WELCOME TO FLATLAND
Paris: Rei Kawakubo’s Fall collection for Comme des Garçons was so boldly outsized it became downright shocking. Although the unexpected is always expected at a Kawakubo show, her choice of such an extreme silhouette proved a giant leap forward. Flat and cartoonish, skirts, dresses and coats were as wide as their stiff fabrics would allow, with sleeves tucked behind the body like molded restraints. The stamped-out, assembly line effect extended throughout the presentation until the models began to look like dolls rolling off a conveyor belt, a cutout design furthered by trompe l’oeil dresses outlined onto coats. Thankfully, the severity of Kawakubo’s sharp two-dimensional volume was broken by enormous kitschy graphics, bright primaries and humorous pastels, as well as a brief series of soft velvet jumpsuits and sequin-encrusted sack dresses.—Nina Stotler
Silhouette: Oversized / Cocoon / A-line
Color: Poppy / Pastel pink / Periwinkle / Cobalt / Coral / Avocado / White / Black / Turquoise / Fuchsia / Chocolate / Electric purple / Bright yellow / Cream / Black
Key Items: Oversized cape coats / Wide-leg trousers / Cropped jackets / Stiff a-line skirts / Wide shorts / Jumpsuits
Materials: Wool / Silk / Leather / Satin / Velvet
Print + Pattern: Florals / Dots / Animal prints / Cartoon camouflage / Graphic asterisks / Checkerboards
Details + Trim: Round collars / Sequins / Slits / Peaked shoulders / Stand-up collars
Accessories + Footwear: Stacked-heel clogs / Ankle socks / Simple sneakers
