Vagabond Chic

The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan found Rei Kawakubo’s striking Paris presentation at once creepy and beautiful. The show progressed from innocence (models draped in pale tulle) to decadence (primitive coats with black swaths of paint) to decline (deconstructed, patchwork cloaks), depicting a dystopian vision of the future that is scary and altogether possible. As Givhan writes: “It fomented the uncomfortable feeling that fashion had found inspiration in the plight of the homeless, the defeated and the desolate. And if that wasn't enough to put one's teeth on edge, the collection was undeniably deeply compelling.” Paris is already looking like one of the strongest cities to show fashion this season, with Nina Ricci and Balmain also making strong impressions.