Delvaux, Magritte and Alice: Surrealism and its role in Paris Fashion Week

It had only been a week since I had moved into a quaint studio apartment on the Rive Gauche - a fifth-floor walk-up that left me breathless every time I climbed those stairs. It was just as I was catching my breath from one such ascent that I received an invitation to the Delvaux presentation of the S/S25 Collection. I was given an address and a date, with no further instruction. The intrigue was irresistible. And so, I slipped down the rabbit hole, or rather, through the archways of the Place Vendôme, into a world entirely surreal.

The salons overlooking the neoclassical square made for a perfect fashion wonderland in which to display Delvaux's 5-act presentation. The scenography, courtesy of Crosby Studios, was in sleek juxtaposition with the ornate decadence of 19 Place Vendôme. Exposed cables and almost futuristic shelving punctuated opulent Louis XIV designs and intricate chandeliers.

Delvaux dates back almost two centuries, so it seems only natural that there be space dedicated to tracing its heritage. This first room was temporarily housing some of the most iconic Delvaux pieces, including the patented "Le Princesse" handbag. This room serves as a reminder that history tends to repeat itself, with recurring structures and styles visible throughout the years.

The S/S25 collection is blooming with inspiration from Art Nouveau. The beauty of nature was epitomised in these beautiful pieces, with leather tulips spiralling around handles and bright petals blossoming over the body. The Caprice bag (a favourite of Elizabeth Taylor herself) was displayed upon the mantelpiece, reimagined in delightful pastel shades.

As a patron of the Surrealism exhibition at the Centre Pompidou, Delvaux pay homage to surrealism with this exciting new collection. The collection echoed Magritte's iconic work, "La Trahison des Images". Where Magritte had once proclaimed, Delvaux now echoes: "Ceci continue de ne pas être une pipe". Even the scenography here resembled Magritte's dreamy clouds, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

And now, into the future.

In collaboration with E Ink, Delvaux have taken steps into the future to produce a colour-changing bag. This innovative technology combined with the timeless structure of le Caprice and le Pin resonates harmoniously with the scenography, displaying the convergence of old and new.

As I stepped out of the Place Vendôme and made my way through the Jardin des Tuileries, I couldn't help but reflect upon the collection, especially the colour-changing bags. In a fast-paced and ever-changing world, Alice's words strike a chord with us: "I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then". These bags seem like the ultimate metaphor for modern life, in a world of dynamic and evolving beauty, we are lucky to have pieces that can adapt with us.