Spring/Summer 2010 Trend Alert: Leather??!!

Lots of COWS.....
Draped Capelet: Celine: Designer Phoebe Philo shows leather (her debut collection for Celine)

Yes, we may be in the beginnings of Fall and Winter 2009 when it comes to the actual season but it is all about Spring/Summer 2010 in terms of what designers are showing at the recent NY, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks (and LA Fashion Week coming soon!).
Valentino: Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli show leather and suede on Chanel Iman

After looking at most of the recent collections, something kept coming up: Leather. Say what? Yes, you read right! It's all about leather for Spring/Summer next year. Go figure. I'm sure it's soft and supple as silk but leather? For Spring? Asymmetrical Calf: Nicolas Ghesquiere treats leather like silk at Balenciaga

Well, if it is up to the top designers of the world, and you've got the thousands of dollars for it, you will be expected to be "working the leather". All the top designers--from YSL's Stefano Pilati to Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga to Christopher Decarnin at Balmain and the "bad boy" of fashion, Alexander McQueen--used leather as one of the main fabrics in their collections. Le Traditionel: Stefano Pilati shows black leather at YSL

They used it in various colors--from traditional black to lavender to grey and anything in between. The "new" factor is the "draped" silhouette we saw more and more from the collections. Love Is A Battlefield: Christopher Decarnin's black leather Warrior Princess at Balmain

But there was still plenty of the hard-edged looks people are more accustomed to seeing in this fabric. Very Fall---do designers know something the Weather Channel does not, in regards to the temperatures for next year?
Working the Leatha': Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring/Summer 2009

I suppose here at NIKOLAKI we were ahead of the curve because last Spring/Summer 2009 we also used leather in our collection. We utilized the leather more as accent pieces and combined it with draped silk jersey, but this season the designers have taken it to a whole new level!

Will you be wearing leather next Spring/Summer 2010?

Dinosaur Couture: Alexander McQueen: Spring/Summer 2010

Jar Jar Binks Is Back...in Paris Fashion Week!!!
Elizabeth The Reptilian: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010

Boy, it must be nice having Gucci Group money. Alexander McQueen unveiled his recent Spring/Summer 2010 Collection and it was INSANE!!!! In a good way, mind you. I don't know why, but once again (as in the Viktor and Rolf show), I just kept thinking "this must have cost A LOT of money to stage". From watching the video, it certainly looked like a big-budget production. Jar Jar Binks Couture: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010

There was an expansive runway in which two robotic movie cameras on gigantic black booms ran back and forth like something out of Transformers, and then the models STOMPED out, looking like high fashion versions of Jar Jar Binks from "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones". Post-Apocalyptic: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010

Reptilian models wearing the latest in Dinosaur Couture mixed in a bit of Elizabethan Costume Drama, from Alexander McQueen. Or so it seemed. There were tons of digitally printed dresses with distorted skeleton-like patterns. The colors looked as if they had been dipped in a post apocalyptic sea lake and swirled around for about an hour--along with all the sewage and polluted matter. And somehow, they still looked beautiful. Only McQueen could achieve this.Reptilian Pumps: The shoes from Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010

The most OUT OF CONTROL shoes that one Style.com editor described as "the armored heads of a fantastical breed of antediluvian sea monster". Some models wobbled so much while trying to walk in those shoes, I was afraid for another Naomi Campbell at a Vivienne Westwood Runway Moment. But alas, they all "worked it out". You just know they probably sent the shoes to all the models and told them to "PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE girls!" Parasaurolophus Hair: Dinosaur Hair at Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010

The hairstyles were perched high and finished off his vision for this Reptilian Sea Creature Goddess. The entire show was supposed to have been broadcast live on Nick Knight's SHOWstudio.com but minutes before, the lovely Lady Ga Ga tweeted that her new song would be debuted during the Alexander McQueen show and wouldn't you know it--it CRASHED! (the live feed, that is).

But, you can Click BELOW to watch the entire show:

Paris Spring/Summer Fashion Week 2010: Lanvin and Viktor and Rolf Runway Videos!

Tulle Explosion, Draped Leather: Bonjour Paris!Where's My Drink: Looking serious but fabulous, Lanvin Spring/Summer 2010

More from the European Collections...via my Downtown LA studio (he he!). I scout the web and bring it back to you (see, I'm really nice!). In my last post, I showed you some of the collections from Milan Fashion Week, including Dolce and Gabbana and Versace. Now, we have taken the "imaginary web train" from Milan to Paris. Here two of my favorite collections from Paris Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week.
Lanvin:
Draped Leather: A look from Lanvin Spring/Summer 2010

According to Sarah Mower, of Style.com, Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz, blew the runway house down, with this collection. It started off slow, with black (not so Spring/Summer looking) dresses which didn't seem so different than what we have "come to know and love" in regards to the House of Lanvin; in essence, variations of what you can already see at the Lanvin department in Barneys NY. Lanvin Asymmetrical Goddess: A look from Lanvin Spring/Summer 2010

However, as the collection continued, it progressed into a full blown symphony of some of the most glorious looks that Elbaz has created. Lots of incredible asymmetrical drapes, folds and tucks that would make a patternmaker blush with technical joy! Liza With A "Z": A beaded jumpsuit from Lanvin Spring/Summer 2010

There was one black leather dress that was draped and tucked as if it was silk charmeuse! Lanvin ended with an explosion of multi-colored sequins worthy of a Liza Minelli tribute concert (love those beaded jumpsuits!) After watching the runway video, I only wish I was there to witness such a "Fashion Moment".
Click BELOW for Lanvin Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Video:


Viktor and Rolf:
How Will I Sit In My Limo: Viktor and Rolf Spring/Summer 2010

Oh Lordy!!! Speaking of "fashion moments": I just took a look at the latest Spring/Summer Collection from Viktor and Rolf and I had a grin so large that nothing could take it away. I also found myself exclaiming "Go on Viktor and Rolf, WORK IT OUT!!!!!!" loud and by myself, as I watched their runway video. It was, in three words "A Tulle Explosion".
Who Ate The Tulle: Viktor and Rolf Spring Summer 2010

Tulle suits, tulle cocktail dresses and gowns with shirred, chopped up, out of control netting that seemed to defy gravity. Holes were cut out of tulle gowns as if a Haute Couture bullet had gone right through them--or a starving fashionista had taken hold! Other gowns were propped up by inner structures that supported the yards and yards of gathered tulle to create incredible silhouettes. The entire show looked EXPENSIVE--all that fabric, all that beading, the staging, the hiring of Roisin Murphy to sing at their show. I kept thinking how I rarely even see Viktor and Rolf clothing at stores (and I shop A LOT!), so how are they affording to stage such grand events? (I'm jealous!)
Defying Gravity: Viktor and Rolf Spring/Summer 2010

But then, I remembered: The Viktor and Rolf perfume! Oh yes, launching a fragrance can help a lot! I don't know who in the world will wear these frothy concoctions; other than the models in the Spring/Summer magazines we will see on newsstands in three months. But I doubt that is what the designers are concerning themselves with. I'm sure back at the Viktor and Rolf Showroom, and in their boutique, you will see something totally different and much more wearable, as it is always the case. This was a show to inspire and make rich Dubai women and fashion editors squeal with joy.

Click BELOW for the Viktor and Rolf Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Video:

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010: Balmain and Balenciaga Runway Videos!!

Bullets, Rocker/Biker Chicks and Copying: Paris Fashion Week continues...Where's My Pool Cabana: A Gold Look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

The House of Balmain and its designer, Christophe Decarnin, are having their moment in the fashion spotlight. All the "it" girls are wearing his micro-mini studded dresses. I remember about a month ago, shopping at the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus and seeing one of his studded creations on a mannequin and thinking to myself how chic and modern it was, and how EVERY girl should own one--if they had the $5000!! Then I turned on my telly, and saw both Pink AND Shakira wearing THE SAME Balmain dress at the MTV VMA's--the one I gawked at in Neiman Marcus.Dominique Deveroux 2010: A look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

For Spring/Summer 2010, he continued his studded hard-edged Biker Chic look and expanded on it. Lots of padded shoulders a la Joan Collins (yep, the strong shoulder is still very IN kiddies). Lots of leather minis and the skinniest of leather pants. Metallics, golds and liquid jerseys were also abundant. Bullet Belt: A look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

Some dresses had what seemed like studded midriff waistbands but then, upon closer inspection, turned out to be BULLETS! I guess in this crazy economic times, with all the wars going on, even fashionable girls must be armed! Beware of the Balmain Girl!
Click BELOW for the Balmain Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Show:


Balenciaga:
Hooded Chic: A Darker Look form Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2010

Nicolas Ghesquiere is still the wunderkid of Paris. And all those edgy French actresses, singers and trust-fund baby girls just adore him and his designs. If you are looking for pretty cocktail dresses, move along because Ghesquiere is not your guy. For Spring/Summer 2010, he's getting back to his rocker-chic hard edge (on the same tone as Balmain). His first exits were tight leather second-skin pants and a hoody. It didn't seem so Spring/Summer... But again, this is Spring/Summer Balenciaga style: She's got to be prepared for a light Paris Summer sprinkle of rain, perhaps.
Ready For My Brie and Escargot: Leather and multi-colored beading at Balenciaga

There were dresses, minis of course, with a strong 80s vibe. Very Darryl Hannah in Blade Runner, if the film was re-made for 2010. Color and fabric blocking--a key Balenciaga aesthetic--was prevalent, as you can see from the dresses here.
Rodarte-ish: A look from Spring/Summer Balanciaga 2010

Tweed, mixed with leather, mixed with silk, mixed with glittery sequins. A couple of the looks reminded me of Rodarte, and how they like to mix the fabrics in unexplainable ways. On the same note, Cathy Horyn of the New York Times also commented on how one of Nicolas Ghesquiere's designs looked very much like a Raf Simons Menswear look he had done recently. Very interesting to say the least.This has not been the first time Ghesquiere has had to fend off the "copying" critiques.
Click BELOW for the Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Video: