Paris Fashion Week: At Stella McCartney, feminine meets functional
It never gets old going to Paris’ spectacular Palais Garnier opera house for the Stella McCartney show, especially when it’s a collection as sure-footed as the one she presented on Monday.
McCartney pushed what’s become the season’s new silhouette--oversized but fluid, with wide sailor trousers and culottes in vanilla hues and billowy silk crepe maxidresses, flight suits, trench coats, oversize shirts and drawstring shorts in other ice cream pastels, some in a washed check print.
The ribbed knit fisherman sweater, that L.L. Bean preppy winter staple, was given a new lease on life for summertime, morphing into sexy asymmetrical knit dresses made of organic yarn, knotted and twisted to show off the back and shoulders.
Statement denim, Stella style, had a ‘70s look--a jumper dress with buckle hardware and asymmetrical thread work on the front, for example.
And for evening, there were truly gorgeous sundresses in delicate floral organza sewn into a jigsaw of suspended embroideries.
On the feet? Knotted flat sandals or mid heal wedges in something the show notes describe as “Alter Napa.”
This was a straightforwardly pretty collection for McCartney, devoid of the offbeat trims, clunky shoes and heavy fabrications that can sometimes bog her down. The big takeaway was how effectively she was able to achieve lightness and movement, with swishy asymmetrical hems, open backs and parachute silks. The clothes looked comfortable and cool, which when we’re heading into October with 70-plus-degree days in Paris, might just be the biggest luxury of all.
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