Paris Fashion Week: Chanel, Valentino & Alexander McQueen

Chanel


Mixing the masculine with the feminine is already a prominent trend this season (see Dolce and Gabanna) and Karl Lagerfeld presented haute workwear for the Chanel A/W 11/12 collection. Quilted jumpsuit anyone? 
The set design for any Chanel show is always highly anticipated and they did not disappoint: a section of scorched earth (love Tim Blanks' comment about volcanic ash!) engulfed the Grand Palais and the models can out in the classic heritage tweeds, but teamed with leggings and worker boots. If Chanel did mining...

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Valentino

Romantic, elegant and very wearable. Valentino A/W 11/12 provided us with beautiful garments accented by python prints, fur and micro florals. And I have fallen head over heels in love with the oil-blue/green leather trench coat - to die for! The Sixities influence was noticeable again with the long jackets over skirts and it is confirmed now that florals will be everywhere for A/W 11/12

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Alexander McQueen

Much publicity has surrounded Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen this week - she is reported to be designing the wedding dress for Kate Middleton - and didn't she produce a collection fit for a Queen. Decadent, delicate and more couture that ready to wear. The craftmanship was astounding and if Kate Middleton has selected Burton as her chosen designer, we really are in for an unmeasurable treat.

All images via fashiongonerogue.com

N.B: How many shows has Freja opened this season? She's everywhere!

Fashion: The Gentlewoman

The Spring/Summer 2011 edition of The Gentlewoman has just been released. I don't think I have ever been so excited to see a magazine...the neon turquoise cover, Adele, Futura typeface! I die.

Issue 3 is quite possibly my most favourite yet. Two of my current obsessions are on the front cover: Adele wearing Celine. What more could a girl want? I'm still head-over-heels in love with the layout, the paper stock...and my favourite feature upon first look? Colourations; a truly beautiful, simplistic and modern approach to show the colour palette of the season.

The Gentlewoman Issue 3 is out now.

All photos © Alice Mary Barnes, 2011

Paris Fashion Week: Stella McCartney, Chloe & YSL

Stella McCartney

Carrying on from Marc jacobs, Stella confirmed that polka dots will be a big trend for A/W 11/12. I loved the beautiful sculpted, almost oversized jackets and coats, and the beautiful all-in-ones. The bold gold replaces the citrus fruits from her previous collection, and the pared down colour palette of predominantly black and white is a surefire winner for retailers.

Chloe

Hannah McGibbon in big-hair shocker! Suprised to see big-hair on the Chloe catwalk again? Yeah, neither was I. Well, it is a tried and tested format and every girl aspires to the Chloe-girl hair, so they'd probably be mad not to do it again. Python and leather were everywhere in this collection - in my opinion the leatherwear was much more chic and much more 'Chloe' (especially loved the leather trench on Anabela Belikova) but i did love that beautiful hue of green on a buttoned up shirt paired with a python skirt. Lovely collection, although the poncho looked like it was just put in there for no apparent reason. More leather next season please.

Yves Saint Laurent

Stefano Pilati silenced rumours this week that he is to leave YSL, with one of his sexiest collections. Love the Sixties influences and the beautifully executed monochrome colour palette - stand out pieces include the gorgeous black cape and Freja Beha Erichsen's final look - maribou, sheer, palazzo...brilliant.

All images © fashiongonerogue.com

Paris Fashion Week: Givenchy, Galliano & Lanvin

Givenchy

Meow! Ricardo Risci's Autumn/Winter collection for Givenchy was adorned with animal-prints. I ain't talking no leopard print, I'm talking cats - lions, panthers and lots of them. Tisci's mainly black palette had some welcome additions from a bright yellow look worn by Natalia Vodianova and some striking green and purple highlights. Loved the pencil skirts, buttoned up shirts and leather jackets so cool officewear - and obviously, I'll be teaming mine with a cat-hat! 

John Galliano

So much controversy has surrounded John Galliano of late. He was a no-show at his collection for Christian Dior, having been spectacularly sacked by Dior for making anti-semitic remarks in a Paris bar and now, his own Galliano label took a blow when it was downgraded to an intimate salon show. However, each of the 20 looks looked utterly amazing showcasing Galliano's ever-present 1930s influence and as always, his outstanding, opulent eveningwear.

Lanvin

Alber Elbaz created a fairy austere collection for Lanvin this season; the beautiful outerwear will need something to perk it up come Autumn but my favourite piece was the greyscale floral dress worn by Freja (and I need someone to do my hair like hers! Perfect.)

All images © fashiongonerogue.com