Gaspard Yurkievich

Gaspard Yurkievich, new artistic director at Rodier, presented a chic and sensual Gaspard Yurkievich men’s collection for summer 2009. ... His suit trousers bring to mind the famous Chanel tweed jackets, whilst his belted trenches are collarless and the shoes two-coloured.

Dress code

As goes the dress code for summer 2008, the emphasis is without doubt on the shoulders. Women with small frames can stand proud in a low-cut jacket with the “strict but elegant” allure of the Yves Saint Laurent secretaries, the minimalist and futurist look at Martin Margiela, or with the rigid and built-up shoulder pads at Alexander McQueen. Those who prefer rounded shapes can opt for “balloon” sleeves as seen on the spotty dresses by Christian Lacroix or on the structured jackets by Christian Dior. Another way to show off the shoulders is with asymmetry. Roman goddess style dresses are at the forefront with the return of the toga, worn supersized at Gianfranco Ferré. Frilled straps, a great classic, make a statement at Lanvin. Bare shoulders are the real trend for this summer with the strapless bustier dress.

Transparency

This summer 2008 dare to try a bit of transparency according to your assets and preferences. Give in to a white Chloé or brown Celine or Gianfranco Ferré blouse. For those with great legs this trend can be applied with a Céline skirt, pink or black trousers by Karl Lagerfeld, navy blue ones by Chloé, yellow ones by Costume National, or even plum or pale pink trousers by Prada. You can also go for a completely translucent look with a white suit as seen at Dolce & Gabbana and Costume National. For the more timid among us, who wish nonetheless to remain fashionable, opt for the layering of a white blouse over pink Louis Vuitton shorts or a pastel Karl Lagerfeld dress. As night falls, women can bare all in evening dresses and precious cocktail dresses, encrusted with embroideries and lace, as demonstrated at Christian Dior and John Galliano. Sonia Rykiel celebrates women with nymph-like dresses and vaporous silk gazar in powdery shades… A real tribute to beauty. .

Alexander McQueen

We’re seeing “la vie en rose” this summer 2008, the bubble gum look is super trendy, satiny with matching shoes at Celine, in leather printed with snakeskin at Alexander McQueen, Barbie doll style at Betsey Johnson and fringed at Lanvin. Over garments are not forgotten like the vinyl jacket by Christian Lacroix, along with the Burberry Prorsum trench. Gucci matches candy pink with black and white stripy or squared material. The colour of the summer goes well with vermillion at Costume National, with orange at Versace and with parma at Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino. For the more timid ones among us, there are softer pinks, from babydoll pastels at John Galliano and powder pinks for the dove-grey at Viktor&Rolf, passing through dusty pink suits at Christian Lacroix to flesh-coloured shades at Nina Ricci, Sonia Rykiel and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Flashy colours

To mark the end of dreary tones, summer 2008 brings back flashy colours. For added energy, vitamin colours are making a comeback. Women can shine in different shades of yellow, whether fluorescent at Zac Posen or buttercup at Sonia Rykiel among others. Louis Vuitton presents a yellow ensemble with a blue top and even proposes an orange suit for guaranteed effect! Passion is awakened in a vermillion red dress by Versace. Rainbow effet on T-shirt dresses in reds, pinks and yellows, blending one into the other at Diane Von Furstenberg or in stripes at Mickael Kors. Even on the sporting front vitamin colours are back for mixed doubles at Lacoste. And for the evening, the most daring will strut their stuff in a dress in shades of red and full of character by John Galliano.

Chambre syndicale de la couture

Graduate of the "chambre syndicale de la couture", follower of the OFF calendar of Haute Couture, designer Anne Valérie Hash has presented her last summer 2008 collection during the week of prêt-à-porter shows in Paris. The designer proposes light and delicate outfits in materials like tulle, organza and satin in neutral tones like white, cream and grey with touches of mustard.

Greek John Varvatos

The Athens sky was rainy to welcome the return of Greek John Varvatos, located in New York where he habitually presents his men’s fashion collection. For next summer, he works a wardrobe with a comfortable appearance in tones of grey and stone with emphasis placed on suspenders and scarves. Interview with John Varvatos.

Elina Lebessi

Elina Lebessi’s own boutique has been established in Athens for the last 15 years. After a brief stay in France where she studied at Studio Berçot, Elina chose to return to Greece to found her own clothing label. For summer 2008, bright colours are honoured in the embroidered baroque pearls, lace trimmings and multicoloured ribbons echo the Lacroix House where the designer did an internship. Interview with Elina Lebessi in french.