PAUSE Picks: Paris' Showstoppers.
Albeit felt like an eternity, we have finally reached February meaning another Paris Fashion Week has come and gone. No matter how much we may doubt it, this year failed to disappoint, once again, as the Fall/Winter 2023 shows caused countless Oos and Aas through subversive tailoring, mind-boggling runway pieces and surprise collaborations. But, who has come out on top? Who is the winner of Paris Fashion Week?
It’s almost impossible to pick just one from the many shows so the PAUSE team have put their heads together to collate their selection of the 5 best runway shows at Paris Fashion Week. Get the conversation going in the comments below.
Check out PAUSE’s 5 Best Shows from PFW:
-Louis Vuitton-
PHOTO CREDIT: LOUIS VUITTON
A blockbuster show which had everything from a Rosalia performance to the styling genius of Ibrahim Kamara but, most importantly, all eyes were on Colm Dillane as it was previously announced he would be “embedded” into the fashion house’s design team alongside the late Virgil Abloh’s remaining studio team. The KidSuper designer’s implementation made perfect sense in the end; his vibrant, art-led approach was the perfect marriage to Abloh’s youth-championing ethos that was a symbol of hope for him. Silhouettes were traditional yet tailored to perfection, with hoodies, track pants and puffer jackets being used as canvases for the multi-coloured child-like paintings as well as show-stopping accessories, namely the Keepall.
-Saint Laurent-
PHOTO CREDIT: SAINT LAURENT
Anthony Vacarello blew away Paris Fashion Week with the showing of his Fall/Winter 2023 collection, an offering that had the quintessential Yves Saint Laurent DNA through a contemporary lens. The looks were chic, sleek and elegant thanks to the decadent tailoring and pomade-slicked hair that exuded undisturbed authority and sexual prowess.
-DRIES VAN NOTEN-
PHOTO CREDIT: DRIES VAN NOTEN
Nature and rave culture wouldn’t be two things you’d put together let alone think it would look good but Dries Van Noten has pulled off the impossible with his latest collection. Inspired by both of the aforementioned themes, he combines the two things he truly loves with what he’s best at: tailoring. The result is a wonderfully balanced showing that includes fun prints, flattering proportions and masterful colour blocking.
-KENZO-
PHOTO CREDIT: KENZO
Nigo’s starting to look right at home at Kenzo and this Fall/Winter 2023 collection is a testament to this, now channelling his own background and interests in Japanese tailoring and British Mod culture, a subculture from the 60s. Checkered and striped motifs really took over the suiting to completely take on the Mod look as Beatles music was performed by a live female string quartet. The Japanese designer’s preppy, varsity looks from previous seasons also made a comeback in a more refined and mature manner.
-LUDOVIC DE SAINT SERNIN-
PHOTO CREDIT: LUDOVIC DE SAINT SERNIN
It couldn’t be going any better for french designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin, having acquired quite the following for his namesake label he founded and even being named the creative director for the illustrious Ann Demeulemeester. This collection serves as a celebration of all of his recent achievements and is the embodiment of France in the 2000s through his sexy, glamorous lens where tops are cropped, bodysuits are sheer and skirts are made of crystal chain mail.
