A rose is a rose is a rose

OK, most everyone knows that Alber Elbaz's Lanvin collections are generally brilliant, so he doesn't require introduction. But I just had to post this coat, which unfolds like the petals of the loveliest black flower you can imagine:

This whimsical crimson creation by John Galliano is equally heart-pounding.



Please click on the images to see the magnificent unadulterated crimson color of the coat - for some reason Blogger has turned it brownish! And I'd like to thank Gertrude Stein for the title quote.

Paris Fall Fashion Wrapup

Can I just thank god for Olivier Theyskens? His designs never fail to make me sigh. I was sad about his leaving Rochas - the things he did for that venerable house in just a few years never cease to amaze. Thankfully, Nina Ricci has snatched him up. Here are a few favorites from his first collection:



Another talented young designer set to revitalize an august Parisian house is Sophia Kokosalaki, whose collection for Vionnet was particularly awe-inspiring. Madeleine Vionnet was known for her absolutely brilliant cuts and artful drapes (she invented the bias cut, for example). Kokosalaki is a young Greek designer, perhaps best known for her designs for the official Olympics outfits in Athens. In the fashion world, however, she is quickly becoming reknowned for her skilfull cutting and draping...an inspired choice for Vionnet, right? It was so hard for me to pick just a few looks from her wonderful collection:

Blousons in Milan

What do you think of these two coats from Alberta Ferretti's Fall 2007 show? I find them gorgeous...especially as I am addicted to blouson sleeves at the moment. The shapes of both coats are essentially the same, but the changing of a few details (like the black buttons in the first coat) and color gives them each a unique personality.


Here's another similarly proportioned coat, this time at Moschino, in a kicky red silk.

Okay, I'm cheating, this one's not a blouson coat - it's more of a trapeze style. But I just had to post it - I love everything in this look, down to the (more) subdued pompadour hairstyle and the shiny trim on the dress which corresponds to the black patent bag she's carrying (trend alert, by the way!). Also from Moschino.

Oh, Etro

I was really blown away by this show. Well, rather by about 8-10 looks in this show which really wowed me. This suprises me, because I am very picky about color and this venerable brand, famous for its colorful prints, has a tendency to go over the top. But I thought there were several looks which worked really well, and that I would wear in a heartbeat. Here are a few:


Yum- I love the shade of burgundy on that skirt, and how it works with the colors in the blouse. And the leather totally sexes up this sort of "funky librarian" look.


What a beautiful, muted print, which is a perfect contrast to the gorgeous chartreuse satin just peeping out.


Love, love, love this coat. This whole outfit is just perfection, really - well, it would be really perfect if the fur was faux, but that's life!


Ignore the hairy tendrils sprouting from her shoulders. My god, look at those colors!


These colors should not work together, but they do. I love the ruffled collar emerging from the sweater. This look is so refined, but the color really makes it young and fun.

Buttons Galore!

It seems like buttons are just the thing for next fall. I'm totally loving them. Not only do they keep your clothes together, they can be aesthetically pleasing as well! My button craze started with this bag from Betsey Johnson:

Before it moved into full-fledged fashion week territory. See:

Chris Benz


The buttons really add interest to this grey shirtdress from adam + eve.


And you may remember this fab trench from Alexandre Herchcovitch

A few (somewhat) more affordable buttoned-up items:
This military-inspired bag from Cynthia Rowley:



I love the fact that these leggings from LaRok have this extra detail, which makes them a bit more interesting than usual...however, $50 ($98 originally!) is a bit too much to spend on leggings which are (hopefully) on their way out.

Finally, an etsy boutique called Wired Vintage creates jewelry from vintage buttons.
These bakelite earrings are fun:

And I think this chunky bracelet is great:

Brian Reyes

Brian Reyes recovered from last season's slump to deliver an interesting collection. The first look is especially appealing to me - I love the rust colored gloves offset with the slate blues of the rest of the outfit.

Vera Wang

Vera Wang's moody Cossack-inspired collection got mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it...though I'll agree her inspiration seemed pretty much out of the picture, the clothes spoke for themselves. She knows how to work that dark romantic look and this collection reminded me why I still love layers (whatever the divine Marc Jacobs might have to say about that!). Her clothes are so incredibly tactile - can't you just hear the rush and swish of silk rubbing up against the wools?

Phi

According to Phi, layers and belts are still hot, and judging from the elegant yet edgy mix-and-match look of their collection, I'd have to agree.

Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino's combination of ladylike and flirty French fashion has always appealed to me, and her new collection is no different.

NY FW Wrapup

So it with some relief that I announce that London Fashion Week begins today. New York was rather disappointing, I felt - sure there were lots of looks that I enjoyed but many designers still seemed mired in past decades and past seasons. I look to London, Paris and Milan for that exciting burst of creativity and magic that is fashion at its best. Especially Paris. Anyways, there were a few final shows that I enjoyed. Richard Chai, for example, is one of my favorite newcomers and I loved his color palette and his gorgeous coats...and those fabulous boots!




Up next, Catherine Malandrino.

Colored Tights: A Mini-Lesson.

See, this is how you do colored tights. Keep everything up top neutral...and voila - a burst of color that looks playful, not costume-y!
From Y-3.
Also, I love how Kylie Minogue worked this look, out and about in London the other day. So elegant!

It works beautifully because the rest of her outfit is completely understated.
Photo credits Style.com and Splash News

Yikes, Malo!

Yes, that is a dog. And yes, that is a coat.

I'm trying to be fair...this look had more potential, I think - they are still working with texture but it is rather less...hideous? horrendous? heinous? Oh well. I love the slate blue color of the wool jacket, and how it plays off the gleaming gunmetal pailettes of the skirt.
Both looks (puli dog not included) from Malo.