A new aesthetic for ready-to-wear spring 2018 has awakened, thanks to designer Virgil Abloh’s Off-White line held at Paris Fashion Week ’17. He took a majestic approach, as the label’s theme focused on the “Natural Women,” but there was more behind the collection besides its pureness.
It was a twist to a Cinderella story, as Abloh felt inspired by the late Princess Diana’s style and grace. To add to the royal theme, Jimmy Choo collaborated with the designer to introduce a new level of luxury meets punk rock edge than the typical timeless approach. Soothing sounds of nature played as each model walked in with looks that were sophisticated, edgy, and a modern-day reflection of how the princess would turn her look from businesswear to evening wear.
The ’80s era was seen throughout the collection: puffy sleeves, patent leather, collars were worn up (instead of down), hot pink, and cinched cropped off-the-shoulder sleeves to name a few. Even Jimmy Choo took the ’80s to a new level, as he designed pumps with an oversized bow to introduce one out of a few signature styles from the collab.
Abloh added ruffles and cropped outerwear pieces, which have been noticed throughout his previous collections.
Some of the prints used reflected from classic cartoon shows. The black-and-white splattered print reminded me of the Flintstones characters, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm. Also, the black-and-white printed and cropped tie front style is prevalent in 2017, but Abloh has proven that the trend will continue even next year.
These dark oversized floral prints that Abloh incorporated are to be taken seriously. It’s the perfect look for any prominent figure in politics, royalty or entertainment who is ready to handle business.
Jourdan Dunn strutted the more relaxed look seen in the collection. Denim on denim is not going anywhere anytime soon, neither is distressed denim and to make this look more appealing to the masses he added pearls, which is known to be a girl’s best friend.
Naomi Campbell closed the show with an all-white asymmetrical elongated buttoned blazer, grey-toned biker shorts, and Jimmy Choo strappy pumps wrapped in vinyl fabric, another signature style to look out for from the collaboration next year.
View more looks from the spring/summer collection in the gallery.
What do you think?