Last Looks: Alexander McQueen and Kenzo

Last Looks: Alexander McQueen and Kenzo

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This past weekend in Paris played along with varied dreamscapes. Sarah Burton brought to life a fantastical, decaying fairytale, decked in shredded silk and lace with thrown-about flowers and ruffles for Alexander McQueen. On the other side of the spectrum, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon envisioned the modern jet-setter's real-life aspirations of looking fresh on the fly for KENZO's color-fest collection.

Images: InDigital

The flushed goddesses of Burton's runway, although a fairytale-esque tribute to delicate beauty, were grounded in personal history. McQueen traced his heritage back to Huguenot refugees fleeing religious persecution in the 18 th century, bringing with their covetable silk-weaving craft that would establish Britain's luxury silk industry. Thus, exquisite floral jacquards, French lace strewn in flowers and figure-tracing ruffles appeared again and again. High-neck silhouettes also carried a Victorian-leaning poise, although in more assertive, figure-following renditions. An embroidered leather jacket in the same blush tone and sculptural ruffled neckline was especially striking atop one such lace column gown. An occasional selection of modern, tailored pieces kept the collection anchored in the here-and-now-like embellished head-to-toe denim looks, British court-inspired coats and trench-length jackets with coordinating pants. Thanks to Burton's softer approach this season, even the more extravagant gowns toward the end of the show-with their feathery mermaid skirts or spiraling tiers of lace-avoided feeling costumey, leaning instead toward more measured romance.

Shop: current season Alexander McQueen

Bright color combinations and sporty shapes with subtle movement captured the getaway spirit of KENZO's global DNA. The modern, well-traveled woman plotting her next round of summer destinations will appreciate Lim and Leon's upbeat additions to her packing list. Graphic prints energized short frocks, boxy jackets and sweaters alike. Swimsuit-inspired cutaway bodysuits showing beneath coordinating tank-and-skirt sets will draw the eye of fashion risk-takers with festivals on their 2016 agenda, as will plenty of mini skirt options. On the accessories note, Lim and Leon struck gold with patent, over-the-knee gladiator sandals and fanny packs. From the streets of Los Angeles to Hong Kong, get ready to spot those on every street fashion-inclined Instagram.

Shop: current season KENZO

-Katie Joy Blanksma

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