Paris Fashion Week's Runway Delights

There are two fashion houses that no one can resist talking about in this year's Paris Fashion Week: the formidable CHANEL, and YVES SAINT LAURENT under their new creative director, Hedi Slimane.

Chanel's runway resisted Karl Lagerfeld's tradition of having a grand overarching theme, that have added some excellent drama to the shows in the past, and opted instead for a paradoxically refreshing nostalgia to grace the runway. The iconic black and white scheme that Chanel is famed for crept in, along with their strong and bold cuts: the classic Chanel blazer in some stunning pastels. Round necklines and block colour mixed perfectly with splashes of floral, all effortlessly layered while keeping the waist cinched for a line-up of stunning silhouettes.

Hedi Slimane's first fashion week with Yves Saint Laurent was greatly anticipated with somewhat baited breath. Slimane's past has seen him shake-up men's fashion, and opting to release his own like with YSL as 'Saint Laurent' seems to go against all that YSL is. Therefore, in a surprising turn of events that seems to mirror Chanel's choice nostalgia, Slimane delivered what may be referred to as a homage to the classic '70s Yves Saint Laurent. Capes and wide brimmed hats dominated the runway. The cut of each dress was immaculate and the material of each piece seemed moved with breathtaking elegance.

Other highlights of the week include Hermes' vibrant prints and Christian Lacroix's relentlessly beautiful theatrical and elaborate couture.