This year, top designers went for the gold with their whimsical, romantic and nostalgic Fall 2016 Collections. This season’s looks brought daring blends of old and new to the runway, from regal Elizabethan themed ruffs and bodices to fairytale-inspired whimsical pieces. This year’s collections had no shortage of social commentary, grand locations and wow factors all around. Designs featured the perfect blend of regal and street, giving us a the merge of high and low fashion that reflects the eclectic modern day fashionista.
Fendi and Valentino’s haute couture collections celebrated two major anniversaries by giving us fairytale dreams. In honor of Fendi’s 90 year anniversary, the fashion house hosted their annual show at the magical Trevi Fountain of La Dolce Vita on a see-through runway. The designs took inspiration from the 1914 fairytale book, “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” giving a vibe reminiscent of childhood with a regal flare. In honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, Valentino went Elizabethan themed. There was no shortage of puff sleeves, elegant robes, and subdued neutrals.
Meanwhile, Jean Paul Gaultier and Maison Margiela stunned us with their out-of-the-box collections. Jean Paul Gaultier took an entirely new direction this season, giving serious outdoorsy feels with designs filled with shades of brown and green, wood textures and lumberjack plaid (yes, really — and it was fab). Although upside down and back-to-front clothing is nothing new to Margiela, the blend of streetwear and french revolutionary style that was brought to the runway this year took the experimental style of the brand to new heights.
While most designers followed tradition and placed their haute couture collections center stage on the runway, fashion houses Givenchy and Chanel put an intimate spotlight on the behind-the-scenes efforts that bring their looks together. Givenchy ditched the runway this season and let the garments speak for themselves by inviting womenswear clients to visit headquarters to see collection pieces face to face by appointment. Meanwhile, Chanel took the over-sharing trend of this era to new heights by allowing the craftspeople who constructed the pieces to join models onstage at the Grand Palais.
Take an inside peek at some of this year’s collections below!
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