H&M AUTUMN/WINTER 2015-16 READY-TO-WEAR PARIS FASHION WEEK

H&M’s head of design, Ann-Sofie Johansson, deserves props for landing on one of Fall’s biggest themes: the moon. Actually, it’s stars that have captured fashion’s interest at the moment (see Emilio Pucci, Anthony Vaccarello), but close enough. H&M is a big-box chain historically known for following the runway trends. Things are so head-spinningly super-paced at the current moment that regular old fashion and fast fashion are colliding.

To start today’s show, Caroline de Maigret, the Parisian street-style fixture and music producer, hit the runway in a silver leather flight suit. After zapping the audience with her radio, she entered her space-pod-cum-DJ-booth and began playing tunes. As the models emerged, it became clear that H&M’s new Fall collection wasn’t as far-out as the moonscape runway might have led us all to believe. Outerwear was padded and quilted, but the colors were positively earthy, and while there was something celestial about the graphic prints, the tailored jackets and pants they turned up on looked familiar. If we had to guess, we’d say the H&M customer will be most interested in the chunky ribbed sweaters and the ski-pants-slash-leather-salopettes they were worn with. Those and the knee-high lace-up Moon Boots.

After the models’ finale lap, the space pods opened amid much steam, each one stocked with champagne on ice and a very patient, and probably quite sweaty, bartender. “Best show ever” was overheard, as someone swigged a quick glass. Not quite. But with Caroline, Kendall, Gigi, Joan, and Edie in the ranks, it did qualify as one of the most stellar castings of the season. And the really remarkable thing? They were all smiling.