French Flair: Lingerie Looks From the Runway in Paris
PARIS—Though lingerie and sleepwear are not often seen by the public eye, Europeans take innerwear just as seriously as the exterior ensemble. Whether it was a sexy black bodysuit or a white baby-doll nightie, lingerie designers layered on the details at the annual Mode City trade show, which relocated from Lyon to Paris this year. The newest lingerie trends were showcased live on the runway and were available for closer inspection in a “Trends Forum” section on the trade show floor.
The ultra-luxe and high-end way to do sexy was shown in “Femme Fatale.” Delicate and whisper-thin laces were all about transparency in rich black, sophisticated violets and blues that contrasted with the models’ milky and caramel flesh underneath. Decorative elements—particularly “mysterious” flowers, appliqueacute;d flower motifs, orchids and embroidery—adorned shiny silk, sheer mesh and see-through lace.
In contrast, loungewear and sleepwear had the theme of “purity” for “Ingenue.” Elements such as pintucking, eyelet, white lace and textured stripes in voluminous and airy shapes gave a nod to classical vintage underpinnings. Fabrics ranged from the traditional white woven cotton to new natural fibers and eco-friendly textiles.
The freshest colors of the season were taken from under the sea, as displayed in “Sirene Mermaid.” Metallic threads, iridescent sheen and a pearlescent glow were seen on white, pink, sand and oyster blue-gray fabrics. Traces of sea life popped up in fine details, such as mesh that resembled fish scales or ruffly ribbons of sheer fabric that flowed like the tentacles of a jellyfish. —Rhea Cortado
