By Every season in Paris, the world’s top designers get together to present their most stunning, attractive creations, ending fashion month with a bang. For spring 2022, Paris was back in a big way after the pandemic. Guests were taken out of the city for experiences that ranged from concerts to intimate debuts in unexpected places. The season was one of rebirth: the latest emerging designers to watch, new models, to admire, and most importantly, new clothes to covet. Here are the things we loved at Paris Fashion Week 2022.
Dior’s Color-Wonderful Set
it was Dior who proved that we all need a little bit of color during these times. Artist Anna Paparatti, who paid homage to the colorful Rome nightclub The Piper Club, a mainstay of the swinging 1960s aesthetic revolution in Italy, reimagined the set instead of doing a traditional runway show where models walked down the catwalk. Under disco balls, the platform rotated, and models stepped off to walk the circular runway one by one. Guests were spellbound by the kaleidoscopic presentation thanks to its heavy dose of color and print.
Rochas’ Buzzy New Designer
It was a quiet season for designer debuts (a rarity in recent years), but one stood out. Known for its flounce and romance, Roches got an impactful punch of print, color, and youth in the hands of Charles de Vilmorin. Despite only being 24 years old, the industry has already praised the designer, as he was invited to show on the couture schedule earlier this year as a guest designer. The recent graduate of École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne certainly has the ability to make a bold impact and shake things up.
Balmain’s Democratic Approach
It might be the largest fashion show in all of history, with thousands of attendees. In addition to live performances by Doja Cat, Franz Ferdinand, and more, Balmain hosted its hybrid show-concert for the public. Beyoncé opened the show with a heartwarming pre-recorded speech that touched on inclusivity in the fashion industry and Olivier Rousteing’s ten-year anniversary. The iconic figures Naomi Campbell and Carla Bruni took their turns on the runway. Both industry insiders and fans from all over went wild.
Loewe’s Innovative Shoes
For the spring 2022 show, Jonathan Anderson decided to focus on experimenting. He did this with 3D graphic protrusions in pastel shades. But the accessories were special, creative and standout pieces of the season. Egg yolks, nail polish bottles, bars of soap, birthday candles, and a single rose stem embellished the heels.
Schiaparelli’s Watchful Accessories
Schiaparelli’s jewelry is one of those things which you see in person and believe them. The attractive lips, beautiful eyes, ears, and nipples that dot the spring 2022 collection along with skirts, denim jackets, bags and swimsuits, and they’re realistic and unique. It’s exactly the sort of OTT glam we’ve been seeking.
Yohji Yamamoto’s Subtly Impactful Show
With all the noise of IRL fashion week behind us, we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of some quiet time. It was a subtle show that spoke volumes as Yohji Yamamoto celebrated his 40th anniversary of making his Paris debut. Black, gray, and navy dresses draped and twisted as the models glided down the runway. A display of exposed hoop cages covered in barely-there dresses closed the show, which drew gasps from the audience, particularly when each model handed a front-row guest a black rose.
Givenchy’s Killer Artist Collab
With a bold perspective, Matthew M. Williams debuted his first in-person show for Givenchy. As a result of a collaboration with the New York-based artist Josh Smith, he provided a collection of classic silhouettes such as massive shoulders and nipped waists, as well as beautifully tailored, fitted blouses with a bright burst of color. The runway was adorned with abstract faces, clown noses, and gasoline cans bringing a sense of playfulness to the age-old fashion house.
Balenciaga’s Runway Innovation
It seems designers are still searching for the next big move when it comes to fashion shows even as things return to normal. There was a clear sense that the system needed to change before the pandemic. Demna Gvasalia may have finally figured everything out now. Designer Balenciaga had industry guests, models, and celebs walk the red carpet before entering a screening room to watch everyone else arrive. An original Balenciaga-themed Simpsons episode followed, which had everyone in the room laughing. The audience essentially became the show.
Miu Miu’s Hybrid Show
Many brands felt they had to choose between video shows and in-person runway shows, but one can always count on Miuccia Prada to get the best of both worlds. In the spring 2022 Miu Miu show, the label screened a short film directed by Meriem Bennani, which was intercut with footage of the guests at the show, and models walked the runway in an exploration of universal garments. There were khaki jackets, chunky sweaters, and, for the Miu Miu girls at heart, heavily embroidered slip dresses and perfectly fitted skirt suits covered in sparkling beads. On custom-made screens, models walked by in the brand’s latest collaboration with New Balance.
