Paris’ bi-annual Haute Couture week kicked off with an almighty bang on Monday, February 23.
Schiaparelli, the first show on schedule, sent the internet into meltdown when Kylie Jenner arrived with a vast and impossibly realistic faux lion head on her front. Then came Doja Cat, who glistened in the morning sun thanks to copious amounts of ruby crystals covering her face and upper body.
The extreme look was achieved by esteemed make-up artist Pat McGrath, who shared insider details with Vogue. “Collaborating with the incomparably talented Doja Cat and [Schiaparelli creative director] Daniel Roseberry was an absolute pleasure,” she said. “Her patience and dedication as she sat with Team Pat McGrath and I for four hours and 58 minutes to achieve the creation, covered in over 30,000 hand-applied Swarovski crystals, was truly inspiring.” It adds up to an early start for the singer, given the show’s 10am start time.
The pair were seated either side Marisa Berenson, the 75 year old granddaughter of the late house founder Elsa Schiaparelli. Berenson was a successful model in her own right, having been discovered by the legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland in the 1960s. She was spotted posing with Jenner for a selfie on the F’row.
It was a bold start which has only been fueled by debate around the appropriateness of Jenner’s outfit, and the other taxidermy inspired looks which walked the runway.
Later on the opening day, Christian Dior attracted a flurry of actresses. These included The Crown’s most recent Diana, Elizabeth Debicki, who brought her sister Catherine as a guest, Rosamund Pike, Kirsten Dunst and Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams.
Anna Wintour was also spotted with longtime friend and director Baz Lurhmann and his wife, the costume designer Catherine Martin, while the legendary Bianca Jagger made a rare appearance, in silk white pyjamas and an ankle length, cream coat with military braiding.
Giambattista Valli closed the first day, attracting The White Lotus star Simona Tabasco (the recently appointed face of Kim Kardiahan’s Skims), Indian billionaire and renowned couture client Natasha Poonawalla, Emma Weymouth, the Marchioness of Bath, as well as British Vogue editor Edward Enninful.
Tuesday began with a bow-tie strewn catwalk by Chanel, which was watched on by Tilda Swinton, Lucy Boynton and Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink.
A surprise spot was Roger Federer, and his wife Mirka, who were seated alongside Anna Wintour on the front row. The tennis playing couple were also seen at Christian Dior. The Vogue editor has selected Federer to be one of this year’s Met Gala co-chairs; no doubt she is getting him up to speed.
