PARIS FASHION WEEK 2011

Paris Fashion Week 2011 – Crisis the Trend-setter 

Sunday night January 24, Paris Fashion Week 2011 started in the world capital of haut-couture – Paris. During the fashion week millions of critics and fashion connoisseurs saw women and men spring-summer 2011 collections.
Paris fashion week 2011 welcomed world known fashion houses Chanel, Dior, Armani, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent as well as John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld catwalks.
This year Louis Vuitton designer Paul Helbers presented men’s collection in the typical Venetian style. Jean Paul Gaultier found his inspiration in boxing. Dior men’s collection was also given an enthusiastic welcome among both spectators and fashion experts. With the baggy short pants and high boots the line was actual and fresh.


But the most radical proposal during Paris Fashion Week 2011 was made to men by Givenchy, Raf Simons and John Galliano. Designers wanted our men to wear…a skirt!

Givenchy men’s collection showed a new real man attribute – short skirt, womanlike sandals and tights. Raf Simons was milder and put on men skirts above the pants.

John Galliano on the contrary was not afraid to use corsets for his men collection. The main idea based on corsets put on the men’s jackets and wide short colorful pants above the classic men’s pants.

Paris fashion week 2010 became the week of young designers, as the crisis in fashion industry left traces on some famous fashion houses. Christian Lacroix went bankrupt and couldn’t take part in the annual fashion event. To lessen expenses Christian Lacroix collection show was organized in some parking garage in the center of Paris.
But despite of the scene the play was excellent, presenting some hard-wearing versions of Christian Lacroix haute couture: comfortable and accessory loyal double-breasted coat and jackets with pleat stockinette tops. Pleat skirts decorated with the bright print were the best designer’s decision.

So to encourage Paris fashion industry and to save the Fashion Capital status French government is ready to establish a special bank for designers with financial problems. Since spring 2010 the “fashion bank” will provide fashion houses with the state guaranties for the loans.
Now 125 thousands people working for the fashion industry as well as the part of the France cultural inheritance have a strong chance to survive.
But really I don’t know whether men in skirts are a part of some anticrisis policy, or may be Alexander McQueen boots-killers would save the world from catastrophe, but I do believe that only the real beauty will bring economy to life.