Givenchy was a lesson in grown-up elegance

On a day that saw Kanye West lead the fashion crowd in song at the PFW edition of his Sunday Service, and Balenciaga drag us to hell and back with a glimpse of what the coming apocalypse might look like, it was up to Clare Waight Keller to bring things to a close in a slightly more sedate manner. 

Putting the Givenchy woman front and centre, the British designer sent a stripped-back, powerful collection down the Paris runway. Drawing inspiration from ‘the gritty heyday of French cinema’, on the line-up for the coming AW20 season were a series of tailored suits, cut boxy and loose in micro-checked fabrics, structured dresses that morphed seamlessly into dramatic capes, and luxurious faux fur coats and stoles in deep shades of crimson. 

Elsewhere, the breton stripe was reimagined across oversized, boyish sweaters, as paired with high-waisted loose pants, and, after more than a few seasons of seeing themselves in the spotlight, feathers made a comeback too. This time, the delicate little wisps were scattered liberally across diaphanous tops and full-length skirts, chic tunics with cinched-in waists, and classic, immaculately tailored suits. 

With looks finished with elbow-length leather gloves, textured leather totes, huge, wide-brimmed hats, and large, face-obscuring sunglasses, come AW20, if Clare Waight Keller has anything to do with it, we’re all going to be dressing like impossibly glamorous French film stars. And tbh, after lord knows how many seasons of streetwear, we’re kind of here for it.