McQueen’s 17th century collection reigns supreme at Paris Fashion Week

Sarah Burton paid homage to the Huguenot migrants who fled to London in the 17th century with Alexander McQueen's SS16 collection. The theme was borne out in woven fabrics, shredded silk faille floral jacquard and velvet-silk yarns. There was a bohemian elegance to the show with artisanal French lace doves and flowers adorning dresses. Cut with a raw edge, the tailoring had a rugged romance and the lightest of leathers had been washed, shrunk and worked into soft submission. Head-turning pieces included long languid dresses of lace-silk in ivory and cameo. Ruffles tiered and tumbled while floral embroidery accented buttery leather gowns and fine-knit dresses. As for accessories, silver chain harnesses were the hallmarks of Burton's collection. And on the feet of the designer's fresh-faced, tousled-hair models - embroidered leather trainers, inlaid wooden platforms and clogs.