I expect nothing but a sublime works when I think of TAAKK. This brand has spoiled us all with such exquisite craftsmanship over the years that anything less imperfection will simply not be tolerated. Does that sound harsh? Maybe. But TAAKK keeps rising to the occasion and SS25 is no different.
Read MoreThe beat made me and a fellow attendee breakout in a short little dance prior to the show starting. We caught the eye of another attendee across the way and she did not find it amusing. Sometimes I wonder if most of these European attendees really understand the quirky humor in Japanese fashion.
Read MoreSurrounded by the ornate walls of a historical library, I was suddenly transported to turn-of-the-century China. The collection, aptly named "Gnartricate," felt like a love letter to that bygone era when the East was just beginning to captivate Western imaginations.
Read MoreThe collection was a beautiful contradiction – gentlemanly ensembles with unexpected pops of pink and lavender that seemed to whisper secrets of hidden emotions. As each model walked past, I felt like I was witnessing a day in the life of countless workers, their stories etched into every fabric and silhouette.
Read MoreWhen a woman is adopted by three gay men during Paris Men’s Fashion Week we get to do fun things like stop by Loewe, navigating through the paparazzi that are waiting for K-pop stars to arrive and enjoying bottles of Evian and champagne, refueling for the next show. I could have stayed forever but I knew I would have been late for the next show if I didn't step out into the heatwave and brave the sticky walk.
Read MoreKaraoke Runway must be a thing every season from now on. When the show first began and my favorite song, "Lovely Day" came on I realized this was not the Bill Withers version. It sound a little off, so I just thought maybe it was a live band. I looked around for the musical act and it was just some guy standing up in the middle of a seated audience, singing karaoke.
Read MoreThe "Summer of Love" theme was unmistakable, evoking dreamy California vibes that transported us far from the Parisian heat. As a long-time follower of System, I've always admired their ability to create cohesive collections that seamlessly blend menswear and womenswear.
Read MoreThis season, Ouest took us behind the dodgy looking curtain at the very back of the video rental store and unveiled the world of the Ouest man. Kitschy, sexy, tongue in cheek and around lollipops at this presentation.
Read MoreParis in June can be unforgiving, and the Hotel Normandy was no exception on June 18th, 2024. As I arrived at Valette Studio's menswear show, I was greeted by Hugo, a charming gentleman who seemed impervious to the heat in his shiny Courreges vegan leather jacket, the "it" item of the season as seen on various Parisian throughout the city in various occasions.
Read MoreSeems like everybody was waking up from a long slumber. Whether it be a physical rest or a mental one, there were themes of awakening in this collection. The accessories were gold foil pouches of protein powder bags and yoga mats. There was also a nod to different elements of horror from pop culture, from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to the monsters from "Stranger Things".
Read MoreWhile waiting in line, we met an interesting pair of Dutch fashion curators. It's at shows like these that you truly get to meet like-minded individuals who appreciate the artistry of fashion. Once inside, Coco quietly pointed out that two of the stars of "Emily in Paris" were in the audience. As photographers were frantically taking their photos the room came too a halt, signaling the beginning of the show. Suddenly we were all at a hush and the show began...
Read MoreThe Kid Super show was everything that I thought it was going to be. Full of celebrities, beautiful people and most importantly the creativity of this American artist and designer. His background is rooted in New York City and started with a few t-shirts but his art drew the attention of many in the industry and grew into the fashion collections that we see today.
Read MoreDo these "masterpiece" products still fit in today's fashion climate? Should a real "masterpiece" be more personal? How much personalization goes into a "masterpiece" before it's not just a staple anymore? Through this collection, Kolor works with what can be described as a variety of standard silhouettes and revitalizes them with the signature Kolor touch, adding playful and detailed accents.
Read MoreStanding outside waiting for the Rains AW24 show, Coco and I were laughing at how many people kept cutting in front of us when I noticed a figure in my peripheral vision that had been lurking around for a few minutes. It was evident that he was not in line. Upon some conversation, he did not know that this was a fashion show and was very curious. I told him to just stick with me and let's see if we can get him in to see his first show. And this is how I adopted my first fashion orphan.
Read MoreThe collection drew inspiration from the life and work of British artist Hanna Gluckstein, or “Gluck”. This season was particularly inspired by a painting of Gluck by Romaine Brooks titled, "A Young English Girl" c1923. The portrait exuded both masculinity and simplicity yet it carried an emotional depth with a touch of femininity.
Read MoreWe were completely jet lagged by this point of our trip and the thought of a 9:30 a.m. show on such a cold and rainy morning felt like torture. But as I looked out the window that morning, I found myself feeling sorry for the models and production who had to be there hours prior. The least I can do is to show up and enjoy the fashion. When we arrived, my colleague started the morning with the comment, "Did I just die and go to heaven?"
Read MoreThis collection transforms the Chinese tea culture into a fashion collection. The underlying themes were respect for nature and traditional culture while conveying contemporary values. There is a sense of freedom and confidence in this collection from one who is proud of their traditions and is eager to share them with the world.
Read MoreI wasn't expecting to get into a fight with a photographer at a show. But there I was, waiting for all the attendees to arrive and getting yelled at by a photographer who insisted that I was going to block his shot. After an exchange of me yelling at him in English and him yelling back at me in French we somehow understood each other and cooled down in the frigid venue, just in time for the show to start. That is the beauty of Fashion Week. It is multicultural, multilingual and there is always respect for the show.
Read MoreParis in Winter isn't pleasant. This season I finally understood how Europeans in the last centuries died of consumption. The streets are cold and damp, buildings that are hundreds of years old drip dirt all over you and finding a warm place to escape the weather isn't as easy as it should be. I was overjoyed to enjoy a little respite at the Airei presentation. I did not expect, however, to walk right into the '80s Maxwell cassette ad.
Read MoreWalking around the grounds of the Louvre is always a surreal experience for me. It is where the ghosts of royalty past live and the remnants of the splendor they left behind is extraordinary. My head was far away in Fantasyland when I remembered that I was there to see a show. Kidill AW24 is starting in a few minutes and I best get Google mapping.
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