LANVIN aw13 PARIS

a HAPPY love vibe- literally, at LANVIN for fall 2013.   Pretty dresses mixed with a bit of oversized bling, with an Alber Elbaz message of musical sorts- loud and clear.   Silhouettes were not over the top, but the big jewels playing on pop culture with word plates spelling out  “happy” and “love” got our attention.  Though the patterns of butterflies and flowers were sweet, there was that element of HA! Alber goes playful kitschi with the added adornment for this collection.

Industry insiders and celebs noshed popcorn and sipped Champagne and mingled casually pre-show at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris for Lanvin. Virginie Mouzat, Anna Della Russo, Laura Smet, Franca Sozzani, Jonathan Newhouse, and Catherine Deneuve were among the VIP’s in attendance. Designer Alber Elbaz goes for playful sophistication with this AW13 collection.

Tailored to perfection with a modern approach to form, the array of silhouettes were prepared with purpose. Gorgeously sculpted volume, ruffled dimension, and pleated placements added wow factor to dresses and ensembles. Florals and bugs where featured on many looks – sometimes on an all-over print, other times 3-D versions popped when applied boldly for ornamentation.  Make-up artist Pat McGrath created four different looks for the face and low ponies were done by Guido Palau. The ladylike style got spirited with just the right amount of fashionable jest.

The girls walking pretty included Cara Delevingne who wore one fine looking a-line dress, and then a sultry butterfly number.   Lindsey (Wixson) sported a simpler piece with “LOVE” dangling around her neck,  and Kasia Struss “takes the cake” in a millefeuilles sheer lovely neutral layered piece.  Here’s a peek from the LANVIN runway on the Paris Catwalk.  fdmLOVES DIOR commentary + selects: Brigitte Segura, written by Sarah A. Freiseis.