Romanticism and Paris often epitomize each other.
And what better than a rose petal filled fashion show themed to evoke this very notion?

Dan Liu, award winning designer and stylist of Canada, created a soft collection for Spring/Summer 2017 at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), inspired by Parisian elegance. Titled “New Path”, he incorporated florals and subtle shimmer in abundance, a signature on many shows this season.

Starting with French sonnets floating in the air, the  models walked in a trance, sashaying with a plethora of fabrics, pastel and bright colors, and floral prints and stripes. The first several were laced, literally, in pinks and whites. Lace was a common theme in several shows this season, and fit well with the delicate feminine touch of peachy afternoons in Paris.

These transitioned in blues, violets and black dresses, made for cloudy days or post sunset hours. The lace was less subtle, contrasting with skin tones, and the prints more vivid.

The cocktail dresses were often knee length, evoking a French romanticism of sorts. The prints themselves, however, were reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese motifs and designs, owing to the cultural heritage.

The two toned, striped, and shimmering fabrics were the most luminescent, often interlaced with layers of lace or printed with multicolored flowers. Some plainer ones in baby blue or baby pink, or light motifs on midnight black ones felt appropriate for a cloudy day or a warmer evening, owing to their short lengths.

One inventive dress looked like a woven basket, reinterpreted in layers. The main layer was made of pink and black horizontal stripes, while the sheer top layer, akin to an apron, had horizontal stripes. It was followed by the only full length gown in the collection, a black one with oversized sleeves and floral tone-on-tone work in the front, completing the flirtatious, romantic and simple collection.

What worked with Liu’s styles were that they could translate to any complexion and body type. Being a stylist, he was able to channel a perfect look, complete with environmentally friendly bags, to evoke a sense of buoyancy, fun and fulfillment.

Au revoir, Paris!