KRIS VAN ASSCHE, Sat 27 Sep

Hedi Slimane’s replacement at Dior Homme, the talented young Belgian Kris Van Assche, presented his fifth womens range on Day One of Paris Fashion Week on Saturday. To the sounds of Guns & Roses ballad “Don’t Cry”, the models strutted the catwalk covered with fake tattoos. Maintaining the rocker vibe, the slouchy collection Sang Bleu was predominately in black and dark blue – lifted by some flesh tones – and it played with effects of shine and transparency. Hedging his bets, Van Assche presented skirts that were either micro-minis, or sweeping the floor, and as usual, he borrowed elements from classic menswear: tuxedo and mens suit bits, waistcoats, the pinstripe… Fashionistas are keenly watching Van Assche, but the sense is that he still hasn’t quite reached his potential.