Engaged in the clothing industry for 20 years.

Paris Fashion Week FW22: the top five trends store buyers need to know

Paris Fashion Week FW22 has come to an end and with it the major FW22
ready-to-wear runway season. It started and finished under a cloud of war and no one can predict
what will happen in the coming days and weeks.
Olivier Rousteing admitted to feeling
uncomfortable presenting the FW22 Balmain collection while witnessing
the violent attack on Ukraine. In doing so he most likely echoed a
sentiment shared by all designers showing in Paris.

While the plight of the Ukrainian people was never far from attendees’
minds, after two years of the Pandemic, buyers and the fashion press
were keen to return to watching live shows. Some strong trends
emerged; here are five to look out for.

Protection Detail

Image: Courtesy Balmain FW22

Ready-to-wear collections are designed months before they are shown,
so any references to the current war being waged in Ukraine were
co-incidental. Even so, looks with armor-like elements were shown at
Balmain, Rochas and Dior. In another direction, designers including
Rick Owens, Marine Serra, Anrealage, Didu and Ottolinger showed looks
featuring the sort of protective details worn by motorbike riders.

Image: Courtesy Anrealage FW22
Image: Dior FW22/Catwalk Pictures

Denim Dos

Image: Courtesy Acne Studio

Trend forecasters have been discussing Y2K fashions for a few seasons
now and FW22 will certainly have its fair share of late nineties and
early aughties’ looks including high rise and wide legged bottoms.
Vaquera, Ami and Gauchera all showed baggy jeans; Givenchy’s were
ripped up. At Acne Studio the jeans were patchworked, high-waisted and
belted; both Balmain and Diors’ jeans had corseted waistbands.

Image: Courtesy Ami FW22
Image: Courtesy Balmain FW22

In Check

Image: Courtesy Marine Serre FW22

Tartan, plaid and check wools can represent many moods, from preppy and
traditional to rebellious and punk rock. Following several other
fashion weeks, Paris showed a myriad of versions. There were ‘mod’
looks including a two -piece suit at Akris and a cape at Nina Ricci.
Uma Wang, Dior, Off-White and Victoria/Tomas all showed check
separates and at Marina Serra, a show stopping coat in a variety of
plaids, checks and tartans.

Image: Courtesy Uma Wang FW22
Image: Courtesy Nina Ricci FW22

Knit Wit

Image: Courtesy Chloé FW22

Head to toe sweater knits appeared on many runways. At Acne Studios
they were deconstructed and paired to matching scarves and shown over
contrast legging/boots. Mame Kurogouchi’s collection included an ankle
length intarsia knit multi-colored dress. Chloé showed several spaced
dyed sweater dresses as did Stella Maccartney.

Image: Courtesy Mame Kurogouchi FW22
Image: Courtesy Acne Studio FW22

Prints Charming

Image: Courtesy Andrew Gn FW22

In contradiction to the other trends, designers showed very short,
body-conscious looks in colorful prints, often accessorized with thigh
high boots. Andrew Gn, Ellie Saab, Leonard Paris and Isabel Marant all
showed versions.

Image: Courtesy Leonard Paris FW22
Image: Courtesy Ellie Saab FW22

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *