43-year-old supermodel Naomi Campbell returned on Sunday to evoke admiration on the catwalk in a sparkling black micro sequin jacket when she opened the first haute couture show of the season for Versace. Even without the usual Marlboro Red in her hand, Donatella Versace showed off her latest collection which undoubtedly screamed female power of sexuality.
With lots of luxury and glamour, Versace opened Paris Fashion Week on Sunday showcasing simple, but powerful and perfect couture. The sequin tuxedo in the beginning was impeccably constructed using hook and eyes, with fastenings left undone to create the feeling of being undressed. Guest model Naomi Campbell also closed the show in an equally well received mink cardigan and suit embroidered with black crystals. Black, sequins, embroidery and Swarovski crystals – the somewhat rock’n’roll collection was totally shredded and slashed and at the same time beautiful and sexy. What was the inspiration behind? The perfection and aesthetics of the black and white era, says Donatella, the impeccably tailored dresses and suits, perfect lighting as well as make-up, hair and clothes, of course.
The inspiration for Dior’s collection differed when the celebrated fashion house presented its Autumn/Winter 2013-2014. Christian Dior’s artistic director, Raf Simons saw women from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa as a starting point for his haute couture. His 53 items made a world tour from the Masai traditions and African wildlife, to the peace of the East with its relaxed, fluid looks. Bold stripes in orange and navy or turquoise and orange showed the American style-inspired part of the collection which Simons himself described as bold, sporty and dynamic. With so diverse, colourful and exotic show, some criticism appeared, but it’s just the first year of Simons as Dior’s artistic director, so such boldness is quite understandable.
The Paris Fashion Week began on Monday with what is for some, the collection of the season – Christian Lacroix’s tribute to the late Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Called “Homage to Elsa”, the presentation featured 18 reinterpretations of Schiaparelli’s designs of weird avant-garde clothing and was the first appearance of Lacroix in four years after he lost his fashion house in 2009.
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