D&G's Paisley Patterns for Spring

Out with the old and in with the paisley patterns. As March 20, the first official day of spring, inches forward, don't celebrate with an ice cream treat; celebrate instead with bold paisley patterns.

Rest assured that paisley prints are all the rage right now. D&G’s spring 2012 ready-to-wear collection supported this spring hypothesis in more ways than one. D&G had models swaddled in paisleys, prints, and retro patterns for their line. As the first day of spring nears, we can all indulge in paisley without feeling the slightest guilt of having early spring fever. After all, you can never wait too long in the land of fashion; one day a look is hip, and the next day it is out faster than a seamstress can say “paisley.” Get it while it's hot!

Text Katelyn Chef 
Image and Source Style.com

Everyone Loves Lanvin and Alber Elbaz's Voice

In his tenth year as man of the Lanvin house, Alber Elbaz dazzled crowds at his Paris runway show. The bow-tied, bespectacled designer is one of the most well-liked names in fashion; he’s hospitable, humble, and knows how to make clothes that flatter a woman’s body. Elbaz provides delicious treats at every show.

"I always think, if I were an editor, and I was invited to a show, and I would have to wait for 45 minutes in the dark, or in the cold, or in the heat, maybe I would like to have a fresh drink or a piece of chocolate.," Elbaz told WWD. "Maybe I would love to enjoy a sandwich."

As far as Lanvin's fall 2012 RTW collection went, we saw lots of ruffles. (The good kind.) Every piece seemed to wrap around just right. As a whole, the looks had everything in every color. Lanvin’s pieces covered plenty of ground from solid, bold hues to black, brocade and jeweled patterns, including cinched belts and soft textures. At the end of the show, Elbaz sang “Que Sera Sera” with a band accompaniment. Even though he was self-conscious about his singing voice, Elbaz managed to make everyone smile, since critics and guests alike described it with one word: adorable.

Text Emily Thomas
Source and Image WWD and Fabsugar

Balmain RTW Fall 2012

In his second season as a designer for Balmain, Oliver Rousteing is not holding anything back, and proof of that was found in Balmain’s ready-to-wear fall 2012 collection. In the line, which was inspired by a gem owned by Elizabeth Taylor, Rousteing went all in with fabrics, embroidery, jewels, and more.

Boxy cut jackets paired with slim trousers, as well as form-fitting dresses and miniskirts, made up a majority of the collection. Quilted patterns, velvet, and dozens of pearls swamped the entire line, yet it remained fairly practical.

The collections color palette was comprised of deep greens and royal violets, along with a host of blush tones and metallic and gold accents,. Those colors, combined with armor-like jeweled coverings, metals, and embroidery, almost gave Balmain's latest collection a bold, medieval feel. The collection was, indeed, bold, and it was as beautiful as the piece that inspired it.

Text Quamé A. Hamlin
Source WWD

Yves Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2012

Great things are always expected from Yves Saint Laurent, and per the usual, they have delivered in their pre-fall collection.

Designed by Stefano Pilati, the collection features a few things that YSL fans are used to seeing from the fashion powerhouse: leather and leopard. Tailored with elements of menswear, the collection features a variation of fabrics, colors, and pieces with dramatic character.

The ready-to-wear line offers the consumer a legitimate reason to pull looks directly from the lookbook and wear them from head to toe. Items featured in the pre-fall line include a number of coats (fur, trench, and evening) that have been garnering much attention, a pair of over-the-knee leopard-print boots with gold toe caps, and several relaunched items from past collections. A jumpsuit from spring 2011 makes a return, and when paired with a bow-neck blouse or a blazer, the look is complete for more than just evening wear.

New or old, the pieces in this pre-fall collection are beautiful, and they almost make you want to skip the warmer months ahead. Almost.

Text: Quamé A. Hamlin 
Image Yves Saint Laurent 
Source Vogue

Demi-Couture Trumps Ready-To-Wear on the Runway

There's a new section of the fashion industry on the rise: demi-couture — a high-end portion of ready-to-wear, though not necessarily handmade in any way. Designers are reporting a drastic rise in demand for the garments, which can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $14,000 — like a recent Mary Katrantzou dress — and beyond. Azzedine Alaia went as far as having a show featuring only the segments, and then selling the garments "as is" after the show  ... with lots of success. Unlike couture, things like fittings, atelier channels, etc. aren't part of the demi-couture process. Instead, pieces are sold in ready-to-wear fashion: off the rack through retailers or the brands themselves.

The new trend is a little baffling and, sometimes, a financial struggle for designers who have to make sure there's a market for these pieces that, as Jason Wu recently said, "just can't be done for cheaper." It's hard to say whether or not demi-couture really can't be done cheaper, but it's hard to deny that the trend is quickly on the rise.

Text Corinna Fabre
Source Fashionologie

Araks Yeramyan Makes A Dreamy Fall Lookbook With Susie Bubble, Richard Chai And Other Talent

Araks Yeramyan has created a beautifully creative collective for her ready-to-wear & lingerie line. As a designer, her focus is creating pieces that reflect effortless beauty. That anchor sure comes across with the lookbook campaign that features the creative of model Coco Young, filmmaker Casey Neistat, director Gia Coppola, blogger Susie Bubble, fashion designer Richard Chai and other well-knowns and local superstars. Each individual was given license to put on the lingerie or put it on someone/something else--style the shoot and photograph it however it seemed fit. The end result is dreamy, personalized and a perfect reflection of the collection.