Dear Jean.

To Hermès It May Concern:

Being caught up in my world of study and artful daydreaming, I have not been quite as frequent (at all) in reviewing the international runways as is usually the case. So, on the final day of Fashion Month (so to speak), I thought I would begin with my favourite.

So, I write to appreciate the pure Hermès-ness of Jean Paul's latest and last design efforts for Hermès SS10/11. Just as I loved the equestrian dressage corps marching around under chandeliers, the smooth transitions that followed, between different cuts, colours and textures, demanded attention to detail and so an overall sharply glamorous collection. While the show did echo elements of last season's Sherlock Holmes, the subtle layering and accessories (namely body harnesses) set it apart on a wonderfully transeasonal trajectory.

This may or may not have been helped by the fact that these shots are taken on film (and I happen to be on the hunt for a good old school film SLR). Regardless, you have fueled my penchant for blazers, bright red, skinny belts, high-waisted wide-leg trousers with tailor creases, sheer chiffon of the floaty variety, and leather.

I'm also starting to think that MOSCHINO could, perhaps, learn a thing or two about the use of runway hats from you. Just saying.

Yours Sincerely,

Margaret Zhang.

P.S. If you have the urge, I really wouldn't mind owning that fire-engine red pantsuit and a hat.

P.P.S. I would greatly appreciate it if you would:

• vote for Shine By Three for H&M (last day!) HERE
  
• vote for my NastyGal.com look by commenting HERE
• and enter the Cristiana GIVEAWAY to win a gorgeous Del Mar Bracelet HERE (last day)
  

Note: I do realise I sound like an idiot :)

How's that for a runway review with a difference :p

*love*

xx

Emilio Pucci FW10.

To start with, I would like to point out how incredible this building is, and how much I want to be sitting in that front row - look at that gorgeous floor!

Second, Pucci has seriously taken that step up. Peter Dundas seriously put his greatest foot forward and pulled the FW10 bar right up to I don't even know how high. The front row obviously agreed - look at their little faces of awe in every photo :)

As much as the collection was Balmain-esque, I have to say the details and concepts were just mindblowing. I was looking at these in HD and it was like every corner you zoomed in on was a different piece of art - especially the very-much-talked-about embellished mini dress on Mariacarla - and the whole picture was just this amazing maze of quality.

That white blazer is also the new love of my life. Almost :) How gorgeously modern-old-school is it? Love.

P.S. I just noticed that some of the shoes are the same as Versace's :O Can anyone explain this?

*love*

xx

Half a snowglobe.

jak and jil blog

Absolutely adore this photo of Abbey and Freja. I wish I was there :(

*love*

xx

"... an electronic flash in my head at five o'clock one morning."

Chanel, Chanel - perhaps Karl's first ever collection with no navy or black. Romanticism, space age, and intense amount of hand-worked optical illusion on the tiniest scale - take, for example, the ruffled skirts and dresses that took a significant chunk of the show: the edges of each tier were frayed just slightly, then hand-tinted in such a way that it looked almost like fur. Similarly, lots of playing with textures went on - molten, frothy, liquid... and embroidery that looked like shattered glass. Snaps to stylists too - all the jewellery somehow worked itself into the clothing, so it was hard to tell if it was accessoire or embellishment. And would you look at those collars!

One thing. Make that two. The whole time, I kept thinking of Zac Posen's 'naughty Minnie' hair from Fall 2008. Two: is it just me, a trick of light (quite possible) or nothing at all, or did Mr Karl pull a softer metallic Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2009? I'm talking tights here. Not just tights. The tights I'm still hunting for 10 months on. *sigh*

*love*

xx

Monochrome insolence. Part deux.

weheartit - tumblr - tfs - fashiongonerogue

Restricted.

Stockholm Street Style stalking à Jardin des Tuileries: I very much enjoy the mish mash (so to speak) of this ensemble. I want to be there.

*love*

xx

Chanel Pre-Fall.

Karl Lagerfeld hosted a rather extravagant runway show (Pre-Fall) in Shanghai on Thursday night against that famous skyline and the waterfront. The collection quite obviously referred to Chinese history with the always-present element of Parisienne. It's a bit hard to pin any word to the vibe - it's very elegant, sophisticated... but also very street-style-aware (where designers are suddenly realising that their designs no longer remain purely on the catwalk).

Aside: Abbey Lee looks so strangely different - lighting?

Hello, Baptiste.

*love*

xx

Victoria's Secret Backstage.

Photos by Street Style photographer, Tommy Ton.

VS gets crazier. Every. Time.

*love*

xx