CELINE

STELLA McCARTNEY RESORT 2011

CHANEL COUTURE

Fall 2010 couture was silly and sensible all the same. for me the whole point of couture, and what makes it so special and so significant is the excess the unexpected and experiment. One of may favourite moments was when Baptiste Giabiconi with lionshead and tux, strutted the catwalk alongside Iris Strubegger for the final look at Chanel. Pure fantasy.

GIVENCHY COUTURE

In an unexpected twist Riccardo Tisci's normally gothic girls were clad in a much softer pallet of muted tones. White dresses, as pictured here on Karmen Pedaru and Natasha Poly dominated the showing with the darkest colour being the chocolate brown of the ostrich feathered dress worn by Malgosia Bela. There was still something dark and mysterious lingering in the air though. The garments, more like pieces of wearable art, hung so beautifully from the models lean limbs. They wore them with an air sadness.

Perhaps it was Tisci's reference to the way the dead are seen in Mexican tradition and celebrated on Dia de los Muertos, the day of the dead. These intriguingly beautiful ghost girls, their presence like spirits still lingering. Tisci was admittedly inspired by one of the most influential Mexican painters of the middle twentieth century, his collection echoing the pain and passion depicted in Frida Kahlo's works.

Kahlos obsessions were religion, sensuality and the human anatomy, topics that feautured heavily in the Givenchy couture fall 2010 collection. Details included zipper pulls of tiny little bones. Ceramic skulls sitting centerpiece appeared as those of La Calavera Catrina. Dense crystal clusters with pearls aplenty. Ostrich feathers and Chantilly lace. Elaborate ornamentation.
As Tisci himself muttered, it certainly was "a romantic way to see death"

TOPSHOP UNIQUE FALL 2010 READY-TO-WEAR

Lisanne de Jong


Hannah Holman


Ann Kenny


Anna de Rijk


Alina Ismailova


The scene was set; a wild and woody nature strip for a runway and the sound of Bow Wow Wow's "Go Wild in the Country" booming out at an audience who were ready to do just that. Half wilderbeast half nymph, Katie Grand's girls sported huge feral teased locks with equally hairy brows by Hannah Murray. They walked the line with the wildest and most diverse array of textures I've seen on the runway in seasons. strangely sexy boy scout khakis speckled with patches and badges gave us a hint of the adventure that was yet to come, but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of satisfaction that was slowly building with each of the 44 looks in the country spirited collection.
A flash of cable knit leggings. Chiffon with lace and tulle dresses featuring mushroom print bustiers. Shearling lined parkas in distressed leather. Chunky knit cardigans with plaited wool, pom poms, shredded and shaggy bits and bobs. A head to toe wolf print maxi dress with a built in scarf. Emma Cook's animal masks turned headpieces. Antlers, chain detail ankle straps with canvas ankle pouch bags, tassles and faux rabbit tail bag charms, big ol' animal paw mitts, the most luxe little mini handbags you've ever drooled over and delicately fierce leather harnesses tying down weighty overcoats - it was all in the details. Unique was definitely the vibe of the show.

SASHA PIVOVAROVA

One of the most adored models on the fashion scene and a permanent fixture on magazine covers the world over. She graces the catwalks for the likes of Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Balmain, Balenciaga - you name it - she's walked it. Part of the who's who of the fashion elite and rightfully so, she has such presence and don't get me started on those eyes. Sasha also has a budding art career which seems so fitting for someone who is constantly immersed in the wonderful world of fashion. Watch this space.

KAT MACLEOD

Chances are you've already heard of this little lady and her quirky cool fashion illustrations, so by now your probably in love. Me too.