Paris Haute Couture Week last day round up: Shakira was front row at Fendi’s impressive, high jewellery-inspired show, Imane Ayissi brought the colour – and Chloé confirms Gabriela Hearst is leaving

Jul 7 , 2023

Models present an initial parade of nude creations by Kim Jones at Fendi during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fashion Week in Paris on July 6. Photo: AFP

Shakira, Cardi B, Zoe Saldana, Naomi Watts and Lily James sat front row at Kim Jones’ collection of shimmering emerald green, ruby red and sparkling diamond jewellery-inspired creations for Fendi

Meanwhile Cameroonian designer Imane Ayissi transformed traditional African fabrics into colourful couture, and avant-garde jeweller Repossi staged a show in a garden on Paris’ left bank

Fendi put a fitting exclamation point on Paris couture week by drawing an A-list crowd to the opulent Palais Brongniart. Naomi Watts, Zoe Saldana, Cardi B, Lily James and Shakira were among the celebrities seated front row for a show that dazzled with its artful fusion of jewellery-making and deceptively simple couture.

Elsewhere, fashion whispers were finally confirmed: Gabriela Hearst is stepping down as the creative director of Maison Chloé after a brief but impactful three-year tenure. Hearst, the first female designer with multicultural roots (Uruguay and United States) to lead a Parisian fashion house, has been a transformative force at Chloé since her appointment in December 2020.

Here are some highlights of the last day of fall couture shows on Thursday:

Sparkle and shine: Fendi literally puts the bling in couture

Kim Jones initially sent his models out in strikingly nude ensembles, before the jewel inspired collection began. Photo: AFP

“This season, our focus was on embodying fluidity, drape and shape through couture techniques, while harmonising these elements with the contemporary spirit,” declared Kim Jones, Fendi’s designer.

One piece was a fluid emerald green satin gown that cascaded down the model’s body, shimmering with the dynamism of a precious gem. Photo: Xinhua

The show began with a strikingly neutral ensemble, seemingly a second skin, acting as the prelude to the jewellery-inspired collection. The design skill was evident in its huge, eccentric sleeve that darted out narrowly from the shoulder, capturing imaginations. In stark contrast came a fluid emerald green satin gown that cascaded down the model’s body, shimmering with the dynamism of a precious gem.

A model presents a vibrant, ruby red creation by Kim Jones at Fendi’s autumn/winter 2023/2024 haute couture show on July 6. Photo: Xinhua

Figure-defining silhouettes in vibrant ruby red and jet black were showcased by models, their forms distilled down to their essential sinews. A cream sheath, brought to life with an Asian-inspired waist wrap, bore finely carved groove lines, invoking the refined artistry of jewellery craftsmanship.

At Fendi, Kim Jones presented a deceptively simple collection, which was met with enthusiastic applause. Photo: Xinhua

Looks that seemed to unfurl from the shoulders left necklace-less necks provocatively bare, as if in anticipation of an exquisite adornment.

A model presents a creation from Fendi’s autumn/winter 2023/2024 haute couture collection during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua