From left, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, and Givenchy.Photo: Imaxtree
Paris designers must be banking on a globally warmed fall season, as their cocktail dresses flashed unexpected bits of skin. In what was an otherwise oversize, cozy collection, Stella McCartney showed a foxy, metallic beaded number, with chains framing the shoulder. Nicolas Ghesquière spiced up an otherwise basic LBD with armbands instead of sleeves. And Givenchy’s pastel frock, paired with gold gladiators, had a distinct Xena, Warrior Princess feel. —Kendall Herbst