Sunday, December 22, 2024

Fashion Month Recap

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Fashion Month for Fall-Winter 2024 was a spectacular showcase of creativity, craftsmanship, and reinvention across the fashion capitals—New York, London, Milan, and Paris. This season’s shows particularly highlighted a delicate balance between revisiting heritage and embracing the modern, with standout collections from designers such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Schiaparelli, and Christian Louboutin, which are the main three we are discussing today. 

These brands are the embodiment of what fashion week is really all about, knowing your brand and wowing your audience. These fashion houses have remained at the top for many reasons and their artistic expression through clothes, shoes, accessories, and music encompasses the reason fashion months are such highly anticipated events.

Louis Vuitton: Timeless Innovation

For a fashion house that is as old as Louis Vuitton, the struggle to keep up with modern trends and newer designers is a challenge they face frequently. However the runway looks they showcased for the upcoming SS ‘25 campaign was innovative and intricate and showed the fashion house is forever trying new ways to create stories within their designs.

Nicolas Ghesquière once again pushed the boundaries at Louis Vuitton with a collection that combined futuristic aesthetics with contemporary tailoring. The Spring/Summer 2025 show was marked by dramatic, voluminous silhouettes and bold layering, which has become a signature of Ghesquière’s work. The collection played with contrasts: oversized jackets were paired with biker shorts, ties mixed with miniskirts,. Bold metallic fabrics and iridescent finishes added a futuristic edge to the pieces, making the collection feel as though it was made for a new generation of fashion-forward individuals. Ghesquiere truly saved the best for last, with his final looks showcasing very bulky straight lined jackets with stunning metallic fringe skirts. These looks and the contrast have proven the fashion house is set to attract a younger generation. 

The runway itself was also something worth noting, rather than just being inspired by the classic LV trunk the entire runway was made of them. An ode to the timeless piece that the brand is known for. The classic design behind the runway paired with the innovation of the designs made this Louis Vuitton show spectacular.

Chanel: The Return to La Grand Palais

Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, under the direction of Virginie Viard, made its highly anticipated return to the recently renovated Grand Palais in Paris. The show evoked the grandeur of classic Parisian couture with an emphasis on fluidity, elegance, and femininity. Viard drew inspiration from the ballet, a theme consistent with Chanel’s history, using soft, flowing fabrics such as tulle and silk that evoked a sense of movement. The collection was filled with classic Chanel signatures—tweed suits, delicate lace, and iconic black-and-white ensembles—reimagined for the modern woman with a playful twist. 

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Femininity is something the brand seems to not only own but have mastered. Remaining true to the whimsical colors and beautiful silhouettes, this line was curated to fit the image of the classic Parisian woman. The beautiful silk shawls and classic black and white heels are just miniscule details that showcase the brand is true to its iconic fashion roots.

It’s worth noting that the entire runway setup and the large birdcage in the center is as the brand calls it “an ode to freedom” and inspired by a keepsake trinket in Coco Chanel’s apartment.

Schiaparelli: Future Vintage

Daniel Roseberry’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection for Schiaparelli, titled “Future Vintage,” was a bold celebration of couture that blurs the line between ready-to-wear and high fashion. Roseberry is known for his fearless approach to design, and this collection was no different, with pieces that paid homage to the brand’s surrealist roots while also looking toward the future. Sculptural silhouettes, intricate embroidery, and exaggerated proportions made each look feel like a work of art.

The “Future Vintage” concept embodied Schiaparelli’s commitment to creating timeless pieces that can be passed down through generations. Roseberry emphasized the emotional connection people have with their clothing, making each piece not just a fashion statement but an heirloom  . The collection was intentionally tight in scope, with a focus on quality over quantity. Through bold gold embellishments, statement jewelry, and structured dresses, Schiaparelli once again proved that haute couture can be both avant-garde and deeply personal.

Roseberry’s work in my opinion is what really made Schiaparelli what it is. The stunning 3D hardware and appliques on all of the pieces is visually unlike any other luxury brand. These pieces are not only unique but extraordinary because of how outside-the-box Roseberry looks at fashion. This creative vision is exactly what makes fashion feel so expressive and artistic and is one of many reasons people continue to look forward to what the brand does next. 

Christian Louboutin: Paris is Louboutining

Christian Louboutin’s Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show was an extravagant spectacle, blending high fashion with cinematic flair, as directed by renowned photographer David LaChapelle. The show revolved around “Miss Z,” a fictional superheroine who represents empowerment and fantasy. Louboutin’s signature stilettos were highlighted in playful, over-the-top settings, capturing his distinct combination of luxury and whimsy. Bold colors, dramatic shapes, and surreal elements, including futuristic and sci-fi influences, defined the collection, further amplifying Louboutin’s status as a master of luxury footwear.

Louboutin also leaned into the trend of gender-fluid fashion, presenting designs that blurred the line between masculine and feminine. The collection included several unisex styles, with a focus on craftsmanship and innovation, showing that luxury footwear is evolving to meet the needs of a more diverse clientele. Louboutin’s designs were not just about aesthetics but also about the experience, with each shoe designed to make the wearer feel powerful and glamorous

Louboutin synchronized swimming show

This show was a cinematic masterpiece and an amazing way to showcase what’s next for this classic brand. The artist vision for this show is EXACTLY what fashion needs, rather than having beautiful women simply strut in the red bottomed heels, Louboutin made the shoes the focal point in a way that told a story and made it impossible for all who were watching to look away from the iconic olympic pool, and the iconic shoes. 

Key Takeaways from Fashion Month:

Several key themes emerged from these Spring/Summer 2025 collections. First, there was a clear focus on sustainability, with designers like Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli using eco-friendly materials and addressing the importance of creating timeless, lasting pieces. As the fashion world grapples with environmental concerns, this shift toward sustainable luxury signals a new direction for high-end fashion.

There was a celebration of timelessness and heritage. Designers like Chanel and Schiaparelli leaned into their brand’s history while also pushing fashion forward. Whether through Chanel’s homage to ballet or Schiaparelli’s “Future Vintage” concept, these collections were about creating pieces that transcend seasons and trends, inviting wearers to invest in fashion that tells a story and carries emotional weight.

Looking Forward: Fashion’s Future in 2025

Fashion Month Spring/Summer 2025 not only set the tone for the upcoming season but also hinted at where the industry is headed in the future. The focus on sustainability, gender fluidity, and timeless design points to a fashion landscape that is more thoughtful, inclusive, and purpose-driven.

For brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Schiaparelli, and Christian Louboutin, the challenge will be to continue balancing innovation with heritage, sustainability with luxury, and fashion-forward designs with timeless elegance. As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that these designers are ready to meet those challenges head-on, offering collections that not only reflect the zeitgeist but also pave the way for a more thoughtful and responsible future in fashion.

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