Globe Dior


The Look: For Raf Simons second prêt-à-porter Fall 2013 show, he showed his collection among big mirrored/steel-looking globes. He used Andy Warhol's early drawings as a motif for some of his dresses--portraits of women, sequined shoes, flower vases, could be seen in peplum tops and dresses. Strong graphic tendencies--which is a big trend for Spring 2013--are carried over for Fall here in black and white ensembles. Very Dior-like draping, "flaps" and askew folding took his Haute Couture Collection from early this year into a more toned-down ready-to-wear level--but without losing any of the Haute charm.

Communion, Nuns, Cardinals, Popes and McQueen Angels...


The Look: Catholic Priests in Drag. Creative Director/Designer Sarah Burton designed this collection during her last stages of her pregnancy so therefore it's briefness (only ten looks)--and maybe it's focus on "Divine Inspiration". The mini collection was all about excess and Catholic priests of the 16th Century. Elizabethan Costume Details such as Ruffs, puffy sleeves mixed with  "Conquistador" uniforms and armor. Modern touches included studded rocker-chic boots, silver metallic corset belts, finger covers and crystal-encrusted headdresses. Oh, and then there was a little Folies Bergere thrown in at the end...



This was just an "Inspiration" for what editors and buyers would then really see back in the showroom: Probably fiercely simple yet rigorously fab black sheath dresses. Visit an Alexander McQueen boutique come this Fall and let me know if you see ANY of this in stores. Here's a hint: you won't. But it was fabulous to see it here, n'est pas?

The World According to Chanel:



The Look: Karl Lagerfeld and the House of Chanel has taken over THE WORLD. And evidence of this: The Grand Palais was transformed (as it has become de rigeur with Chanel) with a HUGE globe of the world with pin lights denoting cities and little red flags for the 300 Chanel boutiques around it. Chanel rules. We got it Karl. The clothes: lots of tweeds (naturally), dark, winter, and semi-punk. Colors included black, royal blue, washed denim, gray, pink. Silhouettes: rounded shoulders, roomy sleeves, short vs. long, flared skirts. Fur caps!

Alexander Wang's OUTSTANDING Debut for the House of Balenciaga:


The Look: Alexander Wang's debut collection for Balenciaga was a moment. A Fashion Moment. It was much anticipated by all the Fashion Cognoscenti. Last July, it was all about Raf Simons and his first Dior Couture show, and now it's Wang's time. The NY boy "done did good", according to many who were there, including the NY Times' Cathy Horyn. She said "Balenciaga is in good hands." And I agree.


Rumors in the French capital were that of "Mon Dieu! How could they let a New Yorker actually design for the famed French House...". But he conquered. The collection was sublime, ultra chic, modern. Wang went into the Balenciaga archives and payed homage to the Master's shapes, volume and proportions. It was beautiful.