Editor's Diary: 10 best moments of #PFW Spring 2018
“Your full 10-year fashion week circle won’t have been completed without attending Paris Fashion Week Spring 2018,” said one of my fashion week partner-in- crimes.
So there I was at #PFW Spring 2018 – and I will say it was really a fruitful one. For one, there's Kaia Gerber who debuted in New York and rocked the runway all the way till Paris, and as expected, she’s one of the models to rule this Spring 2018 season.
Kaia aside, there were plenty of other great fashion moments to look out for and here are my top 10 picks including the Chanel Waterfall, the new Givenchy and reuniting with Yohji Yamamoto.
In terms of best set design this season, my vote will have to go to Saint Laurent.
Built just above the Fountain of Trocadero, the Saint Laurent show immediately started following the cue of the Eiffel Tower lighting up.
Under the combination of the magical backdrop and masterful pieces, which paid tribute to love story of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, Anthony Vaccarello delivered one of his best collections for Saint Laurent to date.
In conjunction with the brand’s 70th-anniversary celebration, Dior staged the biggest fashion exhibition to-date in Les Arts Decoratifs Paris, titled “Couturier Du Rêve”.
I can’t get over those beautiful works by Monsieur Dior himself and the six creative directors that followed, namely Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Even the toile room, where mockups of the collection are made, looked impressive!
Spongy Summer
This time round AMO did a spongy set for Miu Miu (even the invites are sponges!). The sponge invitations came in different shades – light orange, mint green, powder pink and off-white – and eas also translated to become our seat at the show.
And after the show, I'd say that the Miu Miu girls have not and will never grow up.
One of the most anticipated shows at #PFW Spring 2018 would be ex-Chloé girl, Clare Waight Keller’s, debut collection for Givenchy, which was also the house’s first men's and women's combined ready-to-wear show.
I used to receive an A4-sized invitation during the Riccardo Tisci era (at least, for the past decade), so the clear folder clearly stating the majestic Palais de Justice as the venue together this time around was a breath of fresh air.
And Clare sent out a collection that matched the fashion’s current environment with a more commercial point of view, compared to the other Hubert de Givenchy’s successors.
It took me some time to get to Kenzo’s show venue but we were compensated with a true Japanese experience.
Before the show started, I was treated with all sorts of authentic Japanese street food in a life-like Japanese eatery setting!
After the cold sobas, sakes, matcha, mochis and tempura, the guests adjourned into the Le Trianon theatre to watch a 10-minute Kagura show that Humberto Leon and Carol Lim flew in for before the actual runway La Collection Momento kicked off.
Dreaming of Paris, Unicorns and Mermaids
Thom Browne showed his womenswear in Paris for the very first time, exposing his dream about Paris.
In one of the most beautiful venues in Paris – Hotel de Ville –, Thom Browne presented the dreamiest collection of the season, with The Little Mermaid theme songs, and life-sized unicorn as the finale.
Those sea creature-inspired looks were breathtaking!
Due to Kaia Gerber’s busy runway schedule, I did not manage to meet her in person but I did catch up with her mother – the one and only Cindy Crawford!
Cindy was in Paris to announce that her kids – Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber – are following her footsteps to be the new Omega ambassadors.
For someone who wears her watch to sleep – which indicates how much she cares about time – I couldn’t find any signs of ageing on the 51-year-old. Tell us the secret, Cindy!
Leave it to Chanel to build not one, but six waterfalls inside the Grand Palais!
The replica version of Gorges du Verdon in France’s midi, Chanel didn’t fail to impress us with the jaw-dropping set design.
The invitation that came along with a plastic sleeve pretty much served as a teaser for the collection.
All the transparent boots, gloves, hats, bags, jewellery and raincoats were made to shield from the water mist.
Fashion Cloud
Phoebe Philo never fails to surprise us at Céline! For the very first time, the designer sent out a playful invite – a stack of posters by Juergen Teller – packed inside a clear plastic cover.
The usual show venue, Tennis Club, had a cloudlike tent designed and built by architect Smiljan Radic. We were 'glamping' on the benches covered with colourful sleeping bags while exploring Juergen Teller’s posters.
Phoebe Philo wanted the audience to get closer to nature, just like her strong collection that was full of earthy tone and relaxed silhouettes. Love it!
My friend tears after seeing the latest Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 2018 collection at his showroom.
I have always felt emotionally touched by Yohji Yamamoto’s creations, which was why I didn’t mind the 30-minute show this time.
Knowing more than just toeing the gender line, this season, he was a little more playful.
Round buttons are used to make adjustable shapes and message stickers stick on any part of the clothes.
I wish I can still feel and think as young as him when I reach his age.
