Banana République
Review of Isabel Marant Fall 2024 Fashion Show
By Mark Wittmer
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
THE THEME
It seems a boho-chic revival may be brewing, but Isabel Marant is here to remind us that you can’t revive what never went away. The designer’s Fall 2024 collection was a full-on rendition of the aesthetic that has flirted its way with varying degrees throughout all of her work and balanced out her classic Parisian city-girl chic with a bit of earthy adventurousness.
In fact, so dedicated to boho was the collection that at times it felt like the designer was going down a checklist: safari jackets, check. Leather fringe, check. Shark tooth necklaces, check. Leopard print, check. Braided belts, check. Snakeskin boots, check. Chunky knitwear, check.
Still, Marant was able to find some cool plays with oversized silhouettes, interesting layering, and unique hardware details. But for the most part, these felt like attempts to reheat stale ideas.
THE BUZZWORDS
Boho-chic.
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Look #59
This dress that was the collection’s final look feels undeniably sexy and cool – it’s just too bad it had to be held back by those tights and boots.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
There’s nothing wrong with revisiting a classic aesthetic, but it needs to be seen through a fresh perspective to feel interesting and worth revisiting, and this collection didn’t give us that – a lack that was especially palpable after Chemena Kamali’s Chloé debut on the same day gave boho-chic the freshness and light touch it needs if it’s ever going to feel relevant again.
Nonetheless, there is a client out there for this, and even if a hip French girl wouldn’t step out in one of these full looks, there’s definitely some pieces that can be worked into her wardrobe for a pop of adventurous flair. It’s also worth considering whether a collection like this is best served by a runway show – we’ve seen a lot of boho-chic already, and seeing 60 more looks of it come down the runway won’t tell us anything we don’t already know.
