A look at Paris Fashion Week S/S '14

Paris Fashion week was a special visual overload treat this year, and then some. What was probably most refreshing was the revolutionary Rick Owens show that challenged conventional beauty standards and was unlike any other run-of-the-mill catwalk show. He entertained us with dancers from American colleges a.k.a. real women who performed during the show wearing his sports luxe collection. Such a daring move, it definitely shook my world a bit. I was just like, wait a second... A Paris fashion week show without stick-thin models, am I dreaming?? Then it was over and it was back to reality when it was time for the next designer's show that day. I really appreciated the unconventional twist though. It was like a reminder that we are not supposed to kill ourselves to look like these stereotypical models they usually hire for these fashion shows. Everyone has something different and beautiful to offer.

Marc Jacobs's last collection for Louis Vuitton was a show of complete blackness (truly a dark day for LV, I can't imagine it without Marc!) with amazing feather headpieces designed by Stephen Jones. The collection was heavy on sheer fabrics and embellishments and had a rocker/goth show girl kind of vibe. The Stephen Sprouse graffiti print made a comeback on Edie Campbell who opened the show. The show was like an homage to the designer's amazing work through the years as creative director of the label. He will be missed.

This beaded crop top and patchwork jeans look is love.

Let's move on to the Chanel show which tickled my fancy being all Barbie pink and Rainbow Brite. I love the multiple bags and cris-crossed purses. The show has a cartoony/artsy quality to it with the anime-ish hair and makeup. I get so amazed at how such pure youthful fun can come out of good old Uncle Karl's head.

Back to school vibe with backpacks, headphones, white socks and patent leather shoes. Will high school/uni chic be the next thing?

Madame Miuccia followed up her awesome Prada show with one for Miu Miu that I am just dying over. All pretty and vintage but what I like most are these random prints:

Kenzo also had a cool fish print that will replace those eyes that the brand currently has on everything.

Kenzo's advocacy on saving the ocean is what the collection was all about. Designers who use their influence to communicate important messages to their audience using fashion are the coolest in my book. One good example is Vivienne Westwood who has an ongoing crusade against climate change and consumerism. She uses her Red Label collections shown in London more often for her advocacy. Her Paris show was an interesting trip down randomness lane but she had me at giant floral headpieces and kitty cat T-shirts. Cats and fish seem to be recurring themes, if you haven't noticed.

There were beautiful, summery patterns at Valentino like these ones.

Sheer/mesh fabrics and panels are definitely carrying over to next Spring.

Hedi Slimane kicked ass at Saint Laurent with his blast from the past show oozing with old school punk rock coolness. He was probably thinking "what would Debbie Harry wear?" when he was making this collection. The collection had this simplicity and none of the extravagant show pieces other designers have, which is why it's so easy for Saint Laurent to be the target of high street copycat brands.

I've seen a lot of really good black jumpsuits this season but this one just looks absolutely perfect.

Phoebe Philo confirmed the layered bottoms trend for next Spring, which I'm really excited about, at the Celine show. I'm also looking forward to sporting midi hemlines, which the collection had a lot of as well.

Monochrome and laid back; (L-R) an all-white look from Chloe where layering also reigned, a midi skirt look by Hermes in its signature color, and a slouchy black jumpsuit by Givenchy.

Comfort is key, that's my rule of thumb right now for dressing up and I think the Spring 2014 collections have mandated the same thing.♥

Photos via style.com

Prints, Animals and Things

Designs in prints and products based on nature and animal inspirations have been quite prominent lately. I'm loving ethereal images mixed with animals and different elements in a collage. A good example would be the work of London-based artist named Rosanna Webster.

This is Webster's design found on Paris-based bag designer Delphine Delafon's website.

Delphine Delafon's exclusive one of a kind bags hand-made in her atelier in Paris are all about exotic prints and gold details.

       

Overlapping textures and prints, seen in Givenchy Fall 2013 by the amazing Riccardo Tisci, who once made a fierce rottweiler print t-shirt famous and who's now opting for Disney! I'm a sucker for cute stuff and that Givenchy Bambi sweater is right up my alley. If you wanna inject some animal cuteness in your outfits, take a look at these babies.

Loewe's super cute animal charms, coin purses and locks, and Marc by Marc Jacobs Mr. Zebra t-shirt (I die for Zebras!) available at Ekseption

Adorable Loewe panda coin purse which might just be the cutest one out of all their little leather creatures, and Charlotte Olympia kitty flats I wouldn't mind wearing every day, both available at net-a-porter 

 
Last but not the least, my ex-boss milliner Mich Dulce's super adorable bunny toppers! Her spring 2013 collection of sustainable millinery was inspired by natural elements like spring blossoms and bunnies, and has a fun dose of fairy tale and magic.

She works with traditional fabric made of banana fiber handwoven by the women of an ethnic tribe in the Philippines. As we can see, art imitates nature for sure but it's definitely best if you can wear it. ♥