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.