Off White showed its women’s collection in Paris in a show that was a bit under the radar in part because the invite list was small, but also one has to assume because designer Virgil Abloh wanted it to be that way. Titled “Off-Day” the presentation–the label’s first women’s runway–was held in a gallery with a seat set up that granted everyone a front row seat. There were other artful elements, including signage reading “Why Are You Looking At,” clear plastic coats added on for the finale walk and a Parisian graffiti artist who ended the show by spraying paint on the looks at the close of the show.
The fashion itself in many ways was a nod to Abloh himself, an American in Paris, combining re-architectured good ole Levi’s denim with high-fashion tailoring including organza panels plus a pleated, denim maxi skirt so strikingly relaxed, it would be the talk of any red carpet it appeared upon (as worn by the proper celeb of course). Admittedly at first glance it was hard to get past the lack of the label’s signature horizontal slashes on any garments (at all–sob!), but really it’s far too early in this brand’s life to be insisting upon things. If one likes and admires a designer, one must put a certain amount of faith in his instincts on how to move forward.
Show sountrack below. Images via Vogue and @VirgilAbloh with show video at Off White.
