Blazers & shorts steal the show at Paris Fashion Week
Who wants trousers when a pair of hot pants will do? That appeared to be the motto at Paris Fashion Week, where fashion labels from Balmain to Balenciaga featured tuxlike blazers atop leggy models. The collections were a bit punk rock and a bit anti-establishment – all the while managing to be subtle.
Nicolas Andreas Taralis brought some Goth to the Spring runways. An all-black-colored show with men in capes and women in futuristic get-ups made one wonder if “Bladerunner” served as a source of inspiration. Taralis wasn’t nonchalant about his penchant for going against trends and started the show with a topless girl, strutting her stuff in a tulle ballet skirt and a pair of boots. Urbanites will flock to his SS 2011 collection, which boasts mesh pieces, sheers, messy layers, grommet belts – about anything that will go with a combat boot. The look above, a black blazer atop distressed jean shorts, was one of the most contemporary ensembles out of the entire collection.
Although Balmain didn’t ditch its signature capri pant or skinny jeans, the label similarly showed adoration for the short-suit combo. A lover of texture, Christophe Decarnin went punk rock, displaying many pieces in crunchy, black leather with added glittery hardware such as zippers, sequins and studs. Are shorts replacing Decarnin’s famed peg-leg? Probably not, but now we know he has another pant up his sleeve.
Balenciaga went to the U.K. for its punkish inspiration. Plaids and spartans were mixed among starchy, stiff coats and red leather shorts. Viewers could make a reference to the Round Table, with many of the thick leather ensembles resembling a knight’s coat of armor. Parachute shorts, pictured above, were spotted a couple times in the show and provided an interesting juxtaposition with the overly formal blouse and coat – perhaps an ironic jab at women in menswear.
Tagged in: balenciaga, paris fashion week, shorts, balmain, blazer,
Purple Neon/LadyLUX
