Being Attractive. Balmain SS15

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Mondrian-ish prints. Freeing the nipple. Parisian glamour. Sexy. Olivier Rousteing of Balmain showed a chic and brave collection, making the models look ultra attactive and provocative (if you may say, anything is still provocative in today’s fashion). For a show that was about “pushing the boundaries of sex,” as Rousteing bluntly put it, it didn’t always mean sexy with safe use. The issue, in most cases, was the fabric. As eye-catching as allover crystals can be, they’re hard to slink in—harder still, we imagine, to sit down in. The collection felt not really looking into the future woman, but into the past, where showgirls had their time to shine. However, the sheer tops with bold stripes looked good, but surely not real.

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Brutal Love. Rick Owens SS15

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 Mid-century Polish composer Wojciech Kilar was a distinct departure from Owens’ usual visceral electronic noise. Still, he anchored his models to earth with clogs that clacked noisily around the catwalk. Ghost-models, fauns, normal women- all of them clashed in this romantic, but brutal collection. It was a mix of everything Owens did up to date- Luigi Murenu hair-bushed, panel tafetas, black leather, sculptural silhouettes… although there were many cuts and legs to be seen, it all felt attractive through a dark prism. The ortopedic geisha clogs felt also very dramatic. The Ballets Russes, the early 20th century’s most spectacular rejection of the cultural status quo, was his starting point. Owens gave his own spin to a dancer’s tulle.

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NASA in Paris. Paco Rabanne SS15

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Julien Dossena is just the perfect match for Paco Rabanne. He really makes the brand breath with new life and energy! Very athletic, cosmic, modern- these are the words that do describe the SS15. Having a strong view on details (like bracelets or sci-fi embroideries), Julien and Marie Amelie Sauve did a great job with styling and model casting. Mica looked gorgeous in that knit; Amanda stole the show in that burgundy jacket; Natalie rocked the “shirt” dress. Think Olympic swimming pool, not Saint-Tropez, with color-blocking, contrast piping, daring cutouts, and skirts draped diagonally across the hips, exposing the pelvic bone on one side. They’ll require a phenomenal body to pull off, just as Rabanne’s did back in the day: 21st-century Jane Birkins and Françoise Hardys only. The mustang boots just gave the overall look a sharp, edgy vibe.

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Paco Rabanne, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Paris

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Paco Rabanne, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Paris

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Paco Rabanne, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Paris

Paco Rabanne, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Paris

Matrix. Balenciaga SS15

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New 8 p.m. time slot, new Palais de Tokyo location, and a state-of-the-art glass and grid-work runway under which dry ice machines pumped smoke. And the new mood appears: matrix and sci-fi. Narrow glasses, long, dark power coats, mesh and cosmic embroideries. At a glance, it was tempting to see signs of Wang’s early work in New York—the way he blended sport and the street. But that’s only part of the story. Wang was in Paris this summer during the Tour de France, and it was the world of cycling—the competitors’ second-skin kits, the shoes that clamp into pedals—that influenced the built-for-speed feeling of this collection. Silhouettes were lean and athletic: the pants leggings-tight, shirts clingy, and dresses cut like a glove. As you might know, from the beginning of Wang’s career at Balenciaga, I didn’t really feel “him” here. But this is the first collection (since AW13) which I pretty much enjoyed. And those lilac elements are simply too good to be true.

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Sheer Beauty. Rochas SS15

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Being Rochas woman nowadays might be hard- work, children, time for a nap. And the brand is known for it’s non-chalance and avantgarde. But this summer, Alessandro Dell Acqua made a little bit easier. Although we’ve got the super couture embroideries and lots of sheer beauty, there is a new way of being Rochas- wear socks with one of their confetti sling-back pumps! They are gorgeous. Just like the logo-matic on the blouses and dresses. But for those who feel like dressing up in mostly couture level, there are those breath-taking gowns with tulle, embellished flowers and ribbons… or skirts with crotchet knits… or one of those floral coats… In other words, Dell Acqua brought us lots of different options. And the sheer elements are like magic. As for his second collection for Rochas, mister Alessandro really feels the Rochas spirit.

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Rochas, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Paris

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