Our Fashion Week coverage in New York, London and finally Paris has come to an end, but we could never say “that’s a wrap” without talking about the shoes. Click your favorite(s) to shop similar styles. Yes, please!
Nordstrom at Fashion Week
The younger sister of street style star Elena Perminova, Alexandra is poised to break out on her own. I am obsessed with suits this season, and Alexandra’s slim printed version is the ultimate! The print and color are retro/modern, and I love those unique sunnies.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Alexandra!
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Printed Blazers | Retro-Inspired Sunglasses | Printed Pants
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
Parker Silk Blazer | Quay Retro Sunglasses | Parker Silk Pants
Peony Lim is among the most stylish bloggers on the circuit (see her past outfits and her blog) and definitely the sweetest. One of my favorite ladies on the scene, she’s looking sharp and chic here, as always. Her coated oxblood skinnies and leopard pumps add a little edge to her city separates, and nothing says Paris more than a Céline bag! Bonjour, Peony!
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Coated Pants | Leopard-Print Shoes | Blazers
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
J Brand Coated Skinny Jeans | Classiques Entier Leopard Pump | Theory Jacket
Sunny day, sunny smiles! These three ladies are some of my favorite fashion mavens around—Elisa Nalin, Tamu McPherson and Natalie Joos. Not only do they have amazing taste, they’re also the sweetest women in the business. They remind me what Fashion Week is really about: a love of fashion and a time to meet up with friends from around the world.
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Lace Dresses | Spring Trend: Pattern Mixing | Designer Trend: Pink Shock
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
Michael Kors Lace Shift Dress | Dolce&Gabbana Rose Print Skirt | Equipment V-Neck Sweater
I have to admit, I am totally taken with Coco Rocha. She’s one of my fave models of the moment, thanks to her fun personality and amazing bone structure. She always seems like she’s having a great time, so it was a pleasure to meet her and find out that she is just as charming in person.
Coco has the model style down pat: skinny jeans, sleek moto jacket, and clean layers. Keep it up, Mademoiselle Coco!
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Moto-Inspired Jackets | Trendy Necklaces | Black Skinnies
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
Man Repeller X PJK Moto Jacket | Topshop Collar Necklace | Burberry London Skinny Jeans
This dynamic duo is putting the glam in grunge! There’s a definite rock ‘n’ roll edge to their looks, but with a chic, modern twist. The mixed flannels and bold stripes are great nods to the ’90s, while the Phillip Lim bag adds a contemporary luxe touch.
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Designer Satchels | Spring Trend: Black & White Jeans | Platform Boots & Booties
Shop our Editors’ Picks to re-create this look:
3.1 Phillip Lim ‘Pashli’ Satchel | Hudson Jeans Stripe Jeans | Jeffrey Campbell Boots
There was an independent spirit that breezed along the runway at Chloé’s fall/winter 2013 show at Paris’ Jardin des Tuileries, where Clare Waight Keller, the brand’s creative director, proved yet again that her English sensibility is the right fit for the French fashion house she joined just two years ago. The attitude of the collection was at once tough and schoolgirl-flirty, delivering in the form of boyish cuts, romantic pants, utilitarian fabrics and hard-edged accents like chain links and zippers.
The combo of hip-hop beats and sunlight beaming in through the skylights of the tent definitely aided in translating the carefree, feminine vibe of the collection, which will surely make dressing for cold nights a lot more fun.
Check out some highlighted looks from the Chloé fall ’13 collection (and some of the famous faces we found in attendance at the show)!
“Part of what gets me excited about Fashion Week is being around our buying team and taking in their passion and enthusiasm for what’s happening,” said Pete Nordstrom, who we spotted front row before the show started. “It is actually really rewarding, because it reaffirms we have the right people here on the job. At night, it’s fun to hear the buying team talk about what they’ve seen during the day. It always brings out a lot of positive energy and creative ideas.”
When asked what he’s enjoying most about this market trip, Pete shared, “It’s always interesting to get away from our stores and see what’s going on in other places. Whenever we travel, we check out local stores which is helpful. I get to talk to different people in the industry as well as other retailers.”
For Pete, having the right discussions is key. “I make it a point to talk with some of our major vendors about how we can strategically grow together. There are certainly a lot of discussions to be had.”
Vogue’s Virginia Smith, Tonne Goodman (center) and Anna Wintour smile from the front row.
Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, was happy to finally experience some great weather in Paris.
Gene Krell, international fashion director for Vogue, Vogue Hommes and GQ Japan.
Denise Junell, our designer handbags buyer, gave us the scoop on what women will want to be carrying for the coming season. “I thought this collection was really great and fresh. There were two new key bag shapes. I loved the oversized duffel with the wide strap and the convertible bag that walked as a hobo,” says Denise
“Mixed media was huge in the bags as well, and it goes along with that whole utilitarian and multifunctional trend that continues to be in demand with our customers. I think Chloé is going to be a great avenue to get this look for fall.”
–Qianna Smith
Photos by Ford Leland
Fashion Week photographers are usually seen crunched together at the end of a runway, all vying for the perfect shot. They may not appear to have the most glamorous job, but the photographers are the ones who truly have the inside access to not only the top shows but also to the models, elite editors and celebrities, all of whom want their pictures taken.
We asked Ford Leland—a Paris-based, American-born editor and photographer who’s shooting for us at Paris Fashion Week ’13—to provide some commentary on his bird’s-eye-view of the scene at Jean Paul Gaultier’s fall show.
One of my favorite things about Gaultier is that every single collection of his is a joy to photograph. Though his shows usually include a classic runway walk, his inspiration is always displayed through an elaborate combination of location, set design, styling and runway choreography.
This season, he chose to show at one of his classic locations from decades past, the Salle Wagram in Paris’ 17th arrondissement—a perfect complement to his retro-themed exploration of motorcycle jackets, armor, and graphic prints. Leather, fur and metals fused together in looks that referenced his days of dressing Madonna. My favorite compositions from the Gaultier runway are a true treat for the eyes—check them out below and then read on to see who I met backstage!
Joan Smalls, the #1 ranked model in the world, throws me a flirty glance from the catwalk.
After the show, I bumped into Coco Rocha backstage, who had just arrived in Paris four hours prior. Even under the stress of transatlantic jet lag, she was amiable and happy to share her thoughts on the first Parisian catwalk she’d attended as an audience member.
“I loved it, and I thought [the pieces were] very wearable. There were a lot of pieces I would wear as either an off-duty or on-duty model; it was very exciting to watch. Seeing it from this side of the runway just made me fall in love with Gaultier even more.”
Lloyd Simmonds, makeup creative director at Yves Saint Laurent, was also at the after-show cocktail party and filled me in on how he designed a look to match Gaultier’s powerful collection. “The focus of the makeup was beautiful, fresh skin, which was accompanied by a strong brow to create a slightly boyish look.”
After talking with Lloyd, I found Coco again, hanging out with her friends Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne (center), the latter of whom had just walked in the show.
On my way out the door, I ran into Shena Moulton, who I saw yesterday out causing trouble at a street market (read more). She was beaming because she’d just received one of the gift bags from the show, containing a bottle of Gaultier’s Classique Eau de Toilette Natural Spray Perfume. Seeing her smile was the perfect end to my fifth day of Paris Fashion Week ’13.
While I love a good denim and leather combination, it’s Thea’s snake-print tux jacket that pulled me in. Thea says it’s her new go-to garment and that she’s been pairing it with everything she can. There’s something quite modern and cosmopolitan about Thea’s look, but the casual elements keep things fun and youthful.
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Printed Blazers | Leather Skirts | Denim Tops
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
Rachel Zoe Blazer | Alexander Wang Leather Skirt | Sandra Ingrish Denim Shirt
No stranger to The Thread, the Chic Muse looked striking in textural layers, despite the extra-chilly temperatures at the Jardin des Tuileries today.
Denni has a downtown-cool aesthetic, and she really knows how to work accessories. Her bright Saint Laurent duffle and cherry lips add a pop of color to her look, and you can always count on Denni to rock a killer pair of heels. I don’t know how she does it!
xo, Crystal
Shop similar styles:
Platform Boots | Designer Handbag Trend: Warm Brights | The Red Lip
Shop our Editors’ Picks to recreate this look:
Zigi Girl Boot | Saint Laurent Duffle | Yves Saint Laurent Lip Color
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