Paris Editor Gabriela Billini
Paris Editor Gabriela Billini
Gabriela is a non-native New Yorker who travels the world to understand why people wear what they wear and how. She is an independent fashion reporter, trend chaser, and self-proclaimed beatnik.

Paris La Nuit: Ingie Paris | Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017

Ingie Paris Fall-Winter 2017

The gold moldings were everywhere, and grounded just a touch with a large assortment of candles on mantles. With windows looking down to Place Vendôme, I wouldn’t have minded staying in this room for days. And so began a story of elegant fall evenings and nights in this beautiful city of Paris, both cruel and loving.

Designer Ingie Chalhoub has always been at the forefront of high-end style, having brought the first-ever Chanel boutique to the Middle East in 1983, even as she continues to work alongside storied houses such as Chanel, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren.

A Night in Paris

[portfolio_slideshow id=27277 align=center width=600 click=advance thumbnailsize=40 showcaps=false]

Her Fall-Winter ’17 collection brought out a number of beautiful designs, although looks #5 and #6 might have been my favorites. First, a strong, voluminous copper sarong-like skirt paired with a midnight blue blouse. It showed that excess fabric, done in a sumptuous way, can give a woman strong presence without distracting. The depth of that blue recalled a night in this city, with lights reflecting through the fenêtres françaises into a stunning Parisian salon.

The jacquard suit in the skirt’s same fabric conveyed neatness and cool-girl vibe as if in an afterthought. The jacquard suits were strong, gleaming in that sexy autumnal light.

Look #12 was a sweet, light knit suit that showed simplicity, but mastery in design because of drape and proportion. Its comfort and cut on the bias were two contrasting elements that delivered the experience of Ingie.

Also notable were the small touches of an older elegance in pearls and diamond pins, where the pearl earring felt eerily young, designed for a fresh look, now accessible for a younger crowd.

There was a bit of a weaker black sub-collection sprinkled in, but carefully designed, probably bound for certain segment of Ingie’s target market.

Throughout, the “strong women” message was clear and varied. She even showed some boyish shapes in the looser gowns. The designer makes bold statements in silent, small details like the power sleeves with bows on them, stunning in their ease.

Throughout, the “strong women” message was clear and varied.

There was a small sequin presence in the collection, important because of its rough glamour contrasted with oh-so-gentle silks, especially captured in look #25. The dress looked so comfortable and moveable — easy to wear, but the sleeves posed a constraint of fragility and class.

The winning aspect of this season’s collection was volume, executed with light fabrics that exuded that same decadence and elegance of the venue. The fabric’s light weight didn’t prevent them from having that beautiful, monumental size. Throughout, I felt the presence of the massive shapes she designed, which are only huge in their appearance, and are ever-so light. Unfortunately, the pictures don’t do their sizable presence proper justice, and I am simply so happy to have been in the room for such a moving collection. It felt like a mark in the brand’s history.

I am simply so happy to have been in the room for such a moving collection.

I loved being able to detect the designer’s passion in the collection, delivered in profound packaging. You really have to pay attention to what’s before you and look past the Instagrammable moment. It’s about reading into — and feeling — the passion and hard work that was breathed into each individual garment.

This one is a winner.

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Learn More

ingieparis.com

With love,

FWO

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