Paris Runway

In the middle of summer, things are heating up on the runways of Paris. The recent Fall Runway Collections have turned out a slew of noteworthy looks from many designers, but some of our favorites undoubtedly involve latex. Keep scrolling for a look at what we’re loving from the runway and which trends to look forward to this fall.

Balenciaga:

This isn’t the first time we’vereferenced Balenciaga in a runway recap. Demna, the line’s creative director, is a fan of playing with silhouettes and layering looks, often mixing everyday fabrics with more fetishistic ones, such as latex. A few months ago in New York, Balenciaga sent models down the runway wearing tailored pieces including trench coats and oversized blazers over latex bodysuits, hoods and gloves. 

In July in Paris, the collection had a similar aesthetic. This time, instead of latex, models wore neoprene bodysuits and face shields under molded dresses and tailored jackets for a similarly futuristic, dystopian vibe. Even with the layers, the designs were sculpted, hugging and highlighting models’ figures in a way similar to latex (which we love!).

Here are a few of our favorite looks:

Paco Rabanne:

The designer to feature latex the most prominently was Paco Rabanne, whose collection was meant to evoke “chaos, a little violence and anger” and ultimately, “radical sensuality.” To achieve that effect, the designer chose latex as the focus for many of the pieces, mixing it with other materials, including lace, as well as bondage details such as grommets and harnesses. Many of the looks featured additional accessories, including belts and babushkas; the mix of layers and features was fresh and full of dimension. We love how the designs offered a new way to showcase latex!

Here are a few of our favorite looks:

Jean Paul Gaultier:

Another collection worth mentioning comes from designer Jean Paul Gaultier, which was designed by Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain. His designs were centered around the idea of breaking boundaries and included themes of corsetry. The result was a number of molded, latex-like bodices, worn over other pieces, such as suiting separates. Although not latex, the structured pieces had a similar sculpting effect we can appreciate!

Here are our favorite looks:

Stay tuned for more trends from the runway!

Photos ℅ Vogue Runway and Instagram