styelle

One of my new FAVORITE designers is Vanessa Bruno, and today she showed at Paris Fashion Week.  I would have to describe her aesthetic as “glam-Swedish-snow-peasant”. Interesting, I know. I have been anxiously awaiting to see her spring collection, and she did not disappoint!  Woo-wooooooo:

Looking at Stella McCartney’s collection brings me back—wayyyyyyy back—to the Magic Eye craze of the 1990’s.  God what simpletons we were in the 90’s.  It took so little to entertain us (pogs….slap bracelets….MILKY PENS!!! Need I continue?).  

So although Mrs. Stella’s collection evokes memories of staring cross-eyed at a book until I could see it’s pictures in 3-D, I find the optical illusion far more pleasing in this context :)

Enjoy away.  (Crossed eyes not necessary)

<——UBER-Favorite Alert

She threw in some bold waves for good measure…..

And her ever-present suit:

I love Chloé.  Always.  I don’t know what it is exactly, but all the looks are always so….fresh? I feel just as clean looking at the clothes as I do when I wear the line’s perfumes.  There is just something very soft and feminine about every collection.  I find that I can often easily identify a Chloé piece when I see one, more so than any other designer (with the exception of maybe Dries Van Noten, another distinguishable favorite).   

Lots of color-blocking upon neutral-hued, sheer fabric helps make this collection a perfect example of structured femininity (which is the look that most women are striving for these days, let’s be honest). The structured blazers and jackets over loosely flowing material create the ideal masculine-feminine balance that is so “in vogue” these days.  While I love this look (as I believe so many do), for its universal beauty, it is important to just take elements of it, and swallow those elements up so they become part of your own unique look.    

Note that there are no obnoxious FAVORITE ALERTS.  Because they are all FAVORITE ALERTS.  

Ruffles, fringe, folds, floral appliqués, polka dots, and of course, turbans (aka the head fixture at almost every show) helped evoke the romantic elegance that defined Temperley London’s spring collection.   

<——LOVED the blush lace jumpsuit

<——Ruffles AND polka dots?  GOOOO-juss. 

<——FAVORITE ALERT

<——FAVORITE ALERT

<——FAVORITE ALERT

I clump these three collections together (in my mind at least) due to their common theme of fabrics that float away from the body in soft whites and pastels.  While 3.1 Phillip Lim had more of a structured look, Rebecca Taylor and Jenny Packham made far more use of sheers, lace, and beading.  

3.1 Phillip Lim

Jenny Packham

Rebecca Taylor

*One of my favorite pieces of any collection

<——I am having a thing for the leather cami at the moment, so I of course loved this.

<——I was a HUGE fan of the black-on-periwinkle pieces, bravo!

Truly, nobody can even hold a candle to this man.  Stunning.  I have no words. 

Ok I have some words. The thing about Oscar de la Renta is, even if you wouldn’t be caught dead WEARING any of his designs (why someone wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them I couldn’t tell you, maybe Jesus is their personal designer or something), there is absolutely no denying that his designs are pure artwork. And if you DO deny it, I will challenge you to a duel.  So there. 

<——love these shoes<——If THIS is not the epitome of “Old-Hollywood”, then I don’t know what is.

<——Ok maybe THIS is….

Sidenote: Maybe part of the reason why his collection looks amazing is because his models aren’t completely skeletal. Other designers should take note.  Seriously.  Because clothes somehow just aren’t as appealing when they are hanging off a coat rack. 

Another of my Fashion Week favorites, Zac Posen’s collection mainly consisted of structured dresses and gowns.  Anyone who says they have ZERO interest in fashion::ahem-ladies-at-the-table-next-to-me-at-dinner-the-other-night-ahem::needs to seriously take a look at the gowns in this collection—the craftsmanship is unreal.

<——FAVE ALERT<——FAVE ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——FAVE ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——TILDA SWINTON ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——UBER-FAVE ALERT

After perusing through the various Fashion Week collections, I was surprised to find that one of my favorites was Carolina Herrera’s ready-to-wear.  I say “surprised” only because I’ve never considered myself a major fan, more “indifferent” (sorry CH, I know that must just crush you).  This season however, my socks have been straight-up knocked off!  IMHO, it is one of the most diverse yet consistently GOOD collections this season. Hers is probably the only one I flipped through and thought “love….love…..love….love…love…”.  I TRIED to narrow it down to just my favorites……but wound up posting basically the entire collection….  

Sheer Over-sized Plaids…..

Wispy Whites……..

Long and Flowy Geometric Shapes and Prints……

Chain-Mail-esque, yet fluid…..

Bold and Beautiful Colors with a Touch of Lineation…..  

Bold and Structured with a Touch of Frill…..

Variations on The Pantsuit…..

Structured Workwear…..

Beading and Sparkle……

…….and more collections from this season to follow! Stay tuned girfren.