Daily Front Row

2011 October 3

Spring 2012: Stella McCartney, Chloe

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Stella McCartney Spring 2012
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(PARIS) Stella McCartney
Surf’s up at chez Stella McCartney! This morning, Twiggy, Salma Hayek, Alexa Chung, and of course, Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell joined a packed house for the British designer’s Spring show at the grand Opera National de Paris. First down the runway was McCartney favorite, Natalia Vodianova, opening the beachy, pajama party lineup with a thigh-grazing crisp white day dress edged in a swirly wave trim. A slew of body-con dresses, trimmed in the same curlicue, followed rank--some dotted and laced in mauve; some patterned with cobalt or grassy green paisleys and boasting airtex mesh cutouts; and others a mishmash of the two. Still, the adored Stella standbys were on hand, but this season, they were reworked in refined silk PJ suiting, easy jumpsuits, and boxy blazers made feminine with the delicate nautical border. Completing the maritime parade: sportif water-safe sandals and the must-have printed sunnies of the season. 

Chloe
Former Pringle of Scotland designer, Clare Waight Keller, launched her long-awaited inaugural collection for Chloe, rooted in the French houses' classic DNA: wide-leg trousers, girly girl blouses, and those iconic floating trapeze dresses--all pleated to perfection. Filmy 20s drop-waist (or no-waist) dresses, hitting just below the knee, made a strong showing alongside the 70s-heavy show with perforated side panels, graphic patterns, and an occasional risqué center slit. Pants--sitting nonchalantly at the hip--ran long and airy or at times, boyish and rolled up. Tucked inside? One of three toppers: sheer shirting, color-blocked blouses, and crisp button-downs in neutrals or subtle shades of berry, paprika, jade, and bubble gum pink. Post show, eds were buzzing backstage with praise for Waight Keller and her refreshingly feather-light debut.