PARIS FASHION WEEK: VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Vivienne Westwood presented her Gold Label collection for spring 2014 in Paris Fashion Week featuring her creative iconic style with amazing designs and we never expect anything less from the fashion legend.

The show opened with a dramatic feel with models entering the runway from escalators. Themes included Dame Vivienne’s signature tartan designs and kittens printed on T shirts and handbags among chiffon dresses and big theatrical ball gowns. There was a medieval look to the designs and a fairy-tale feel about it with models faces splashed with mud and punkish birds nest up-do’s decorated with green wreaths to look like forest nymphs and one outfit had a look of red riding hood with a long red cloak with the model holding a shepherds crook. Lace, metallic and velvet fabrics were also used through the show.

Nature was a big part of the collection with plenty of floral prints and earthily tones. Vivienne’s passion for stopping global warming was included in parts of the show such as global warnings on long socks. Accessories included long clutches and shoe wear ranged from chunky platforms, tartan boots and gladiator sandals.

The collection was co-designed with Vivienne’s husband Andreas Kronthaler. Our favourite look of the show has to be the black and white floral skirt with a gorgeous lace cloak accessorised with a headpiece of giant pink roses and flowers attached to the models waist.

Vivienne hasn’t let us down with her artistic and theatrical take on the spring/summer 2014 collection and we loved every piece. 

PARIS FASHION WEEK: BALMAIN

Balmain opened the exciting spring/summer 2014 catwalk show with Frankie goes to Hollywood soundtrack ‘Relax’  to set the tone with the eighties theme within the show as this was definitely the inspiration for the electric designs.

Models Rosie Huntington, Georgia Jagger, Karlie Kloss and Sasha Luss looked stunning as they walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week and went for the au natural look with not a spot of make-up in sight as part of the show.

Designer Olivier Rousteing took the brand in a new direction with retro colours, dogtooth patterns and quilted suits. The collection oozed a sporty, 80s style (denim overalls and off the shoulder tops) with an edge as it combined leather sweatpants and dungarees, sweatshirts, and cage slit skirts and detailing with gold buttons, cap toe boots and chunky chain accessories. Although the collection was mostly full of grunge, bad girl designs there was a feminine touch to the designs with sheer shirts and dresses, lace, flouncy and feather skirts and ruching.

The collection from Balmain was definitely one of the most exciting shows in Paris this year so far, we love the raunchy, cool vibe from the designs. The overload of leather and quilted outfits are among our favourites and we’ll without a doubt be rocking the flouncy skirts next spring. 

Groomed and Glossy

Travel/Fashion feature : PARIS

Image: Google

Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it the perfect destination. Its architecture, shopping, hidden bars and candlelit restaurants are what most tourists enjoy experiencing. Enjoy your vacation in style and show the French that you have a certain Je Ne Sais Quoi in these top fifteen fashion and accessories.

Susan Caplan – Vintage 1990s Chanel clip on earrings

Add some vintage to your outfit while in Paris, a lot of French women will be draped in designer vintage pieces and you will not be left out in these metal clip-on Chanel earrings.

£640, www.harveynichols.com

Chanel – Vintage quilted CC- clasp bag

The classic Chanel black quilted bag is always the way to go when going for sophisticated vintage. It is the perfect bag to carry around Paris and a great companion to take for romantic evenings at the Blitz Tequila bar.

£3,250, www.matchesfashion.com

Saint Laurent – Lame tie neck shirt

Look glamorous in this shimmering silver shirt by Saint Laurent with an elegant neckline and chic bow. Wear it with the Givenchy leather trousers and Dune brogues for a smart day look to head to chic restaurants or team it with the Christian Louboutin shoes to dress it up for after-dark soirees.

£1,225, www.harrods.com

Matthew Williamson – Mirror lace shift dress

This Matthew Williamson dress is a sculpted silhouette, embroidered lace dress with hand-dyed ostrich feathers. Pair it with your Chanel bag and Christian Louboutin heels and enjoy champagne and live jazz at Flute.

£3,495, www.matthewwilliamson.com  

Marchesa – embellished tulle dress

Marchesas embellished tulle dress looks like it was made to be worn in Paris. This gorgeous bead and sequin layered dress is the perfect evening wear to be seen at Le Billboquet. Red soled Louboutins, a vintage Chanel bag and a splash of Macs red lipstick will complete the flawless Parisian look. Take it further by wearing your hair up for a more elegant look.

£3,725, www.net-a-porter.com

Valentino – Stretch knit dress with lace collar

Enjoy the views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower in this blue stretch-knit dress by Valentino. The lace collar gives a vintage look and the defined waist gives great shape. Wear with brogues and the Christian Dior jacket for rainy days.

£1,275, www.brownsfashion.com

Givenchy- Cropped stretch leather trousers

Leather trousers make any outfit look glamorous and with these stretch leather Givenchy trousers they will look skin-tight yet are appropriate enough for you to enjoy a meal at Paris’s café’s and feel comfortable enough to wear them sightseeing the whole day.

£1,235, www.matchesfashion.com

Christian Louboutin – Geo pump patent

Heels are essential for a trip to Paris, you can wear them for shopping if you’re used to walking a lot in heels or save them for evenings out. You can’t go wrong with Louboutins and these Geo patent pair has a red and spike detail on the toe for a modern look.

£450, www.christianlouboutin.com

Dune – Lunetta black brogues

It is always best to bring a pair of flat shoes to walk around sights like Notre-Dame or Arc de Triomphe. Stay clear of trainers as that’s how the French spot the tourists. A pair of brogues like these smooth matte pair by Dune is a great choice to wear in Paris as they look stylish and are comfy at the same time.

£79, www.asos.com

Mac – mac red

A red lip is a must in Paris if you want to look sophisticated in the evenings. Add some glamour with this Mac red lipstick with nice texture for the lips.

£15, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Mih Jeans – Breton stripe print top

Stripes are a big French trend so with this Mih Jeans stripe cotton jersey top you can go for a casual look and still look stylish. Wear with brogues and trousers for sightseeing or heels to go to posh restaurants.

£130, www.matchesfashion.com

Dolce and Gabbana – cutout floral brocade dress

This pretty white floral dress has dotted detailing and intricate cut-outs. You can wear it during the day with the Christian Dior coat and Manolo Blahnik shoes for a girly look or a red lip with black heels to dress it up.

£1,970, www.net-a-porter.com

Christian Dior – full length jacket

The perfect accessory to keep warm on a rainy day and the French J’adore Dior. This lovely navy coat can be worn during the day with jeans and look casual or look glamorous over an evening dress when going for cocktails.

£1,600, www.yoox.com

Manolo Blahnik – Taylor pump

You can never go wrong with taking too many pairs of shoes to Paris especially as you’ll probably find a few vintage pieces in Paris’s boutiques. These nude Manolo Blahniks will go with anything and have a cut-out detail.

£473.36, www.shop.nordstrom.com

Wildfox – Je T’aime necklace

Wear a little part of Paris around your neck with this adorable Je T’aime arrow heart necklace. With its long chain and pop of pink it will add a little girly feel to your outfit.

£80, www.asos.com

Aimee Neachell

For more fashion, travel, interior, beauty then go check out more articles from the magazine i intern for at:  www.groomedandglossy.com

And for more clothes like these visit: www.matchesfashion.com