Paris - RTW SS13 - Céline

City: Paris
Season: Ready-To-Wear, Spring/Summer 2013
Show: Céline

When the undisputed queen of pared-down chic took over at Céline a few years ago the fashion world responded with rapturous applause. Following her successful stay at Chloé, another French fashion house known for its understated elegance, the formidable Phoebe Philo jumped ship to Céline in 2008 and has since succeeded in reinvigorating the brand and returning it to the ready-to-wear big leagues. London-based fashion blogger and street style star Susie Bubble described Philo’s appointment at Céline as a ‘seismic shift’ and, as usual, Susie was not wrong. For Spring/Summer 2013 Phoebe Philo stuck to her plaudit-winning MO, minimalism, with some softer shapes and fabrics giving the Céline aesthetic a warm weather update. Manon Leloup’s slashed-to-the-navel dress with mesh insert (top left) made for an arresting sight, especially in comparison to some of the more modest looks, namely the dress over trousers ensemble worn by Tian Yi - a continuation of one of Autumn/Winter 2012’s more ubiquitous trends (centre). The slip-on shoes were maybe a touch too laid back, but otherwise this was another strong display by Phoebe Philo.

This piece was originally published on alisonlaurabell.tumblr.com in October 2012.