MILAN:
We left Paris on Monday morning at 7am and flew directly to Milan for a full day of appointments with Stella McCartney and Valentino. Both brands only show their pre-collections in Milan so it is essential we travel to Italy to see the collections up close and choose the best pieces!
STELLA MCCARTNEY
The Stella McCartney Resort 2016 collection reflects the brand’s sunny disposition. Inspired by childhood memories horse-riding and of what McCartney refers to as her 'English Blooms’, this collection is filled with flirty cocktail dresses, structured jumpsuits, easy knit-wear and intricate floral embroidery.
Stella held her presentation of the Resort collection in New York in June in a beautiful garden setting to match the collection.
Walking into the Stella McCartney showroom I loved Stella’s name up in lights!
A selection of our chosen looks from Stella McCartney Resort 2016. Two of the strongest prints for Parlour X next season will be the Running Horses and English Blooms prints that feature on a variety of silk separates, including Stella’s iconic jogging style trousers.
A close up of some of Stella’s ‘Blooms’ in the showroom.
This coat is intricately embroidered with one of this season’s signature floral prints.
Rebel and I love this season’s Stella accessories. In particular, a silver glow mesh take on the Falabella bag as well as the new Bucket bag. Super cute!
We also were drawn to this bejewelled knuckle-duster style iPhone 6 case that features in the lookbook.
VALENTINO
After our Stella McCartney appointment we sped across Milan (stopping at the Duomo for a quick minute) for our Valentino buying appointment.
This season Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri have been inspired by the idea of exploration, freedom and Diana Vreeland’s famous quote ‘the eye has to travel’.
For Resort we have ordered 60’s style cape mini dresses in both printed silk and plain luxurious cady, including the centre show-stopping evening gown. We have also ordered fantastic separates including the above fringed leather skirt, Camou-butterfly embroidered knit jumpers, and a folk printed knitwear story that I absolutely love and want for myself!
An embroidered evening gown in the Valentino showroom. The detail on these pieces are breathtaking.
This season Valentino offers a camera-bag with a cross-body strap which is already proving to be a very popular style with our clients. We look forward to receiving this bag in black and a fantastic light mint green with the classic Rockstud detailing!
After an overwhelming response last season to Valentino Rockstud sandals we have ordered many more and new styles for our upcoming summer. As well as the iconic wrap-around style above, we also love the lace-up gladiator Rockstud sandals and a thinner thong-style sandal.
This buying trip we also expanded into Valentino’s sneaker range. We love this open-lace style with the contrasting stripe across the laces.
Valentino’s newest IT shoe is called the Love Latch and this style looks to be as popular as the Rockstud. This style is a little more delicate than the classic Rockstud high heels and features metallic detailing but will have the same classic timeless quality that the original Rockstuds have.
ISABEL MARANT
As the longest standing stockist of Isabel Marant in the Southern Hemisphere, we have a fantastic relationship with the entire Isabel Marant team and always look forward to our appointments.
Inside the Isabel Marant showroom in the Place de Victoire.
This season Isabel does not disappoint with her Etoile Collection; her statement prints in jumpsuits, easy to wear tunics and overall bohemia are ever-present and her design formula for this season looks fool-proof.
The Mainline is a smaller but refined selection than Etoile. This season Isabel offers classic butter-soft cashmere knits, structured silk separates and a new version of the Jaeryn sandal in a plain luxurious leather.
The Bart sneakers were incredibly popular this season and we love the new colour versions offered in the Etoile showroom. These sneakers fit perfectly with Isabel’s seasonal retro vibe.
Isabel’s signature sneaker, the Bobby, will be arriving again in-store in November 2015 in Black and Taupe. These sneakers are the epitome of the ease and comfort that typifies the Isabel Marant brand.
Another classic, the Dicker Boot, will arrive at the same time!
CHLOE
Claire Waight Keller was inspired by the music of Brian Eno and Roxy Music. Keller was influenced by how Eno summoned different attitudes when he performed. As a result, this season’s collection is divided into three very distinct sections; gothic, glam rock and animal print luxe.
Outside the beautiful Chloe showroom on Avenue Percier.
Our selections from Chloe focuses on the strongest pieces in the collection. Beautiful lace up trapeze-style dresses, leopard printed silk skirts and a fabulous plaid knit story.
We love this Bomber jacket that features in the lookbook! Not only is it a stand-out in the collection but it is also reversible!
Chloe bags have become one of the biggest players in the fashion world. This season Chloe unveils a new style called the Hudson bag that we love, especially in the suede and fringed versions.
This Chloe Drew Bag reflects the collection’s main theme, leopard print, and will be available in the small size and also the medium size that now has a new chain and leather cross-body strap.
One of our favourites, the Faye bag, will now be available in two fantastic sizes. One is perfect for an evening clutch and the other is the ultimate shoulder bag.
The Delfine range from Chloe is an important part of the Chloe collection and we have re-ordered many of the hit-styles including the choker necklace and gold tassel cuff.
BALENCIAGA
Alexander Wang has been at the helm of Balenciaga for almost three years and it seems that he has really found his fashion footing with his Resort 2016 collection for Balenciaga.
This season we see a fabulous tweed story that features in a short sleeve shell, midi skirt and jacket. We also see a lot of white toweling looks in the collection that seem to be Wang’s ironic nod to the summer season he was designing.
One of our favourite stories in the collection is the evening selection. This story features a blouse, mini-dress and long evening gown that all have a beautifully jewelled collar at the neckline. With Parlour X expanding into evening wear, we think these gowns would be a perfect introduction.
Wang has continued with Ghesquiere’s iconic ‘Glove’ footwear silhouette and we could not walk past these chic sling back heels that will arrive just in time for summer!
One of the strongest new bag collections from Balenciaga is the Navy Cabas. Seen on street style IT girls all over the world (including Look de Pernille above) this range will be available in two colours and 4 separate styles including the new Bucket bag shape!
The Le Dix Bag has been an overwhelming hit and this season Balenciaga offers the style in a cross-body make-up bag shape which will undoubtedly be very popular!
We have also ordered the Bow and Knot wrist cuff for next season!
MATICEVSKI
Australian designer Maticevski showed in Paris this season and we loved their showroom in the 2nd Arrondissement. This season’s collection is typically full of high-drama and signature Maticevski flair. Pencil skirts, pleated sheer cape tops and stand-out geometric black and white lace are our favourites in the collection.
SAINT LAURENT
Often described as ‘edgy’ and ‘directional’, Hedi Slimane continues to shake the fashion world every time he sends a new collection down the runway. Saint Laurent does not show a Resort collection for womenswear however many women’s looks feature in the men’s runway show.
This season Slimane continues his obsessions with the LA surf rock culture that he has surrounded himself with and titled his collection “A Tribute to Contemporary Californian Surf Music Culture”.
Versions of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, Bill and Ted, and other pop-culture Surfer characterisations walked the runway to mixed reviews. Saint Laurent is a collection that will always create debate and differing opinions but there is no doubt it is a best-seller and has a place in the current fashion climate.
What our clients respond to, is the timelessness and legacy of Yves Saint Laurent;
the precise tailored cuts and suiting. As such, we go into the classic blazers and smoking suits. For accessories; it’s about monogramme bags on chains, new canvas Saint Laurent logo beach bags and clutch pouches with the signature YSL monogramme.
Stay tuned next week for our Paris STYLE FILE