Daily Front Row

(PARIS) Issey Miyake 
Shiny happy people! In a refreshing bit of art direction, creative director Yoshiyuki Miyamae has his mignon models actually smile while trotting down the catwalk. The effect? Those adorable smiles added extra oomph to the colorful clothes. Undoubtedly, it was a bit of an upper, as weary editors near the end of a month of back-to-back shows. First up was a darling mod who seemed to capture the happy vibe for the whole show via her checkered pantsuit, slicked with black stripe detailing and tucked into moto-boots, followed by two black checked coats. But the show was anything but straightforward B&W. In an interesting take on tartan, Miyamae blew up the scale of the checks for an intriguingly choppy effect on pieces like an emerald green check top with a high mandarin-style collar, paired with check emerald green and sky blue pants. Also exhibiting the tweaked take on tartan: a hot pink asymmetrical, collared coat with a mix 'n' match tartan pattern. The brand's famous Pleats Please dresses came in azure blue and vibrant red checks paired with furry arm warmers and dresses like a blanket-esque, angularly cut cherry and black frock that would be cheerfully at home in the Scottish Highlands.