"I was 7 the day I cut a skirt for my mum out of a linen curtain. Here is the collection: L’année 97."
After staging a major and Instagram-fave fashion show in the South of France last season, for Autumn/Winter 2020 Simon Porte Jacquemus opted for a co-ed show at the La Defense Arena, right outside of Paris.
The runway consisted of a big square show space, conceived by the designer as a clean new beginning in comparison to his past show, as he wanted to really focus on the clothes and the storytelling behind them, something that has become peculiar to his collections.
The show started with a voice-over of Simon Porte Jacquemus, telling the story behind the concept of the collection: "L'Année 97". In that year, Simon created his very first design, a skirt made out of curtains, a gift to his mother, his constant muse. The very same design is now the first look of his collection, rocked by supermodel Laetitia Casta.
Along with her, Adut Akech, Joan Smalls, Gigi and Bella Hadid are part of the cast, confirming the stellar status Jacquemus has been cementing over the last years.
The collection itself is one of my personal favourites of the season, pure Jacquemus at its best, declined in shades of beige, white and light green.
This sketch, created during the show, is part of my Paris Fashion Week AW20 live illustrated coverage for L'Officiel Hommes Italia.