Sea Creatures Surface on Paris Fashion Week

One major recurring theme of Paris Fashion Week is the sea — more specifically, the creatures that live in it. For Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Louis Vuitton, everything from shark tooth jewelry to sea horse wedges were spotted on the runway.

Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld launched his spring/summer collection amidst a deep sea fantasy world. To set the mood, models wore pale green, white, and pink attire and graced a runway covered in seashells, fish, and enormous coral reefs.

Inspired by surfers and mermaids, Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci presented a refreshingly wearable collection for spring 2012. Wetsuit-inspired skintight pants and a stream of neutral colors were the highlights of his sea-driven show.

That being said, it seems that sea creatures are the new owls of fashion. Keep an eye out (or maybe a fin?) ... we'll do the same and be sure to let you know if this trend will be taken beyond the runway.

By Brittney Schering
Image courtesy of Style.com

Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2012

Riccardo Tisci has been hitting the nail on its proverbial fashion head with near herculean consistency, jumping from a standout urban infused Resort ’12 collection to the consummate shades of ivory and white haute couture gowns presented at Paris Fashion Week. Victorian accented looks were given a tenacious, slightly surrealistic edge by combining materials such as metal chains, nappa leather, pony skin and macramé lace with delicate filmy fabrics of Chantilly lace, organza and plenty of silk tulle.

Studs (and there is nothing masculine about them!)

Whether you are a wild child or need to add some pizazz to an outfit, studded accessories are a great way to express your inner tough girl. Metallic details such as studs pair well with colors and neutrals, and chances are these accessories would get a lot of use so don't be afraid to splurge on an investment piece.

Studded shoes such as the Tory Burch stud ballet flats are a great example of fashion and function in unison. L.A. designer Dafne Balatsos has a line of gothic studded and spiked purses which are a tad pricy at around $800 each, but they are truly works of art. My favorite studded accessory is the Givency by Riccardo Tisci leather and metal studded headband. It definitely requires a lot of confidence and hair full of body to pull it off, and is a unique piece for an accessory lover.

If accessories with studs aren't for you, how about a studded leather jacket thrown over a cute dress or your favorite pair of jeans? Topshop's stud biker jacket is a very reasonable $115!

-Erin O'Hara