PARIS (AP) - Solange Knowles was among the fashion, film and music industry stars out for British designer Clare Waight Keller’s swan song at Chloe at Paris Fashion Week Thursday.
But politics also was in the air with France’s culture minister saying the rise of nationalism could threaten Paris’ multicultural fashion industry.
Some highlights:
CHLOE DESIGNER BIDS FAREWELL
The final chapter in Clare Waight Keller’s reign strayed not too far from the hippy-chic ’70s DNA that’s now synonymous with the Chloe house.
It was a play-it-safe moment to cap six years at the helm of one of Paris’ most iconic fashion houses.
Diaphanous jabot collars, fluttery layers of cascading chiffon, oversize retro fur coats and exaggeratedly billowing slung pants were on this season’s menu of loose boho silhouettes.
The ’70s penchant for color was also clearly referenced in the 43-piece collection’s use of prints and lashings of icy pastel hues - shades of mint, peach and lilac that merged into earthy tones.
But, at times the garments and collection - though executed to perfection - seemed to lack a little soul.
Perhaps the house is ready for a change.
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SOLANGE JOINS STARRY FRONT ROW
A fresh-looking Solange Knowles jetted in to the City of Light to catch Waight Keller’s final outing.
“I’m in Paris for one day only. I’m very excited to be here, as it’s her last show,” the American singer told The Associated Press in the bright, lofty salon inside Paris’ Grand Palais.
Knowles stunned in a diaphanous, sheer white Chloe gown with embroidered motifs and high neckline. No jet lag here. “I feel super ethereal and comfy and cozy,” she added, smiling.
Her front row neighbor - 26-year-old “American Horror Story” star Emma Roberts - cut a sharp style contrast in chic ’70s-style oversized kooky shades and flower power pant suit. She chatted with fellow attendee Isabelle Huppert, the Oscar-nominated French actress, who hid behind a pair of shades.
“Game of Thrones” star Gwendoline Christine and fellow Briton, singer Marianne Faithful, also attended.
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CHLOE IS PART OF FRENCH IDENTITY
The presence of France’s culture minister at the Chloe show was a sign of how cherished the Parisian house, founded in 1952 by Mademoiselle Gaby Aghion, is to French national identity.
The house is actually credited with inventing the concept of ready-to-wear.
“Clare was the longest-serving designer there since Karl Lagerfeld, so this is an important moment,” said Minister Audrey Azoulay, who added that she was eager to learn the name of Chloe’s next designer.
Names reportedly being considered include Natacha Ramsay Levi, a womenswear designer at Louis Vuitton.
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BALMAIN’S AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL PARADE
Flamboyant designer Olivier Rousteing used the wild animal kingdom as inspiration for his remarkable fall-winter show.
Each model evoked a different creature prowling the runway in tribal-inspired silhouettes.
Snake, crocodile, zebra, tiger, antelope, wolf, bird, horse and sheep were all represented - totems conjured either literally in the material or in the imagery of the looks.
Some models were clad head-to-toe in leathers and croc or snakeskins, while others sported angry animal motifs that growled at guests.
These women were warriors or huntresses, wrapped proudly in the prey they vanquished.
Kendall Jenner wore a leather bodice that resembled armor with an asymmetric, feathered tribal skirt, her hair pulled back in severe braids with harsh black eye makeup. She reappeared in black crocodile.
Love it or hate it, one thing is certain - Rousteing’s designs are totally original.
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CULTURE MINISTER: ULTRA-NATIONALISM WILL THREATEN FASHION
France’s culture minister says a rise in nationalism in France will negatively impact the prized French fashion industry that relies strongly on foreign talent.
Minister Audrey Azoulay told The Associated Press outside the Chloe show in Paris that a “populist power” like the far-right National Front party that wants France to leave the 28-nation EU would be “absolutely incompatible with the idea of fashion and freedom.”
Azoulay, who said she was fearful, added “a lot of our great fashion designers come from elsewhere.”
National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who’s leading in polls for France’s two-part April-May presidential election, has campaigned against immigration and in favor of a French exit.
Each season, hundreds of fashion industry workers with EU passports travel to Paris without visas because of the EU freedom of movement rules.
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RICK OWENS GETS CEREMONIAL
Rick Owens explored the theme of the ritual for his ever-creative fall-winter collection Thursday, attended by singer Alicia Keys in a patterned headdress.
The American designer said he wanted to play with the very idea of a runway show that he considers a modern-day version of a ceremony.
Hybrid religious headdress - evoking Catholic or Coptic miters - defined the show aesthetic, fashioned, of course, from faded sweatshirts and T-shirts.
This ironic juxtaposition of high and low was a typical Owens touch and triggered smiles from the crowd.
Further down the body, segmented pieces of shiny duvet created voluminous, abstractly-shaped silhouettes, alongside floor length A-line coats with geometric segments that evoked ecclesiastical cassocks.
The unusual stretch-sock shoe wear was also of note, though it strayed from the ceremonial theme. The designer described it as “my version of an opera glove combined with a sneaker.”
Irony is ubiquitous in any Owens display.
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LAURYN HILL PERFORMS AT KENZO
Kenzo’s guests were treated to a surprise performance by multi-Grammy Award-winning hip hop star Lauryn Hill late Wednesday.
The dinner/fashion show transformed itself into an impromptu concert when Hill strutted out in a drop-waist pink Kenzo taffeta dress.
House founder Kenzo Takada was among guests tapping to the rousing hits including “Doo-Wop (That Thing),” ’’Killing Me Softly” and “Everything is Everything.”
The 41-year-old singer raised the roof with her energetic performance.
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Thomas Adamson can be followed at https://twitter.com/ThomasAdamson_K
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