Hermes Offers a Sporty Alternative to the Rock n' Roll-Obsessed Shows of Paris

After this season's Celine show, many people found themselves asking what will Phoebe Philo fans wear now? The new collection under Hedi Slimane is a radical departure from Philo’s designs. Where will women go to find clothes that fit their multifaceted life styles (as well as their bodies) at this luxury price point? One might suggest Hermès.

Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski’s collection for the storied house was shown at the Longchamp racecourse. I'll save you the "bet on Hermès" and "race to the finish" quips, but will share that as we sat in the bleachers and watched the models walk the sand-covered runway, a sense of calm washed over me. Maybe it was the sunny 65 degree weather, or perhaps it was the minimalist but well-crafted clothes? In that moment things felt, to put it simply, nice. Utilitarian canvas and leather pieces opened the show in colors like khaki, burned butter brown, and white. The collection was a little heavy on the neutral hues, but Hermès knows it's way around red, orange, and turquoise, adding parkas, tunics, tanks, and maxi dresses in those colors to break things up .

Bags were also prominently featured, this is Hermès after all. Shapes alternated between big canvas buckets, slouchy suede bohos, and leather minis—make room in your closet as you may want all three, plus the other standouts that made their way down the runway. Chunky gladiator-like sandals grounded each look further driving home the point that this collection was for a woman who had things to do and places to be.