Paris Fashion Week's Mother of Pearl Beading

The year of the sequins may be in full swing, but there was another embellishment that we couldn’t keep our eyes off of during fashion week: Pearl beading. Perfect for setting off a delicate design or adding a serious dose of bling to embroidered pieces, this detail dominated several runway shows. Take Balmain’s fall 2012 ready-to-wear collection, which showed during Paris Fashion Week. In addition to the multitude of intricately beaded jackets, suits, and dresses, all of which oozed opulence, model-of-the-moment Karlie Kloss made her usual head-turning appearance in a to-die-for pair of velvet pants dotted in thousands of pearls and crystal. The complex look was casually paired with a cream crew-neck sweater.

Balmain wasn’t the only big name to try out this trend. Valentino added some subtle pearl beading to its folk-inspired collection, and Dolce & Gabbana used it for a characteristically luxurious effect on their dresses. You don't have to wait for this runway must-have to hit retail stores. Snag a sparking pearl bead skirt from Top Shop, available in both yellow and silver, or keep it classy with a darling embellished pearl cardigan or a ladylike bead and faux pearl-embellished crepe top from Miu Miu.

Text Kara Solarz
Image Zimbio.com

A Look Ahead: Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week will take place from February 28 to March 7. The event is known for showing plenty of couture and vintage looks. Throughout the week, some of the biggest names in fashion will be showing off their new collections, so here is a rundown of the schedule.

On March 1, Nina Ricci will be on the runway along with Balenciaga. On March 2 and March 3, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Vivienne Westwood will all show their collections. The last four days in Paris are loaded with well-known and respected designers, including Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton.

What collections are you most excited to see?

Text Caitlin Beck
Image Fashionlatest.net

Ponytails Never Looked So Chic

Fast, easy, and tame can have negative connotations in the fashion industry, while chic, simplistic, and beautiful have a more positive meaning in the business. But what happens when the two merge together? They create the ultra-exquisite, simple yet chic ponytail.

This is a hairstyle as old as time, but never it seems to age. Couture Fashion Week put the spotlight back on the ponies. Valentino demonstrated that simple goes along way, framing his models' faces with low-hanging ponytails. The best part was the nude-hued ribbons loosely keeping the tails in place. Minimal hairstyles kept everyone's eyes on the couture, but when the models turned, the ponytails that got the last look.

Text Katelyn Chef
Source and Image Style.com

Valentino to Launch Online Museum

Valentino and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti plan to expand their work by tapping into the internet world.

The downloadable desktop application will be called the Valentio Garavani Virtual Museum, which will be the first of its kind. Today, the Valentino Garavani website went live, offering a short video of what is to come in the next few weeks. The official launch is Dec. 5, when individuals will have a glimpse into the world of the designer, who retired from his fashion house in 2008.

Valentino says, “I am happy that thousands of students, young designers, and fashion people will be able to see and study my work in every aspect of it, and in a manner easy and accessible for the younger generations. But it is also important to remember things of the past, to review the fashion that has shaped our lives. I would call it ‘Future Memory.’”

Both Valentino and Giammetti will be in New York on Dec. 5, to help with the "opening" of the museum.

Text Quinn McBee 
Image and Source WWD

Lady in Red, Again and Again

The topic of the thirteenth annual New York Fashion Conference has been revealed: "Red: Allure, Style, and Significance." Who would've thought that the power of red was something large enough to be discussed at this yearly event — better yet, who thought it wasn't?

The dashing power color is a recurring favorite for many top designers, including Dior, Lanvin, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent. During the conference, the history of red will be examined, as well as its birth into the world of fashion and its psychological symbolism, which has a prime role in all cultures across the board.

The event is scheduled to take place at CUNY on the weekend of Dec. 3. Award-winning filmmaker Matt Tyranauer and InStyle Magazine creative director Hal Rubenstein will share a few words, along with the authors of Pantone: The 20th Century in Color, Leatrice Eiseman and Keith Recker.

If you could ask one question about the power of this ever-recurring color of fashion, what would it be?

Text Brittney Schering
Image Marie Claire

Sexiest Shoe of 2011 Goes to Valentino

Valentino's peep-toe was named the "Sexiest Shoe of 2011" in a contest created by Footwear News and Saks Fifth Avenue, which consisted of 35,000 online voters. The lace-embroidered leather pump is feminine yet edgy — creating a sexy appeal that proves being ladylike is indeed attractive.

The simple and chic shoe can be yours for the price of $695, but many mocks are much less, in case you're watching your wallet. For those of us who enjoy this fashionable shoe but can't afford it (for now), there are several budget-friendly options.

Express has a mock edition for $83, and Charlotte Russe has an even less expensive buy for $36. Guess also has a very close style for $99, and Vince Camuto does for $110. View FabSugar's full slideshow here.

Text Brittney Schering
Image FabSugar 

Trend to Try: Subtle Metallics

Play up the drama this fall with a beauty trend that we love: metallic lids! Now, we aren't talking crazy middle school–esque eye shadow — we mean subtle hints of shine and shimmer to create a dynamic and ethereal effect.

Let's rewind back to the Valentino show (pictured above), where makeup artists used glints of gold on the eyes. While it's not a traditional example of a metallic look, it's a great use of shine which not only brightens up the face but also creates a pretty, angelic effect that is universally flattering. The white, shimmery liner opens up the eyes and instantly boosts the appearance of the lashes without having to go crazy with mascara. This look is great for day-to-night wear, because it's subtle enough for work but not too clean for cocktail hour. If gold isn't quite your cup of tea, give bronze or silver a try. Oh, and if you're feeling extra adventurous, line your Cupid's bow with a little shimmer — just like the models at Valentino.

Text Lauryn Stone

Sources: Valentino

Halloween-Ready SS'12 Runway Looks

With the spring/summer 2012 fashion shows coming to fruition, it's time to start diving headfirst into a more pressing matter at hand: WHAT TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN! There is no better source of costume inspiration than the runway, and how rad would it be to say, "Oh, I'm a Chanel Sea Creature...NBD." Check out some of the beauty looks that are inspiring some seriously awesome Halloween costumes here at CHAOS.

See the looks after the jump...

The Beauty of a Draped Rose

Bags with floral applique are really in these days. I know most of you have probably already picked out your fall bag but I would suggest adding another into your mix.

I recently bought a black bag with a gorgeous draped rose taking over the front of the bag and I receive compliments on it all the time.

A draped rose bag, like the one featured above by Valentino, makes any outfit more feminine and sophisticated. This purse can be worn with any outfit. This bag resembles something from a different era. It looks like it was plucked right out of the 1920's but it still fits perfectly in today's society. It is a gracefully styled purse and is a piece that is timeless, twenty years from now this purse will still be in style.

If you're still shopping around for the perfect fall bag, do yourself a favour and seek out a draped rose purse, you will be the envy of all your friends.

-Erin Jones

Valentino: The Man, The Movie

All you have to say is George Hamilton tan and an army of pugs and, immediately, I know you're talking about Valentino. And, while many know that the 76 year-old designer is famous for his lavish lifestyle and celebrity canoodling, what many don't stop to think about is the magnificent artist he actually is.

But now, with Matt Tyrnauer's new bio-pic of the designer's life, you can watch him as he flits about his luxurious home, yacht, and spacious design studio all while he constantly thinks about fashion. While it may seem almost flippant to watch a movie about a rich, successful designer, Valentino: The Last Emperor is anything but. When the film debuted at the Venice Film Festival last year, it received rave reviews because it showcases not only Valentino's now legendary persona but also his incredible gift for designing beautiful couture.

So, go to the movies this weekend at check out this film. Even if you aren't a fashion lover per se, I assure you you'll be taken with Maude, Margot, Monty, Molly, Milton and Maggie (those would be the dogs).