Usher is making the most of his Paris Fashion Week, hitting up fashion shows by day and performing shows at his Paris concert residency at night. And the “Yeah” singer continued to work it at the Valentino show Sunday.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve celebrated, danced, sang, eaten — maybe not got a lot of sleep — but I’ve definitely seen some amazing shows and put on some amazing shows.”
The singer is holding an eight-day concert series at La Seine Musicale, and collaborated with Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli on concert outfits, plus his full denim look on the designer’s show day.
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Usher worked with stylist Carlos Nazario on his show looks.
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“Valentino assisted us with some really great ideas, and also we brought some ideas, as we have a very specific theme,” he told WWD backstage after the Valentino show. “There’s a lot of storytelling in the clothing, there’s a bit of a Parisian vibe, and also in the styling of the opening of the show. So all of those things kind of assisted our creations.”
For the custom Valentino outfit that Usher wears for the curtain raiser, he wanted a look with a vintage feel. “I thought it would be really cool to kind of bring this past, present and future conversation into the world,” he said.
Some of the storytelling is knowing when to show a little — or a lot — of skin.
“If I feel a little frisky, you know what I’m saying? I got what I need,” he joked.
The white Valentino look has two options, with shirt or sans. So does he choose to be pro-shirt if he is feeling a little tired one night? “No, I’m pretty much shirtless every show,” he said. “Not every day, all the time. I’m not walking around with my shirt off. Obviously I have one on right now, but within the show.”
Stage looks are a combination of style and practicality. “You have to be comfortable in the environment, you have to make a statement and you obviously have to be the star,” he added, perhaps the understatement of the week. It all plays into the song or the dance, and with movement being the main factor.
For his front row look, he worked with stylist Jan-Michael Quammie. The pair narrowed it down to two looks then went with a head-to-toe denim suit, with a full-length coat and jean, and still managed to look cool on the hot afternoon.
The denim coat was lined with black leather. “Valentino actually did an amazing job of bringing these two fabrics together. It’s something that feels very chic and casual at the same time. It’s a suit with the casual nature of a jean,” he said, before revealing the unexpected benefit. “Obviously it makes me look a lot taller.”
All of the concerts sold out, and many of the celebs and fashion front row regulars have been attending.
“I’m kind of shocked actually. Looking out and going, ‘What is this?’” he said of taking in the audience. “You’ve got some of the most incredible designers, friends, family. This industry provides such great creativity. And every time I’ve come here I’ve been able to pull something, to extract something from it. I wanted to make an offering, and now my show is that.”
“If you’re gonna play to an A-plus or an A-class audience, why not do it in Paris?”