Paris Fashion Week has come to a close and what a week it was. The runway shows in the European fashion capital were filled with buzzworthy moments that caused a stir. From Coperni’s spray on dress modelled by Bella Hadid to Balenciaga’s mud pit show, there was no shortage of iconic, controversial, and memorable fashion moments. As they say in show business, any publicity is good publicity, and we love when brands go above and beyond to bring theatrics back into fashion.
While it may be an acquired taste to some, art is meant to be expressive and subjective. And in my humble opinion, Fashion Week is not just a showcase of clothing but a look into the ideas, inspirations and concepts behind the collections. Kanye West is known for brandishing his creative freedom, and he gave us a hint of his divisive designs with his YZY Season 9 show, while Schiaparelli and Valentino were talking points for different reasons.
Here are the highlights from Paris Fashion Week 2023.
Coperni’s spray-on dress
Coperni and Bella Hadid created a memorable moment with spray-on fabric. The supermodel entered the runway sans clothing and modelled elegantly while a team of creatives spray-painted her body with a substance that dried into a wearable, moving item of clothing. The dress fit her like a glove and was snipped and cut into a hour-glass shape with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a thigh-high slit. The moment was ethereal and presented a sustainable alternative to the epidemic of fast fashion.
@frxd1e Bella Hadid closing the S/S 2023 Coperni show, being dressed in a spray on dress #pfw #ss23 #coperni #bellahadid ♬ Genesis - Grimes
What went on at Valentino?
The Valentino show was a mess, to say the least. People were falling, shoes were coming off, and models seemed to be confused about the route of the runway. Many began to question the validity of these mishaps - was it just a PR stunt to garner attention or was it truly such a chaotic affair? Unfortunately, there’s no way of genuinely knowing the truth but the show did its job at the end of the day - it got people talking.
@priscillastyles Replying to @ADAN ARRIAGA que opinamos? #valentino #runway #model #pfw #fashionweek #fashionmonth #valentinoshow ♬ Unholy - Sam Smith & Kim Petras
Kanye’s controversial comment
Is there ever a Kanye moment that isn’t controversial? The rapper staged his surprise YZY SZN 9 collection in Paris and sparked a media frenzy when he wore a T-shirt sporting the slogan “White Lives Matter.” On the front of the shirt was a photo of Pope John Paul II and the words "Seguiremos Tu Ejemplo," which translates to "We Will Follow Your Example. Conservative influencer and author Candance Owens wore the same shirt in white and posed alongside the rapper in a photo that was posted to Twitter. Needless to say, the pair received major backlash with many brands, celebrities and publications condoning the message.
Kanye wearing matching White Lives Matter shirts with Candace Owens
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) October 3, 2022
This picture is insane ☠️ pic.twitter.com/hJG0xtFmXA
Balenciaga’s mud pitt
Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna, is known for his outrageous designs and concepts. At Paris Fashion Week, the fashion house staged their SS23 show in a giant mud pit while models were made to walk in a hunched back posture with an aggressive gait that baffled and almost terrified guests. The unusual setting at Parc des Exposition was "a metaphor for digging for the truth and being down to earth.”
@mustsharenews Just like at the Pandang during F1 weekend fr #paris #balenciaga #mustsharenews #tiktoksg #sgnews #entertainmentnews ♬ original sound - MustShareNews
Surrealism at Schiaparelli
Daniel Roseberry’s surrealist aesthetic came to life at Schiaparelli’s SS23 showcase. Known for their innovative jewellery and metal work incorporated into their designs, this collection was no less extraordinary albeit paired down as an everyday, ready-to-wear ensemble. Denim, gold detail, red pieces, and cocktail and evening dresses were the focus of the collection.
@ladymollyelizabeth Unsurprisingly, i love everything about the new Schiaparelli SS23 collection at Paris Fashion Week. Daniel Roseberry is a genius.
♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design
