Haute Couture Week has always been a dose of much needed joy in January. This year, in line with government restrictions due to the pandemic, all presentations will take place online. From the key shows to keep an eye on to how you can actually stream them online, here is your Paris Haute Couture cheat sheet…
THE DATES TO BOOKMARK IN YOUR DIARY
25th-28th January.
THE DESIGNERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
In July, when Haute Couture went digital for the first time, all Parisian forces of fashion, including Chanel and Dior, decided to opt for beautiful fashion films and collection teasers, steamed online. This season, Valentino is joining forces with the British artist Robert Del Naja — also known as 3D — from Massive Attack (to be live streamed from Galleria Colonna, Sala Grande, in Rome). Elsewhere, Kim Jones will present his first womenswear collection for Fendi in Paris at Palais Brongniart. Other highlights include the long-awaited comeback of Alber Elbaz, who will show his first creations for his new brand AZ Factory in the form of a film. Other notable newcomers to the couture schedule include French fashion darling Charles de Vilmorin, and American contemporary artist Sterling Ruby, with his art-driven label S.R. Studio. LA. CA.
THE NO SHOWS
With the increasing number of new coronavirus cases worldwide, some fashion houses are postponing their shows altogether. Jean Paul Gaultier and Sacai, who wanted to stage a fashion extravaganza to celebrate their unique joint venture (Sacai’s Chitose Abe will be the first guest designer at the famed Parisian house), announced that they’ll present their collection later this year during “safer and happier times”. Same strategy for Balenciaga’s highly anticipated Haute Couture debut, that has been postponed twice already. As for international designers? Both Lebanese evening gown master Elie Saab and Rabih Kayrouz, are absent from the calendar this season.
SO, HOW CAN I WATCH IT?
All of the events will be streamed and available online on the Paris Fashion Week official platform. You can sign up for a daily newsletter here or follow directly the Instagram pages of the brands you love.
Now, discover Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter ’21 collection showcaed during Men’s Paris Fashion Week.
