Pre-Fall 2018: See the Best New Looks From Chanel, Gucci, And All Of Your Favorite Designers
The pre-fall collections are slowly wrapping up this week in Paris, in conjunction with the beginning of couture week. The presentations began in December, where we saw ruched dresses and trench coats still going strong off of the spring collections, nautical themes at Chanel and Oscar de la Renta, and the surprising appearance of both animal and heart motifs, Capri shorts, and even leg warmers. A highlight of the pre-collection season was when Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld invited the fashion flock to Lagerfeld’s hometown of Hamburg, Germany, for their Metiers d’Art collection. A few weeks later, Stella McCartney invited models, editors, and rock royalty (including dad Paul McCartney and his pal Ringo Starr) to celebrate her pre-fall collection in Los Angeles, which included a few new faux-fur options, including an oversized leopard coat. At Givenchy, Clare Waight Keller presented faux fur as well, including graphic black and white coats and stoles. While big ideas usually develop during main season collections, the pre-collections usually offer a wide selection of easy to wear pieces for a variety of temperatures. For the best of Pre-Fall 2018, read on.
How does one look chic in a suburban supermarket? Wear this silk scarf print asymmetrical Monse dress, of course!
Joseph Altuzarra sprinkled a leopard print on select pieces throughout his pre-fall collection, and while this print was super easy and wearable in his day pieces, seeing the leopard appear on this gorgeous beaded slip dress was the icing on the cake.
What to do after the Spring 2018 Versace show, an already-iconic tribute to Gianni Versace himself? For pre-fall, the label played to its many strengths, including over-the-top prints featured on an over-sized puffer, and on the other end of the spectrum, a navy off-the-shoulder tailored dress with gilded buttons and chain choker.
Peter Dundas’ eponymous collection explored all aspects of the ’70s for Pre-Fall, from Talitha Getty worthy floral dresses to sequin party numbers. This canary yellow floaty dress is perfect for women who embrace the era—for all the women who wishes they got their hands on the yellow gown Dundas designed under Roberto Cavalli that Béyonce wore in Lemonade.
This look is crafted in a vintage jacquard, a fabric that the duo behind the romantic label Brock Collection fell in love with for their latest collection. Like many pieces from Pre-Fall, this fitted dress is just the right amount of undone to make it feel modern.
Pastels made a major splash during the spring collections and at Bottega Veneta, and it looks like those sorbet hues and diaphanous layers will take us straight through summer.
Pre-Fall is Natacha Ramsay-Levi’s second collection for the house, and she continues to add a dose of street to the feminine, ’70s-inspired label. Each look in her line-up offered many pieces one could pull out and easily wear with what they already have, but we’ll have to wait until June to see who is daring enough to try the capris and bike shorts that popped up in the other looks.
Thanks to Instagram, summer weddings seem to be top of mind for many designers. One can always count on Erdem to offer up charming floral dresses for every occasion, and for pre-fall, a favorite was in a bold sky blue hue.
Within a pre-fall line-up that felt traditionally Dior (and, very Dior Homme), this ankle-length red velvet long sleeve gown with mandarin collar stood out as an instant favorite.
Amongst a more minimal collection was a charming garden-inspired printed dress, and who can resist those fuzzy shearling sides?
In what we now know as Jonathan Saunders’ last collection for Diane Von Furstenburg, printed floral and polka dot dresses took center stage, including this blue rouched ankle-length one, which is sure to be a favorite amonst those attending a slew of summer weddings.
For pre-fall, Julie de Libran conjured up a selection of quintessentially French outerwear pieces, including this bi-color cape, a navy coat with knit sleeves, a checkered coat, all of which will be coveted by girls in many different cities, all wanting a bit of that Parisian flair.
For her second outing at Givenchy, Clare Waight Keller introduced faux fur, and one of the highlights was this black and white graphic coat paired with rust-colored tights.
Without fail, Max Mara always has a great coat. For pre-fall, choose from robe coats, double-breasted coats, and leather jackets in camel, cool grey, and black.
Pre-fall referenced key moments from the maison’s history from the ’70s and ’80s, leading to looks featuring tiger and dragon motifs. A standout was still a classic red Valentino dress, and one can imagine young girls loving the heart motif that appeared on multiple dresses and accessories.
A pre-fall collection should offer a bevy of options for transitional dressing. We love Etro’s dress and tall boot combo. Wear this flutter sleeve dress all summer long, and top them off with suede boots come September.
A heart motif is cropping up at many pre-fall appointments, including at Fendi. We couldn’t help but smile at these fur-capped short sleeves.
For Derek Lam, the check and plaid trend is still going strong, and this trench is sure to be a key transitional piece in many womens’ wardrobes.
Paul Surridge’s Roberto Cavalli may appear a bit tamer than the label’s namesake designer. Highlights from the pre-fall collection included two charming trench coats, including this one in buttery leather and another trench with side slits, from which just the right amount of a leopard skirt peaked through.
Believe it or not, shorts seem to be coming back in a big way, starting with the spring collections. Giorgio Armani has jumped on board for pre-fall, offering a tailored short in grey.
The house of Oscar de la Renta is well known for their evening wear, and it was nice to see designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia dreaming up charming dresses is easy to wear slip dress silhouettes.
Alessandro Michele’s mix of prints have gone a long away, and for pre-fall, logo print tights, leg warmers, and New York Yankee hats (yes, actual Yankee hats in collaboration with Major League Baseball) also made an appearance.
Stella McCartney celebrated her pre-fall collection with a bevy of celebrities, models, scions and musicians in Los Angeles. While this faux animal print fur will be too warm for Los Angeles climate, many who appreciate McCartney’s commitment to the environment will be sure to snap this up come June.
Khaite has been known to fashion insiders as the go-to for great knits and denim, but the designer also has a knack for creating coats that double as dresses – including this checked blazer and a white blazer from this pre-fall collection.
