Day two of Paris fashion week was all about the young and flirty French Mademoiselle.
Versailles Excess at Balmain
The Balmain lady is sexy, sophisticated and has wads of cash to burn. She also has an exciting lifestyle where short, skin-tight, sassy, shimmering, sequined dresses will fit right in and look tres chic.
There was plenty of gold at Balmain; gold leather, gold sequins, gold brocade and even golden skin and golden hair cascading around the models’ shoulders.
Like previous seasons, shoulders were defined and exaggerated on structured blazers. Military jackets were paired with sprayed on leather leggings. Sleeves were long, but hemlines were short, neck-lines were plunging and there was even leopard print.
As Prince’s soundtrack filled the air “You don’t have to be rich…” we realised that if you want to get your manicured hands on any item from Balmain, a label where jeans cost in excess of 1000 pounds, you actually do need to be very rich.
Beyond Modern Art at Balenciaga
Designs were complex and interesting at Balenciaga and very artistic.
Lace and fabrics were laser cut, three dimensional and filled with graphic prints that were inspired by the photographs of Irving Penn and Cindy Sherman.
Neon brights were juxtaposed on fabrics that looked too heavy to actually wear and paired with Perspex heels.
There was also the use of softer camel hair, cashmere, silk, nylon and quilted and padded jackets that will look just as chic on the ski slopes as they would if walking on the moon.
Whilst the looks of this collection were definitely interesting and would look great on the walls of an art gallery, we are not quite sure how wearable they are.
Sexy Chic at Nina Ricci
The minute the models stepped out with their backcombed blow-dries and peek-a-boo lace bras we knew just who these clothes were perfect for; the second wives club. A group of coquettish ladies who like to dress in a sophisticated manner, but also like to show the world the minx that they are.
We were not deceived by the neutral colour palette. Belted black and ivory cashmere coats had luxurious fur sleeves. Gray satin dress coats were ruffled and belted.
Lace decorative tops were paired with slim-line cigarette pants and decorative chiffon skirts were worn with cropped, fitted black leather jackets. Cardigans with plunging necklines revealed lace bras for a little ooh la la and were worn with pencil skirts.
Nina Ricci A/W 2010/11 was exactly the type of sex appeal the French are renowned for.