Your 15-Second Guide to What's Happening at PFW

Welcome to our S/S 19 runway coverage! With New York City, London, and Milan behind us, we're onto Paris for the final round of runway shows. From glamorous celebrity arrivals and the fashion insiders sitting front row to the most talked about runway looks of the month, this is your guide to the most important moments of Paris Fashion Week. We're sharing everything you need to know about what's happening during fashion's dreamiest city with our 15-second runway reviews.

Whether you're looking forward to spring's chicest trends and It girl-approved accessories and shoes or simply curious to see a peek inside fashion's craziest month, we're here to bring you the best bite-size insight from the top runway shows, epic afterparties, and everything in between. Keeping reading for the most important moments of PFW so far and be sure to check back as we'll be updating the story as the week continues.

Miu Miu 

Per usual, the front row at Miu Miu was filled with It girls (like Alexa Chung wearing little leather shorts and her BFF Harley Viera-Newton), but the looks that Miuccia Prada sent down the runway were even more notable. The collection was a study in '80s maximalism, with plenty of "girly" touches thrown in (i.e. knee-high socks and bow-adorned shoulder straps). But there was also a surprising business-like element, with structured blazers and pencil skirts. While wearing a full look from the Miu Miu F/W 18 collection may be tricky, we think shoppers will we quick to mix and match individual pieces with the rest of their wardrobes.

Alexander McQueen

The show notes at Alexander McQueen illuminated the deeper meaning behind the beautiful, intricate, badass clothes that came down the runway for spring 2019. The inspiration: "The journey of women and the journey of a woman," the notes read. "Rites of passage, milestones: birth, sisterhood, betrothal, marriage, mourning...Heirlooms and keepsakes connect the threads between generations. Hidden treasures, pilgrim souvenirs. Clothing embedded with memories and meaning." 

Meet Sarah Burton's version of the 2019 power suit: a sleeveless, grommeted blazer worn by itself over trousers and lace-up boots. Sign us up. 

How about some head-to-toe leather to liven things up? We can really only describe this look as badass, from the navel-revealing jacket-coat hybrid to the very 2000s low-slung pants. The Matrix, anyone? 

Stella McCartney 

On Instagram, Stella McCartney called her S/S 19 show her "most sustainable collection yet." The earth-friendly lineup included all-organic denim and sustainable linen, cotton, viscose, and other materials. But lest you think her sustainable sourcing would limit her creative designs, McCartney again proved everyone wrong with a beautiful collection rife with ethereal yet wearable pieces. 

Yep, the neon trend is here to stay—that is, if McCartney has anything to say about it. She encourages us to wear bright orange from head-to-toe, and we're not mad at it. Oh, and did you see the accessories? Cycling sunglasses and not one, but two bags completed the look. 

As for the front row at Stella McCartney, Jeanne Damas held court wearing a laid-back denim look. When in doubt, Damas is the perfect person to emulate when it comes to simple yet achingly chic Parisian-inspired outfits. 

Givenchy

Though Clare Waight Keller still refers to the collections in her Givenchy line as “men’s” and “women’s” consider them loose labels. According to the brand, the spring/summer 2019 line took a more gender fluid approach to its designs, or at the very least, urged the consumer to look at the designs as neither specific to any one body. Inspired by Annemarie Schwarzenbach, an early 1900s writer and LGBTQ trailblazer, the collection employed “properties conventionally comprehended as female or male to morph in a nonchalant approach to gender codes.”

Suiting and tailoring remained a strong theme in the S/S ’19 line. Across the runway we saw broad shouldered tops, high-waist trousers, and jumpsuits with pinstripe blazers. And don’t miss that double belting styling trick—it’s not for the faint of heart.

Another huge theme on the runway? Sparkle. We’re not talking bits of embellishment or touches of jewelry—capes of crystals bedazzled some of the most daring pieces that walked the runway in true superhero form.

Valentino

Pierpaolo Piccioli set the tone for the Spring/Summer 2019 collection for Valentino right out of the gate when he sent an industry icon down the runway. Namely, it was 53-year-old Kristen McMenamy, the famous ‘90s model who made a rare appearance to walk this Paris Fashion Week. The strikingly beautiful, albeit unconventional, choice of model let us know what kind of special collection with follow suit.

You might say a theme within the runway show as was "bigger is better". This translated via silhouettes, hemlines, sleeve sizes, V logo belts, large carryall handbags, and elegant feather-detailed hats that accompanied Piccioli's designs.

For the storied Italian brand, there was no shortage of dramatic details, playful flourishes, and shiny embellishments. If you’re looking for extra, you’ve come to the right place. However, everything was delivered in an effortless way: even eveningwear was paired with flat sandals or sneakers, styles generally skewed a bit more modest, and models walked relaxed and cooly with hands in pockets.

Chloé

Based on the S/S 19 collection that just debuted at Paris Fashion Week, it appears that Chloé Creative Director Natacha Ramsay-Levi is taking the fashion house back to its roots. Every look that went down the runway was defined by bohemian details, like rope belts, maxi skirts, and flowy fabrics. Each look was accessorized so extensively that we're calling it the boho version of "extra."

Could these clunky-toe sandals be the new It "ugly" shoes?

Festival season is going to be chicer than ever next year.

Saint Laurent

If you're someone who wears a lot of dark colors, even in the spring and summer, you'll appreciate the Saint Laurent S/S 19 collection. Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello presented a sultry collection under the Eiffel Tower, complete with sartorial influences from the glamorous side of the '70s and '80s, with a few references to the Wild West in the mix. Most of the models wore gold knotted sandals, which are sure to be Saint Laurent's next It shoes.

It's not often we see denim shorts on a fashion house's runway, and we don't hate it. 

This modern spin on suiting, worn by Kaia Gerber, feels particularly fresh.

Jacquemus

We have Jacquemus to thank for the frenzy of handbag photos exploding on Instagram this morning. This season, Simon introduced a teeny-tiny new purse (see below) along with ridiculously oversize bags—you know, for balance. Along with incredibly ’grammable bags, the collection included amazing fringe dresses, the best white tops, and many more pieces that make us want to book a beach vacation stat.

Get ready to see this wildly large bag all over Instagram (if you haven’t already).

Need these short shorts stat.

Off-White

Off-White is arguably one of the most Instagrammed shows of Paris Fashion Week, and this season was no different. He opened the show by having Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid walking down the runway side-by-side in similar all-white looks. From reworked office blouses to neon tracksuits and full-on tutus, Virgil Abloh yet again put his “cool kid” spin on all things streetwear. See our favorite moments below.

Neon and snakeskin, the Virgil way. 

Prepare to see these heels on every celebrity very soon. 

Dries Van Noten

Dries Van Noten is known for delivering the perfect juxtaposition of pieces that are whimsical yet wearable, and that's exactly what he did for his S/S 19 collection. Tinsel, tulle, and sheer garments offset by timeless trousers, crisp button-downs, and flat sandals make the fun part of fashion seem that much more approachable. And let us not forget one of our favorite Dries details—sharp geometric patterns combined mixed with soft florals. That dynamic duo is one of the many defining features of a tried and true piece from the beloved designer. 

The details are everything when it comes to any runway show, but particularly a Dries Van Noten runway show. We love the idea of a strong cocktail ring coming back, especially when used to accentuate a really bold clutch.

Behold, a dress that embodies all of our favorite Dries qualities at once.

Christian Dior

If there’s any question that dance inspired the S/S 19 show at Dior after glancing at the collection, the dancers and performance that opened the show can confirm that for you. There are literal designs like leotards and bodysuits that make the dance references clear, but also dance-adjacent pieces like tulle dresses and lace-up shoes. This is an entirely different collection from Maria Grazia Chiuri and Dior. Gone are the politically-charged T-shirts and structured bodice pieces that are a hallmark of the house. Instead, a focus on flowy dresses and ethereal Grecian looks.

A modern dance piece unfolded on the runway. The performance was choreographed by Sharon Eyal and costumes, like the show, were the designs of Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The front row was studded with celebrity supporters including stars like Blake Lively, Shailene Woodley, and Olivia Cooke.

Isabel Marant

In a collection that crossed the lines of fashion from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Isabel Marant offered a glittering take on style from the decades. Here, you’ll find everything from silver lamé mini dresses to crystal earrings to slouchy boots that all feel like a modern take on Studio 54 style. All of these clothes, and the women wearing them, exude a sense of fun.

Beyond boots, Isabel Marant also had a strappy asymmetrical sandal—a style we're seeing everywhere for spring 2019.

If you buy one thing from the show, make it this crystal belt that is no doubt already on many fashion girls' wish lists.

Balmain

What do you get when Parisian and Egyptian influences collide? Balmain S/S19, that's what. Olivier Rousteing did what he does best this season by providing his customer and onlooker with luxe mini party dresses, striking textures, and this season more than ever, churned out pieces that were meant to be shot for an editorial to remember. 

See what we mean? It's pieces like this that ensure we'll see shots of Balmain all over the spring publications. 

The It girl-favorite designer, Olivier Rousteing, made the finale fun for everyone by leading his pack of models down the runway for one final look. It's only a matter of time before we see one of the Kardashians clad in a full Balmain look. Mark our words.

Altuzarra

Crochet is definitely one of the most notable trends to emerge from the S/S 19 shows. Altuzarra's take in

A micro-trend we spotted at the show? Rope belts which will no doubt be everywhere in six months.

Hermès 

Hermès presented a calming color palette of neutrals, including beiges, browns, and grays—with pops of its signature orange, of course. Overall, the vibe was grown-up and refined, with a few youthful elements like short shorts and crop tops thrown in for good measure. 

When in doubt, go monochrome. Hermès knows the secret to creating a sophisticated look: choose pieces in varying shades of the same color and you'll always look put-together. (No, you don't need a Hermès budget to recreate the look.) 

What's an Hermès show without the brand's signature orange hue? This slouchy crossbody pairs perfectly with a laidback hoodie—but knowing Hermès, it's a luxurious Italian cashmere version.