The choicest celebrities in the business rocked the final day of Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday as powerhouse Louis Vuitton and Miuccia Prada’s VIP-magnet Miu Miu presented their spring-summer 2016 collections.
But among fashion insiders it was the unexpected decision by Balenciaga to name its new artistic director that drew the most attention.
Man from U.N.C.L.E. star and Louis Vuitton ambassador Alicia Vikander turned heads at the Wednesday show in a demure white embroidered top with a frilly ruff, holding court next to powerful US Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Australian model Miranda Kerr, who sported a multicoloured silk blouse and a black leather mini.
They joined Michelle Williams, who appeared in a Peter Pan collar and blond bob, posing for the cameras next to Canadian director Xavier Dolan and French icon Catherine Deneuve.
Elsewhere, American comedian Steve Harvey was in light spirits, laughing and chatting with his wife.
Wednesday’s collection saw an increasingly confident Nicolas Ghesquiere steer Louis Vuitton in a bold new direction toward the female gladiator.
Black studded platform sandals, a belt with a pointy end descending like a dagger, and a heavy black skirt drew attention on the runway.
A dangerous-looking model marched past with a head-clasp, a third eye and tribal make-up. A pink leather coat sported aggressive black pockets and lines, with a zipper creating a pointed angle with the lapel.
Decorative Roman-style A-line and billowing gathered skirts, followed black mesh sportswear, mirroring chain mail and fingerless gloves.
Its kinesis mirrored the show decor inside the abstract Frank Gehry-designed Louis Vuitton Foundation, which has bold interlocking geometric shapes.
Ghesquiere’s metaphor was not lost. This show was the French’s designer’s fight to mark out creative ownership of the world’s most lucrative luxury brand, following the near-indomitable legacy of Marc Jacobs. And it was a resounding success.
The show for Louis Vuitton, the flagship brand of the world’s top luxury goods group LVMH, wraps the spring/summer 2016 season of catwalk presentations that began in New York last month and moved onto London and Milan before finishing in Paris.