My Favorite Shows From Paris Fashion Week S/S 2023
Hi friends! I’m a bit late on writing this recap given that Paris Fashion Week ended on October 4th…but better late than never 😉 I was planning to post October 7th after we got back from Disneyland but I’ve been sick for the last couple of weeks and am finally on the mend (and feeling up to writing a blog post)! PFW usually tends to be the icing on the cake of fashion month (at least for me) because so many of my favorite designers are based in France (Chloé, Christian Dior, and Chanel to name a few), so I always look forward to these shows the most. Without further ado let’s dive in!
Christian Dior
I loved seeing the evolution of looks that came down the runway during the Christian Dior show. What started out dark and moody turned into romantic and etherial - the juxtaposition of these 2 elements was so beautiful! The common thread throughout the show was the use of gorgeous fabrics like lace, chiffon, and silk. Some of the later looks that featured more ivory and soft pastel tones felt very reminiscent of Marie Antoinette and the Rococo period which I loved! As we saw with other designers throughout the different fashion weeks, lingerie details continue to be a theme for the Spring ‘23 season and I enjoyed seeing that in Dior’s show with the bralette tops paired back to shorts and skirts.
Chanel
Chanel can do no wrong in my book when it comes to their glamorous runway collections. Each one feels like a treat and I get so excited each season to see what they have in store! Their Spring ‘23 collection was giving me Breakfast at Tiffany’s vibes and each look was perfectly suited for a sophisticated cocktail party. I was glad to know I wasn’t totally off-base with the vibes I was getting; I learned that creative director Virginie Viard looked to the movie L’Année Dernière à Marienbad (which also debuted in 1961, the same year as Breakfast at Tiffany’s) for inspiration while she was designing this collection. It was filled with opulent fabrics and details that the house is known for like tweeds, sparkly ribbons, and ostrich feathers. Each look was completed with strands of sparkling necklaces or the chicest pair of netted ankle socks (I want a pair so bad!). So many of these looks would be perfect for the holiday season as well and make me want to wear cocktail dresses on repeat!
Balmain
I don’t know what else to say except that the Balmain show was COOL. I was blown away by the architectural elements of these looks and the way that Olivier Rousteing manipulated a variety of fabrics to his will (I’m still trying to wrap my head around how he was able to create an entire dress out of raffia 🤯👏🏻). The entire collection was a beautiful combination of structured pieces and ethereal movement. I also loved seeing so many rich neutral shades being used throughout the show - it was breathtaking! The finale moment with Cher (yes, the legend herself) and Olivier walking out hand-in-hand also brings me back to my original statement…how COOL! 🤩
Saint Laurent
Last but certainly not least, Saint Laurent rounds out my list of favorite shows from PFW. This collection exuded a “cool girl chic” attitude that felt so effortless and sophisticated. There was no fuss, no unnecessary details; each look was polished and sleek. The drapery used throughout the collection added just enough structure while not being restrictive and added tons of fluidity and movement. I also loved seeing a new spin on the bralette trend that was popular last spring, but this time done through diamond-shaped cutouts that look more organic. I’m also loving the sheer/transparent fabrics used for some of the tops and dresses and know that will be a huge trend as we head into next spring!
What were your favorite shows from Paris? I’d love to hear in the comments! That’s a wrap for my fashion month content but stay tuned as we transition back into fall mode - I’ve got tons of outfit inspiration coming your way! xo