In The Schedule

The end of the week and the end of the Fall 2013 runway shows... hasn't it been a whirlwind of endless colour, beads, embroidery, cuts, silhouettes, feathers, bows, sequins, chiffons, brocades, silks, plaids and wools.  One minute youthful & joyful and full of hope at Lanvin; and the next, sombre, serene & warrior-like at Haider Ackerman.  A mix of textures, the saturation of brilliance, a harmonious blend of softness and edge.

Designers presenting their range with a keen eye on 'their woman'; trying to get in touch with their customer and identify with her.  Who is she?  What does she want?  What does she like?  Who does she love?  What makes up her life?

And this is just the last few days....

At Lanvin, Alber Elbaz offered haute couture aesthetics with a decidedly everyday comfort.  Tailored and glamorous gowns paired with oxfords.  Glamour and down to earth in a modern story all at once, the way a woman can only handle.  View a video of some of the show and interviews here.

Dries Van Noten played with duality - masculinity and femininity hand in hand within the strong menswear coats and pants, embellished with feathers and crystals.   Inspired by Fred & Ginger the collection oozed luxe and comfort, rigidity and fluidity.  As Linda Fargo says, "A modern way of being"... see more here.

View the extravagant elegance at Dolce & Gabbana show here; this woman lives for glamour, decoration, colour, embellishment, fun and La Dolce Vita.

Giambattista Valli threw the word 'ageless' around and effortlessness in the way of dressing for his 'girls' that are growing up, getting married and having kids.  Reality?  You bet.  View here.

Raf Simons showed a 'juxtaposition of something surreal and very real', 'soft and dreamy with something that can be harder sometimes'.  The pants suits relaxed and tailored, knitwear - casual and bold at the same time and those gorgeous painterly detailed dresses subtle and nuanced.  As Giovanna Battaglia puts it - '... its not just about being fabulous, its about being what you feel - real'.  I like this kind of reality!

At Valentino, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli presented us with grace and femininity and a natural beauty framed with the light of those lovely white collars and bibs.  Made of leather, earthy and sensual, and then laser cut giving them a delicate yet precise edge, they perfectly balanced the austerity of the monastic single colour gowns.  

And finally, perhaps my favourite - Haider Ackerman.  Layered in a multitude of textures and raw edges, Haider's woman walks with 'poetic intensity'.  He identifies the strong woman who is also fragile and serene within his luxe offerings of wool, leather, suede and silk.  Earthy, raw and sensual.

+  You might want to get some help with some of your fashion selections after viewing so many hours and hours of runway shows perhaps?  Well then there's only one person to ask, and that's Karl - just try Karl's Fashion Fortune here for a quick and easy critique on any of your fashion dilemmas.

+ Here's a makeup tutorial featuring Erin O'Connor that'll easily show the way to a smoky eye worthy of any catwalk.  View here.

+ And finally, in keeping with fashion week, these gorgeous branding illustrations by Daryl Feril made my day.  View more of his work here.

Have a great weekend...