John Galliano, Celine, Hussein Chalayan, Karl Lagerfeld. photo: Getty Images, AFP/Getty Images, WireImage
With the actresses on the Oscars red carpet wearing designs straight off the catwalks, the action in Paris is just as important as what was happening in LA last night. Here are some highlights from yesterday at the shows...
A fashion spectacle: While Charlize Theron was turning heads on the other side of the world in her lilac Dior gown, designer John Galliano was setting off fireworks of his own in Paris at his namesake label show. Literally (Galliano took his bow as fireworks went off). Models, evoking a tribe of adventuring nomads crossing a mountainous terrain, walked through a silver glitter blizzard in a cultural melting pot of outfits, which included the use of yak fur on evening gowns and outrageous headpieces. Beth Ditto, Leigh Lezark and Lindsay Lohan all watched on from the front row.
Road trippin': From the sound of a car engine revving up to weather reports from the US, Hussein Chalayan established that for a/w 2010, his woman was heading on a road trip across the United States. He started in NY with tailored coats and hoodies, then travelled through Pennsylvania Dutch country with bonnets and the hurricane-plagued southern states with capes and hats, followed by embellished evening wear on the West Coast. Chalayan also paid tribute to McQueen with a voice-over before the show.
Luxury patents: Karl Lagerfeld's a/w 2010 collection was all about ladies in leather, patent leather in particular. Models emerged with shiny liquid legs, patent accents on tailoring and the futuristic pulled-back updos they sported were accessorised with (what else?) a patent leather hairband. As if Lagerfeld didn't already have enough on his plate, WWD reports he'll be shooting the next Pirelli calendar in April.
She did it again: Phoebe Philo, that is. The fashion editors who were all wearing her spring designs were quickly compiling mental lists of all of the autumn offerings from Celine that they were desperate to get their hands on next season. This included all of the amazing outerwear on offer, the slim cropped trousers, A-line skirts, silk blouses and leather tops. Once again, she delivered a collection of luxury items that translated perfectly into real women's wardrobes, and lifestyles.
Girls just want to have fun: At Sonia Rykiel, three things are for certain: there will be knits you'll want to spend all winter wrapped up in, hair accessories will be adorable (this season, a giant puffball sat atop headbands on models' hair) and the girls will be smiling. All the models emerged in their final feathery dresses holding hands and sporting wide grins.
Givenchy gets sporty: Zoe Saldana looked gorgeous in a crystal-bodiced lilac Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy dress at last night's awards, while for next season, the designer's gothic beauties are sporty-inspired with ski-slope knits (in a snowflake print) and neoprene scuba fabrics, in a palette of red, black and beige.