If people say only Jesus could walk on water, then they obviously didn't catch the Yves Saint Laurent S/S 2019 collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Following tradition, the YSL show took place right in front of a glitzy Eiffel Tower. However, traditions can get drab and boring, so what did creative director Anthony Vaccarello do to change it up? He abided by the rule, "just add water."
Models splashed down the running water runway in snakeskin boots, American-inspired clothing, and as per tradition: lots of black.
Apparently, water is the new trend. Not only did YSL have water present in their runway, but so did Chanel.
Creative director Karl Lagerfeld is considered one of the greatest designers and creative directors in fashion ever, and there's a reason why. Because only Karl Lagerfeld could transform Le Grand Palais into a beach.
Apparently, the invitations to Chanel's S/S 2019 show suggested wearing flat footwear, and now we know why. This beach bash was complete with sand, lapping water, a "SEA-nic" (see what I did there?) background of the ocean, and even Chanel lifeguards on top of their towering chairs. And to top the show-off, models ran, laughed, and danced through the sand to give it that "beach-vibe" feel.
LED backdrops and backgrounds aren't a new concept for the Fashion Week industries. However, what is new is transforming an entire runway into one huge greenscreen bubble. Just as Lagerfeld did for Chanel, Demna Gvasalia did for Balenciaga.
Gvasalia worked with digital artist Jon Rafman to create a truly colorful and interactive fashion show. If you haven't seen it, I strongly suggest you do, because further into the future and probably for the Fall collections that are soon to come, this kind of fashion show will be more and more common.
Along with not only a spectacular performance, Gvasalia also gave us soon-to-be trends. From dad trainers to hoodies and logomaniac clothing from previous lines, he's now given us new suit silhouettes, broader, better shoulders, and popped collars.
Each model walked out with a new look but coherent concept throughout the whole show, along with a changing graphic art piece plastered on the LED screens to match
A show within a show. That also seems to be the trend for fashion shows these days. I mean think about it: people go from fashion show to fashion show, looking at looks upon looks, collections upon collections. What's going to make your show stand out from the rest? Of course, the clothes will, but a performance would do the trick one-up.
Just like Balenciaga, Dior had the same "dinner and a show" concept. The two designers' collections and performance, however, were very different. Whereas Balenciaga's was futuristic and flamboyantly colorful, Dior's waded on the classical arts.
The room was dark and dingy, with pale flower petals on the floor and skylights to let in the natural light. As models stalked the runway, dancers from Sharon Eyal's company danced around like shadows in the light. The dance was choreographed by Eyal's own Tel Aviv and choreographed quite well, I'd say.
Although this might not have been as eccentric as Gvasalia's show, Kim Jones, Dior's creative director, definitely switched the norm of fashion shows. Show attendees are used to pop-funk repeating beats as models stomp down the runway, with bright lights and lasers to keep onlookers at attention, but the switch in demeanor definitely kept audiences awake, interested and using the left side of their brains.
