Despite the fact we’re still getting over Grace Jones shutting down Paris Fashion Week at Tommy Hilfiger last night, this morning heralded an early start, with one of our fave shows – Balenciaga, duh – first on the schedule. Here’s everything you need to know.

THE SHOW WAS IN A BIG, DARK STUDIO

...with black walls and black carpets (so far, so teenage bedroom goals). As guests made their way to the benches, the space was lit by an ominously red glow, before brilliant white flashes of light marked the beginning of the show.

HOT FOR AW19? STAYING HYDRATED

Many of the models walking carried bottles of water in mini Balenciaga cross-body bags, which makes sense because hydration is key and disposable plastic bottles need to be rendered obsolete ASAP (louder for the people in the back!). Others carried paper-esque shopping bags, seemingly from both expensive luxury boutiques and the local grocery store: some were emblazoned with a double-B supermarket-style logo, while others had sad faces printed on them. According to the show notes, for AW19, Balenciaga is all about the day-to-day: picking up necessities, riding around Paris on a motorcycle, and meeting friends for post-work drinks.

THE COLLECTION ITSELF WAS QUINTESSENTIAL BALENCIAGA

...with boxy tailoring, oversized outerwear, and offbeat accessories all featuring heavily throughout. Models made their way down the runway in a succession of high-shine vinyl macs, quilted duvet-style coats, and sharp but relaxed suits, teamed with fluffy clutch bags, futuristic sunglasses, razor-sharp kitten heels, and chunky biker boots. Some even wore red contact lenses. Into them, tbh.

THE LABEL INTRODUCED A NEW SILHOUETTE

From puffa jackets to bombers, jumpers, and shirts, a consistent element was the way that sleeves didn’t start from the shoulders, they extended from behind the neck of garments, creating an off-kilter, hunched silhouette. Elsewhere, dresses and sweaters had a stiff circular hoop around the neckline that sat awkwardly on the models’ collarbone.

IT WASN’T VERY MEME-WORTHY

After the last few seasons brought us Ikea bags, coats on coats on coats, and platform Crocs, apart from a couple of capes that felt v Emperor Palpatine and shirts that managed to have both long and short sleeves – party in the front, business in the back – there was nothing that really stood out as instant ‘gram game – have we come full circle and ended up post-meme? Unlikely. We’re sure someone will manage to find some sort of #mood within the collection. Over to you, the internet.