Here’s my review of the Parisian Woman as described with nothing more than a few facial expressions.
What a coincidence to see A Parisian Woman on Broadway, starring Uma Thurman, during Paris Fashion Week. I purchased tickets last fall when the play was announced since I’m a fan and admirer of Uma.
The play was written by Beau Willimon, creator of Netflix’s political thriller series, House of Cards. The play, much like the Netflix series, is comprised of blackmail, adultery, relentless ambition, deceit and lies, plot lines we’ve come to expect from this playwright. Despite the titillating storyline, the production fell flat along with Uma’s performance. The political intrigue and machinations went missing; the script seemed better suited for a political soap opera satire on E! Entertainment.
Politics aside, the fashion world is no stranger to injecting political messages into their designs. Since Trump’s election, we’ve seen an outpouring of protest via runway when we witnessed slogan clothing making their appearance on NY and London runways. This year, Paris channeled its politics into clothing which empowers women. Eighties’ power suits are back along with thickly layered, statement coats and what looked like souped up Hazmat suits from Maison Margiela aimed to “protect” women from the elements.
Most exciting about watching the shows is when new talent arrives. For example, emerging fashion designer Marine Serre and the recipient of the 2017 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, debuted her runway collection. She sourced nearly 1500 vintage silk scarves, mostly recycled, to create a full-blown collection.
All photos by Luca Tombolini via Vogue.com.
It’s not difficult to think about coats for next fall when NY has seen one blizzard after another. These three designs were at the top of my list.
Left to right: DIOR – photo by Yannis Vlamos; YOHJI YAMAMOTO – photo by Monica Feudi; DRIES VAN NOTEN – photo by Kim Weston Arnold. All via Vogue.com.
These three designs caught my eye most. I never grow tired of bright colors. And when I am feeling ‘dark’ I go for designers who mostly design in a black palette, such as Noir Kei Ninomiya. I recently purchased one of his jackets, but I’ll go into that in a future blog post.
Left to right: LA DOUBLEJ – photo by La DoubleJ; NOIR KEI NINOMIYA – photo by Yannis Vlamos; MANISH ARORA – photo by Yannis Vlamos. All photos via Vogue.com.
How about these show stopping knitted beauties? Look at the whisper, web-like Valentino dress on the right. Isn’t it stunning?
Left to right: KOCHÉ – photo by Kim Weston Arnold; ISSEY MIYAKE – photo by Kim Weston Arnold; VALENTINO – photo by Kim Weston Arnold. All photos via Vogue.com.
As much as I crave to see new trends at the Paris Fashion Week shows and aside from the items I posted, I wasn’t captivated this year. The most exciting news is that for the first time in Givenchy’s history, a female designer, Clare Waight Keller, has been hired to take over the helm. How’s that for progress? But on a sadder note, Hubert de Givenchy, who founded the house in 1952, passed away this week at the age of 91. C’est dommage.
Despite my disappointment and ennui, I comfort myself in the famous line from Casablanca.…we will always have Paris.
Let’s hear it for Clare Waight Keller. Would you believe those coats are faux fur? Clare is one of a growing number of designers removing real fur from their designs. Photos by Monica Feudi all via Vogue.com.
Although I didn’t care for “The Parisian Woman”, you have to visit the landmark Hudson Theater where it was staged. It is a gorgeous restored theater built in 1903, whose lobby has original Tiffany glass ceiling domes. Equally as important as its architecture, it houses a damn good bar. You can even rent out the space for a party.
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