Tagged: paris
Banana Favorites: Paris FW Spring 2015 Ready To Wear
So sad when it ends. Waking up knowing that I have new runways to watch was such a mood lifter. Considering I’m NOT a morning person. Last week Paris Fashion Week concluded FW, as usual. This year Paris designers showed something different from the rest, which was refreshing to see at the end. These were my favorites:
BALENCIAGA
Milan FW was all about earthy tones, flowy pieces and fringe. This collection was a whole different thing. Alexander Wang spent the summer in Paris during the Tour de France and it was a big inspiration for this collection. Uses of mesh and athletic silhouettes dominated Balenciaga’s show. My favorite pieces are the white and peach ones. Somehow the contrast of these colors and sleek sporty looks makes them look so classy.
ROCHAS
It had me at tulle. The first look of this show grabbed my attention just because of that. The color way, mix of fabrics and sheer details positioned this collection in the list. I also liked the quirky shoes with the socks.
MANISH ARORA
I enjoyed this one so much! Yes, in some looks it’s too much but that’s what I love about it. If I was Grimes stylist, Arora would be my go to designer for her! Lots of embellishments, pastel colors, gold/silver ornaments and evil eye screens. So unique and cool.
BALMAIN
Olivier Rousteing redeemed himself with this SS collection. For a couple of seasons I was truly disappointed, just because I love Balmain SO much. Something unexpected for this bohemian season, Balmain’s sleek, sexy looks were fascinating to watch.
CHLOÉ
What’s not to love? Spring/Summer fashion at its finest. Lace, flowy dresses, gladiators, vibrant colors. Chloé is a brand that understand what being a girl is all about.
ELIE SAAB
Always makes the list. Always! What really impressed me this time is the addition of a sportswear detail to his lovely gowns. The runway looked like the bottom of the ocean since he used lots of blues. Saab’s collections are so well put and glamourous, there’s no way he can miss.
VALENTINO
Another one bites the dust. At this point, Valentino’s collections should be automatically inserted in this blog. Another collection inspired by the sea life, Valentino’s gowns had starfish, shells and sailing ships. These were my favorites along with the pastel lace ones and its classic tapestry looking masterpieces. I left my heart with Valentino. A long time ago.
Banana Favorites: Paris FW Fall 2014
The “Ready to Wear” shows of the Fall/Winter ’14 season came to an end last week. As usual Paris FW had a lot of amazing shows. Let’s get to them.
BALENCIAGA
Alexander Wang put on a very interesting collection mixing knits, belts, zippers and leather. Structure was present of course but it shows that he had lots of fun with this collection.
NINA RICCI
Purple color had a lot of presence in this collection, going from pastel lilacs to deep -burgundy. This is a girl’s dream wardrobe for a trip. You’ve day looks (florals, maxi dresses and loose silhouettes) and then gowns for dinners in the city.
CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS
Personally I’m not too familiar with this line but I liked the simplicity and details of color and metallics.
ISABEL MARANT
Not my favorite Marant collection (the S/S ’14 was to die for) but I still liked it. I’m a fan what can I say. I found interesting how plaids and the olive color were still so strong in the fall collections this year. Apparently we’re not gonna stop seeing them.
CHRISTIAN DIOR
Tailored pieces with a masculine feeling but with rich colors. Another interesting thing about the Fall collections was to see color block again on the runways. I loved the way that Raf Simons updated classic shapes and gave them a modern twist in this collection. My favorites? The hot pink dress and the pink/red top and skirt!
CHLOÉ
The Chloé girl is always so polished and sophisticated. This season she added to her style bold prints and I loved it.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
Valli is definitely one of my favorite designers these days. I watched an interview about this collection and he said he had “enough of the menswear inspiration already” and he wanted to “design for a woman who was confident to dress in women’s clothes”. Well he delivered. Always right on point with the prints, colors and shapes. That last burgundy dress is SO gorgeous.
ELIE SAAB
A little but disappointed, I must say. The past collections were so amazing that this one felt short. I still liked these four dresses so I had to post them.
SAINT LAURENT
If I could choose a show to attend, Saint Laurent will be on my top list for sure. The label is the definition of glamour and rock & roll. Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane even sat at the front row. How cool is that? I love how Hedi Slimane incorporates glitter in his collections and bows as well. Add plaids and capes and it’s perfection. BTW, I’m seeing so many capes lately. I need one ASAP!!!
VALENTINO
Lots of 70s inspiration in the Fall runways too. As for Valentino? Beautiful as always. I really liked the versatility of this collection. Going from very bold prints with a retro feeling to delicate, elegant gowns that define the line.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
What a rich collection. Very ethereal. It’s like it came out of a children’s fantasy book. The white moon and stars dresses were my favorite!!! Amazing.
LOUIS VUITTON
This was Nicolas Ghesquière’s debut so the show was full of expectations. Marc Jacobs let me down in his last shows and in my opinion, Ghesquière did a great job. Very true to Fall fashion, the collection had a lot of suede, skins and leather. To me, it was as if Amelia Earhart would fly nowadays, these were the clothes she’d wear. A+
MIU MIU
I always have mixed feelings with Miu Miu. I appreciate originality and a fun collection but sometimes it’s too much. I liked the colors in this one and how she played with the knits and other fabrics. See? Color block again. I wonder if for Spring ’15 it will come back strong.
That concludes the ready to wear collections. Did your favorite made the Bananas’ list?
Bananas’ Favorites: Spring 2014 Couture Shows
Last week designers presented their Spring 2014 Couture collections and we were loving it! Personally I prefer Spring collections and even better COUTURE SPRING collections. These were my favorites:
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
On my top 3, definitely. I always like how he plays with structure and feminine silhouettes. The mix of pastels and bright colors was so cool and even though I’m tired of the color mint, that mint long sleeve dress is to die for!
ELIE SAAB
If I was a celebrity the Fashion Police team would probably say that they’re sick of me wearing Elie Saab on red carpets. But those gowns!!!! Lovely, just lovely.
ZUHAIR MURAD
Sexy necklines mixed with delicate fabrics. This collection was like being a floral, lace, golden dream.
CHANEL
Sending all models wearing delicate pieces with sneakers was a risk that in my opinion paid off. Finally something different on the runway. That last look on Cara Delevingne was so cool!
CHRISTIAN DIOR
This collection reminded me of Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton’s) and anything that reminds me of Alice is a win for me. Burton’s Alice btw because one of my favorite things from that movie was Alice’s wardrobe. It was playful but sophisticated. Two of my favorite looks were the black jacket with the green shoes and the white graphic crop top with the skater skirt.
VALENTINO
Valentino needs no explanation of why it’s on my favorites list, does he? When I saw that first dress I thought I died and went to fashion heaven. I mean, music + tulle on a dress? IN LOVE! Of course that dress was my favorite from ALL! The collection reminded me of Adam and Eve’s garden. Animal prints and shapes were very present in it. Also, lots of tulle. Oh, Valentino.
What were your favorite collections? Did they made the Bananas’ list?
Banana Favorites from Paris FW
Fashion Week is officially over (sad!) and what a way to end it. The Paris shows were my favorite since Milan and London kind of disappointed me (except for Burberry Prorsum and Dolce & Gabbana).These were our favorite looks from Paris Fashion Week:
BALMAIN
Balmain is one of my favorite lines ever. Usually I love all of the line’s collections (except for that 80s inspired F/W ’13). This collection gained my respect for the line all over again. It was perfection! And on of my favorites. The pastel colors gave the collection that spring feeling but the structured silhouettes which are Balmain’s signatures were still present. I loved how the plaids were mixed with embroidery and other prints. And that tutu dress!!!!
CHLOÉ
This collection was like a trip to the greek islands. The use of white, olive and blue colors, the loose pieces and crochet gave away a fresh island feeling. The first white dress was my favorite.
ISABEL MARANT
Of course Isabel Marant was going to be in our favorite picks. I would wear ALL of the looks here. The word is as simple as PRETTY. So pretty. The color palette, the fabric choice and the ruffles were all a big win. Oh and the shoes! Loved it!
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
Loved almost everything in this runway as well. I think it was very different from any other lines and I specially liked that crop tops will still live! (I never want the crop trend to die).
SAINT LAURENT
Mia Wallace, anyone? Never thought that I’d like 80s inspired outfits. This collection made it possible for me. Obviously since it was mixed a jazzy inspiration as well. This one was in my top too. It was a prints, glitter, leather & socks perfect combination.
ELIE SAAB
I would so wear one of this dresses to a red carpet. My favorite were the emerald color dresses and the printed ones. Beautiful collection.
MIU MIU
Ok, this was not in my top BUT I appreciate the fact that it was VERY different from any other collection and I love the 70s/kaleidoscope/print madness/acid trip thing going on. Maybe the styling was not the best but some of the prints were really cool.
VALENTINO
Ahh, Valentino. Never disappoints. Wow, that should do. Just WOW. The dresses, the prints, the hair, the capes. This was my favorite collection of all. I think it’s a masterpiece and it speaks for itself. I LOVE VALENTINO!
Who were your favorite?
Banana’s Picks of The Week
You’ll soon discover the Banana’s top shows from the Couture Fashion Shows which were presented last week at Paris. In the meantime, enjoy the Banana’s picks of the week Haute Couture Edition!
Kristen Stewart sure knows how to tribute Coco as she rocks fingerless leather gloves, leather shorts and very stylish Michel Cazabat pumps. Paired with a white suit and sleek hair do, Kristen has come a long way since her “dress with sneakers at the red carpet” days.
Olivia Palermo (no surprise here) in Christian Dior for the designer’s show. The hologram skirt adds fun to the blazer and the two statement cuffs plus the embellished belt shows us that sometimes.. more is more!
No one can make a grandma’s cardigan look so sexy and wearing no pants to a fashion show as cool as Rihanna. The bag, shoes and the PEARLS! We’re obsessed with this “effortless” look in general that she wore for the Chanel show.
Rose Byrne looks simple and lovely in a printed Chanel gown for the designer’s show as well.
And last week’s couture rotten banana goes to…
Jennifer Lawrence wearing Christian Dior for the designer’s show. Jennifer.. we love you, but we hate this look on you! The cropped top by itself could’ve worked with a high waisted skirt or fitted pant. But these pants just don’t work for you. The shoes are also wrong for the look. And the sunglasses.
We do love the confidence that she has and the fact that she tried something different. Maybe next time Jen!