At the end of fashion month, Paris really went crazy on and off the catwalk. In the French capital, one street style look stole the show from the other. Some visitors experimented with very unusual looks that probably amazed even fashion enthusiasts.
Wild Y2K
The fact that the looks of the 00s are back can no longer be overlooked. However, you can still take this trend up a notch and play with taste boundaries. Wild mixes of patterns, where floral prints and animal prints meet tartan, come with a selection of jewelry and make-up that are anything but subtle. And overall there can be a little more of everything. It no longer seems to be about a direct style of this decade, but rather about choosing your favorite pieces, where gothic and rockier styles meet the it girl.
Cosplay
The following looks show that extremes can also be played even further, which almost raises the question of whether this is still street style or a disguise.
Especially under the cosplay umbrella, more and more fans in the Western world are finding shelter. Very elaborate costumes that are inspired by anime, Japanese cartoons and video games usually play an important role. For many of their fans, this type of subculture goes beyond the look and becomes a complete way of life.
But the look of previously known subcultures such as Gothic could also seem like a disguise to outsiders. Undercurrents such as ‘Victorian Gothic’, in which opulent dresses, ruffles and lace from the Victorian era are kept in black, particularly stand out.
But in the end, isn’t that exactly how it is with fashion? It often offers an escape into other worlds and gives one’s own personality significance, even or especially when it does not correspond to the norm.
Of course, there are certainly exceptions to the topic of “disguise or style” where it’s really just a matter of setting yourself apart from the street style standards of fashion weeks and having a “crazy look” that attracts the flashlights. But that’s how it is in this street style game: see and be seen.
Showgirls
For their show moment, some reach into the carnival costume box and ‘tap like a bear’ and others may be closer to a Brazilian carnival or a burlesque look from the Moulin Rouge variety show.
The focus here is on body-hugging looks with lots of skin and glitter. The styles range from the shimmering show dress to the transparent body set with rhinestones to the metallic bustier, which almost resembles a large accessory. A statement piece like this is also enough to create a special look, which can then be combined with more reserved pieces such as simple jeans.
Marni fans: dots and stripes
At every fashion week and show, some guests also show their affection for a particular brand. This season, the support from the Italian label Marni was particularly noticeable. The street styles surrounding the show, which was held in a former Paris residence of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, relied on patterns like the eye-catching ones Polka dots from the last Fall/Winter 23 collection as well as colorful – often fluffy – tops with horizontal stripes, which can also be found in Marni’s ready-to-wear.
