Sofia Achaval’s Complete Fall 2019 Paris Fashion Week Diary

DAY 7: March 3, 2019

Balenciaga
Thanks to innovative collections and celeb-filled shows — this year Hailey Bieber sat front row — Balenciaga has become one of the most important shows at Paris Fashion Week. Big coats were a big deal this season, from an amazing green fur coat with a high neckline (an audience favorite), to a neon yellow long coat that stood out in the venue’s soft lighting. This season Demna Gvasalia abandoned sneakers and introduced squared toe shoes for men and boots and stilettos for women. Tailoring and sophistication where the biggest takeaway for daywear, but for the eveningwear it was all about minidresses with rounded necks and sparkles, paired with high boots.

Valentino
Guests at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Valentino show were greeted with a wall-sized installation that read, “The people you love become ghosts inside of you and like this you keep them alive.” Afterwards, we were given the poetry book Valentino ON LOVE, which set up the romantic collection. The first outfit — black with roses and a hugging couple in red — resulted from a collaboration with Undercover designer Jun Takahashi. More dark outfits followed, including a black leather cape, a minidress with a high and tight neckline, long coats, silk dresses and loose blazers that were combined with lighter and sparklier looks. Pleated skirts revealed nice and sweet color combinations, like yellow and white or baby pink and orange.

Akris
Akris’ set featured a white catwalk and a wall with exclamation marks made out of horse hair. Coco Rocha opened the show in a skirt and matching jacket. The hair and makeup was understated: low ponytails and clean makeup looks. Another strong theme were monochrome’s, like a brown suit and coat with fur cuffs and boots below the knees. Every item stood out because of the quality and neatness, like a satin black smoking suit with masculine sophisticated trousers.