Fall 2011 Paris Fashion Week

Miuccia Prada showed her Fall collection for Miu Miu today, which she described as "sweet, charming, feminine, nice — and always thinking of the important woman." The genesis? A '40s-inspired collection that was given a dose of modernity in the way of floral or bird print wrap dresses paired with tilted baseball caps and glittery platform heels, or even a wool suit remixed with a boyish top and refreshing ruching effect. Mink fur and oversized bow belts added a decadent touch, while oversized shoulder silhouettes lend a directional look. For accessories, big frame clutches, draped bow shoes, and funky sunnies will undoubtedly top the must-haves list of every kitschy cool girl out there.

• Trends: '40s, wide shoulders, pencil skirts.
• Colours: Mustard, red, black, taupe, blue.
• Key Looks: Floral and bird print wrap dresses, double-breasted wool jacket dresses.
• Accessories: Glittery platform heels, bow-embellished shoes.
• Who Would Wear It: Kitschy cool girls like Alexa Chung.

Source: Catwalking

Marc Jacobs goes all out with a theme, and this season was no exception. Louis Vuitton opened the final day of Paris Fashion Week with a fetish-inspired collection as the models stepped out of three elevators onto the catwalk. Kate Moss made a rare catwalk appearance as she closed the show in a rubberised lace jacket, joining an impressive lineup that included Amber Valletta, Carolyn Murphy, and Naomi Campbell. The collection involved statement outerwear with beautiful dropped shoulder coats along with cashmere sweaters, Peter Pan collars, and sheer skirts. Front-row guests included Emma Stone and Natalia Vodianova. The sexual theme of the collection was confirmed with stockings and handcuff accessories.

• Trends: Statement outerwear, fetish, round shoulders, Peter Pan collars.
• Colours: Black, white, red, and blue.
• Key Looks: Rubber lace jacket with fuzzy mongolian sleeves and barely there shorts.
• Accessories: Clutch bags attached to chunky cuffs, large embossed bags, police hats, and platform boots.
• Who Would Wear It: Strong, powerful women.

For Yves Saint Laurent's Fall collection, Stefano Pilati stayed true to the brand's elegant aesthetic — with the perfect hint of sex appeal. Sheer details, feather trim, and patent lend playful accents to impeccably tailored black and white checkered suits. It's an effortless mix of easy separates, looser silhouettes in oversize blazers and wide-leg trousers; then the more luxe — a patent vest, a fur coat and oversize fur sleeves, fantastic, silky white dresses, and jumpsuits for evening. It's luxurious and still accessible; strong femininity that's both Parisian-chic and '70s glamorous.

• Trends: Feathers, graphic print, fur, menswear.
• Colors: Gray, white, black, a pop of purple and blue.
• Key Looks: White, halter-style dress with sheer inset and metallic sandals, double-breasted purple jacket and feather-trim skirt.
• Accessories: Cutout open-toe booties, lace-up knee-high boots, tassel-adorned pumps, chain belts.
• Who Would Wear It: Easy-glam types who crave sophistication without compromising sex appeal.

Source: Catwalking

Karl Lagerfeld has gone crazy for jumpsuits for the latest Chanel collection in a variety of fits, all with statement pockets. A drawbridge opened at either end of the catwalk, which was surrounded by tons of charcoal and lumps of smoking black rock. There was an apocalyptic feel to the collection, which was mainly produced from a dark colour palette. Dresses were generally maxi length and produced from sensual fabrics like lace and tulle. There were long capes and boxy jackets, and even the most feminine pieces were given edge with applique and leather panels.

• Trends: Jumpsuits, monochrome.
• Colours: Black, grey, white, red.
• Key Looks: Quilted black jumpsuit.
• Accessories: Midi heels, small clutch bags, lace gloves, chain and leather handbags.
• Who Would Wear It: Women who want an elegant rock-chic wardrobe with a tailored edge.

It's safe to say Hannah MacGibbon kicked rumors — that her contract is up after this season — to the curb after showing an ultra-chic '70s-inspired collection for Chloé today in Paris. Staying true to her signature throwback aesthetic, the designer upped the ante for Fall with a heavy helping of python prints made into diaphanous silk dresses, maxi dresses, wispy blouses, skirts — some even dyed a vibrant jade hue — and more structured pieces via sheath dresses and trench coats. For those who aren't privy to all of the hissing, MacGibbon broke up the reptilian theme with a colorful collage of colorblocked ponchos and skirts along with denim skirts and wide-leg leather trousers injecting a vibrant touch to the collection. And if you're looking for the ultimate statement piece, check out those cool leather dungarees.

• Trends: '70s, reptilian prints, colorblocking.
• Colors: Ecru, brown, jade, mustard yellow.
• Key Looks: Silk python print dress, colorblock poncho.
• Accessories: Oversized hobo bags, platform boots.
• Who Would Wear It: Women looking for chic pieces with a twist.

As always, it was a family affair at Stella McCartney this morning as even Natalia Vodianova brought her children to the front row. The show notes stated, "to all my babies, husband, family and team. They rule!" It was a typical McCartney collection with sharp tailoring and glamorous yet fun party dresses. The colour palette was minimal using monochrome with the occasional blue and gold pieces (similar to Gareth Pugh). There were sheer trompe d'oeil aspects giving a sensual edge and applique paillettes. The whole collection felt more grown up than previous seasons with edgy elements including rigid shapes, voluminous dresses, and dropped shoulders.

• Trends: Sharp tailoring, monochrome, voluminous silhouette.
• Colours: White, black, blue, and gold.
• Key Looks: Little black cocktail dress with trompe d'oeil cutout detail.
• Accessories: Loafers, ankle boots, and sleek clutches.
• Who Would Wear It: Glamorous women who like to play with silhouette.

A big willow tree stood at the beginning of the Lanvin runway, a sign that Alber Elbaz was all about roots. When it comes to Lanvin that means sharp tailoring and clothes that celebrate a woman's love for femininity and fun. Elbaz delivered both in a show that began soberly and ended on a ripe, color-filled note. First, the tailoring. Models emerged in carefully oversized, boxy wool coats and capes, and wide-brimmed pilgrims' hats with menswear shoes and prim bags. Then the silhouette softened, into graceful silk one-shoulder dresses and gowns. Elbaz began to play with silhouettes, moving from boxy minimalism to figure-hugging curves, sometimes combining them, and releasing looks with volume and structure. Finally, it became party time, and we got a fruity roll of classic Lanvin dresses in yellow, pink, red, burgundy, with that precise drape that makes Alber's designs so covetable.

• Trends: Draping, minimalism, boxy silhouettes, '70s.
• Colours: Yellow, black, navy, red, fuchsia, burgundy, peach, mauve, tan.
• Key Looks: The bright and fruity cocktail dresses at the end. .
• Accessories: Amazing deco statement necklaces, pilgrim hats, loafers.
• Who Would Wear It: Ultra chic girls who love to indulge their flirty side at night.

The house of Christian Dior has experienced a great upheaval since it fired John Galliano for making anti-Semitic remarks, but the show went on earlier today to a subdued crowd of attendees. And the mood continued in the collection, which was devoid of Galliano's trademark dramatic theatrics in makeup and design. Instead, the house showed a more tailored and elegant collection composed of tweed skirts, velvet trousers, decadent fur coats, and jacquard knickers, along with floor-sweeping capes and coats. However, it was the eveningwear that caught our attention: muted pastel-hued ruffled dresses appeared evoking a soft ethereal feel, and for the more dramatic, the brand created sheer lace gowns paired with streamlined blazers.

• Trends: Boudoir-inspired gowns, tweed suiting, jacquard prints, ruffle embellishments.
• Colours: Olive, blue, mustard, dark red, pale pink, light blue.
• Key Looks: Dark red velvet and chiffon dress, sheer lace gown and blazer.
• Accessories: Lace-up ankle and over-the-knee boots, floppy felt hats, fur stoles.
• Who Would Wear It: Women looking to add drama to their look.

Each season, Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere is able to take a familiar silhouette, deconstruct it, and present something to us that is undeniably new and futuristic. For example: this floral dress layered with a sheer-paneled top and vest, seen left. The combination has been seen a hundred times, but Ghesquiere added a new twist to the concept via a slick lizard-and-flower-print skirt, a thick-braided leather vest (could be faux), and a sheer top. A little tough, a little structured, and a whole lot of cool. A sports theme ran through the show in the form of boxy tops covered in what looked like black soccer netting, and a neoprene-like fabric that gave pants an invincible look. Miranda Kerr returned, walking the runway in a calf-skimming skirt trimmed with a leather ruffle, and ageless beauty Stella Tennant showed that longer proportions will continue into Fall, wearing trim blue pants under a long white and black tunic dress. It was the sporty feminine modern woman, who by the way sported killer strappy stilettos.

• Trends: Futuristic, minimalism, longer proportions, florals, layering, sporty, colorblock.
• Colours: Black, white, caramel, plum, cobalt blue, garnet, hot pink.
• Key Looks: The floral pieces layered with sharp black vests and jackets.
• Accessories: Strappy stilettos, hand-clutch bags.
• Who Would Wear It: The cool girl who can work architectural silhouettes, like Jennifer Connelly.

Source: Catwalking