Style director Adrian Clark reports back on the final day in Paris and tells us how to get Hermes' catwalk look
The concluding weekend to the international menswear collections in Paris confirmed three major trends will help shape spring 2013: formal sportswear, uplifting colour and super lightweight luxury fabrics.
Pink was the order of the day at Givenchy’s dramatic unveiling of its collection (pictured far left), using lightweight layers of gauze-type fabrics as tails underneath tailoring in shades of icing sugar pink. The show was also punctuated with ecclesiastical prints for sportswear, which no doubt will be very influential on the high street.
Pursuing the trend for lightweight fabrics, Lucas Ossendrijver’s collection for Lanvin (pictured centre right) proposed a brave new silhouette that looked very fresh and well timed. Multi-pleated trousers and billowing tops made this one of the strongest collections Lanvin has shown for several seasons.
Other highlights of the weekend included Hermes’ stunning collection of luxury sportswear and tailoring that was breezy and chic, in shades of neutrals, teal, strawberry and citron. Ami by Alexandre Mattiussi and Berluti also showed charming collections, both of which took place outdoors, the first in a pastoral garden party setting and the second in pastiche worlds inhabited by the bourgeoisie.
However, all eyes this weekend were fixed on the follow-up relaunched Kenzo collection (pictured centre left) from Opening Ceremony duo, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. Rising to the pressure, they didn’t disappoint. Taking inspiration from the utilitarian mix of print and workwear styling that Kenzo forged with his 1970s boutique Jungle Jap, it showed a clever play with proportion and has secured Kenzo back onto the fashion landscape as a force to be reckoned with.
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Grooming tip:
To contrast with the super-luxe and smooth collection Hermes showed on Saturday night (pictured far right), designer Veronique Nichanian chose to mix it up with an undone, dishevelled look when it came to the hair. To achieve this messed-up yet controlled style that isn’t too matte try using L’Oreal Paris Studio Line’s Out Of Bed Fibre Putty; £3.56 for 75ml. A workable fibre putty that will help you create an all day ‘out-of-bed’ look. To modernise this dishevelled look for the hair, Nichanian sent her models out with very matt skin. L’Oreal Paris Men Expert’s Pure & Matte Moisturising gel; £9.18 for 50ml offers shine control for matte skin. A non-greasy, non-sticky and quickly absorbed moisturiser that will add hydration without leaving an unwanted surface sheen.
