My Fashion Week enthusiasm was ignited by the fresh, funny and insightful banter between fashion blogger greats Tina Chen Craig (aka BagSnob) and Bryan Grey Yambao (aka BryanBoy). They dished about Fashion Week Fall 2021, pop culture and beauty (Tina founded award-winning UBeauty). Their positive energy was contagious, leading me back into runway.
A year ago, I was diverted from Fashion Week because of COVID. Since then, lock downs, closures and masks have put a cloud over fashion and the arts (and so many things). This dark mood will always be defined for me by a scene I witnessed in Bergdorf’s NYC. A disheveled 30-something woman was trying on a beautiful pair of Manolo Blahnik’s. She seemed oblivious to her surroundings and her appearance in a way that made you think she spent more time on Zoom than with people. Throwing down the beautiful shoes, she exclaimed “What does it matter, these will never be seen!” She ran out of the store.
We have all been there this year. Brian and Tina made me realize it is time to celebrate spring and the lifting (if slowly) of the cloud by slipping into something that makes us look and feel good. So, let’s talk about Fashion Week Fall 2021 with its hopeful and beautiful shows, designs and creative collaborations.
Valentino:
The Valentino FW21 show was held inside Milan’s Piccolo Theater. The location (closed for so long) represented the bold spirit of the Italian people. Valentino’s looks were both sensual and romantic, reflecting today’s generation with a focus on black and white.
Loewe:
Jonathan Anderson of Loewe presented his collection in the format of a newspaper. It included a preview of Danielle Steel’s latest novel The Affair which centers around an affair at a fashion magazine. The pairing of Steel and Loewe demonstrates creative collaboration at its best.
Chanel
Virginie Viard’s Fall 2021 show for Chanel was buzzing with life and joy. Her collection recognized that fall is when much of the world will be reconnecting. Shown on the streets of Paris, she wants us to reconnect with our essence, purpose and goals. The collection felt relevant and fresh but with a timeless quality.
Hermes
The House of Hermes orchestrated a three continent livestream. Each show leveraged local performers creating mesmerizing performances in elegant flowing skirts and monochromatic colors. Models strutted down the runway in edgy outfits of dark denim, black and white and other monochromatic palates. Looks were finished with block heeled boots, chunky necklaces of leather and chain, Apple/Hermes watches, and of course, Birken bags.
There were so many other great moments this season. And, like Virgine of Chanel, I feel cautiously hopeful and joyous for the future.
