Although the collections are our number one priority when it comes to Fashion Week, there are many stunning backstage shots that catch our attention while we sort through the photos. Since Paris Fashion Week is over, and the weekend is almost near, here are a few of our favorite backstage images from the Paris shows. You know, just for fun.
Alexa Chung hit the Paris fashion circuit looking casually sexy at the Louis Vuitton show. The European stylista wore a long navy cardigan, black hose, and standout Luxotica-inspired Louis Vuitton platform sandals. A dainty star necklace and silver ring complete her perfectly messy ensemble.
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>> Despite the prevailing '80s mood of the season, at his private show today, Azzedine Alaia only looked forward: "I don't believe in looking back — I don't want to revisit the 1980s." Both Suzy Menkes and Cathy Horyn were present for the unveiling, the former describing:
"Signature knits and leathers, woven into bouncy skirts that might have open-work decoration or intricate embellishment. Cut-out feather effects were hand-painted with streaks of white, while white cotton blouses also freshened up the tough side of black leather. Coats cinched at the waist and small leather jackets, whether in classy crocodile or pony skin treated to look like miniature leopard spots. The same pattern appeared on the knitted dress, form-fitting but kicking out at the hem."
>> For the first time since launching his RM line, Roland Mouret showed during Paris Fashion Week; until now, he's debuted collections during couture season. It was perfect time to make the move, considering that his trademark tailored origami dresses are right on par with the sober chic mood of many other designers for Fall 2009 — "quietly seductive," as Cathy Horyn described them. "Almost the work of a local dressmaker. That’s not a criticism." Another first for the designer: knitwear, embossed like crocodile, above a skirt or over leggings. The venue was warm, causing guests to fan themselves with programs and invites, but these are just the type of dresses that buyers are looking for come Fall, so a little discomfort was surely worth it.
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Kate Moss left the Ritz hotel in Paris this afternoon after yet another evening of parties. She wore a silver gown to walk the red carpet with a dressed up Jamie at Fendi's VIP party last night, where Kate downed a couple drinks and danced while watching Beth Ditto perform on stage. In typical Kate style, it seems like she's enjoying the bashes more than the actual clothes during Fall Fashion Week in both France and England — leading some to speculate that she's putting in face time ahead of landing another big campaign.
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>> Miuccia Prada closed out the Fall 2009 runway season with a Miu Miu show about "playing with the bourgeoisie.” Necklines plunged to reveal nude bras, fur sashes draped across the chest and covered ankle straps, bare flesh shimmered, and socks were heavily sequined. The collection seemed more grown up than Miu Miu's recent forays into harlequinism or scuba gear, with its tapestry patterns, but perhaps most striking were the half-coats, with undone buttons or cutout backs.
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As Paris Fashion Week bids us adieu, Marc Jacobs fashioned a feast of a finale. With an eclectic mix of baroque, volume, and — you guessed it — the '80s, Fall's Vuitton babe is divinely decked. This collection was not shy on color; crimson, canary yellow, salmon, and emerald created a robust palette, while nude and black balanced. Splattered and cosmic prints also tickled the eyes. Volume, i.e. folds, curves, loops, were festooned asymmetrically and in opposing colors creating flirtatious dimension.
This was mostly a runway of legs, as skirts and dresses reigned; however, boots were ultra thigh-high, creating the illusion of pants. The comic touch this time around was crinkled bunny ears fastened onto delicious Bardot chignons. In keeping with the French splendor of the house, where drama roams free, this was another high-inducing collection by monsieur Jacobs.
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>> Marc Jacobs's signature collection started a minute early, and Louis Vuitton started just seven minutes late — which according to the way most fashion shows run, is still early, causing loads of people to miss the beginning — Suzy Menkes climbed over the runway after the first model walked out — and many to be locked out. Lucky for them, the show was staged in a clear tent in a Louvre courtyard, so late editors and passersby could watch the show.
Bunny ears topped heads — show stylist Katie Grand was inspired by "a black doe rabbit in the pet shop on the corner" — necklaces were modeled after paper garlands, ruching was everywhere, and Rose Cordero finally made a Paris runway appearance. Marc Jacobs said he was inspired by "all the great, elegant Parisian women, like Loulou de la Falaise," and the LVMH-Gareth Pugh connection continues: Pugh sat front row, two seats away from Bernard Arnault, still denying the Dior Homme rumors.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —First it was Fall 2009, then Spring 2010, and now it's being reported that Resort 2010 will be Phoebe Philo's first collection for Celine. Meanwhile, the house's Fall 2009 collection, done by an in-house design team, will be presented to editors next week. [