Here's what you missed from Paris Fashion Week

Along the Parisian streets and in the city’s iconic Carreau du Temple, Pierpaolo Piccioli revealed a new collection that featured a resignified, rich colour palette inspired by the house archives. Vibrant and versatile, the looks consisted of blending couture and sportswear, shimmering sequin capes, lilac evening dresses and floral prints.

The finale? Valentino offered a change in perspective, bringing a story created in the Atelier and told in the streets.

We’ve all been living in sweatpants and hoodies for the past year and Raf Simons brilliantly took the simplicity and comfortability of these simple shapes and turned them into a more sophisticated (and desirable) form. Without making a suit and shirt look like office uniform, Simons opted to showcase loose jackets, relaxed suits, pleated skirts and compelling new silhouettes in ways we truly need to have in our wardrobes.

Let’s be honest, anything Jonathan Anderson touches turns to gold. For Spring/Summer 2022, the designer presented a collection that was a feast for the eyes. It was almost like watching a contemporary art fair unfold, with new forms, concepts and compositions introduced on the runway. He birthed a new creative aesthetic that featured 3D geometric shapes, tube dresses and plenty more experimental pieces that we adore.

Bruno Sialelli tackled the art deco era and amplified it in a glamorous way. The seasonal collection echoed more glitz and glam with gilded embellishments, cocktail dresses, elevated separates and sparkling fabrics such as metallic mesh. Looking to the archives, Sialelli incorporated the daisy flower as a tribute to the world of Jeanne Lanvin and her daughter, Marguerite, and looked to heroes and heroines for inspiration – translated through iconic Batman and Catwoman characters and prints.

Isabel Marant presented a line-up of free-flowing silhouettes that came in punchy colours representing different shades of the sun setting. Embodying the futuristic spirit of the ‘90s, the collection featured a play of sexy femininity and comfortability with beachwear, outerwear and ready-to-wear intertwined in playful colours, eye-catching prints, Japanese iconography and embellishments.

Matthew M. Williams presented his first-ever live ready-to-wear show since joining Givenchy and for the occasion, his line-up included complex pieces of work with grandiose proportions. Focusing on fabrication, structure and amplifying simple silhouettes, the collection featured sculpted shoulders, nipped-in waists and more colour than we’re used to seeing. Williams collaborated with New York artist Josh Smith, who incorporated his abstract paintings onto the clothing.

The French fashion house revealed Gabriela Hearst’s first collection presented infront of a live audience. On the banks of the Seine River, the showcase was postcard perfection with a line-up of soft silhouettes – featuring that boho spirit Hearst is widely recognised for. Looking to the environmental and social responsibility of the house, dresses were made with deadstock silk ribbons, tubular laces held by beads and smarter-sourced fabrics.

Happy anniversary Olivier Rousteing! The genius behind Balmain celebrated his 10^th year with the fashion house, alongside some of the industry’s biggest names. Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Natalia Vodianova, Milla Jovovich, Nora Attal and Imaan Hammam came out in full force, strutting designs that merged this season’s sleek silhouettes with that ‘Balmain Army’ nonchalance. The epic finale ended with models wearing a revisited version of his most iconic designs from the past decade.

Demna Gvasalia will have us all ready for red carpet season as he launched a Spring 2022 collection for Balenciaga – one that is over-the-top and oh so Balenciaga. Adding a touch of couture silhouettes to outerwear such as puffers and sweats, Gvasalia reaffirmed his dedication to pushing the boundaries when it comes to fashion by showcasing a 10-minute Simpsons X Balenciaga cartoon. You can watch the episode here.