Paris Fashion Week fall/winter 2019: Miu Miu, Lacoste, and Louis Vuitton

TWO MOST SURPRISING MOMENTS
1. Bright red scaffolding grids and seats, a tunnel structure stood with striking presence of colour. We have arrived at Place du Carrousel in Paris for Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2019 show. Inspired by the century-old Centre Pompidou (the west facade, facing Le Marais, to be exact), four strong colours – blue, red, yellow and green – clothe the structure and enliven the pipework atmosphere as the last show of PFW. Nicolas Ghesquière looks into blending the past with eighties revival and the future.
2. 50 shades of green. Lacoste was actually beautiful (apologies, as my expectations were rather low before, since my only impression of the brand is that of crocodile-logo tennis shirts founded by French tennis legend Rene Lacoste). Merging sports and leisurewear, the debut collection by British designer Louise Trotter (who previously worked at British label Joseph for a decade), didn’t disappoint. In fact, I was rather blown away by the contemporary silhouette, ease of flow and colour scheme used (nautical house codes). She made the French brand relevant again.

FOUR TRENDIEST ACCESSORIES
1. Camouflage platform Mary Jane for those who may not wear the full trend in apparel, here’s a good start to be a not-so-innocent adventurous Miu Miu girl.
2. A ginormous Lacoste tote bag you can carry your whole life around town. But don’t fill it up, really. It’s meant to be slouchy chic.
3. New Flappy bag in monogram at Louis Vuitton, I'd add a few more charms for personalisation (and character).
4. Leather skull caps as part of Nicolas Ghesquière’s retro futuristic star-trek pilot look at Louis Vuitton, pushed the idea of eclecticism miles further up. We especially dig the checkerboard ones.

SEVEN FAVOURITE LOOKS
1. Miu Miu fall/winter 2019 look #1: large screens played in loop a video on a woman dressed in lingerie and jeans casually chilling, capturing the nonchalance of a Miu Miu girl. Sweet and innocent, yet devilishly sexy as a young lady ready to take charge of her own life, all reimagined in floral sheer blouson, micro-short, sheer thigh- high stockings and a (very) dark cape.
2. Miu Miu fall/winter 2019 look #42: when Miuccia Prada does camouflage for the girl-not-yet-a-woman, it's playful with pleats and speaks volume with the unsubtle print.
3. Lacoste fall/winter 2019 look #13: strategic drawstrings and detachable hoods on athleisure tops.
4. Lacoste fall/winter 2019 look #58: a contemporary silhouette, with free-flowing pleated skirt, elongated knitwear and oversized parka. Louise Trotter has just converted one disbeliever into her follower of timeless femininity, me.
5. Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2019 look #30: the interpretation of Centre Pompidou structure saw Nicolas Ghesquière play with proportions on the clothing, with wide shoulders, voluminous skirts and sculptural pieces in a clash of textures, prints and ruffles, creating exaggerated silhouettes.
6. Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2019 look #37: the ‘80s are in full force. This collection presented a melting pot of subcultures - British punk and French rock musicians - complete with jheri curls!
7. Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2019 look #46: the colourful facade of Centre Pompidou was translated onto '80s blousons, biker jackets and leather skirts.