Fashion Week Reflection: Insight into the Outside
“I’m not perfect. I’m a great believer that something is greater than nothing.” — Stella McCartney
The Stella McCartney quote I read the night before her show last Monday was on my mind in the Métro on the way to the event. As usual during Paris Fashion Week, the pace was even more hectic than usual. Girls were quickly applying lipstick on the go, about to rush to the next fashion event. This time, however, I didn't need to follow the girls proudly carrying their invitations en route to show locations. The Viennese jewelry designer Johanna Koelbl, whom I had met at the Comme des Garçons show, was giving me all the insider information.
Arriving at l’Opéra, I could already see her from afar, standing next to the German newcomer-designer Mario Keine. Like last time, it was her eccentric look that caught the attention of various photographers and journalists. Mario seemed to enjoy observing the spectacle. “I guess I won’t get in today," he said. "Doesn’t matter, usually it’s more exciting outside anyway.”
Viennese designer Johanna Koelbl.
Monday morning isn’t anyone’s favorite day of the week, but this one was different. No matter that we were freezing our asses off and that it was raining (thank God Johanna had an umbrella big enough for the three of us), there was no loss of enthusiasm. There was no shortage of VIP attendees. While some were seeking publicity, others such as Natalia Vodianova slipped into the building, without turning around, to escape the paparazzi madness. That meant no photograph. Damn. It left me wondering why I acted like one of those annoying photographers.
Natalia escapes from paparazzi
When the cameramen started to get nervous again, I knew someone famous must have arrived. Who is it? Too late. Whoever it was, the celebrity was already surrounded by a swarm of photographers. A fleeting glance seemed to be impossible. In between, a group of curious tourists had time for a quick selfie. Those selfie sticks must be banned, by the way.
As soon as the show was over, everyone had their camera ready again. Who knows, maybe Supernova would stop and even give us a look this time? Nope, she must have snuck out the back door. Instead, style icons and fashion writers such as Grace Coddington, Suzy Menkes and Lynn Yeager left the impression that they couldn’t care less and climbed down the stairs like normal people. Anna Dello Russo, who loves being in the spotlight, was chatting to two women in Italian for a while. It didn’t matter that I was taking pictures of her. On the contrary, she seemed to relish in the snaps.
Anna enjoying a chat.
A model sporting "Woman Power"
“Woman Power” said the sweater of one of the runway models who, unlike her colleagues, decided to breathe in some fame. After having shot some oversized coats, mirrored sunglasses and bright prints it was my exhausted body screaming for attention: I needed a hot cup of coffee. Johanna couldn’t agree more and joined me.
See you in Fall, Stella!
Check out some more shots:
All images by Mia Windisch-Graetz.
