Paris Fashion Week culminated on Sunday following a string of impressive menswear shows and viral moments. Read on for all of the highlights from the spring 2023 runways that you may have missed.
Louis Vuitton’s First Runway Show Without Virgil
On June 23, Louis Vuitton staged its spring 2023 Men’s collection in Paris. It was the luxury maison’s first collection without direct insight from the late Artistic Director Virgil Abloh, who passed away in November 2021 from cancer. Conceived by the French house’s studio team of designers and creatives, the offering was a tribute to the US-Ghanaian designer whose impact and influence was present throughout. Wearing a crown of thorns designed by Tiffany & Co., Kendrick Lamar provided the soundtrack for the collection, performing tracks off of his latest album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, and repeating the mantra “long live Virgil.”
Arab rappers steal the show at Kenzo
Tunisian rapper Ghali and Algerian-Moroccan artist Di-Meh were among the guests at Nigo’s star-studded sophomore show for Kenzo. The artists were joined by the likes of Jessica Biel, Jaden Smith, and Snoh Aalegra to see Nigo’s work for spring 2023.
Casablanca Saddles Up
For spring 2023, Charaf Tajer, who hasn’t staged a runway show for Casablanca since pre-pandemic, decided to go all out, inviting four horses onto the runway for a yeehaw-inspired offering titled “Futuro Optimisto.” Inspired by the French-Moroccan designer’s recent trip to Mexico, the collection was punctuated with cowboy hats, embroidered bolero jackets, chaps, and traje de luces, in addition to tracksuits, dresses, and swimwear.
Mowalola makes PFW debut
Following a three-year hiatus, London-based Nigerian designer Mowalola debuted her eponymous brand’s spring 2023 collection in Paris in addition to a New Balance collaboration. Dubbed “Burglarwear,” the collection referenced thieves and what it takes to steal, drawing inspiration from Nigerian scammers (also known as “Yahoo Boys”), white collar bankers, and pastors. The result was dresses featuring Regina George-style tank top cutouts, low-rise leather trousers, crucifix motifs, and hooded gowns with restricted arms with nods to being handcuffed or kidnapped.
Loewe Goes Green– Literally
For Loewe’s spring 2023 menswear collection, Jonathan Anderson collaborated with Spanish bio-designer Paula Ulargui Escalona to seed, water, and grow (for over 20 days) everything from Chia plants to cat’s wort on coats, footwear, and denim.
