Into the Miu Miu Woods

Miu Miu designer Miuccia Prada closed out Paris Fashion Week (and Fashion Month) with one of the most theatrical productions of the week. Certainly there were larger sets and more bells and whistles at other collections (Dior, Chanel, and even at her own Prada show in Milan), but at Miu Miu, Ms. Prada brought classic fairytales to life. 

This season’s Miu Miu muse was a dizzying mash-up of damsels in distress and power and status hungry second-in-command-types, with a grunge-couture shellac. Sondheim’s Johanna from
Sweeney Todd made an appearance, as did his Rapunzel from Into The Woods, as the young girls in organza nighties descended down the stairs of the Palais d’Iéna. There were also twisted takes on Cinderella readying her stepsisters for the ball (think layered, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-chic); Swan Lake‘s Odette and Odile; All About Eve‘s titular character; and Powell and Pressburger’s The Red Shoes (tutus galor and scarlet ballet slippers).

Models sported pigtails and sparkling hairbands made of grosgrain and crystals. At a closer glance, however, the ribbons, mostly mismatched, continued around the shoes—both the aforementioned satin slippers and patent leather spiked numbers with a vintage Vivier heel—and some were finsihed with anchors, four leaf clovers, and buckles. The true show story were the return of the incredibly popular “glitter booties” of seasons past, thus time updated in a 1940s style multi-strap pump, and those imminently covetable Bowie booties with chevron patterned heels.

As for the clothes, exquisitely modern cubis patterned coats and midi-length skirts, not to mention the structured and mini It bags with oversize plastic chains, were incredibly envy inducing. A group of buttery leather jackets with exaggerated lapels or color-clocked geometric prints spilling down their fronts, Davey Crocket raccoon key chains-turned-hip accessories (a continuation from Miu Miu Club Resort collection), and brightly colored fur stoles stole the show. 

For more from Paris Fashion Week SS 2016, click here.