JE NE SAIS QUOI – PARIS FASHION WEEK 2022 TRENDS
Models strut the runway at Saint Laurent’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Masks may be an au courant trend (not without controversy), but thanks to masks, social distancing and vax cards Paris Fashion Week roared back to life. The festivities that began on Monday, September 27th wind down on Tuesday, October 5th with major fashion houses opting for live shows such as Dior, Chanel, Hermes, and Vuitton.
Looks from Dior’s Spring 2022 Collection. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
“We are overjoyed at their return and the presence of the other big brands,” Pascal Morand, head of France’s Federation for Haute Couture and Fashion, told AFP, a news network in France. “We feel this appetite for the physical, for the show,” he added.
But we cannot forget that COVID-19 is not yet over and so just like in New York, London, and Milan, face coverings were compulsory at all the shows this week in the City of Lights.
Of the 97 fashion brands showing at PFW, about two-thirds are continuing with online presentations.
A look from Kenneth Ize’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
Nigerian designer, Kenneth Ize, a favorite of supermodel Naomi Campbell, kicked off Paris Fashion Week with a show at the Palais de Tokyo.
Then on Sunday evening, Givenchy held its first IRL catwalk presentation by its new American artistic director Matthew Williams, who brought an element of street style to the historic French brand.
Saint Laurent was also back with a live show on Tuesday evening, despite being the first major house to quit the Paris Fashion official calendar when the deadly pandemic hit in 2020. Today it’s obvious that the brand and it’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello, made the right choice. The historic French house has been protesting the chaotic pace of the fashion calendar, which has led several major brands to rethink their strategies even before the pandemic.
A video of Saint Laurent’s spring 2022 show. (Video courtesy of Saint Laurent on YouTube)
Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Balanciaga Look rewrote the Red Carpet’s Rules. (Photo Credit: Elle)
On Saturday night the much-anticipated Balenciaga show took place. All eyes were on the brand’s creative director Demna Gvasalia, especially after making waves at the Met Gala when he dressed Kim Kardashian in a controversial all-black, head-to-toe covering (talk about the ultimate Covid mask!).
Balenciaga, which is under the umbrella of the French global luxury group Kering (Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta to name a few) proved that they are totally committed to the future of fashion. Prior to Paris Fashion Week they announced at their brands would be going entirely fur-free. Balenciaga announced that they had teamed up with the hit cartoon comedy show The Simpsons, and they announced a partnership with Unreal Engine’s popular computer game Fortnite. Keep your eyes on this space and watch for our upcoming blog topic on how the fashion industry is entering the gaming space.
Video about Kering going fur-free. (Video Courtesy of France24 on YouTube)
Although there was plenty of excitement and so many live shows to attend, there were still a few who have opted out of showing during the Paris Fashion Week calendar. Most noteworthy absent brands were Celine, whose artistic director Hedi Slimane has argued that the traditional calendar was “obsolete” in the age of social media. Off-White, the brand of the popular streetwear designer Virgil Abloh, has not appeared for several seasons now, as well as Stella McCartney, although she has not given a reason for skipping out of the fashion calendar.
PFW will end with an homage to Israeli-American designer Alber Elbaz, who died from Covid-related complications in April 2020. The late Elbaz’s company, AZ Factory, planned a tribute show with 44 of the world’s most talented designers, each of whom have created a piece in Elber’s honor. Among the designers participating: Rei Kawakubo, Alessandro Michele, Donatella Versace, and Nicolas Ghesquière, and from the U.S., Ralph Lauren, Virgil Abloh and Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli. The company is calling the event, which will be live streamed on October 5 at 8 pm CET, “Love Brings Love.” I am sure the event will bring many to tears as Alber Elbaz was one of the most beloved and charismatic designers of our time.
While the final stretch of the Spring 2022 shows is still going strong, here are some key trends coming out of Paris so far:
POSH SPLICE
This season, designers in Paris played mix masters with a mélange of luxe and alluring combinations.
A look from Marine Serre’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Sarawong’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Thebe Magugu’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Lutz Huelle’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Isabel Marant’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
TWISTER
Twisted halter tops take center stage this season as the sexy neckline can be found on everything from body-con dresses and jumpsuits to barely there tops.
A look from Courrèges’ Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Issey Miyake’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Balmain’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Saint Laurent’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
JUMP STARTS
No longer the sole domain for dancers and gymnasts, the jumpsuit takes on a racy twist in skintight versions that are oh-so-sexy.
A look from Balenciaga’s Spring 2022 collection. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Saint Laurent’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Marine Serre’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Acne Studios’ Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Balmain’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
SPORTS CENTER
Getting in shape never looked better. Designers are inspired by the sporty life with chic riffs on everything from cool basketball-style shorts to a full-on boxing looks.
A look from Christian Dior’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Loewe’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Isabel Marant’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Meryll Rogge’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood’s Spring 2022 collection. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
THE BELT WAY
Cinch it in! Designers are opting for belting looks this season to accentuate the waist.
A look from Dries Van Noten’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Patou’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Andrew Gn’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Christian Dior’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Valentino’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Hermès’ Spring 2022 collection. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
BARING CONDITIONS
The French have a flare for sexiness and this spring designers are adding an extra dose of seduction with strategically placed cut-outs leaving very little to the imagination.
A look from Rick Owens’ Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Gauchere’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Coperni’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Saint Laurent’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
YOU’RE A GEM
The collections in Paris were filled with brilliant jewel tone colors – rich magentas, emeralds, and blues – enough to make you sparkle like a gem.
A look from Andrew Gn’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Kenneth Ize’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Issey Miyake’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Christian Dior’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Patou’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Dries Van Noten’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
SHINE LANGUAGE
Metallic hues take a playful turn for spring 2022 as designers show an array of shiny looks from a gold fringe dress to a silver futuristic topper, one things for sure, it’s time to shine on.
A look from Valentino’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Balmain’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Courrèges’ Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Lutz Huelle’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Loewe’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Christopher Kane’s Spring 2022 show. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
A look from Balenciaga’s Spring 2022 collection. (Photo Credit: Vogue Runway)
Now that we’ve covered each of the major fashion week capitals, which city do you believe has the most creative talent?
Sign-up for our newsletter
Join our newsletter to receive updates on future blog posts, special deals, and new lessons. Also visit the main webpage to check out all of our video lessons.
