Paris Fashion Week: Alexander McQueen enchants with butterflies and beetles
Sarah Burton’s collection focuses on the metamorphosis of butterflies and moths and the beauty of nature’s evolution
One of the most anticipated shows during Paris Fashion Week was Alexander McQueen’s collection. The brand is known not only for its exceptional tailoring but also for its savoir-faire lavish embroideries, beadworks, pleating, and appliqué. The designs are often inspired by English artisanal craftsmanship from the famous Shetland lace to Fair Isle knits.
This season, however, Sarah Burton took inspiration from the concept of metamorphosis of butterflies, moths and Scarab beetles. The delicate beauty of nature’s evolution was captured by Burton’s designs for the autumn/winter 2018 collection.
Tailored pantsuits adopting the classic McQueen silhouette with a strong shoulder, a narrow waist, and an exaggerated hip opened the show and also set the tone for the collection. It morphed into more deconstructed styles – draped at the helm with lace or lined with red Duchesse. We also love the tuxedo jacket with draped satin inserts and tied into an oversized bow at the back mimicking the wings of a butterfly.
There were plenty of abstract butterfly prints, rendered in shredded velvet fil coupe jacquards and translucent jersey dresses. Soft armours – leather corsets – gave the feminine looks a cool vibe.
