My schedule for Friday of Fashion Week included what is likely one of the most ageless and timeless design houses in history; Chanel. Seated under the sky at Le Grand Palais, it seemed that the entire fashion world had shown up to discover what reinvented classics would grace Karl Lagerfeld’s collection this season. Always showing innovative exhibits, Chanel featured a fabulous carousel that displayed iconic fashion emblems which have defined the design house over time.
Thursday started with a pleasant surprise, as if being in Paris for prêt-à-porter is not pleasure enough, I was very excited to receive an unexpected invitation to the show for Giambattista Valli. A designer that just introduced his own line three years ago, Valli’s collection, which I had never before prioritized on my list as a must-see, has now certainly risen to the very top, with what was one of the most fabulous and chic shows I have seen this season. Bringing luxury to an entirely new level, Valli created couture that compared easily in innovation to Haute Couture. Despite its opulence and grandeur, his designs remained wearable for women wanting to make jaw-dropping entrances during fabulous affairs. With an originality that moved in a direction different from other fashion houses, his styles emphasized an eccentric elegance that spared little excess.
Paris is one of the few places on earth where even the pouring rain cannot stop people from enjoying its beauty, exploring its streets, and in the case of Fashion Week discovering its style. It seemed ironic that on a day of so much gloom I would be meeting with Nupur Tron, one of Paris’ freshest and most fabulous designers for a private showing of her newest Haute Joaillerie collection. Jewelry that could make any gloomy day glamorous, Nupur’s stunningly intricate pieces sparkled with so much life it was as if the brilliance of the designer herself was shining from within them. Designed with an Indian influence, Nupur makes the traditional trendy, appealing to modern women who appreciate exclusivity and want personalized pieces.
It is always a pleasure for me to spend time in Paris, and even the busyness of prêt-à-porter cannot subdue the thrill of seeing the city come to life with fabulous fashion and style. A long-standing attendee of Paris Fashion Week, I came prepared for the chaos and was excited to start my week on the same note as I did during Haute Couture with Dior’s show that was held in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.
Timelessness is one of those attributes that everyone wishes to attain but few are able to achieve. Over the past 45 years, Valentino has captured the attention of an international fashion audience with his glamorous gowns and elegant ensembles that have stood the test of changing trends and time. While wealthy fashion lovers around the world collect his vintage couture, Valentino’s new collections continue to draw the attention and applause of fashion editors, celebrities, and socialites. A designer favored by the famous women of history and Hollywood alike, Valentino has made a name for himself as a designer whose opulent fashions will forever go untouched by time.
