Vuitton closes Paris with salute to the skirt

Head-turning separates charm Ghesquière’s starry front row

NICOLAS GHESQUIERE chose the iconic setting of the Louvre to present one of his strongest recent collections for Louis Vuitton and close Paris Fashion Week.

Its success rested in the use of separates, the building blocks of every woman’s wardrobe. While there were dresses on show for autumn/winter 2018 (they came in light, breezy fabrics with long sleeves that covered the models’ hands), it was the slimline trousers, statement tops, and huge array of skirts on offer that really turned heads in the audience.

Many of those were famous heads: actresses Emma Stone, Michelle Williams, Sienna Miller, Sophie Turner and Chloë Grace Moretz all sat on the front row.

Those in the market for a skirt next season will be spoilt for choice. Many were made from a classic wool bouclé, others were in leather, while some were naval in style with large double brass buttons or gold chain belts. The mid-length pleated skirt — one of the biggest trends to emerge this week — was also well represented.

The going-out top was revamped, with options for those who wish to reveal and those who do not. Some were modest with long sleeves and cocoon shoulders, while others featured nonrestrictive corsets finished with metallic frills. Leather peplum tops came with Western-style fringing, and some models even wore cowboy-esque strings around their necks. Buttondown waistcoats with spaghetti straps were styled over chunky knits. Single Lycra arm warmers were a quirky accessory, often accompanied by a single leather glove.