Paris Fashion Week channels humor, animated film for spring

Paris, Oct. 3 (US): As weary fashion designers reach the final race of 96 digital and digital Paris Fashion Week spring-summer runways, Saturday’s runways provided the spark to conserve energy, despite the rain and gray skies. Some of the world’s top designers have channeled humour, bright colors, innovative design techniques, and even animated movies into always-on fantasy.

Here are some of the highlights from the Spring/Summer 2022 ready-to-wear collections:

Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood was in usually eccentric form.

Blending Glam Rock cues from Westwood’s ’80s heyday with historic contemplation and strong tongue-in-cheek, Kronthaler created 66 pieces of fashion chaos and delivered one of the most fun performances of the Paris fashion season.

For a plasma screen that projected heartbreaking images of architecture and textiles, the models stood out displaying patterns that almost defied description.

Was the faded wedding dress with invisible scaffolding in the back like a tent, or was it meant to evoke a gown that was hung to dry on a clothesline? It was a great cut-out historical giant white hat, but upon closer inspection, it was made of a lovable toy bearing the face of a bearded old man.

But while the humor was undeniable, there were also numerous moments of high-end couture. Lowell’s trombone gown had a pale blue fabric that “float” abstractly across its front. The simplest looks were also some of the best, including a white dress draped with a beautiful dynamic of material.

Fashion house Kunihiko Morinaga in Tokyo has built a huge fan base in Japan for his bold concepts fusing art and fashion.

The Associated Press reported that Morinaga did not disappoint on Saturday.

The Fashion Editors’ Award-winning designer collaborated with Academy Award-nominated Japanese animation filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. It was a short fashion movie set in the land of “U” – with clothes that evoked the historical sci-fi movie Tron.

Polygon silhouettes made of triangles of fabrics in his signature blend were immersed in the fantasy world of a kind of futuristic Japan.

It was made from vintage clothing and high-tech reflective fabrics that the house said was made using a special bonding technique. Matching sandals are embellished with the same designs. It was an interesting commentary on how the digital world is affecting the fashion industry.

Morinaga said the idea for the show started when Hosoda asked him to create a virtual stage costume for the concert scene in the upcoming animated movie “BELLE” (2021).

Lebanese designer-to-stars Elie Saab eased the spring aesthetic with a simple and tasteful ensemble.

Embossed logo prints are starting to show. But the look departed quickly – and thankfully – from this rather inaccurate motif to the light shirt dresses with bits of lace detailing.

The flowy white dress had a sleek minimalist fit, almost clinical feel. It worked well against a vanilla handbag and matching sandals.

Subtle touches abound in this welcoming trend from the designer known for his va-va-voom silhouettes. His raised or taut waist was still here – but it was executed quietly.

RAE