PARIS FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART II

it took me forever to get this out because my life has been sooo crazy, busy and jampacked. but here is the last entry for the fall 2009 presentations! i love fashion weeks, but updating for them is such a marathon! enjoy my dears :)
♥ me

hermes- hermes played on an aviation theme. gaultier did such a great job with it, putting the classic hermes spin on the theme.

isabel marant- cool parisian girl about town looks.

jean paul gaultier- i loved the masculine suits at the beginning of the show, and the gaultier-ness of it all.

lanvin- alber elbaz describes himself as a realist, and he makes clothes that women need in order to look good, feel good, and function well in our world climate. we all know the economy is in the garbage, but that doesn't mean we can't look good--it just means we have to rethink our shopping habits and our closets. i loved these "real" looks from lanvin.

limi feu- this is a step in the right direction for limi feu. i really loved her take on edwardian designs.

louis vuitton- this show seemed to be inspired by the ruffly, girly side of the 80s as well as the craftmanship of the amazing christian lacroix. i fell in love with the collection instantly. it's blazers and exposed bras were endearing and the counstruction of the big shouldered dresses were amazing. seriously, whoever gets a piece of LV fall 09 should be happy.

maison martin margiela- style.com says maison margiela lost its magic and that they believe margiela has left his house. maybe he did leave it, but i liked this collection. it made sense to me.

martin grant- i loved this collection. the shoes, clothes and makeup were perfect.

viktor & rolf- the model's faces were washed with a pale white tint, and the clothes seemed to have a vintage inspiration with old style cuts, belting and buttoning. i loved the cascading ruffle theme they had throughout the show, sometimes the pattern was sewn into the bodice of clothing, and it was even featured in a fur frock.

valentino- all i have to say is ♥♥♥♥ amazingly simple glamour.

stella mccartney- amazingly chic outerwear, and such an elegant yet young collection. i love you stella!

tao- this show was almost lacroix like in it's imaginiativeness and creativeness.

sophia kokosalaki- all of sophia's collections are so intelligent and fluid, i'd love to wear the clothes she makes...particularly the ones in the collage!

rue du mail- parisian chic--very feminine and very cool. i am in love with the nude peplum dress to the far left.

roland mouret- i loved the shoes in this collection, so original yet wearable! oh, why must i be poor? O.O

nina ricci- this was olivier theysken's last collection from nina ricci and it was AMAZING. i was astounded to see how brilliant it was. i remember when he first came to nina ricci (or at least his early days there) i was amazed with him, last season i wasn't, but he got everything back on track--i wonder who the next head of nina ricci will be? i'll miss olivier.

givenchy- ohmagahh! adriana lima was in the givenchy show! she is really trying to widen out. kudos to her. anyway, i loved it. enough said. tisci is a genius, the end. :)

gareth pugh- i love you gareth pugh!

miu miu- this collection was so chic. some unique aspects of the collection were pailette embellished knee socks, deep v's, lots of coats and fur shoes.



STYLE NOTES

kenzo- this collection took it's inspiration from mother russia. featured were amazingly fashionable khaki utilitarian jackets, cute embellished knits, paisley and folk printed embellished chiffon, furs, platform boots and amazingly beautiful large leather bags. antonio marras did a good job. i realllly liked this show but i was way too tired to make another collage. these were my choice looks: 8,13, 22, 26, 40

sonia rykiel- i love the smiles on the model's faces in every sonia rykiel show. i thought i really liked the show but on closer inspection i wouldn't really wear many of those clothes, the color palette and styling was old-ladyish. but i love the models' smiles.

i think my fave show from paris and from all the fashion weeks was louis vuitton, it was the most memorable to me and i loved the colors, the rabbit ears, the makeup, the accessories...everything!

PARIS FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART I

i've been so crazily busy and stressed and etc. lately, so i apologize for not updating for such a long time! fashion week is officially over. paris fashion week went really well. i'm not sure if i can pick my favorite...for me it's between milan and paris. maybe i'll make a decision later. enjoy!
♥ me

balenciaga- nic ghesquiere never dissapoints me. i loved this new direction for balenciaga. there was still a hint of space agey fashion in the chunky shoes and browless models--but the clothes took a more wearable turn with many drapey silks and well cut blazers and fitted sweater tops. some of the looks were really loud and obnoxious (the printed looks), but i'm sure they can be worn well.

azzaro- there were only two models for this show, but there were plenty of gorgeous clothes. many beautifully crafted dresses were made. they were very ladylike, but not stuffy. they were very elegant, yet fun. i loved a black trouser ensemble with a cut out top that had a beaded beam neckline (it's not featured in the collage), and the impeccable cuts of the clothes. i love azzaro!

antonio berardi-models traipsed around in short frocks, some accessoriezed with ruffles and fur shrugs, or with heavy knitwear placed here or there. all looks were paired with tights and suede ankle boots or over the knee boots. and big shoulders were also featured at berardi, it seems that the concensus in the fashion world is that big shoulders are good.

andrew gn- this collection was very dark compared to the andrew gn spring 2009 presentation with it's exquisite multicolored embellishments on every piece of clothing and accessory, but i stil enjoyed the show. andrew gn put a lot of attention into detail and is definitely making clothes for a particular kind of woman, the kind of woman with tons of money, that gets a new wardrobe every season and dresses up for everything--including breakfast, lunch and dinner. but with this collection he gave the woman a dark edge. the model's eyes were rimmed in black and the clothing was darker. the gowns in this collection were absolutely exquisite.

giambattista valli- this was a very new look for giambattista valli, it was sharp and a bit minimalist compared to past valli shows with abundant prints and gigantic skirts. i liked it, even though it was simpler than what i am used to from valli. my favorite piece has to be that gorgeous maroon gown to the far right of the collage with a lovely peacock print on the hem.

collette dinnigan- dinnigan is a champion of fun, creative and unique everyday clothes. cute dresses to wear to get togethers or on shopping days, turtlenecks to throw on when it's too cold for a light blouse and amazing gowns for the rare occasions when you go somewhere special.

emanuel ungaro- i loved the look of this collection. i loved the african prints, the draping, the really high fashion ruching and the tastefully done big shoulders. this collection was yummy. i can't tell you how much i loved this collection, i LOVEEEEEE quirky elegance, and this was just it.

elie saab- i love elie saab. he's another great designer who knows how to dress women and knows when to change up the accepted shape of clothing at just the right time. i want to own all the looks in that collage. the electric blue cap sleeved sheath is so amazing and that beautiful black sequined/embellished dress is so perfect for a party. i would wear it to every part i was invited to.

dries van noten- this collection was a lot simpler than the dvn spring 2009 presentation. i liked it, but not at first...eventually i just gave into my love of the coolness of dries van noten (the label, i don't really know much about the man. all i know is that he has a really cool name). it was very louche and languid with loose sequined skirts, shirts, blazers, and variously colored sweaters and beautiful silk printed dresses.

costume national-i really loved this. this collection seemed to be based on a tough, nightclubber girl. she has time to put water in her hair, scrape it back, slick on red lipstick on put on the newest, hottest outfit she bought--and then she dances the night away.

commes des garcons- i'm surprised i actually liked this show. the spring 2009 show was horrible, in my opinion, and apparently i'm not cool enough--but i just don't get commes des garcons most of the time. anyway, this time i got it. and this time i loved it. it seemed to be inspired by military, and wars in the jungle. dresses and skirts were swathed with a meshy/tulle-y fabric that could be likened to mosquito netting, and the shoes were flat and had feet painted onto them, many jackets were army green and precise layering techniques were used.

christian lacroix- very well made clothes, especially the coats. the coats were all genius: big, slouchy, roomy, yet structured. and i loved the gigantic buttons.

christian dior-i love seeing christian dior shows, it makes me love, obsess over, and enjoy fashion so much more than i already do. all of the shows are so exciting all of the time, john galliano is so talented (and the makeup was crazy awesome as usual! wine colored lips and silver frosted eyes with lots of black liner and mascara)! the show definitely had some oriental influence, from both india and china with the makeup, the cutting and embellishment of the clothes, the setting of the show, etc. also thrown into the mix were some cool 1920s flapper looks and some bohemian paisley printed floaty dresses. so many colors were used. it was so fun to see.

chanel-this sounds so unlike me, but i am so getting sheen leggings now that i saw them featured at chanel (maybe). i was wondering if i should get them...now i'm pretty sure i will. featured were frilly necks and sleeves of blouses and dresses, black shiny tights, seafoam green tweed, big and blousy sweaters and clear plastic compartment bags where you can strap in your ipod, chanel quilted bag and chanel cosmetics.

balmain- balmain gets more amazing every season. i loved almost every look. i really loved the short in front and long in back black gown isabeli fontana wore (third from left of collage). those kinds of dresses were featured in the spring 2009 collection too, but i think this one was an improvement.

fashion week notes


akris- i loved akris spring 2009 but i only liked akris fall 2009. there were lots of geometric cutouts featured as well as geometric prints and patterns for the clothing. everything was on an angle and very sharp, but at the same time wearable. i liked the color palette, it was a typical dark fall palette but nice subdued purples and reds were featured as well as black dresses (one a gown, one a knee length dress) that showed a lot of decollatage but were not overtly sexy because of the layering of the shiny black material, it made the dress look like revealing armor.



bruno pieters- gorilla fur arms on clothing seems to be all the rage, as bruno pieters is the umpteenth designer i've seen to feature the hairy arms in his collection. i wasn't digging the excessive use of capes, furry arms and muddy colors.



haider ackermann- this collection was lauded on style.com...it was decent, but nothing amazed me.



hussein chalayan- the collection was good but i really didn't like the lighting.



Io Ipse Idem- interesting collection: cute skirt suits, dark palette and spats.



issey miyake- he based his collection off of karate and all of these looks were given the seal of approval from karate pros.



jasmine di milo- i really enjoyed three looks out of jasmine al fayed's fall 2009 collection. it was inspired by the changing phases of the moon. the models wore super tall white wedge heels with black straps. the collection definitely wasn't a fave, but there were some ok pieces.

ann demeulemeester- this collection seemed to be inspired by vampires. the palette was strictly black and white and all of the models were super pale and brooding.

anne valerie hash- the collection was soft and definitely a very modern form of feminine.

junya watanabe- the makeup in this show was so interesting and really creative. parts of the face were shaded with black makeup, at the sides of the nose, under the eyes and around the jawline. featured were a lot of puffer coats in cool shapes like cones or what looked to be deconstructed blossoms.

karl lagerfeld- nice suiting, empire waist dresses, nothing new.

kris van assche- models wore large, shapeless clothes and had mud on their faces...draw your own conclusions.

rochas- a very light and airy collection.

vivienne westwood- the hair and makeup was definitely inspired by pamela anderson. the lips were lined but not filled in, and the eyes were covered in dark shadow and liner. the finishing touch was bed-head hair. pamela anderson herself even got to walk the runway. featured were plaids, short skirts, long skirts, dresses that wrapped around the face and neck, violin clock necklaces, printed knee socks, etc.

yohji yamamoto- i never really get his collections...i can very well say i wouldn't want these looks alone to be in my wardrobe. i can look at some collections and want every look in my closet, but i know that having every look from this show (and nothing else) wouldn't do me good.

alexander mcqueen- one of the main things that caught my eye from this show were the enormous lips painted onto the model's faces. they had gobs and gobs of lipstick on that extended far from their lips. there was amazing construction in the clothes, everything was a work of art, and i thought the huge umbrella hat/headpiece he made was very interesting. that's actually an awesome invention. when it rains you don't have to hold an umbrella, your hat can be your umbrella! many different prints were featured, most noticeably houndstooth and some harlequinade prints, as well as supah supah high shoes. his creations were absolutely amazing, and i feel in lust with some of the pieces but the show as a whole wasn't to my liking.

yves saint laurent- i just wasn't feeling it.

chloe- a very neutral palette. i love chloe, but i didn't fall head over heels for this collection. it featured a lot of baggy bottoms--whether that be shorts, pant or skirts and well as velvet and big coats and blouses. it was pretty blah to me.

john galliano- galliano put on an amazing show, inspired by russian folklore. the clothes were great, the shoes were great, but everything didn't seem too wearable, and that is one of the things that usually makes me love a collection, if it at least seems wearable in some way. but these clothes were leaning towards costumey. i loved the model's makeup--very galliano. pale faces, bedazzled eyes and stained lips. scrumptious.

MILAN FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART II

i've been so busy, and i'm sorry if i haven't been replying to comments fast enough. but i will reply to them! i hope to bring you paris fashion week soon! here is the last of my faves from milan fashion week.
♥ me

versace- i really enjoyed this fall 2009 collection of versace. it seemed a lot more subdued than most versace shows but it was still sexy and feminine. my absolute favorite piece has to be the beautiful cap sleeved blue gown with a diamond opening at the chest (second dress from the right).

pringle of scotland- well made knits with fur accents. at the end some colorful feathered looks were shown, but they weren't to my taste.

prada- i was scared from the first few looks. the models were all so pale and mad looking. however the cut of the clothes is very classic, with a little twist and i liked the accessories. you won't see me in the giant wellies she created but i like her studded suede mary jane like heels with a huge plume of leather fringing at the back. also featured were beautiful yet simple doctor like handbags--some resembled fancy toolbags while others resembled hermes birkins. also featured were super short wool shorts, long cardigans, and dresses made out of jewel encrusted strips of leather. i didn't really like the weird leather dresses, but i'm sure we'll see them in a few editorials.

moschino cheap & chic- i loved the belting in this collection, it was very original, as the belts didn't reach all the way around the waist. i loved the ruffled skirts and the new take on ladylike looks.

missoni- i loved the piled on knitwear. it looked so comfy and soft, and i'd love to wear it now, because it's so cold!

fashion week notes...

* platform shoes are big for fall 09. i've been seeing them on so many runways--from burberry to erin fetherston to d&g. they are everywhere--and they make everyone tall (and the models taller)!

just cavalli- it took as interesting and surprising turn to rocker chic. there were lots of slashed jeans, short dresses and blazers.

moschino- it seems that i should live in italy because i love everything that milan is churning out. i would love to own that floral applique coat that was the first look for moschino. it was a nice navy blue and had unique details. the beginning of this show was really good, with a lot of floral details (prints or appliques) and nice knee length dresses, but as the show went on i got bored. i need the show to keep getting better as it goes on.

iceberg- featured were chunky knits, shiny lizard/snake skins, zippers, furs, ankle boots and tight skinny pants. i loved look 16, a red fabric fish scale dress with a chunky black zipper down the front. i hope to see that on the red carpet or on a street style column or something. also there was a nice one shouldered dress where one part was jersey and the other part was a textured patent fish scale textile. i didn't really like the collection as a whole because at times it felt really overworked and a lot of the color combos (orangey red with bubbglegum pink) was sickening.

gucci- frida giannini took gucci on a trip back to the '80s. i miss her hippie stint, but i guess she had to upgrade to powersuit dressing, crazy eyeshadow and bold red lips. featured were a lot of high leather boots, leather, shiney sateen like fabrics, blues, purples, large dot print, skinny suits, metallic detailing on the clothes, shiny black bags and big black sunglasses. the collection got better towards the end with a lot of sparkly, short dresses that reminded me a bit of balmain but not too much. i just wasn't feeling this collection, but i'm sure some of these individual pieces will look smashing outside of the show.

alessandro dell'acqua- the show was impeccably styled, and all of the clothes looked great and all of the models looked great. even though he used a purely neutral color palette consisting of black and browns and a few metallic touches he got a lot of these few colors. i also loved the amazing bags with fur tail things hanging off of the straps. however, i'm not sure how these clothes will look on people, that aren't models and who weren't styled to look perfect in the clothes.

salvatore ferragamo- very polished, but i couldn't find too many pieces that i was head over heels in love with. it was still a very good collection though.

roberto cavalli- cavalli has a new girl,

"She's tough, aggressive, sexy, and young, and she's going to help me fight this crisis," Cavalli said backstage(style.com)...and his description was spot on. my favorite part of this collection were the beautiful boots made out of grommeted leather and fur. most of the looks included thigh high boots, skinny jeans, fur, or uneven hemmed minidresses. it was nothing revolutionary, the looks were just new for cavalli.

maurizio pecoraro- all the models looked like dressed up gothic girls. i liked the accessories more than the clothes.

etro- etro has never excited me or appealed to me, and that didn't change with this collection.

aquilano.rimondi- the emphasis was definitely on the shoulders for this collection. every look had big, sculpted shoulders. i liked a few of the pieces, such as a balmain-esque white blazer with big shoulders and satin lapels, and a red velvet dress with big shoulders that closed the show--however, most of those clothes weren't overly appealing, and sometimes over the top.

fendi- featured at fendi was a dark fall palette, louche fabrics such as velvet and embellished material, and spats. i loved two pieces from the collection, but other looks seemed similar and boring.

francesco scognamiglio- this show was very architectural and very fetishy. the shoes were miles high and had thick hooker platforms and many of the blouses, skits and dresses had razor sharp pleats that extended away from the body. also featured was body armor worn over the ribcage and heavily round studded pants, as well as necklaces that looked like gold fat caterpillars laying on the model's necks.

maxmara- maxmara made a return to simple, clean cut luxury. lots of camel coats and suits were featured, as well as pencil skirts and simple blouses.

pollini- more cute and quirky colorful looks from jonathan saunders, the head of pollini.

MILAN FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART I

now that i've seen milan fashion week....milan fashion week > new york fashion week. i'm just an italian girl at heart i guess....until i see paris fashion week :D
♥ me

alberta ferretti- alberta did what she does best in this collection. she worked with silks and chiffons and had billowing blouson tops and flowing skirts accented with nipped in silk waists. i found it interesting that she used a nude panel ontop of most of her looks to give the illusion that the models' neckline was exposed. also featured was beading on the shoulders of dresses and shirts, and on shoes. rich velvets and royal purples, yellows, and blues were also featured throughout the collection. i feel like these clothes are what a princess off duty would wear. it was very laid back luxe. i love that flapperish dress jourdan is wearing and would love to own it.

albino- the shoes were absolutely killer, and i just liked the feel of this collection. the lime green and pale blue combination on the far right is unexpected, but it definitely works and reminds me a bit of a marc jacobs collection a while back with a little bit of lanvin mixed in. i love the beautiful black dress with a stand up collar that turns into ruffles down the middle of the dress: ingenius!

blumarine- i loved the leopard print minis! this collection was fun fun fun! the set was so bright and the clothing was really cheerful. it was well appreciated by all of us downtrodden souls, no? one of my absolute favorite looks has to be that beautiful yellow one shouldered gown. someone has to wear it, it's just so perfect!

jil sander- if i marry a rich man i want to have lots of jil sander in my wardrobe. season after season jil sander churns out clean, classic pieces that are absolutely timeless. most of the clothes were either black, white, grey or a beigey tannish color, but they were paired beautiful pointy toed shoes came in a variety colors such as fire engine red, toxic yellow, black and more. although the outside of the pieces were neutral colors, some were lined in burnt orange--as was revealed in a beautifully sculpted coat with a collar and lapels that looked like they deserved to be part of a calla lily--yellow, red, etc. all of the looks were just so beautiful, it was hard to choose just five looks that i liked because i liked the entire collection. on jak and jil the bloggers were saying that jil sander has just shown us pure 21st century fashion with no influence from other decades...and i think they're right. it just feels fresh, and real and wearable for now.

marni- i love the new soft look at marni. i loved all of the model's hair. it looked so soft and touchable, and although the marni color palette was very colorful as usual it didn't feel loud, it felt soft and warm. i absolutely loved the styling, and the printed knee socks and tights, and the accessories were amazing. i love marni's funky bags. i could so see myself wearing that beautiful outfit with the fur paneled sweater, and beautiful gold and pink necklace (to the far left--and i could also see myself wearing the second look from the left as well, probably w/o the socks).

luisa beccaria- this line had me from hello. it was amazingly romantic, i loved all of the cream and pale beige looks that came out in the beginning and i absolutely loved the hair that was pinned up in what looked like roller sections. it made a very wistful hairdo that i wish i could pull off...it was a more romantic and desirable version of a polygamist wife hairdo (at least from the front). the hairstyle looked even more luscious from the back. the color palette consisted of cream, nude, black, silver, and medium dark to a subdued blue with bright undertones. the styling was done very well and i don't feel like the collection was too overdone. it was well thought out and could serve as a fabulous fall wardrobe.

giorgio armani- bright red lips, slicked back hair, dark eye make up all formed a more sophisticated look back at the 80s. it seems every designer wants to revisit the 80s. armani made stunning beaded gowns that i am sure will turn up on the red carpet as well as expertly constructed knee length dresses, satin pants, fitted blazers, and long cape coats made out of wool or fur.

gianfranco ferre- big shoulders were prominent at gianfranco ferre as well as dark colors (black and grey) and bold eyebrows that looked to be drawn on in a quick manner by using a ruler and a sharpie. as usual, the show was very architectural--but that's one of the things i love about g. ferre.

emporio armani- i absolutely loved the styling of the show. knee socks and berets are so cute (and so blair waldorf). so many of the looks were wearable too. i loved the huge pale pink leather bags featured as accessories and the fact that he featured all short looks. short dresses, short coats, shorts, and skirts.

emilio pucci- love, love, love, love, love! i loved the over the knee suede boots and the big fur trimmed coat at the beginning and the short hems, and the beautiful hippie glam vibe i got from the whole collection. peter dundas took over from matthew williamson for this season and he did a great job on his debut collection for the house. he gave pucci a really cool, chill vibe. matthew made the line cool in his own right and peter makes it cool in his own right as well. i liked how he gave texture to signature emilio pucci print by using velvet or suede paneling for some of the print on some of the looks. the collection was creative, and seemed to be inspired a bit by balmain as most of these fall 09 collections are, but it was still nice.

dsquared- this show was so much fun. freja opened the show holding a starbucks venti latte. the whole show was definitely an homage to olsen chic in my opinion (i could see ashley wearing the lok to the far left, and either ashley or mk in the second look from the left and the look at the far right, and probably ashley in the third from the left look), and i absolutely loved the funness of it, and the fact that these looks could easily be created for a cheaper price.

dolce and gabbana- big shoulders, prints galore, tall shoes in all colors, gloves as hats, big bow hats, mirrored polka dots, and fur were only a small part of what was featured at the dolce and gabbana fall 2009 show. i absolutely loved the marilyn monroe dresses with huge skirts puffed up by tulle and the hot pink sheath with puffy shoulders. now i understand why the poufy dresses in the 80s were even appealing, it's not that they looked that great, it's because they were fun. i think this sheath looks good and fun.

d&g- looks:7,11,35,44,50 a lot of lace, silks and huge yet short balloon skirts. a lot of the dresses looked like they were made from baroque sofa material. there were velvet dresses, velvet broade/jacquard dresses, pin cushion pillow dresses in satin and more interesting options that seemed to be based off of victorian or baroque furniture.

burberry prorsum- i absolutely love those platform boots. this would be a perfec wardrobe for fall, everything was pretty much comfortable basics and a few pieces were jazzed up with metallic finishes and taking a cue from miu miu some dresses were printed with the visages of roman/greek figures.

bottega veneta- bottega veneta seems to have been made for me. i'm a young lady that likes to dress like a lady. slouchy pants are all well and good, but i'll be the first one to tell you that i enjoy dressing up. and oh, how i'd love to dress up in bottega veneta. i loved their foray into corsetry and how for some looks they corseted the waist and directly under the chest to enhance the chest area. it was done tastefully and no cleavage was shown and it was all still sexy.

part two of milan fashion week is coming soon!