Ann Demeulemeester

The black and white at Demeulemeester always caught my eye, but this time around I was even more intrigued by the glitter aspect of the show. The hint of sheen in the womens shirt livens up the classic pant suit and the glossy black sandals for men are so much fun that I wish they made them for women! I love how her shirt is draped. It speaks of a woman with luxurious bedding and the most creative inclinations, the result of rolling out of bed with a fabulous shirt.

These black ensemble would speak for themselves, but the beaded accessories ensure that they do not go unheard! Although the shoes are not my favorite (those straps look incredibly uncomfortable, and the soles look like they were part of rubber boots in their past lives), the beaded turtleneck necklaces are right up my alley.

Adding a little fringe to the beads was the next logical step, of course, and the result is no less appealing. The menswear in this collection is a nice little break, and the buttoning here is a great twist of imagination. The little white tutu brings in the bedlinen draping that I enjoyed so much of this collection, while the final dress and blazer ensemble takes the idea to the next level. The chandelier necklace is so dainty that it just looks penciled onto the shirt. How wonderfully simplistic and decadent at the same time! Now if only I could 'pencil in' a chandelier necklace into my wardrobe...

source: ann demeulmeester spring 2009 at style.com

A.F. Vandevorst

Written off as almost unwearable by Nicol Phelps over at style.com because of the 'kink factor,' An and Filip presented a most delicious collection right out of the boudoirs of Paris. Regardless of the critics, I happened to enjoy this collection very much - although I do agree that a fair portion of it will have to be reinterpreted by the more conservative of us. The rouge pout and mane-like hair offers just the right amount of wildness to the otherwise monochromatic and streamlined look this spring. I love how the proportion of leg to torso remains constant throughout the show, and those leggings are going to start a DIY frenzy amongst some of my fellow bloggers... and I just might have to join them!

source: af vandevorst spring 2009 at style.com

Ralph Lauren

I adored most of what Lauren came up with for the spring and summer seasons. Although Morocco has been a place of inspiration for many, Lauren catches the spirit of the place in his clothes rather than simply transposing the silhouettes into something American. It was an luxurious, elegant, and carefree collection, and the setting heightened how his pieces glimmered like stars in the night sky.


These first few ensembles are translatable for both the young and mature wearer - a testament to Lauren's ability for timelessness. The beauty of the rightmost piece is that the silk blouse is backless - an absolute indulgence for peacocks everywhere. For me, a bare back is the ultimate. I am also quite enamoured with the gold genie pants. They are just so comfortable and glamorous at the same time. Could a girl ask for anything more?



The beauty of these dresses are lost in the still photos. Their movement and shimmer is irresistible. I love walking in a full length gown, enjoying the movement of the fabric around my ankles. There is just something about it that can really elevate your mood.


And finally, these black stunners rounded up the show with such elegance. The details absolutely sparkled away and their fluidity totally evoked the feel at an event on a warm Moroccan night.


I find that the strengths of his collections are in the movement of the pieces and the perfectly crafted accessories that truly did bring Morocco to Paris for this show.

source: ralph lauren spring 2009 at style.com

Balenciaga

Nicolas Ghesquière brings us quite the eye-catching collection, to say the least. A quick little snippet of menswear engulfed by brilliant dresses and suits. The whole collection felt very much like a uniform to me, as he covered as much of each model as possible - almost negating their individuality by disguising their skin tone with tights and long fitted gloves. By creating this neutral backdrop, the garments really stand apart from the wearer, allowing yet another imaginative twist for the buyer to incorporate into their wardrobe.




These little numbers remind me of school girl tunics that we all had to wear, and find a way to look somewhat deifferent from the girl beside us in English class.


By far my favorites are these jackets. Forget about designing for one season, here Ghesquière presents a take on each season without skipping a beat. It could even be a jacket to really reflect the mood of your fancy. And he has no reservation to simply show one, but strut them out one after the other with no mind to editing his show. Bravo! I love to see everything a designer has to offer, even a mere pallet change.


His menswear is perfectly odd, with stooping shoulders an collarless creations. The pants are great and the tailoring imaginative.

Matthew Williamson: Polished Perfection

It's barely fall and already spring is in the air. Matthew Williamson's collection is one to look forward to as there is something for everyone in this collection. His jeweled suits take fall's blazer trend forward with the bubble sleeves and streamline collars. The iridescent shorts and skirts add interest to any outfit, and will look positively glam when work out at night with light, airy cottons.



His use of nudes creates a more accessible interpretation of his otherwise bold line. For those who are looking for a more useful garment, his leftmost looks are right on the money - but for those looking for a little more punch, his rightmost looks bring the same needs to a bolder level.


This little piece of bohemian chique is, for me, what really caught my eye in his collection. The silhouette is leaner, and yet he still captures a care-free spirit with the prints. The clean, polished, thick straight hair is an immaculate alternative to the tussled waves and allows these looks to transition between city and beach life effortlessly. The white pants and top paired with the printed bolero and beads creates the perfect inspiration for those of us who are experimenting with the boho look, but favour the clean lines of a more classic silhouette. Using the Carrie belt here showcases a new way to incorporate the now, dare I say, iconic belt in yet other ways: one to edge out a casual look, the other to fall in line with it. This lineup has just enough structure to it for a modern buyer, yet does not loose the flavour of the carefree summer.


His evening looks have that rocker vibe with enough play so as to avoid an overly harsh tone. Again, the Carrie belt makes an appearance is a more predictable interpretation, and the cropped shrug keeps it from getting too hard core. The maxi dress is stunning with the patent waistline, cuffs, and collar to create the requisite edge to bring this dress from standard printed floor length to devil-may-care show stopper. The leather jacket is a great staple piece, while the crazy plastic mini, paired with killer heels, will give any girl extra fire on her nights out.

Kate Moss for Topshop

The new Kate Moss line for Topshop debuts today. This time around I am delighted to see that she did not dumb as many pieces down as in past collections. The fringe jacket, feather chiffon blouse, and the fur vests simply hit the nail on the head. Although my search for the perfect white fur vest still continues, I am more than happy to see that other people will be able to check that item off their list with Kate's creations. Her wet-look jeans and leopard trousers add the element that is undeniably Kate - something that I found missing in her previous attempts. The rocker dress with studs, the strappy fringe number, and the scalloped frock are welcomed departures from the cookie-cutter girly look that has saturated the racks over the past seasons. While she still caters to a general esthetic with the jersey materials and easy to integrate cardigans, this collection brings more to the table in the way of a Kate Moss look than ever before.

Alexander Wang encore

Now that I have scratched my Alexander Wang itch for fall, it's already time for spring! This time his grunge-girl is on vacay in Miami. I like how he kept elements of his fall collection the volume on top and bare bones on the bottom. Not only is he bringing something new to the table with the fresh pallet, but it's a collection that builds on his previous work - pieces fit seamlessly together between seasons, and yet they are not stale. Black in spring? Why not? I've always found that blacks brings an element of elegance to anything and everything - from your outfit to your home to your makeup - and now to spring.

Alexander Wang

These are my favorite looks from Alexander Wang's fall RTW. His shows are my go-to when I need a little refresher on how to balance an outfit - the oversized blazers remind me of something from my grandfathers closet, and when paired with cozy knit stockings Wang creates a silhouette I can't wait to try out. I love how his skinny pants are loose enough to create a runching effect, echoing the warmth of chunky knits, and yet fitted enough so as not to look overly sloppy. Both the taupe and noir look comfortable enough to travel in and collected enough to make a statement over the weekend. But for me the cherry on the cake is the fur bag and the sequined vest. They stand out from the lineup and add the touch of luxury that sets Wang's grunge-girl apart.

The Row

Simple. Chique. Effortless. Click on the title above to see what I mean.

Erin Fetherston

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening" - Coco Chanel

"Dressing is a way of life" - YSL

The ideas these words convey for me how fashion is to find your rhythm, your joie-de-vivre, and give it expression in your wardrobe. So it is with these two quotes in mind that I turn to todays treat: Erin Fetherston. Stumbling upon her in an Australian Vogue some years ago, I fell in love not with her fashion line, but with her Paris apartment. Sensuously and sumptuously appointed, her environs appear suspended in a state of perpetual tea parties sweetened with impromptu dancing and accompanied by a three-tiered assortment of giggles.





It is not until recently that I have fallen for her fashion line as well, and most particularly taken with the long black V-neck which falls away into a wild garden before grazing the floor from her Fall/Winter 2008 collection. As do most flowery, flowy designers, the nonchalant city girl who tends to daydream a little too much aesthetic reminds me of Chloé. But unlike the Chloé girl who, to me, lives in the city and sometimes finds herself in the country, I find that Erin Fetherston creates a story of a country girl who finds her way to the city. There is something more natural and organic in the way she completes her pieces – whether it be in the fabrics, the prints, or the silhouette – something that is a constant throughout her collections. This baseline consistency is what has reminded me of the above quotes; by finding a particular rhythm in her life, Erin Fetherston has created a world of fashion that is true to an idea beyond the trends of the moment. Without a doubt, there is a great deal of trendiness in her creations, such as the dark floral patterns for fall, but they are not the driving force to her collection, they are merely the eye candy of a much grander display.