British designers took Paris fashion week by storm over the weekend, with edgy Londoner Alexander McQueen taking the sentiment quite literally for his autumn/winter 2003-2004 collection.
McQueen used a glass wind tunnel to stunning effect to create a winter flurry for his catwalk extravaganza, showing off his creations against a rocky snow-covered backdrop. "I wanted it to be like a nomadic journey across the tundra," he said. "A big desolate space, so that nothing would distract from the work."
As McQueen's show took its cue from nature, John Galliano's brightly-hued Forties-inspired pieces, decked with bustles and bows, were part of the designer's self-described "granny from hell" look. Meanwhile, Julien Macdonald's sleek, dark creations took the opposite approach, inspired by a fictional muse who likes a bit of mystery. "She's a KGB spy living in Paris," he said backstage. "She's a woman you see only in passing and only at night." But it wasn't just the men in the spotlight – female designers also left their mark on the French capital.
Phoebe Philo presented a lively, funky collection for Chloe, saying: "It was a little bit of everything I love doing thrown in there." Another designer known for her penchant for mix-and-match, Vivienne Westwood, sent a "purposely wayward" look down the runway, turning to the colours and textures of Africa for inspiration. On Monday, models for Stella McCartney strutted up the catwalk in ultra-feminine silhouettes as stars such as Marianne Faithfull, Kate Moss and Thandie Newton looked on. "There were some pieces in there that really took my breath away," said Thandie, who revealed the show was her first ever.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
