The most anticipated runway shows of Paris Fashion Week
The French capital will host Fashion Week for Spring /Summer 2016 from September 29 to October 7 with an official lineup of more than 90 shows. Here is a list of everything to know about Paris Fashion Week from new faces, absentees and the most talked-about runway presentations.
Aalto and Koché: young emerging talents
Two young brands will make their debut in the official Paris Fashion Week Calendar this season: Aalto and Koché. While Aalto presented a collection at the last edition of the event, the Spring / Summer 2016 round marks an official entrance. Created by founder Tuomas Merikoski, the brand has a very specific style inspired by his home country, Finland with an added Parisian touch. According to the provisional calendar, the highly anticipated show is scheduled September 29 at the Finnish Institute in Paris.
Selected by Designers Apartment in March to highlight her collections alongside the podiums, Christelle Kocher has managed to forge herself a place in the official Paris runway show lineup. The spring/summer 2016 collection of her brand, Koché, will be revealed at the end of the day on September 29. Christelle Kocher, who is also artistic director of the Lemarié workshop, designs collections that mix street culture with artisanal craftsmanship that evoke haute couture perfection. Feathers and embroidery will most likely be featured in her collection.
Final curtain for Alexander Wang
At the end of the day on October 2, all eyes will be glued to the podium for the Balenciaga show. Alexander Wang, who replaced Nicolas Ghesquière in 2012 as artistic director of the brand, will present his last collection for the fashion house. Balenciaga may use the occasion to announce Wang's successor.
Another must-see show takes place September 30 for the Courrèges collection. Currently seeking to reinvent itself, the brand named a French duo, Arnaud Vaillant and Sébastien Meyer, last May to take on the role of artistic directors for their women's ready-to-wear collections. The show will mark the creative duo's first runway show for the fashion house founded in 1961.
The legends
As usual, the key fashion houses will be under intense scrutiny. Chanel will present its collection at the Grand Palais on October 6, Christian Dior on October 2 and Elie Saab on October 3.
Always eagerly awaited, Balmain will reveal its spring/summer 2016 collection October 1 along with Chloé, Carven, Rick Owens, Paco Rabanne and Lanvin. The following day will be even busier with presentations from Loewe, Issey Miyake, Isabel Marant, Undercover and Yohji Yamamoto to name a few.
The Margiela fashion house will display its collection in Paris on September 30 and also feature on the official lineup for the London Fashion Week. The brands Mm6 Maison Margiela line will be presented September 20.
