Paris: City of Lights and of spectacular fashion – most of the time. The French capital has been playing host to the spring/summer 2021 catwalk shows this week, and while there have been some très chic designer garments on display, some other outfits have left us scratching our heads.
From the catwalks to the front row, here are seven of the strangest looks from Paris Fashion Week…
1. Kenzo beekeeper outfits
You know that feeling when you’re about to head down the allotment to tend to your beehives but you look in the mirror and think, ‘my outfit is not nearly glamorous enough’? Well, beekeepers of the world, rejoice, because Kenzo has answered your prayers.
Creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista sent out veiled hats in a variety of beautiful colours and prints at the brand’s SS21 show, which was set in a lush country garden.
2. Paco Rabanne metallic dress
Ever since the Sixties, Paco Rabanne has been famous for its futuristic-looking chainmail dresses. This season, creative director Julien Dossena paid homage to the brand founder’s iconic designs with a gown made from golden discs of differing sizes that came topped with a matching headdress/face covering. We’re not convinced the shimmering mask meets PPE guidelines but it sure is attention-grabbing.
3. Givenchy leather cape
"She looks like she is wearing a purse and her neck is the handle," commented one Instagram user under a photo of a boxy leather cape from the Givenchy SS21 collection, the first with American designer Matthew Williams at the helm. It seems that’s the whimsical look Williams was going for, but some fans were not amused.
4. Balmain sharp suits
Taking a Balmain signature to new heights (literally), Olivier Rousteing sent out a range of tailored looks with incredibly sharp, exaggerated shoulders. The designer said the collection was an ode to "the awesome power of 2020’s solidarity, compassion and tenacity" – but we suspect these suits might be a way to encourage people around the wearer to practise social distancing properly, lest one of those shoulders pokes their eye out.
5. Schiaparelli gold glasses
It was all about the accessories at Schiaparelli SS21, with masses of gold earrings, chunky necklaces, embellished bags and even face masks in a burnished golden hue. The weirdest of all, however, was the irregular shaped opaque gold glasses inlaid with brown or blue ‘eyes’. Could the models even see through those glassy lenses? We have no idea.
6. Prada skirt
The bum bag (or ‘fanny pack’ as Americans say) has been trending for the last few seasons, so it was only really a matter of time before a designer went one further and turned a bum bag into a garment.
Miuccia Prada – famous for her quirky designs – did just that in Paris, reimagining a classic Prada nylon backpack as a buckled skirt. One could argue that it channels a market stall holder’s money belt, but we think this skirt is going to be a big hit with the street style set come spring.
7. Maisie Williams’ Dior cagoule
The Game of Thrones actor attended the Dior show in what can only be described as designer waterproofs. In an oversized khaki cagoule emblazoned with the brand’s logo and matching wellies, the 23-year-old looked like she was ready for Glastonbury!
