Paris Journal

Global fashion: Young designers bring cultures of the Amazon, Africa & China toParis

Pascal MIllet's spring summer 2013 collection was inspired by his trip toTangier that presented earth tones reminiscent of the city.
Photo courtesy of Pascal Millet
Vivacious colors mark the Shiatzy Chen spring summer 2013collection with a retrofeel.
Photo by © Monica Feudi/feudiguaineri.com
Maiyet's spring summer 2013 Maiyet collection is influenced by Peru’s richindigenous culture and natural wonders.
Photo by Annina Stefanelli
A look from Shiatzy Chen's colorful spring summer 2013 collection.
Photo by © Monica Feudi/feudiguaineri.com
A casual look from Maiyet spring summer 2013 collection.
Photo by Annina Stefanelli
Pascal Millet spring summer 2013
Photo courtesy of Pascal Millet
Shiatzy Chen spring summer 2013
Photo by © Monica Feudi/feudiguaineri.com
Maiyet spring summer 2013
Photo by Annina Stefanelli

PARIS —“How was your fashion week?”

"Happy it’s over,” Lindley and I answered in unison staring at our aching, swollen feet.

“We are never as busy as this, the whole world is in Paris for fashion week,” said Franck, of Uber Paris who managed to maneuver us out of the Rue de Rivoli and Place Vendome traffic skillfully on the last day of Paris fashion week.

Paris has become the melting pot of fashion weeks, where not only foreign designers debuted, but also French collections that were inspired by other cultures.

Paris is always the most anticipated locale of the month-long showcasing of collections, which also includes New York, London and Milan. Industry crowds from all over the world come for the utterly feminine and chic edge the City of Light is known for.

Franck was right — while French fashion houses debut spring collections in Paris, it was their inspiration that brought a different culture and appeal through the spring 2013 collections.

Paris has become the melting pot of fashion weeks, where not only foreign designers debuted, but French collections that were also inspired by other cultures, like Maiyet with a sophomore collection that was influenced by Peru’s rich indigenous culture and natural wonders.

Maiyet debuted at the green-embellished Palais de Tokyo, setting an Amazon ambiance. The 41 looks set in the order of a journey, began with fresh all whites touching upon the salt beds of the Sacred Valley, detailed with hand embroidery.

Maiyet prides itself on pioneering a new luxury as a fashion brand that celebrates artisanal skills from unexpected places. The young luxury brand is deeply committed to forging partnerships with artisans globally, having recently partnered with Nest, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to training and developing artisan business to promote entrepreneurship, prosperity, and dignity in places that need it most.

A trip through Peru was narrated though deep brown and plum earth undertones in shorts and hand-woven separates in bold tones, resembling the Amazon greens and fertile earth. Each piece in the collection is truly noteworthy. A hand batik long shirt-dress from Indonesia cinched at the waist with a braided double belt from Peru concluded the collection as one of the most covetable pieces.

These culturally-influenced collections brought a spark of foreign life to Paris fashion week with soft, but live and bold color palettes.

The world journey left South America and headed north to Africa with Pascal Millet and "Rock the Casbah," inspired by his trip to Tangier, that presented earth tones reminiscent of the city, but the perfect attire to wear to the location on holiday. A collection composed of the perfect summer/ spring vacation wardrobe, with graceful tunics, structured separates, and embellished cropped jackets to top a cool desert evening with glamour.

The tailored jacket was trending among other collections in Paris, a piece Millet elegantly executed with well-accentuated but soft shoulders, so as to be worn for years to come and not be classified as a barely-worn trend in the Millet woman’s wardrobe.

As opposed to the obvious somber collections of straight line black-and-white, these culturally-influenced collections brought a spark of foreign life to Paris fashion week with soft, but live and bold color palettes. Inspired by the Chinese folk art of paper cutting, the Shiatzy Chen collection “Perpetuality” debuted tailored separates for a woman of the new age.

Vivacious colors mark the collection with a retro feel; as shared in the show notes, the use of colors accents the play of light in paper cutting. Large patches of printed paper-cutting patterns are brought to life in textured gowns and separates of the collection. But it is far more than the color palette of Shiatzy Chen’s collection, her design skills are intriguingly complex. By abandoning restrictions of space, three dimensional objects are layered and represented in one surface, in this case, the individual garments.

Through the traditional folk art of paper cutting, a suitable wardrobe for the alleys of Tangier, or a journey on the Amazon of Peru, designers transformed cultural inspirations into collections and concluded fashion month with the correct spirit to look forward to in the Summer and Spring to come.

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where to shop now

Where to shop now: 12 Houston stores with must-see holiday finds

Photo by Marco Torres

Bun B and PURPLE co-founder Luke Cosby at Purple's new Galleria outpost.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing in Houston, and shoppers are already busy checking names off their gift lists. Despite the fashionably late arrival of Thanksgiving this year, there is still plenty of time to find the perfect presents for everyone on the proverbial shopping list.

Whether hunting for something stylish, timeless, or entertaining, this Houston-centric shopping guide covers everything. There are ideas for every budget, age, and style preference, making shopping a bit more effortless and fun. Happy shopping, Houston!

Ada & Edith
The Houston-based style-driven women's wear brand recently released its Fall/Winter 2024 collection featuring eight highly curated pieces made with beautiful fabrics and expert tailoring. The new online collection features dresses, matching sets, tops, and skirts.

Beaufort Bonnet Company
The upscale children's lifestyle apparel brand recently opened its boutique in Rice Village next to White House Black Market. The brand offers everything from traditional special-occasion apparel pieces to ready-to-play wear for boys and girls (sizes infant – 14). Moms will love the great shopping while kids will have fun at the store's play area.

Foreign Fare
Holiday jet setters will be thrilled to give or get Houston-based travel brand Foreign Fare's travel clothing. The bestsellers, the Jetsetter jacket and Wrap Me Up Dress, are a modern take on travel apparel and made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics that effortlessly go from day to night. They feature travel-ready amenities, including hidden pockets and adjustable waistbands.

From Marfa
Tanglewood's favorite children's apparel store offers the cutest holiday must-haves for babies to teens and complimentary gift wrapping that will save time during this busy season. Shoppers can snag holiday and winter finds from brands including Little English, Luigi Kids, Pink Chicken, Katie J NYC, and more. The boutique also offers toys, books, and accessories that make great gifts and stocking stuffers.

Kimono Zulu
Houston-based brand Kimono Zulu offers one-of-a-kind vintage kimonos that make a unique and memorable holiday gift. Each kimono provides a piece of Japan's craftsmanship and artistry and is a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. The brand's kimonos are available at its Upper Kirby boutique or online.

Krewe
Krewe, an independent eyewear brand founded in New Orleans, is opening its first permanent location in Houston in Rice Village. Nnown for its high-quality, small-batch, handcrafted frames, Krewe combines the style and culture of the Big Easy with a modern and iconic style. Krewe's new outpost is located at 5515 Kelvin Dr. #125 and opens on December 7.

Lafayette 148
Lafayette 148 has partnered with Save Venice, a leading American non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. The partnership inspired a capsule collection, available at the brand's outpost in the Galleria, featuring dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories. The capsule collection's sales will be donated to Save Venice's "Women Artists of Venice" program through the end of 2024.

Léránt
This Galleria neighborhood boutique makes being the "hostess with the mostess" easy, especially during the holiday season with elegant finds at every price point. Shoppers will find everything from tableware and crystal to gifts and festive holiday decor. Customers can shop with 15 percent off their purchases on December 4 from 4-7 pm.

Lucchese Bootmaker
Lucchese has launched a new gemstone line just in time for the holiday season. The latest offering includes the Gemstone Suede Boot Collection featuring the famous Priscilla classic style, which now comes in new rich suede colorways for the holiday season. The Gemstone Python Boot Collection includes six distinctive styles with rich, new colorways — Emerald, Amber, and Garnet — in two silhouettes: the Presley Exotic and the Dale Exotic. The Gemstone Python Clutch and Belt pay homage to 140 years of Lucchese and are handmade from rich tones of python leather.

M Penner
Named "One of the top men's specialty stores in the U.S." by Esquire Magazine, M Penner is celebrating 50 years in business — a massive feat in Houston's finicky fashion scene. In addition to custom fittings, perfect for holiday parties, customers can shop elevated brands, including Brunello Cucinelli, Zenga, Canali, Isaia, AG Jeans, Carrot & Gibbs, Davek, Paul Smith, and more.

Purple
Co-founded by Houston native Luke Crosby, Purple recently opened its first Texas location in the Galleria. Alreday a top-selling denim brand at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, Purple is known for its luxury denim and curated apparel worn by celebrities including Justin Bieber, Michael B. Jordan, Jimmy Butler, and Houston's own Bun B.

Zadok Jewelers
Post Oak hotspot Zadok Jewelers is ready for the "most wonderful gifts of the year" as they gear up for the holiday season with a schedule full of shopping events. Guests can pursue the massive jewelry store during its extended holiday hours while shopping exclusive pieces from The Vault or the Vintage & High Jewelry Collection. Zadok will also host designer trunk shows and its annual Ultimate Watch Event featuring new releases from 25 leading watchmakers.

Photo by Marco Torres

Bun B and PURPLE co-founder Luke Cosby at Purple's new Galleria outpost.

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