2 minute read
a PP arel
from WelSpotted
Love it or hate it, what came down the runways at the Paris S/S 2023 shows certainly grabbed our attention, to say nothing of the insanely creative glamor of show attendees Erykah Badu (pink) and Doja Cat (red).
Apparel
“So, do you want to call this apparel feature ‘Paris Gone Bonkers?’ asked our editor-in-chief at our most recent issue review meeting. Um, yes. YES, WE DO. The Paris Spring/Summer 2023 shows were awash with the most jaw-dropping fashion we’ve seen in years, some of it tongue-in-cheek and some doing its rightful job of slapping us out of our winter slumber. Let’s begin with Viktor&Rolf’s “absurd take” (their words) on the stereotypical ball gown for the 21st century. Offering an assortment of dreamy, romantic tulle gowns, the design duo literally turned haute couture on its head, separating body from dress and allowing the garment to retain its idealized shape while “antagonizing, alienating, and freeing itself” from the models. Reviews were mixed on whether the Dutch fashion house was joking or descending into madness, but those who loved the collection of eighteen gowns REALLY loved it. “Haute Couture is supposed to make us think,” said one of the gushers online. “Why am I alone in loving this? It’s meant to be surreal. This feels so fun and fantastical to me, no one is supposed to WEAR it, LOL.” Meanwhile, at Dior, artistic director Kim Jones went all out, taking masculine tailored looks in grays, pastels, and everything in between, and pumping them up with glittery embellishments and feminine flair. For the men’s show, the air was scented with Lily of the Valley, because it “called to mind a symbolic and timeless bridge between nature and culture.” Off the runway, show attendees were intent on making their own kind of magic. We were particularly stunned at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show, when Doja Cat appeared in head-to-toe red, covered with makeup and more than 30,000 Swarovski crystals applied by hand to her person. At Valentino, Erykah Badu, who’s also on the March cover of Vogue, was a vision in pink. The magazine captioned the four-time Grammy winning singer, “Radical, Relevant, Real”—now that is top-billing #OMG right there! Oh, and as if we weren’t #OMG’ing enough, at press time, we were DAZZLED to hear that Pharrell Williams was just named new Men’s Creative Director at Louis Vuitton.
Well, well, well…WelSpotted has its own IG account. We thought it was “time,” don’t you? So take a moment to follow us at @welspotted! Now, modesty prevents us from blowing up this spread with only our own posts, so we thought we’d share some other gems that have our mouths agape. Ready? Let’s begin with perennial Savvy Siter, Rima Suqi, who stole our hearts with New York Magazine’s Best Bets and continues to provide some of the most gorgeous content around. Next up, hearts melt and eyes pop at Tanja Brandt’s animal photography, @tanja_brandt, particularly doggo Ingo and his owl-y pals. We never can get enough of the Quann sisters, natural hair enthusiasts, activists, and YouTube stars Cipriana @ciprianaquann and TK Wonder @tk_wonder. The Steven Arnold Archive, @stevenarnoldarchive, is the out-of-this-world collection of the work of this artist. A homemade house on Cape Cod takes our breath away at @oldsilvershed, for both comfort chic and those views. Finally, we get a weird thrill every time we wander through Jason Baker’s shots of abandoned buildings and institutions; @jasonbakerphotography and we promise you won’t be able to tear yourselves away.
