Etam’s star-studded fashion show
The haute couture spring/summer 2011 shows may have kicked off in Paris this week, but it was the turn of a far more accessible brand to steal all the headlines. Etam, the French lingerie and clothing label, hosted an extravagant catwalk show at the huge Grand Palais in the French capital and we were there.
In what resembled more of a pop concert than a fashion show, models strutted down the glossy black catwalks - one of which sloped down from inside a giant funnel illuminated with glowing tube lights - wearing the new spring/summer 2011 collections.
Six lines of Etam lingerie, swimwear and loungewear were unveiled in total, including the Natalia Vodianova designed Natalia pour Etam range, all set to a stunning soundtrack of live music. Music producer extraordinaire Mark Ronson played a red and white electronic drum machine throughout accompanied by his band, The Business Intl. He was joined on-stage by a whole host of A-list performers including Gossip’s Beth Ditto, The Kills, Boy George, supermodel-turned-folk singer Karen Elson, Janelle Monae and French rapper Joeystarr.
The front row was equally as starry with (deep breath) Alexa Chung, Lou Doillon, Anna Dello Russo, Yves Saint Laurent’s Stefano Pilati, Alice Dellal, Eva Herzigova, Mario Testino, Charlotte Casiraghi and Kate Moss (supporting fiancé Jamie Hince who performed with bandmate Alison Mosshart) all spotted in front of us. Shoe designer Christian Louboutin was there too, as his heels were worn by the models throughout the show. And, of course, current Etam postergirl and designer Natalia Vodianova was also in attendance, looking her usual effortlessly stylish self in a black lace jumpsuit and matching blazer.
And what of the clothes? The Etam collections were bursting with colour with pretty lingerie sets in violet, turquoise and eye-popping pink that screamed fun and flirty. The swimwear featured cool black bikinis and cut-out swimsuits with tropical and floral prints, while the loungewear boasted cute silk robes in fuchsia, lemon and fizzing tangerine. And in a further nod to spring some models walked the catwalk clutching lambs, which caused a ripple of cooing amongst the well-heeled crowd.
After the show it was on to the Ritz hotel for the after-party, where the hotel’s Roman baths-style swimming pool was covered with a temporary dance floor for the night and the room transformed into a neon drenched club. We rubbed shoulders with all the front row guests and performers from the show, who were enjoying the free-flowing champagne and dancing to a pop set mixed by French actress and singer, Josephine de la Baume, who was on DJing duty, although we did see boyfriend Mark Ronson giving her a few pointers.
And if all this has whet your appetite for a dose of French je ne sais quoi in your wardrobe, listen up. Etam has relaunched its British website - visit etam.co.uk to start shopping – and has plans to open a flagship store in London later this year. Can. Not. Wait.
Picture: Karolina Kurkova walking the Etam catwalk clutching a lamb.
See all the front row pictures from the Etam show.
Post Your Comment