PARIS

By: A journal by stylist Becks Welch | February 17, 2010 | Fashion

DAY 4 — IF THE SHOE FITS …
Tuesday, Oct. 6

The next morning, I had to swallow my hangover (again!), apply the war paint and button up to get ready for the big one at 10:30 a.m., the most coveted of all the Paris Fashion Week tickets — Chanel. I met Zanna Roberts again in the throng outside, and we headed in through the series of security gates inside the beautiful and vast Grand Palais. The seating gods had been smiling on me, and I had by pure chance one of the best seats in the place — or maybe the PR girls from Chanel liked me more than I thought! Rhianna, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono, Claudia Schiffer and Prince were sitting spitting distance away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. The show certainly did not disappoint. True to form, Karl Lagerfeld sent out girl after girl in young, cute and fun signature Chanel dresses infused with just the right amount of sexiness, all strutting to super-kitsch ’90s euro-pop. Then singing sensation Lily Allen and a barnyard band performed a country western twist on her hit song “Not Fair” to finish, and the usually somber crowd were not only smiling but tapping their well-heeled feet in what seemed like sincere appreciation for the humorous relief in the normally serious business of fashion!

After the show, I arranged to go and visit Dovie Mamikunian at her office, she of D&M Media who I’d met earlier in the week, to talk to her about Paris and L.A. to try and gain some insight into her feelings about what makes both cities tick. Mamikunian is someone who grew up in Beverley Hills and then moved to Paris, and who went on to build one of the most successful fashion PR/events companies in Paris today. She visited friends in Malibu over the summer and reflected on how surprised she was that it had become such a fashion and shopping destination with the selection of stores that now sell hot, young European brands. She felt this was a really positive thing for L.A.

The Chloé show was at 2:30 and quite a distance from Mamikunian’s office. With my new comfy shoes that I was given the previous day, I was able to move at a greater speed, and literally made it to the Chloé show with minutes to spare! The crowd was fanning themselves in the sticky heat of the tent, wearing tones of nude and beige (no “black pack” here). Chloé is known for its loose-fit garconne separates in muted tones and winning accessories. In her third season at Chloé, designer Hannah MacGibbon continued to refine her point of view and pioneered new shapes, occasionally at the expense of sexiness. Put it this way: If you like ponchos and blanket dressing, you’ll find plenty to love about MacGibbon’s spring collection! I did love the bohemian cream dresses and the wildly chic capes, which are sure to be a big trend for next summer. As the show came to a close, I glanced around and noticed my Chloé ankle boots from this season were being worn on every other girl’s feet sitting in my row. I smiled to myself and looked down at my recent gift from the Maryam and Marjan. The girl next to me gave a nod of approval. She must be in the know. Well, if the shoes fit, as they say!

Burning the candle at both ends had caught up with me, and I made the sensible decision to have a much-needed early night to pack and get ready for the following day.

DAY 5 – NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS!
Wednesday Oct. 7

My week in Paris ended on a high note: The Louis Vuitton show (which must have been the only show to start on time all week) was a fast train through fashion trends all morphed into one.

Marc Jacobs tends to indulge a mixed bag of references, and for spring 2010, identifying one key idea was as challenging as getting to my seat on time.

It was hard to pinpoint, but maybe the big concept was found in the unexpected and supremely decadent accessories, like logo bucket bags jangling along with charms, neon green foxtails and fringed tassels. Jacobs is intent on removing any notion of French frippery from his Vuitton collections, and as such, he cobbled together tweedy suits, floral chiffon dresses and the occasional Army jacket with plenty of energy and sass. Whether you loved it or hated it, you have to admire the man for always going against the grain.

From one rebel to another, my final stop was to say goodbye to my friend Paula Thomas and take a look at her showroom and spring collection for Thomas Wylde. She had a dramatic white space in an old building with high ceilings on Rue Durant just minutes from the Arc de Triomphe. Her collection jumped off the canvas, in acid pick, black and white. The walls were covered with lyrics from Sex Pistols’ songs. Thomas’ inspiration for the season was the band’s album Never Mind the Bollocks, and much like Thomas herself, the collection was very strong and defiant but with a refinement and femininity that softened its edge to give a surprising twist to what you might expect from the spirit of punk. This was her 10th season in Paris, and her fifth year showing, but what set this season apart from the others was that she had allowed the press in to view and not just the buyers. “It’s gone off!” she explodes as I walk in. The editor of Numéro, Babette Djian, had been in earlier that morning and raved about the collection telling her it was the best she’d seen in Paris this season.

My bags were packed and I waved goodbye to the city that never sleeps, and I mused over the things I had seen and the people I had met. The spectacle of froth and frill that is Paris Fashion Week, is a multibillion-dollar industry, yet Paris manages to capture the hard edge of business in such a tasteful and chic way, that surly it can be forgiven its excess?  Would this kind of decadence work back in L.A.? Probably not. When it comes to fashion, I don’t think L.A. and Paris will ever be lovers, but they will always be friends.

Bookmarks: Page 3 of 3 pages  <  1 2 3