Agnés B Paris SS15 collections, ‘A little diva moment’ 소녀, 숙녀가 되다

Texts and Photos by Elizabeth Livingfash & Akin Abayomi

Agnés B Paris SS15 collections turned out to be a show we could not forget. This was the first bump we encountered; everything was running smoothly before this. We did not get the physical invitations but had called the press office to make sure we could make it into the show.

So, we were set, so we thought, boy were we wrong. Upon arriving at the Palace de Tokyo we made our way to the entrance for the show and there was already a line to get in, mind you this was an hour before the start. The place was guarded like fort Knox (that is the United States Bullion Depository location if you don’t know) with guards in black suit flanking both sides of the door and in the middle a guy standing with a slate of all the guests invited with no exceptions.

So we made our way to the front, thinking we’re on that list and we’re getting in. Our confidence level was on cloud nine until we saw the people in front of us with invitations getting crossed checked with the list. Even press photographer with personal access tags mailed out also crossed checked against the list.
Our confidence level started to sink slowly by the minute. Right before we got to the front a photographer that has never had to be checked for shows even got the 10th degree check. At this point we started to sweat and we finally made it to the front.

At this point we finally faced the man that decided our faith and we were not on the list. Oh, boy was the reaction and look in my face. Elizabeth pulled out the phone and tried dialing the press contact. All she got was a nice automated French voice on the end of the line. Needless to say our French was bad, we did not understand a single word.

Then, she proceeded to email the press office hoping to get a response. Mind you, last minute email communications are mostly futile at best. In conjunction with the email, she then went to the front of the door and asked one of the assistants to go ask the press contact. Unbeknown to us that worked, the press point of contact came up to greet us but due to the chaos at the door, the guards had shoved us away from the front.

Needless to say, the sense of chaos started to sink in and we thought we were doomed. After waiting for a while, I finally had it. I had a diva moment, waving my hands huffing and puffing telling Elizabeth we were leaving because we were not on the list.
Elizabeth decides to ask one more time if they (front door guards) are getting the press office. They said they did, and she looked for us but since we were ‘away’ she didn’t see us. Oh no, she said, our luck must have finally dried up. Fortunately, and luckily we finally got into the venue.

A set of stairs led to a chamber to another jointing chamber with a gloomy illuminating bar. A nice welcoming party was taking place, the place was dark and it felt like a secret bunker with a bar serving champagne to the guests. Across from that, another area was setup assigning the guest to ushers who lead them to their seats, but we totally blew passed it.

We can’t emphasize how relieved we were to get into the venue. It is almost impossible to get into a show without a physical invitation corresponding to the door list. At some point we thought we might have to give up our DNA for entry, that is how hard it was to get through the main doors but fortunately for us that was not needed.

We were finally ushered to the show chambers. Wow, that place had transformed since the last time we saw it, two days before. It’s so amazing how a space can transform into something hardly recognizable in a matter of hours. We were exhausted from all the hoops we had to jump to get in.
At this point there was no space in the photographers pit, and the show was only moments away from starting. So we stood near the entrance close enough to see the models right after they take their last turn to face the photographers on the U shaped catwalk.

Just after getting into place the light dimmed and the music started. The models walked through a series of steps that seemed to us like a death trap for heel wearing people but with grace and skill these mannequins walked liked they were floating on clouds in the sky. The first rotation of models came through with a romantic flair, muted tones, ruffles shirts, long sleeve tunics and peasant top shirts.

The second set in the collection was more sporty and casual. This set in the collection was a mixture of swimwear, trousers, jumpsuits and mid-length dresses. The tones were bight and fit for the spring/summer season. Printed fabric was also incorporated into business casual wear with geometric patterns and sub-Saharan textile was also includes in the collection.

Just when you thought the show was short and over, the band made their way to the stage just before another rotation of the collection was presented. Not bad at all, live music in conjunction with a fashion show. The last set of the collection was more eveningwear with a lot of color mixed in with black tones. The dresses were knee high length, from sleeveless top dresses to three quarter sleeves. Not to forget, there was a brief appearance of a toga inspired dress.

The clothes were distinguishable and a mixture of poetic, bohemian and eclectic daily wear. A collection for everyday women wear, Agnes B collection was on the dotted line when it came to realistic expectations and the realization of a modern woman. Models that look like any one of us in a good day, the clothes that can be worn and not be objects of burden. It complements everybody and shape.

With the show finally ended, we made our way to the bar. I had a croissant and some juice to recharge my energy; Elizabeth on the other hand was helping herself to some of the fine champagne being served to all the guests. Soon enough, we had forgotten about all the drama it took to see the show.

 

 

Contributors, Elizabeth Livingfash &  Akin Abayomi

Elizabeth Livingfash is a fashion blogger & writer and she had contributed to a Spanish magazine in the past. She works with her boyfriend photographer AkinAbayomi and they together cover world best fashion weeks and music festivals. More detail about them, www.livingfash.com, akinabayomi.com

미국 텍사스 출신의 엘리자베스 리링패쉬는 전 세계 패션위크와 뮤직 페스티벌을 직접 취재하는 패션 블로거이자 작가이다. 스페인 패션 매거진에 기고를 하였으며 현재 패션 전문 사진 작가이자 연인인 아킨 아바요미와 함께 패션에 관련된 다양한 콘텐츠를 만들고 있다. 그들의 보다 자세한 활동은 www.livingfash.com, akinabayomi.com 에서 확인할 수 있다.