Paris Fashion Week In Review: AW21

This season, in Paris, fashion week looked very different. Audiences watched the collections from their digital devices from all over the world, since travelling to see the shows in person was not possible. One standout presentation was by Coperni, which treated a small Parisian audience to a drive-in-style runway show, said to be one of the most exciting things to happen this fashion week season—if not all year! Until more in-person shows return, enjoy some of the favourite Autumn/Winter 2021 collections we watched from home. —Lyndi Barrett

louis vuitton. Travel has always been a key inspiration for the Louis Vuitton brand. This season, artistic director of women’s wear Nicolas Ghesquière was inspired by the Age of Enlightenment, and the era that created the essence of civilization. The details throughout the collection were incredible. It highlighted LV’s atelier, Savoir Faire, which showcased exquisite details throughout the presentation. One of our favourite details incorporated beautiful drawings by Fornasetti, known for his delicate engravings. (In fact, this is part of a collaboration between Louis Vuitton and the renowned Italian art atelier, Fornasetti; the AW21 collection precedes a larger Louis Vuitton x Fornasetti capsule collection, which will be announced later this year.) The location for the showcase was the Louvre’s Denon wing. Models walked among the towering Roman and Greek statues on display. Daft Punk’s Around the World played, creating a juxtaposition of old world meets new: a theme that is often retold by Ghesquière. This was a particularly poignant moment as the band recently announced their split. Nods to après ski and equestrian styles along with party looks were featured throughout the collection. We loved the tulle skirting poking out from oversized bomber jackets and chunky knit sweaters. There was a lot of glamour in the styles this season, and when we can finally dress up again, Louis Vuitton has created some of our dream outfits!

dior. Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri created a collection that looked like something out of a fairy tale—although Chiuri found inspiration in classic, darker fables rather than the Disney versions. One story in particular was Beauty and the Beast, written by Madame de Villeneuve in 1740 and adapted for the screen by Jean Cocteau in 1946. This was around the same time the infamous Dior New Look was launched, post war, when everyone could finally dress up again. The collection featured a mix of classic Dior silhouettes alongside opulent styles like evening dresses featuring layers and layers of tulle—perfectly suited for a princess. The set was absolutely spectacular, with the show taking place at the Palace of Versailles. Italian artist Silvia Giambrone built mirrors to conceal the iconic glass in the Hall of Mirrors. Each mirror was adorned with thorns, creating a scene reminiscent of Alice Through the Looking Glass. This imaginative scene truly transported the digital audience to the center of Chuiri’s dark, fairy tale world.

coperni. Coperni was one of the standout presentations of the season, one of the very few shows that had an audience. Seventy Parisian participants were whisked away in 35 electric cars. Each vehicle toured the streets of Paris before arriving at the Great Hall of Accord Arena in Bercy, located in the 12th arrondissement. The cars (all driven by a COVID-tested driver) moved into formation to light the runway with their headlights. The car radios tuned into the music and guests were able to view the location through the car windows. Designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, formerly the creative directors for Courrèges, launched their label Coperni in 2019. At this time, their presentation was on Instagram, and made a splash in the media for its online format. Fast-forward to 2021, and they’re making headlines for their incredibly cool and creative show. Since no one has had a proper night out in Paris for over a year, this event will be long remembered—even once the pandemic is finally over.