These days, there are so many existing, and even more emerging, fashion designers its hard to stand out unless you have something fresh and unique. I imagine it is very difficult to merge into the fashion industry if you are just starting out. However, during Paris fashion week, there have been three designers in particular which have caught the crowd with something a little different; Jean Paul Gaultier, Yoji Yamamoto and Viktor & Rolf.
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
"At Jean Paul Gaultier, the models were fitted with grey bouffant wigs with minimal makeup. Inspiration was drawn from Hitchcock’s women: bourgeois characters that let their natural beauty shine through. As makeup artist Stéphane Marais explains, “She doesn’t like to be seen with too much makeup on. She has beautiful skin”. Gaultier cited veteran model Kristen McMenamy and French actor, singer and comedian Valérie Lemercier as muses. The message? Beauty is ageless."
YOHJI YAMAMOTO
"Yohji Yamamoto sent out models sporting giant multicoloured quiffs resembling troll dolls and ink-black eyes layered in glitter. While the punk sensibility continued on from his S/S 2011 collection, this time around there was optimism and a light-hearted playfulness, heralding a wacky beauty look that wouldn’t look out of place in a Tim Burton film. Yamamoto said of his inspiration for the collection, “I felt in this moment we need flower power, but at the same time, we need young people’s anger”."
VIKTOR & ROLF
"Rolf Snoeren and Viktor Horsting are renowned for pushing the envelope when it comes to their show collections and this season was no different. Models were sent out with smoky eyes, groomed brows and faces painted blood red. The design duo explained in the show notes that inspiration was taken from a knight’s armour: “Fashion’s ever-increasing speed reminds us how important it is to battle for our creativity.” Makeup artist Pat McGrath described the look as “almost like conventional smoky, sexy makeup … photographed in red”."
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