Hermès closed out the spring 2014 season of Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday afternoon with a show at L’Orangerie in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
The Orangerie, which dates from 1839, houses the garden’s large plants during the winter. On Wednesday afternoon, the space was full of lush palms, bitter orange trees and such, in keeping with designer Christophe Lemaire’s verdant theme.
Inspiration: Tropical, after the storm, and the work of French painter Henri Rousseau.
Key pieces: Belted, short-sleeve dress and matching print boots in water lily print. Green crocodile culottes worn with crisp, short sleeve button down. (Because who doesn’t need a pair of crocodile culottes?) Curry-yellow crocodile wrap skirt. Hand woven skirt with landscape design. Green suede blouson dress with padded palm motif at the neckline. Parachute silk trench. Folkloric print crepe shirt worn with full white skirt. Awesome-looking wide inlaid wood belt. Mini bags slung across the body and flat sandals.
The verdict: Lighter, more colorful and loose. A welcome hint of exoticism visited upon Hermès‘ signature buttoned-up aesthetic.