Fashion Week 2 (Paris, Milan)

I wrote about New York fashion week already but I have just started seeing the last of the shows from Paris and Milan. It took me a while to catch up because I have been busy with school lately.

I was actually surprised to see Alexander McQueen's collection. I didn't expect there to be one. I don't know if this is a continuation of what he had designed for Fall 2010 or if this is really someone taking over the design process but it was magnificent. So much detail, so much elegance. So unwearable (as usual). It's much more like art with McQueen than it is about clothes. I am sad that he isn't alive to really share his visions anymore. It seemed that this collection went along with the last collection and I know that with McQueen it is never that way (or at least has never been that way in the past).





And of course, sometimes with fashion we are really let down. I am not sure what is going on with Chanel right now but I don't like it. Karl Lagerfeld seems to have veered so far off course with the brand that I can't even understand it anymore. Sometimes I think that maybe they should retire Chanel, or stick to handbags. The clothing is so bizarre. I hated the wooly mammoth fur thing he did for Fall and I really hate this bizarre collection for Spring. What is even going on there? Some pieces are great, the little tweed jackets are nice as usual but then the rest of the clothes seem to just be a mish-mash of other things. I don't know if anyone else likes it but I don't get it.



I don't know, maybe I'm being hard on Karl but that second outfit seems to be the product of someone who has run out of ideas. I'm sure there will be people who disagree and say that he is trying to make Chanel contemporary but... I think the great part about Chanel was that it was kind of not contemporary, it was a throw back.

There were great beaded numbers all over the runway, a lot of intricate detail. The mostly all-white show came from Dolce and Gabbana and I loved their collection this season. It was sexy but also sweet, the dresses ranged from super short to floor length. There was a great theme throughout of soft white, eyelets and lace with beading. It was something I definitely deem appropriate for spring. The Elie Saab show is one of my favorites because I love his work. Much like Marchesa, I believe he makes some of the best gowns. His gowns were great as usual and he threw in some jump suits and shorter dresses to mix it up a little. There were plenty of award show gowns to be had. And I don't believe what people say about designers like Elie Saab and Marchesa - they are not one trick ponies. More like ponies that know their place. They know gowns, they know great, attention-grabbing pieces and they do that season after season. What is wrong with that?

This doesn't even begin to cover every designer but it is my little highlight. I definitely recommend every one go to Vogue.com and check out the rest of the shows. There are great photos and detail photos for you to see make up, hair and accessories.