Chanel, Valentino and McQueen AW11

Chanel was the first show at 10.30 held at the Grand Palais. The models strutted their stuff down a white wooden boardwalk surrounded by piles of lava after they were let loose from behind a CC drawbridge which had clouds of dry ice surrounding it.

The models were adorned in trouser suits with cropped jackets and pleat-front trousers that were placed into tweed legwarmers over heavy flat brogues.

The infamous Chanel tweeds were dense and raw and were black and grey with some colour splashes of red and green. Herringbone tweed coats were worn with skinny jeans and flat ankle boots.

The collection also included princess coats and empire line dresses that were detailed with feathers and lace was embroidered into the tweed.

At half past two saw the Valentino Autumn/Winter unveil itself at Espace éphémère Tuileries.

The show started with nude knitted coats that were cable knit above the waist and plain below, followed by cardigan coats worn with knee-high snakeskin boots. Navy and green leather slim trench coats and sheer blouses with wide trousers were also shown.

Skinny belts kept the emphasis on the subtle styling before the collection moved onto lace-topped dresses, pleated leather skirts and fine pleated cashmere cocktail dresses that were in an array of nudes and plums.

Long formal chiffon dresses in muted colours of greens and browns were also on show, as well as the now-signature barely there lace that was embroidered on the bustier of dresses. Valentino in addition used fur coats in the collection.

The Alexander McQueen collection was shown at 7.30 at La Conciergerie, near Notre Dame, which housed prisoners during the French revolution, including Marie-Antoinette before they were sent to guillotine. Each of the 34 pieces was individually designed, hand-crafted, embroidered and beaded to an haute couture standard.

 

The show started with Freja opening in a white tweed skirt suit with fur accents and zips. The white tweed turned to grey and the suits then became complex creations of knitted fur and raw-edged chiffon woven similar to that of tweed.

Sprayed-on leather leggings beneath skirts were accessorised with huge platform shoes that had jagged metal heels which is typically McQueen style. In addition the high collared, moulded silhouette over flared skirts was also apparent. Beautifully structured dresses in shades of white, black and lavender were also prominent on the runway.

The whole collection screamed Alexander McQueen and Sarah Burton produced an amazing collection.

By Danielle Harper