PopSugar

Best of 2008: Fabulous Fashion Week Shows

FabSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:30:08 -0800

2008 spawned a tremendous flurry of fabulous Fashion Week shows. Let's see, there were New York Fall and Spring shows, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and LA Fashion Week. Oh, and don't forget all of the ravishing Resort and Pre-Fall collections. Some of my faves were Proenza Schouler's Fall line, Alexander Wang's Spring offerings, and Balmain's Spring collection in Paris. All different, all divine. Which were your favorites? Jog your memory, and check out all of our 2008 Fashion Week coverage.

To see the rest of our Fashion Week coverage, read more

Source and Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Louis Vuitton

FabSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:22 -0700

As Paris Fashion Week bids us adieu, Marc Jacobs fashioned a feast of a finale. With an eclectic mix of baroque, volume, and - you guessed it - the '80s, Fall's Vuitton babe is divinely decked. This collection was not shy on color; crimson, canary yellow, salmon, and emerald created a robust palette, while nude and black balanced. Splattered and cosmic prints also tickled the eyes. Volume, i.e. folds, curves, loops, were festooned asymmetrically and in opposing colors creating flirtatious dimension.

This was mostly a runway of legs, as skirts and dresses reigned; however, boots were ultra thigh-high, creating the illusion of pants. The comic touch this time around was crinkled bunny ears fastened onto delicious Bardot chignons. In keeping with the French splendor of the house, where drama roams free, this was another high-inducing collection by monsieur Jacobs.

For more lavish Louis Vuitton, read more.

View 19 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Givenchy

FabSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:00:22 -0700

No matter what Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci serves up, it's always bound to be ahead of the curve. His latest Fall '09 collection, however, is also simultaneously beautiful, thanks to feather-infested gowns and romantic draping. But it wouldn't be Givenchy if it didn't throw together a mumbo jumbo of anomalies: studs and feathers, sheer and draping, asymmetry and power suits. The color palette is minimal, per usual - black, white, cream - but the silhouettes are anything but.

Pant suits were decked out in plush feathers, draped blouses were more interesting via rope details, LBDs were characterized by crazy draping, sheer blouses were given leather arms. You get the picture? There's more. Draped dresses bedazzled with studs, military style coats covered with fur, and strong shoulders. That's the world of Givenchy in a nutshell - so simple, yet painstakingly complicated.

To enter the world of Givenchy, read more.

View 19 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Emanuel Ungaro

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:00:22 -0700

It's always a party for super-young Ungaro designer Esteban Cortazar. You can quickly tell by his love for brights, minis, frills, and funk. Ungaro is quickly becoming my party-girl-inspired favorite. Come Fall we can expect jolts of fuchsia, cobalt, and tangerine amidst draping, ruffles, ruching, and twists. Sound busy? Indeed. But oh so delish.
Prints were spun into the mix as well: graphic polka dots and electric swirls. I couldn't help but see flouncy Lacroix influences . . . Radical accessories like colored tights and metallic banded sandals were youthful, while loose suiting brought an element of sophistication. Lastly, bright, chunky knits proved you can be cozy and slightly crazy at the same time.

For more splashy Ungaro, read more.

View 15 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Isabel Marant

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:00:22 -0700

I've died and gone to Isabel Marant heaven. Seriously, who could resist Marant's animal prints, hip jackets, and irresistibly soft jersey knits? For her Fall collection, the Parisian designer showed off her interpretation of laid-back sexy with a copious amount of girlie skirts, structured jackets, and sexy dresses. Notice how she offsets her ultra-feminine tiered skirts with casual shirts. What a smart way to keep her collection looking wearable and not over-the-top.

For frocks, Marant played around with different cuts ranging from lusciously loose silk to sexy ruched pieces. Crushed velvet shorts and metallic embellishments also made an appearance. I also noticed her frequent use of skinny belts - make a note, stylistas! Altogether, a superb collection from Marant.

To see more from the collection, read more.

View 15 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Dries Van Noten

FabSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:22 -0700

Dries continues to deliver just the right thing at just the right time. While others are delivering dark, moody collections, or '80s overload, Dries welcomed a saturated sportswear inspired by the paintings of Francis Bacon. The designer noted, "Bacon’s subjects are disturbing, but so, also, his use of color is disturbing.” The result is muted tones against vivid chartreuse, pumpkin, periwinkle, and saffron. As for cuts, a cool, loose silhouette is paired with sharp suiting, jackets, and structured leather. The outerwear is what really stands out; this navy zip up jacket (shown right) is a classic cutie, belted coats are strong contenders, and a gray sequined blazer took my breathe away.

No Dries collection wraps without a nuanced print. For Fall, the designer photographed random cocktail fabrics from past decades and fused the black-and-white photos with the silky fabrics. The results was a blocked, geometric motif so fitting to the house, so unique.

For more daring Dries, read more.

View 17 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:00:22 -0800

John Galliano created a '20s inspired Fall collection filled with Indian and Asian nuances for Christian Dior. After I got past the somewhat blinding backdrop, I was able to focus in on Galliano's gowns and two piece suits. He played it safe with streamlined, feminine cuts but made up for it with bold colors, textural fabrics, and most prominently - bold prints. "I'm sure Mr.Dior would have loved these prints," said Galliano when talking about his use of Ikat prints.

Galliano's frocks ranged from hot pink mod with modified bubble hemlines to floaty silk chiffon creations in beautiful jewel tones. His two-piece suits were more structured and showed variety through different prints and colors. Also notice how Galliano edited his use of furs - other designers are all over them for Fall - by sparsely spreading them on hats and coat trims. All together, a merry, mixed bag from Galliano. By the way, we couldn't resist showing you this major buttage shot on the runway! Tee hee.

To see more from the collection, read more

View 15 Photos ›

Source and Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Nina Ricci

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:00:22 -0800

It's a shame, really. We were all pretty bummed when we heard the news of Olivier Theyskens leaving the house of Nina Ricci. So what if his creations weren't commercial? His creations were otherworldly, so special. With a lighter touch than most, Theyksens still managed to deliver strong silhouettes and a slightly bent perspective. With a vengeful hand, in his last collection for the house, he stuck it to the man.

I do spy a commercially viable stiff purple metallic coat and a red carpet-worthy eggplant dramatic swirl gown. Oh, and hello hot pink! And there was enough drama for your grandmama via invisi heel platforms, a copper bodysuit, high/low hemlines, and languid pants. Signature Olivier splashes, like trickles of beading and Edwardian jackets, make things extra special. We have no doubt the gentile designer will find the silver lining - may his erstwhile employers eat it up.

To see more dark and stormy Ricci, read more.

View 12 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Balenciaga

FabSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:22 -0800

Nicolas Ghesquière may have delivered some silky, shouldery Dynasty-esque dresses in his Fall collection, but the '80s references stop there. Plus, I kinda love the dresses . . . Always with a smidge of sci-fi, this is possibly the most wearable Balenciaga collection yet. But it still manages to be distinct. Some looks are bedroom inspired, with draped satin skirts and pants. Others are lush - black velvet suits and jackets with sculptured curves and bows. Prints range from Monet-like artsy to marbleized. Bonus extras include lace bra bandeaus, chunky gold cuffs, and colored tie shoes.

For more from the brilliant house of Balenciaga, read more.

View 13 Photos ›

Source

2009 Fall Milan Fashion Week: Prada

FabSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:00:22 -0800

Every once in a season, a house returns to its roots. Miuccia didn't deliver a high level of experimentation with Fall, but she did deliver some strong outerwear, lovable paillette-induced pieces, and a trend-free austere collection of clothes. Check out the thigh-high Wellies, perfect for a hard day's night. Fabrics were stiff - some brocades and woolies that smell of grandma's house - and leathers were thick and sculptured. Almost everything was cinched with masculine leather skinny belts. However, while things appear so serious, deep-v cuts, short shorts, and bare arms revealed sultry skin. It's always a play of contradictions at Prada.

For more serious Prada, read more.

View 13 Photos ›

Source