One of the biggest questions surrounding Paris Fashion Week was, what would Christophe Decarnin show in terms of silhouette, now that everyone from his high-end counterparts to contemporary brands and mass-market retailers have put their own spin on (or blatantly knocked off) his power shoulders?
The answer is that while he did stick to the body-conscious, accented shoulder silhouette the label is now known for (well, that and their exorbitantly high prices), the military-esque shoulder pads have been replaced by leopard covered ones. Animal prints are a growing trend this season, along with fur, which Decarnin showed in dramatic colors such as magenta, with brocade, gold, and elaborate beading.
That said, the high-slit gowns, fitted blazers, uber body con minis, and skinny-skinny pants that we’ve been seeing season after season from Decarnin still made their way on the runway in droves.
Who can blame Decarnin, though? The man has a clear, distinct vision and he executes those often-imitated looks so well. Even if some may find the key Balmain looks played out, every time I check Balmain on net-a-porter, it’s those exact silhouettes that seem to have sold out. So it doesn’t seem that the power shoulder will be going away any time soon.
Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.
