Spring 2012 Fashion Week: Paris

The carousel at Louis Vuitton

Finally, I've made it to Paris, and therefore, my last recap of the Spring 2012 fashion weeks.  Paris's shows are the ones I wait for with bated breath, the ones I know are going to be game changers.  This season, my favorites were Dries van Noten, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander McQueen (always).

DRIES VAN NOTEN

This collection felt like a breath of fresh air--the perfect spring wardrobe for the modern woman.  Dries van Noten does a fantastic job of mixing varied references with crisp, seamless results.  He masterfully blended together sculptural silhouettes, photo print collages, ruffles, and intricate embroidery, for a uniquely cohesive collection.  A black lace-up motif added another twist to his garments--closing off jackets, adding sex appeal to an open-back shirt, or tying up his sandals.  This is one of those collections that you love the longer you look at it.  Let's just say that I'm head over heels.

LOUIS VUITTON

Marc Jacobs loves to keep us on our toes.  After showing a dark, S&M inspired collection for the fall, he did a complete 180 and presented a girlie, sweet-as-cotton-candy collection for the spring.  The show opened with models perched on a white carousel, and closed with the legendary Kate Moss, making this was one of the hottest tickets of fashion week.  The cloud of soft pastel looks took the form of  frothy dresses and skirt suits, accented with oversized eyelet collars and floral appliques.  Sugar was piled on top with beaded headbands (sometimes tiaras), feather trim, and white parasols.  For the tougher girlie-girl, Marc crafted pastel crocodile biker jackets and chrome-tipped pumps.  Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, this collection's charm is irresistible.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Sarah Burton delivered an exquisite collection worthy of the McQueen name, yet again.  This season, she took inspiration from life under the sea (as did Riccardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld and Donatella Versace, to name a few).  Some of her looks took the form of a floating sea anemones, some were ruffled coral clusters, while others were shining mother-of-pearl shells. The lace caps and towering sculptural platform shoes elevated the looks to an otherworldly level.  As always with McQueen, couture-level detailing, such as embroidery, beading, and appliques brought each garment to life.  This is the sort of collection that dreams are made of.

Spring 2012 Fashion Week: Milan

Spring fashion week already seems like a distant memory (especially with the fall 2012 shows quickly approaching), but I am marching onward to cover Milan and Paris.  In Milan, I fell in love with the Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Emporio Armani collections.

GUCCI

This season, Frida Giannini outfitted the Gucci woman in flapper-glam dresses and pant suits. The look was strong and sexy (as it must be with Gucci), and ready to hit the town. Art deco patterns adorned everything from dresses to pants, all rendered in a bold palette of emerald, black, white, and gold. The series of shimmering drop-waist dresses were incredibly fun and glamorous--some were fringed for an extra dose of attitude.   If I were in the market for a knockout party dress, this is the collection I would be pulling from.

DOLCE & GABBANA

For their spring collection, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana went back to their Italian roots and channeled a young, sexy Sophia Loren.  They also must have looked to the kitchen for inspiration, because every runway look was adorned with food.  Models wore eggplant and onion printed dresses, bow tie pasta earrings, and pepper and garlic trimmed handbags. If you think that sounds tacky, take a look at the garments--they are luxe, feminine, and glamorous. After a parade of vegetable-print circle skirts and bra tops, the show ended with a series of colorful jeweled corsets.   This was a happy, exuberant collection.

EMPORIO ARMANI

Giorgio Armani's collection for his Emporio Armani line was a departure from most spring shows. Presented in a stark black and white palette, his models marched out as platinum-bobbed clones. They had a polished Parisian air about them, thanks to the white boater hats and boxy handbags. All of the looks were very clean and graphic, with seams and edges defined by contrasting trim. This was a striking collection that was also very wearable--I can picture the separates and suiting fitting well into most women's wardrobes.

Golden Globes Red Carpet 2012

Awards season is upon us, which means more beautiful celebs in fabulous designer gowns!  Here are my favorites from the Globes:

ROONEY MARA IN NINA RICCI

Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2012

This isn't the most striking I've seen Rooney on the RC, but it still a gorgeous look.  I love the sculptural quality of the dress; I just wish she had added a makeup or accessory "pop". 

EMMA STONE IN LANVIN

Lanvin Spring 2012

Emma Stone is becoming one of my favorites to watch on the red carpet, because she never goes for the typical red carpet dress (strapless, neutral...).  I love the unusual color combination and the killer eagle belt.

NICOLE KIDMAN IN VERSACE

Versace Spring 2012

My jaw dropped a little when I caught a glimpse of Nicole on screen.  This dress did AMAZING things for her figure.  Very Versace, very fabulous.

TILDA SWINTON IN HAIDER ACKERMANN

Haider Ackermann Spring 2011

Tilda + Ackermann is always a winning combination.  Can you believe this woman is 51??

CHARLIZE THERON IN CHRISTIAN DIOR COUTURE

Christian Dior Couture

What a dreamy gown!  As a brand ambassador of Christian Dior, you can always count on Charlize to turn it out on the red carpet in some gorgeous Dior Couture. 


JULIANNE MOORE IN CHANEL COUTURE

Chanel Couture Fall 2011

This is a beautiful interpretation of the standard awards season strapless black dress.  The tiers add interest and the ruffled peplum is right on trend.

ZOOEY DESCHANEL IN PRADA

Custom Prada

This quirky custom Prada dress fits Zooey's personality perfectly.  Super cute.


MADONNA IN REEM ACRA

Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2012

The bodice of this dress looked dangerously tight, but Madonna still looked stunning.  The geometric skirt of this gown really looked gorgeous on the stage.

SALMA HAYEK IN GUCCI

Gucci Spring 2012

When your husband controls the top fashion empire in the world (LVMH), you have access to some pretty amazing clothes.  Salma picked an adaptation from one of the spring's flashiest collections, Gucci (more on that later).

CLAIRE DANES IN J. MENDEL

J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2012

This dress is all about the view from the back. The silhouette is in tune with Claire's minimalist style, but is spiced up with black and white deco detailing.

Best Red Carpet Dresses of 2011

Once again, it's time to reflect on the important events of the year 2011...you know, like when celebrities wear amazing runway gowns to events and pose on the red carpet.  Below is my roundup of favorite red carpet moments from the past year:

EMMA WATSON IN BOTTEGA VENETA

Bottega Veneta Fall 2011

Hermione is all grown up!  This dramatic Bottega Veneta gown is gorgeous, but the modern styling really took it to the next level.

ZOE SALDANA IN BALMAIN

Balmain Resort 2012

I love seeing Zoe on red carpets, because she is such a risk-taker.  This Balmain gown is business in the front, party in the back, and chic all over.

ROONEY MARA IN PRABAL GURUNG

Prabal Gurung Spring 2012

I have not seen The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo yet, but I am already a fan of Miss Mara's strong personal style.  Her red carpet looks have been striking, set off by her porcelain complexion and sleek raven hair.  This backless dress with cutouts would look vulgar on anyone else, but she is working it.

GWYNETH PALTROW IN ELIE SAAB

Elie Saab Spring 2012

Gwyneth's red carpet choices are usually very vanilla, but I have to admit, this look is flawless. This emerald color is so striking against Gwyneth's coloring, and the diamond choker necklace is a perfect finishing touch.


JANET JACKSON IN HAIDER ACKERMANN

Haider Ackermann Fall 2011

Is it just me or is this the best Janet Jackson has ever looked?  Top to bottom, this look is fierce. I love that Janet went the nontraditional route here and wore separates, and chose a more under-the-radar designer such as Ackermann.

KERRY WASHINGTON IN RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

So effing gorgeous, I can't stand it.  She is killing it.

KIRSTEN DUNST IN CHANEL COUTURE

Chanel Couture Spring 2010

After falling off the radar for a couple years, Kirsten really brought it to the red carpet at Cannes.  The silver-bodiced deconstructed tulle dress looks feminine and modern on her.

NICKI MINAJ IN OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

Nicki Minaj's taste ususally verges on...how can I put this...uber tacky? But she hit a sartorial high note in this dramatic ball gown from Oscar de la Renta's spring collection. I even approve of the pink hair in this case, as a bit of a wink.

GWEN STEFANI IN STELLA MCCARTNEY

Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2011

Disco-fabulous. The Jean Harlow hair, the fuchsia lip, the sequined JUMPSUIT on the red carpet--this look is perfection.


ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITLEY IN GUCCI

Gucci Fall 2011

What do you wear to a premiere when you're a knockout model-turned-actress?  A sheer-skirted Gucci runway dress, naturally.  And she pulls it off beautifully.


LADY GAGA IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen Spring 2012

This was one of my favorite looks from the McQueen spring show, so I was happy to see Gaga rocking it at the Bambi Awards. The gold armor-like bodice coordinates well with her award.

MADONNA IN VIONNET

Custom Vionnet gown

Stun-ning.  This custom Vionnet gown is downright low-key for Madonna, but she still manages to look every inch the superstar.   This quirky old Hollywood look suits her perfectly.

KAROLINA KURKOVA IN JEAN PAUL GAULTIER COUTURE

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Spring 2011

Karolina Kurkova showed the world how to wear Gaultier couture at the Met Gala.  You must be a supermodel to pull this one off.