Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin AW18
A myriad of colours, textures and silhouettes stole the show at Lanvin’s Paris Fashion Week AW18 show. If one fashion month image resists, it will be of the final moments of Lanvin’s presentation; a sea of bright orange, jewel violet and deep green that graced the runway, intertwining through the maze-like paths.
The show opened with typical Lanvin elegance, a v-neck tulle ballgown – something perhaps expected from the house that makes couture the every day. The collection quickly transitioned though, still keeping the sophisticated lines of the initial look but translating them into a bold, bright orange, leather pencil skirt and matching shoulder bag.
The collection was conservative yet unconventional. Emphasis was put on fabrics and colours with classic shapes but unorthodox colour pairings. The orange ombre-ed into grey, jewelled mustard mixed with deep purple – did you catch those violet stirrup trousers? – pink with yellow, and a deep, luxurious forest green was paired with a lighter, brighter shade from the same palette.
Above all the collection was glamorous, with a plethora of red-carpet ball-gowns and jaw dropping jewels. Thigh high splits, cinched waists and shoulder length structured capes elevated the looks, creating a more fashion-forward sense of styling. Everything glistened. From the light reflecting of the layers of thick satin to the jewelled beading and the smooth shine of the leather. No wonder models wore oversized aviators.
Ballgowns, leathers, bright coloured shades, yes this collection had all the makings of a timeless capsule yet there was also a sense of daring. Dresses were matched with heavy, to the knee biker boots, otherwise pristine leather bags were draped in suede fringing and half-palmed gloves in bright marigold sat below the oversized chiffon gown sleeves. Mismatched earrings, phone pouch bag straps and a PVC colour-block coat were just a few of the details that really stood out. Overall, it was a collection that will stand the test of time – aspirational but not unobtainable.
