Opening from the street into the backwarehouse for Capsule trade show.
Photos by Tom Wallace
Last week in Paris, running from September 27-October 3, the City of Light was brimming with fashion players from around the world, here to capture the latest in women’s collections for Spring/Summer 2012. Showroom exhibitions across the city included brand collections from Acne, Surface to Air, Wendy & Jim, Edun, Rag and Bone, and Bernhard Willheim, plus a variety of events, runway shows, and three trade shows including Designers and Agents, Rendez-Vous Femme, and (Capsule).
We stopped in at Capsule to see what was up with this growing and eclectic show and were pleased to see that right away it was unique with a grunge-esque feel as it was hosted inside a garage/warehouse in the Marais area, tucked back from the historic fashion district off rue de Turenne. The timing couldn’t have been better as Paris has been experiencing a late summer and the temps ranged in the high 70’s across the city, attracting even more onlookers to venture out into the streets.
Cobra Society and their Native American prints on suede boots for Summer 2012.
The show featured a wide cross-section of brands that came to the Paris (Capsule) to get a taste of what’s going on with fashion and retail in Europe. But it also featured a wide range of European brands as well that rarely go to the States to exhibit. Brands included Wood Wood, Creatures of Comfort, Bijules, OMSK, Won Hundred, Frye, Bloody Grey, Nomia, and relative newcomer Reborn Process. There was also a pop-up shop featuring smaller, Paris-based brands in one area, and a Berlin showroom of brands testing the show as well.
Reborn Process–new brand from NYC testing the waters in Europe.
Trends were across the board, from neon colors popping in jackets and footwear, to Native American beadwork in boots, purses, and apparel. Muted colors and earth tones however seem to be the predominate trends overall, as this women’s contemporary show appeals to many top boutiques looking for limited-editions, classics with an edge, and new concepts of women’s ready-to-wear fashion.
One of our favorites was Reborn Process, which is actually based in New York City, but developed with a mix of vintage deadstock T-shirts, and fabrics from Japan. Featuring pieces of plaid, denim, and T-shirts, the designs are unique and tap into the vintage and grunge trends, with a high-end aesthetic that crosses over many boundaries, not to mention culturally. The brand was founded by 3 friends, Super Model of the World 2008, Hyoni, stylist Aeri, and J., a seasoned producer/photographer. The brands’ already attracted the attention of top boutiques and retailers especially in New York, but captured media attention from Elle Japan to InStyle Korea, and Teen Vogue.
Registration and scene at Capsule Paris.
Overall the show, like the rest of Paris fashion week, was buzzing with buyers -who although may be a little less reluctant to order due to the economy, but still extremely eager to see the collections that will be inspiring consumers for the upcoming 2012 summer season.
Featured pop-up shop inside the show featuring Parisian brands.
