StyleWhipped is so excited to give you a special post from our friend John David Robbins, who was lucky enough to attend Paris Fashion Week for Spring/Summer '09. Here is his recap...try not to be too jealous...!
THE FASHION CITY, by John David Robbins
I recently tagged along with the wonderful people of Alexander McQueen for Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer '09, and experienced firsthand what style is all about. My first thought upon entering Le Marais (our adopted neighborhood for the trip) was, Do Parisians really dress this well all the time? The answer is YES! They dress up to go shopping, run errands, and sip cappuccinos at quaint cafes. Then I thought, Why wouldn't they? This city oozes style from every crevasse - the architecture, history and breaktaking views. Paris IS style!
Luckily, I was prepared for the fashionable streets of Paris, thanks to Soy Chiever and Darrell Washburn from Buckler. (guys, if you haven't been to this showroom, drop what you are doing and get there now!) This dynamic duo dressed me in a black velvet suit that I'm convinced was made for me. After pairing it with a white dress shirt and one-of-a-kind black & white Buckler shoes, I was ready for any event or show.
One of the biggest highlights of this year's fashion week was the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer '09 runway show, which was inspired by Darwin's theory of evolution and the Industrial Revolution. The collection is separated into two parts. Nature's inspiration is shown through prints that resemble tree life, flowers and the sky, created with the use of soft colors and materials. The second part of the collection represents McQueen's interpretation of the Industrial Revolution, using metallic prints and cross sections of crystals that mimic the Eiffel Tower. The difference in these two ideas is abundantly clear when viewing the collection. What's even more amazing is that McQueen still maintained a collection that flowed together seamlessly with a unique point of view. Of course, no fashion show can scathe by without something going wrong. One of the models had her corset tied so tighly that she fainted backstage and was unable to walk the runway at show's end. I don't think anyone noticed thanks to McQueen, who ended the show with a strut down the runway dressed as a rabbit.
I also had the pleasure of attending two incredible dinners on my trip. My first dinner was at Restaurant Dave with representatives from Alexander McQueen, Yves St. Laurent, and Prada. Dave is a staple for celebrities from all over the world. There is no menu, only the choice of what type of meat and drink you want. Dave owner Dave Cheung chooses your appetizer and entree for you. I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to eat here at first. Fortunately, it turned out to be an incredible meal that I would recommend to anyone. My second dinner took place with McQueen representatives at Le Grand Colbert (featured in the movie "Something's Gotta Give" with Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves). It was the quintessential French brasserie. I even tried escargot...and liked it!
On the last day of fashion week, Madeleine Plaza hosted an after-party for Emilio de la Morena. Fashionistas from all over the world came together to celebrate the end of a week many had worked very hard to make possible. The time and effort put into this incredible week is definitely something to be commended.
Next year, I'd like to show my appreciation from a front-row seat...!
*Special thanks to Sorel Thongvan for all his hard work (and very little sleep) to make Paris Fashion Week such a success!
