Fashion Snow Bunny:

Sarah Burton, Creative Director and Designer for the House of Alexander McQueen showed her Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Collection in Paris yesterday. From looking at the photos and runway video, it all looked like a Winter Fashion Diva Fantasy. Shapes organically exploded as the show went on. As if this little Snow Bunny just got more and more FIERCE as it got colder and colder--in her Swiss Alps Chalet--or Antarctic Hideaway... Burton's Winter Wonderland of Snow Divas began with ivory and creme coats--in graphic jacquard and brocades accented with Mongolian lamb, goat fur and ostrich furs. Then there was the group made of laser-cut pony skin mounted on leather (above photo).
The shapes--in skirts, aforementioned coats and dresses were very "pod"-like. These then exploded into tiered gowns. One tiered dress had--according to one of the McQueen Atelier sewers--EIGHTY godets! This is Couture-like workmanship. I highly doubt any of these grand objects will ever make it to retail or any of the McQueen stores but I'm sure we will see toned-down sellable variations instead. And yes, they will have plenty of that "Pippa" cowl-front dress too! But we all know, Miss Lady Gaga will be saving some of these runway looks just for herself! Next Winter...Lady Gaga: the McQueen Snow Bunny!
Click Below for the Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Collection Full Runway Video:

Baroque, Religious, Lavish...oh and Flower Prints...
I know that I'm a little backwards with my "Fashion Week" reportage here on my blog: I've already shown you two collections from Paris Fashion Week, which is occurring right now--but now I'm highlighting some collections from Milan's Fall/Winter Fashion Week, which happened about a week ago--prior to Paris. Anyhow, you get the point. So, now, here's the Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Collection from designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The runway and surroundings--from the video--looked very opulent and lavish. The running themes were Sicily (where the designers are from), plus Baroque Religious traditions and the clothing of cardinals--transformed a la Dolce & Gabbana--for HOT sexy women! Capes and capelets were big, and so was the gold bullion embellishments--on just about everything. Colors: black, gold, (of course), ivory, multicolor flower prints. Brocades and jacquard's also were featured. And the gold "angelic" headband was the key hair accessory--I'm sure my TV Guide Network Fashion Wrap "style sister", Tabatha Coffey, would not approve!! (she wasn't a fan of some of those actresses on the red carpet wearing the headband--ex: Michelle Williams at the Golden Globes 2012). Check out some of the looks from Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012 plus the full runway video at the end of this post:
Click Below for the Full Runway Video of Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012:

Paris Pret-a-Porter Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Collections...
Sante Fe de Bogota, Colombia-born adopted by French parents fashion designer Haider Ackermann showed his Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Collection at Paris Fashion Week yesterday and it was a tour-de-force in masterful tailoring, cutting, unusual twisting and draping and a definite interest in the Masculine side of womenswear. It's no surprise that actresses like Tilda Swinton love his designs. And no wonder they call him "The Next Yves Saint Laurent". In terms of silhouette, the wrap was key to this collection.
There is a definite interest in the waist and the peplum--and as seen in other collections--it is beginning to be an important detail for Fall/Winter 2012.
Also, ladies, it's all about big ballooning sleeves--batwing, kimono, butterfly...whatever you call them...they're SO NOW! Colors for Fall/Winter include bronze, violet, orange, mustard, deep red, muted fern green. Lots of wools, leathers, shantung and silk satins.
Check out some highlights from Haider Ackermann Fall/Winter 2012 Collection plus runway video at the end of post:

Click Below for Runway (edited) Video from US Vogue of Haider Ackermann Fall/Winter 2012:

Christian Dior Pret-a-Porter Fall/Winter 2012: Dior House Designer Bill Gaytten continued his love of the iconic "Bar Jacket" and there were also references to Ballet, New Look, full A-Like skirts juxtaposed with fitted ones. Very commercial, not-style-shaking clothes. But very "Dior on Auto-Pilot". Draped and twisted tops, chiffon gowns. "The Artist"-looking 1920's-like cloche caps on the models. Colors: Mauve, rose pink, blush, nude, indigo blue, black, and hounds-tooth jacquard's. No one knows whether Gaytten is still "in it" for the long haul and if the Dior owners are still looking for Galliano's replacement (last rumor was Raf Simons was being courted for the Dior position--after he was unceremoniously booted out of Jill Sander). I've said this before: it must be very frustrating for Gaytten...however, he's probably just happy to have a job and a steady paycheck... Check out some of the looks of his latest offering for the House of Dior Ready to Wear:
Click Below for the Full Runway Video of Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2012: