Now, you can say I am only using “personal style” as a segue that branches between all things fashion I want to address. While partially true, this really has become something I’ve pondered over the last 14 days. Since my first piece I have settled into my apartment in Paris, started class (albeit three days of it) and tried to immerse myself in French culture. Trips to the monuments were traded for visits to the cinema and people-watching in cafés. The latter is essential to being truly French. For centuries, the French have been flaneurs. Whether in aristocracy or world fairs, they have enjoyed the art of watching others and adopting themselves accordingly. I, myself, noticed this last week while sitting at Le Lithographe Bistrot on Boulevard Raspail.
As I sat in the canopied outdoor patio, I was surrounded by French men and women consumed in conversation or dining solo. Regardless of the number of their party, these people were so aware of themselves and what they wore, what they smoked, how they looked and even how their pocketbooks faced the crowd. The French, while effortlessly cool in appearance, actually put in a large amount of energy into their persona. This is how they develop their own personal style as well. By placing themselves directly in view of the world they assert their chic, individual style.
This immediately got me thinking. I have gone through every possible style known to man. If anyone knew me during sophomore year they witnessed my black leather choker and death-to-mankind phase. I could apologize, mais c’est la vie. But now, as I watch these people stick with what they use to define them, I begin to feel myself becoming more confident in who I am. My monochrome chic, or whatever you want to call it, is only one facet of my art-obsessed, fashion reader, non-smoker persona that I put on display at the Lithographe. For centuries, the French have convinced the world that Paris is indeed the fashion capital. The reality, however, is that Paris remains revolutionary in fashion because Parisians are unwavering in their confidence about their style, lack of style and everything in between.
Now, you may be wondering how this ties into your life in Baltimore, but it does. New York Fashion Week was held Sept. 14-18 and, in my opinion, it was absolutely fabulous, artistic and Paris-worthy. Fashion magazine covers in France were adorned with praise for the designers who finally asserted their art as something that is undoubtedly them.
For me Fashion Week usually consists of some genius and some moments of self-conscious lackluster. Fall 2015, however, overwhelmed me with artistic clothes, astronomical sets and Queen Gigi Hadid, of course.
If I had the time I would go through each show praising the intricate adornment and planning that walked down the runway. Since I can’t, I will pick out a few solid trends that might shape the upcoming season.
The catwalk was absolutely obsessed with any kind of embellishment, whether it was lace or sequins. In terms of lace, designers Oscar de la Renta, Jason Wu and Dennis Basso used refined lines and delicate cuts to manipulate lace into a sexy yet classic aspect of their pieces. Following in hot pursuit are sequins. If you’re at all glamour-obsessed like me, this season is our time to shine. Rodarte, Zac Posen and Delpozo featured some undeniably attractive metallic in their collections. One of my favorites is Jenny Packham’s line, filled with intricate detailing and creativity. She combines femininity with bright colors and decadent patterns to create clothes you could actually wear on the streets. The bell-sleeved, ‘60s-style skirted frocks are a must have for anyone desiring a modern approach to classic vintage.
Alice & Olivia uses the aforementioned embellishments to add to the Wild West style sweeping the runway this fall. Fringed vests, printed bell-bottoms and embroidered flowers create a hybrid of Western cowboy and ‘70s vixen.
If you’re a fan of minimal monochrome like myself, have no fear because our style is nowhere close to leaving the runway. Between Calvin Klein’s simply sexy satin pieces and Vera Wang’s self-proclaimed Kylie Jenner-inspired collection, the trend remains as prominent as ever. Finally, in contrast to the last trend, bright colors are back with a vengeance, especially shades of citron. In particular, Milly, Marissa Webb and Ralph Lauren are trying to bring some resort-appropriate colors into their lines. Even Monique Lhuillier, queen of the pastel, has featured some prominent citron pops in her “almost painted” artistic set. This trend is definitely catching on fast, even in black-adorned Paris.
With all the talk of fashion week, price range can be something that remains a tad depressing. This is where true personal style works its way back into the conversation. While I may occasionally splurge more than I should, the reality remains that I am a 19-year-old college kid trying to feed herself, buy the never ending book list for class and find a way to stay fabulous and up-to-date. This is where my greatest secret comes to play: Buy wherever and do it for you. I can wear my Chanel ballet flats with my $10 Forever 21 trench coat, because that is the beauty of fashion. Resort Week may guide our trends but our personal style is who we are, not where we shop.
I personally plan on grabbing my $2 embellished clutch and vintage coat and sitting out at the Lithographe tomorrow. Even though my outfit may be $20, I’m still a Marchesa-inspired, Kardashian-obsessed Katie at heart, and that individuality is something truly Parisian.
