Paris Fashion Week Fall 2016 is well underway. But before we conclude our four-city recap, we round up what took place during the first half of the PFW Fall 2016 shows. From Elie Saab’s free-spirited, dark romance collection, to Ingie Chalhoub’s Ingie Paris debut on the official calendar, and Vêtements’ high-fashion street-wear collection, catch up on the moments you missed right here.
PFW Fall 2016 Runway Report: Elie Saab, Ingie Paris, Vetements, and More
Elie Saab’s Biker Babes
Biker hippies were at the heart of Elie Saab’s Fall 2016 ready-to-wear show that saw Princess Deena Abdulaziz, Afef Jnifen, Olivia Palermo, and Kris Jenner seated front row. Following up to his Spring 2016 versatile narrative featuring bomber jackets and daywear separates, the Lebanese designer once again swapped his signature crystal-laden silhouettes for mini embroidered frocks, printed sheer dresses toughened up with embellished moto-jackets, and dark, romantic, lace gowns as seen on Kendall Jenner who closed the show to the melodic pulse of Danish group Mø that provided a live concert.
Ingie Paris Takes PFW
For her official Paris Fashion Week debut, Lebanese fashion designer, entrepreneur, and businesswoman Ingie Chalhoub showcased her Ingie Paris Fall 2016 ready-to-wear collection at a packed presentation in the Bristol hotel. The designer revealed sophisticated daywear options such as sheer blouses, pleated skirts, and a tailored black jumpsuit alongside elegant eveningwear designs including sheer dresses and lustrous gowns styled with the designer’s new footwear collection of sleek pumps and sandals.
Balmain’s Ice Queens
To the strains of a live orchestra, creative director Olivier Rousteing for Balmain delivered a sweltering collection for Fall 2016 in an icy pastel palette. The line-up featured the designer’s signature waist-cinching silhouettes, sweeping tasseled designs, padded-hip mini dresses, and sheer, ruffled lace pants that were coupled with thigh-high, suede boots, styled on an impressive cast of celebrity models such as Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jourdan Dunn, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
The New Lanvin
Lanvin revealed its first runway collection since Alber Elbaz’s sudden departure from the storied French fashion house in October 2015. Designed by an in-house team, the Fall 2016 ready-to-wear collection featured broad-shoulder power suits that nod to the eighties, drop-waist cuts across peplum tops and dresses, brocade, and ruffled silhouettes in a muted color palette of pale peach, seafoam, and dusty lilac with flashes of metallic speckled through the lineup. Our favorite pieces though were the upside down fan drop earrings that reminded of palm trees, signed Elie Top.
Bieber Fever at Vetements
Clicking through our street style gallery circuit you’ll come across a certain floral dress, a pair of high-waist patchwork jeans, a hoodie, and a parka—all signed Vetements. The contemporary Paris-based label designed by a collective team headed by Demna Gvaslia, showcased its Fall 2016 ready-to-wear runway show in a church with Kanye West spotted sitting front row. The collection featured its signature hoodies embroidered with slogans including Justin4ever that paid homage to Justin Bieber; broad-shouldered, padded sweatshirts; oversized shirts layered under boxy blazers that resembled a school uniform; polka-dot printed, ruffled dresses and tops; and floral frocks with extra-long sleeves.
Vionnet’s Sweet Symphony
The creative director for Vionnet, Goga Ashkenazi (along with Hussein Chalayan), orchestrated a collection for Fall 2016 that drew inspiration from musical elements. Melodious instruments were reinterpreted in the form of a black and white gown that resembled piano keys, and accordion buttons took shape in the form of metallic-disc buttons featured on structured coats, which were presented alongside the heritage brand’s fluid gowns and separates that seamlessly drape the body.
Rochas’ Row of Florals
A winter flower garden was in full bloom on the runway from creative director, Alessandro Dell’Acqua for Rochas Fall 2016 ready-to-wear collection. Soft, pastel shades in peach and nude were punctuated with saturated hues of orange, emerald green, and rust. Airy, feminine cuts and relaxed silhouettes in velvet, brocade, and sheer materials were seen layered under embroidered floral jackets and tailored coats.
Dries Van Noten’s Roaring Collection
Dries Van Noten’s Fall 2016 ready-to-wear collection showcased a feline-filled offering that drew inspiration from Milanese muse, Luisa Marchesa Casati—who was notorious for parading leashed cheetahs in public and wearing live snakes as jewelry. Leopard prints on masculine separates dominated the collection in the form of fur-trimmed coats, relaxed tailored trousers, and a bomber jacket, presented alongside striped pants, gilded jacquard separates, and blazers in decadent materials and a rich color palette of oxblood, mustard, forest green, navy, and gold.
