore and could it be, yes…Kanye again. Quelle surprise!

The show gave me chills! To see Stefano Pilati’s mastery up close was truly a treat. Great collection, and everyone was buzzing about it afterwards: lots of fab tailored suiting, ’80s-style angular sunnies, tweed pencil skirts, jodhpur-style and harem-inspired trousers – gorge, gorge! Voluminous sleeved button-downs and ginormous gold cuffs – worn on both wrists – had a sort of arm-plate warrior feel. Very directional, and loved every moment of it. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the shoes – chunky platforms in suede or leather with the tiniest needle-nose heels. Hot with a capital H.

À bientôt. Xo

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