Highlights: Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter 2017-2018 | Day 1

Modern silhouettes have crowded Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter 2017-2018 offerings; an urban undertone was noticeably present in most of collections shown.

This is a consequence of modern retail sales externalizing the consumers’ preference in recent years for sportswear and its athleisure category in what it refers to the luxury spectrum.

A masculine tailoring mood was also key. Since the days that the Asian urban clothing started appealing to the European, who now dominate the look in the street style category, as seen everywhere in recent editions of the major fashion weeks.

The aesthetic has also remained successful in French womenswear at different decades: born in the nineties with Japanese names such as Yohji Yamamoto, Issei Miyake and Kenzo (Takeda), it is now reborn for millenials within the national tradition of tailoring, rebuilt for a generation of women heavily indoctrinated in the use of structured trousers matched with stylish sneakers.

For Fall/Winter 2017-2018 these two key elements merged into upcoming macro trends, not necessarily mimicking the urban offerings owned today by mass retailers such as H&M in a casual condition, and Forever 21 on the edgy side; nor the hip hop apparel in the style of Supreme and muted palettes at Vetements; but with nonchalant monochrome garments, deconstructed dresses and sometimes including retro office-ready outfits, because yes, ties are now a women’s accessories must.

Paskal strived to create silhouettes that are seen as graphic structures with basic design elements such as lines, dots and color blocks, all emphasizing a solid framework with a lot of subtextual movement. Black, white and gray and the contrast between them were pivotal to the collection’s dynamism.

Jacquemus served the slight clash of black and gray to draw lines that are constructional yet subtle. It also played with dots and constructive lines in the garments.

Either inspired by tailor made suits or pleats and voluminous sets, Aalto presented dark stripes and all white ensembles. A greater movement was placed courtesy of frills, swirling around a gray satin dress.

Paris itself was mesmerized with Paule Ka who, while paying homage to French fashion and its fluent history, was by far an outstanding designer to watch. Pieces that speak of the evolution of Parisian style and considerable hints of its chic culture, converfed in an attire  alluding to a busy and powerful lady in which gray and white were a must, while, regarding black, Anthony Vaccarello who heads Saint Laurent’s new era, accomplished to quote Yves’ artistry of summoning sensuality. The sex in the seams was beautifully sewn in dark leather and looks with tall black boots and mini dresses hanging really high.

It might sound stereotypical to state that black, white and gray are trending in fashion; given the fact that they’re classic colors that never have gone or will go away, especially in an scenario as devoted to simple elegance as the Paris fashion arena, however, its implementation moving towards a masculine stage for womenswear, and the current reigning of an athletic infusion to casual attire, make them the color choice to make, in order to create a statement look full with character and contemporary feel- in the style of Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter 2017.