FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS: PARIS, PARIS.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen collection blew me away. It was absolutely delicious. Literally makes me want to grab it, feel and taste it. I know, that doesn't sound so right but it really does. I don't love it this much because it's anything I would want to wear myself but because it is just so intriguing, fascinating and absolutely not boring - which is the least I can say about some of the other shows, *cough cough* Milan. The use of fabric manipulation created volume and movements on so many levels. I can see Lady Gaga rockin' one of these pieces at an award show, or maybe just walking down the street. Sunglass and all.

A show like this needs to be viewed in motion to see it's full effect. Check it out!

CHLOE

One of my favourite labels, Chloe did not let me down. The use of trademark blush tones and loose styles still reminds me why I love the label so much. Girly, feminine, carefree and relaxed. 

MUGLER

There is a reason why Lady Gaga is the muse of Mugler designer Nicola Formichetti.  The man is a genius and with Gaga's unique wackiness, they make the perfect pair. This show however was not collaborated with Gaga but I can still see some Lady Gaga-esque coming through. The asymmetric peplum shapes teamed with rounded shoulders in crisp white and layers of black with mixed fabrics gave it a good/evil Ice Queen vibe which was very cool.

Check out this wacky fashion film collaboration from the two, for Mugler S/S 2012 featuring Lady Gaga sporting three heads and buck teeth.

PIERRE BALMAIN

Balmain's diffusion line has gotten a bit of slack for being too basic. I however really like this range. It's simple but still so stylish. My favourite piece from the women's line is the black and white panelled double breasted leather jacket. So effortless yet so cool. From the mens line, I'm loving the navy double breasted slim line suit. The cut is very trendy yet modern. Of course having ridiculously good looking models who fit the brand image so well does help too. 

VALENTINO

All images from Style.com

Just like the Valentino Red collection, this collection too is also very cute but with an edge. With some leather, lace and beautiful embroidery, Valentino's Fall collection offers some very beautiful pieces. My favourite would have to be the nude racer front dress with red and green embroidered florals and what looks to be lurex. This dress would look so good on someone like Kate Bosworth or Rachel Bilson.

Paris, Paris or as Kanye West would say, Pari, Pari was by far the best show of Fashion Week. There were many great shows but I had to narrow down to my favourites. Unfortunately Kanye didn't make the cut. He's collection was actually quite impressive, for a cocky rapper that is. I didn't expect him to do so well but, still not good enough. Anyway, enough about Kanye. My favourite show would have to be Mugler. Everything about the collection was perfect. And again the peplums! If you haven't already noticed, peplums are going to be huge! So start clinching in those waists ladies! Till next time. Enjoy!

FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS: MILAN, MILAN.

LUISA BECCARIA



A collection fit for a princess. Luisa Beccaria's Fall collection was full of beautiful laces and pencil skirts in romantic fields of cream and porcelain. What I love most about this collection though is the soft make up and hair. The models looked like they just fell down from heaven where they like to spend their days playing beautiful music on their golden harps. The collection lent itself to a Valentino/Elie Saab-esque kind of vibe, which was probably why I was drawn to it in the first place.

TER ET BANTINE





Tel et Bantine is a whole collection wasn't that impressive. I did however love the heavy use of leather and the overall darkeness and vibe. My 3 favourite pieces are posted above. This great leather peplum shell top, this awesome, awesome jumpsuit, which I can't think of anyone non model height would look good in and this cute grey swing jacket.

VERSACE



Dontella Versace just reminded me why I dislike her so much as a fashion designer. First of all I wouldn't have bothered to post a Versace collection if it wasn't for 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' refernece. Yes she used my favourite heroin as an inspiration and came up with this! Don't even get me started on the tacky V logos and unflattering hints of canary yellows and oranges. Don't get me wrong though. There are some ok pieces like the peplum bodice dresses, but that's only because I have a soft spot for peplums. Botton line, both Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace are better than this. Well, at least Lisbeth Salander is.

Milan's Fall show was pretty dissapointing. It was abit of a struggle to choose a whole collection I genuinely loved. Sorry for the negativetity but I expected more from Milan. Hopefully Paris will be better. 

FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS: LONDON, LONDON.

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Peplums, nipped waists,  pencil skirts, grandpa hats, tweed, bows, cropped puffer jackets and velvet were all present at the latest Burberry Prorsum show. The mix of femininity, masculinity mixed with 1940s shapes, texture and prints all sound like a hot mess but oh do they work so well together.




MOTHER OF PEARL
     
   
     

    

Addition to my list of new favourite labels is Mother of Pearl. Each season, designer Maia Norman works the collection around the work of certain artists. This collection in particular was inspired by the hallucinogenic artworks of Fred Tomaselli. Check out some of his beautiful paintings below.
I love how Maia Norman always manages to bring out the surfer girl in her with sporty elements without being overly sporty in her pieces. She still keeps it feminine with simple girly shapes and refined tailoring and beautiful eye catching prints. As I am often a heels girl, this collection makes me want to wear everything with sneakers. Especially feminine dresses and skirts.  

Images from Artnet.com



MARY KATRANTZOU

Digital print queen Mary Katrantzou gives us another spectacular  show with her signature prints. As spectacular as the show was though, I felt like I have seen it all before and it left me longing for more from Mary. The silhouettes and prints, it seemed like an extension to her SS12 collection, only in a different colour palette. Having said that, there were still some stand out pieces.

TOPSHOP UNIQUE

Topshop Unique brought an urban cool feel to the catwalk with their structured yet slouchy pieces in their Fall collection. The definite standout piece for me is this oversized waistcoat which I can see myself wearing with almost anything from skinny high waisted riding pants to wide leg pants to leather shorts.

PAUL SMITH

I'm not usually a huge fan of Paul Smith when it comes to the women's collections. He does great things for the male but when it comes to the ladies, he just doesn't quite hit the spot. This collection however, brings him closer. He's usual masculine reference does the women's collection justice this time round and as you know, I am all for the androgynous look. This outfit is the perfect. Masculine colours and style with feminine detailing and shape.

DION LEE

All images from Style.com

Our fellow Aussie, Dion Lee's first collection at London Fashion Week received  a positive reaction.   The stand out piece here for me is this dress, or is it a playsuit. Whatever it is, it is just so damn beautiful. Dion's work never fails to amaze me. He works with sheer delicate fabrics and unexpectedly manipulates it to create architectural works of art.

Honestly, I expected more from London Fashion Week. HIghlight collections stood out like a sore thumb because there were not much to compete with. Mother or Pearl, I would say was a key stand out for me, followed by Burberry Prorsum.