We’ve been darting around Paris at a phenomenal speed, fitting in showroom after showroom, and of course the odd coveted fashion show into an almost never-ending schedule.
Luisa and I managed to get to the early showing of Haider Ackermann‘s collection on Saturday, a serene and beautiful show, seeped in exquisite, fluid and technically rigorous garments (Haider if you’re reading this, please start a menswear line soon!). During the same day we also saw Viktor & Rolf put on a show, taking layering to a whole new dimension. We headed back out into the cold Paris air, wishing we had 40 coats on! The Ann Demeulemeester show was next up – cue the dark styling, romantic tailoring and dramatic feathers! Love you Ann! In between the madness of those shows, we managed to buy a bunch of Julien Macdonald, Richard Nicoll, Peter Pilotto and Meadham Kirchhoff. All amazing and all for you guys!
By Sunday morning we were flying around the Lanvin warehouse-size showroom. I for one got a serious workout, doing laps whilst retrieving garments and relaying information between the team. It was tribal, delicious, luxurious, playful and just genuinely amazing. I may have gotten a little emotional at one stage, and I caught myself a few times, just stopping to think of where I was and what I was doing. Still so unbelievable.
But who has time to think, when you have work to do and then shows to get to. Au Revoir Lanvin, Bonjour Celine! See the review by me to get a better understanding of why we love Celine at Luisa Via Roma. The show was followed by a quick lunch, and then it was back to work.
Swung by the Rad Hourani showroom that evening, where I became a model for some menswear pieces (although it’s all unisex really) and found myself wanting it all. “Is that a minimalist, black jacket with slim extra long bunching sleeves, gorgeous collar, transformable details and complimentry amounts of coolness? Why yes, I’ll have four please!”
After they pried me away from the collection, we sped off to the Givenchy show. Headed backstage afterwards to mingle with the talented folks who manage to put such inspiring collections together each season. Bravo all!
Since then we have also attended the Emanuel Ungaro show. Visited the showrooms of: Charlotte Olympia who was offering some serious oh-la-la shoes in daring and fun colours, Michael Angel (a fellow Australian, and more specifically Melbournian!) who we love this season, and Proenza Schouler. And, yes there is more, we also stopped in to see the Giambattista Valli show in which it was nice to see some solid daywear.
If that wasn’t enough (and can you imagine how tired we are?) we also had to fight for our lives at the Balmain showroom yesterday it was that busy, not to mention strain several muscles trying to lift some of those chained, sequined, beaded, jewelled and roped dresses and jackets. Some of them I’m guessing were heavier than the models wearing them! We studied some red-carpet-ready gowns at Nina Ricci and paid a visit to Sandra Backlund. Ending the day with a quiet, relaxing dinner in the Marais district.
In amongst getting to see how life on the inside works, and viewing some of the most influential and important fashion that will ever exist. From designers that I have admired for a long, long, long time, I’ve also had the privilege to start to get to know the team, both here in Paris (including the delightful Graziella, Elisa and Sandra of the accessories and shoes team), and a select few back in Florence (special mention to Camilla!) where Luisa Via Roma is based. They are a big group of friends that always manage to create a dynamic mix of work and play, which comes off as so refreshing in amongst an industry known for its icy reception, at times.
But I can honestly assure you the only thing cold about my time in Paris and with the Luisa Via Roma team, is the weather.
Scott Stephenson
