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: