Kenzo A/W 2014

Kenzo designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim have been mining from the mysterious oeuvre of film director David Lynch for their last two collections, an indirect homage that came to a more marked crescendo for Winter. Rather than admiring the cutting-edge director from afar, the New York-based duo actually lassoed him in the flesh to design both the set and music for today's Paris show. The result was as creepy as you might expect: a giant wavy mirror backdrop featured a huge cadaver-like skull with punched-out eye pockets that floated eerily within a glass box. It had a horror-like element to it that was in synch, in some ways, with the Kenzo invitation: a black block whose inner core glowed like an icy blue igloo. What all of these cool effects had to do with the clothes on the runway remained somewhat of a mystery, but as a whole, the nicely produced package was all well appreciated. This was, in fact, a very strong collection for Leon and Lim, as they upgraded their signature sporty clothes into something a bit more glamorous and expensive looking. Intricate jacquards, embroideries, sequin bedazzled knitwear and elaborate printing techniques added a luxurious new layer to the collection this season. The designers relied heavily on co-ordinated separates, such as elongated skirts with matching jackets or sweaters, which gave the looks a precise air, despite their zany patterns. Quirk is this brand's new middle name, so it was good to see these designers maintaining their frenetic, street-fused spirit in patterned turtleneck sweaters, quilted suiting and oversized hooded outwear, but pushing these pieces into a more sophisticated stage.