Michael Kors f/w 2012: Fur, Plaid and Red Galore

As mentioned before, Michael Kors was lovely.Inspired by 30's glamour and sport-chic the collection was very glam,winter-in-our-cabin-in Aspen type. The fur was delicious beyond belief time and space. The looks were very Kate Moss in my opinion- they were well put together, but non-chalant at the same time. The whole attitude was very laissez-faire, which I loved.
How gorgeous is the red?

The Perks of being a Sample Sized Starlet

So the SAG awards took place last night, and I think I enjoyed the fashion more than the Golden Globes.
Maybe it was more out-there, maybe its me , maybe its because I was very pleasantly surprised to see gowns by Givenchy and Giambattista Valli (my faves) worn by Zoe Saldana and Natalie Portman. And you know what's really cool? they both wore gowns from the latest collections. Yep, the one week old spring couture collections from Paris Couture Week. How fast was that? I'm thoroughly impressed, I didn't anticipate this in the very least; oh the perks of being thin and famous.
Khair I'm really excited about this, because you know how much I love both these labels, and that the gowns were worn by starlets who I kinda like, and am okay with them. Imagine if it was worn by someone who I find annoying (Rachel Berry) it just wouldn't sit well.Nope, it wouldn't. Either way I'm the type A jealous sort who finds it hard to digest the starlet brigade having it so easy when it comes to fashion, Rachel Berry or Blake Lively would be like knives through my heart. Thank you God for sparing me.

So what do you think?pretty cool na? I kinda like the Valli look with the head-dress but obv that can't happen.The collection had other pieces that I would have liked to see more than this one, but who am I to be ungrateful- I'm just happy to see Valli on the red carpet.As for the Givenchy, it was'nt my favorite out of the collection, and does look a bit lackluster here (blasphemy!) in the day light, but in the auditorium it really sparkled. I Also wish she had more of a bust for this dress, it looks awfully flat- especially compared to Natalie Portman- as I'm sure you can see.Having said that, I do think ZS carries it off better than the model.

I Miss the Original Valentino Woman.

I told you about the G's, how I was excited about Giambattista Valli and Givenchy for Spring Couture 2012.
They delivered fully.
I was also excited about Valentino. Being a big fan of the label and the man himself(who has retired now, and doesn't design for the label anymore) , I expect a lot from it. I have written previously about how Chiuri and Piccioli have reinvented the Valentino women. She's more demure, she's more coy- she doesn't need for her femininity to be validated and celebrated like the Valentino Woman of the past.
That's all great, but I propose that the sexiness be reinstated.
We miss it.
I miss it.
The recent couture collection was extremely girly,light, graceful and weightless. But that's not what we look for with Valentino. Yes- new designers need to bring in a new perspective, and of course to try and emulate  Valentino himself would be no good, because legends cannot be imitated- so perhaps it would be best to close that chapter when he left, and start a new one afresh. I get the sentiment, I really do. But from what I remember, Valentino has always been sexy, and known for it celebration of the female form. Its not shy, it never was- why deviate so drastically from the USP? I truly believe Valli would have been a good continuation for Valentino-because he follows the same direction. Chiuri and Piccioli could perhaps explore that gorgeous confidence that Valentino provides for his women in a different way, in a subtler or brasher way- whatever the case; but to complete change the identity of the iconic Valentino woman? It does'nt really sit well. Maybe I'm too fond of the old to accept the new.
The spring couture collection shown in Paris a few days back, runs in the same vein as the Valentino spring/summer collection shown back in October (September?). The same poeticness is there- and I appreciate it, I really do. The collection is very romantic, subdued,prairie,wood nymph like.You'd associate it with with purity and chastity. But again- This is the Valentino woman we are talking about. I really wonder what Valentino thinks of this. I'm not saying it snot a good collection- it really is, if I didn't look for Valentino in it I would probably be head over heels in love. Its beautiful, some of the work is surreal. But again it comes down to the same thing, I would not see it and say aha! Valentino! Maybe they are drastically trying to break away from its previous image, but why? Its like the age old adage- if its not broken, why fix it?  I miss those gorgeous gowns that would make every person sit up and notice the woman who walked in them. I miss the confidence those clothes gave to the woman wearing them, how she oozed out self assurance and glory. I miss the effect she had on others. The new Valentino woman is pretty much a wall flower- intimate, shy,evanescent. She does not want to be seen.

Okay, enough lamenting- tbh- the collection is a must-see, but I guess when you are looking for something, its very disappointing to not find it. I must add, the collection has been recieved very well- some reviews have said that its the duo's best collection yet, others have said it was the best collection of the entire Couture week.Only Cathy Horyn from NYT seems to want more womanliness as opposed to girliness from the label, like me.

What was I looking for? :http://challengedaesthetics.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentino-museum.html

 Gorgeous, I know- remember I never said the stuff wasn't beautiful.

Maybe its the letter G; Spring Couture 2012.

I must confess. When I did'nt lose the plot with the previously featured collections (Versace,Chanel and Dior) I got kinda scared. I thought, maybe its me. Why am I being such a saroo. Why am I not liking anything? but I also kinda know that these brands weren't my brands. I thought I'd wait till the others before declaring my self habitually unsatisfied, and checking into an institutional facility. Then I saw the collections I had been looking forward to all this while- Giambattista Valli and Givenchy- the 'G's' and then I knew that everything was still fine. I could still feel. I wasn't emotionally dead as I had been suspecting for a while now. I must tell you it as a relief. Or not.

In any case, if you also felt I was being stingy with praise and trying hard to be nurturing and loving and positively failing, then take a deep breath and relax. Also know that I am biased towards these designers so its possible that I could lap up pathetic collections from them like a dog laps up condensed milk ( what? you shouldn't feed your dogs condensed milk? really? says who? ).

Giambattista Valli

Okay this guy is amazing beyond words. He has been working in couture for years under many of the greats, and you can really see how all his years of experience have paid off. His craftsmanship is exquisite. The designs- are at times larger than life, and that's what I love about them. He keeps the attention on the clothes, no cheap gimmickry. And the clothes! wow, they're gorgeous; The opening number- the big white jacket was gorgeous. And see, that's the thing with his pieces, even if I'm not a 100% sold on wearing them myself, I have no doubt that they would look spectacular on someone else. No doubt. The collection featured a little bit of everything. there was elegance and opulence, flirty and fun,  sexy and vampy and so much more. I know people don't usually like that cos they feel it becomes jack of all trades, king of none type, and the lack of coherency bothers them, but it doesn't bother me na, so I guess I'm cool with getting so many looks in one show. I'll discuss more in the next post where I'll feature the collection, because I don't think its fair to start talking about individual pieces without you seeing them first.

Givenchy

Of course I have told you about Riccardo Tisci , the creative director of Givenchy and how his work is indescribablly wow. Its true. And I guess that feeling transferred in to this collection as well. That is why I could'nt wait for his spring couture collection. With him , you just have really high expectations. Just like you can expect Lagerfeld to put on a show for Chanel, you expect Tisci to make painstakingly poignant clothes. And he does.
Btw, I dunno if its because I saw the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night, or what, but I feel  the styling of the models was greatly inspired by the movie and the female protagonist of the book/movie- Lisabeth Slander. The dark, goth ,punk look. Waisey bhi Tisci , I think plays with a slightly goth element in his collections.My only itch with this collection was the use of the colour chocolate brown. Although it was used beautifully, man, that colour has been a major annoyance to me for years and years-ever since I was a kid. Really. If I have ever though of suicide its because I can't live in a world where the colour chocolate brown is found anywhere else except chocolate. I had only recently started accepting it in accessories, and sweaters. But full blown gowns? In chocolate browns ?(yes that rhymes), no! no!.
Anyway, leaving my little itch aside, the craftsmanship is amaaazzzzzzzzzzing. Seriously. Will tell you all about it in the next post featuring the collection.

Definitely Lisabeth Slander

Finalllyyyyyy!!! Spring Couture, I have been waiting for you.

Yayyy!!! Finally!
I was wondering a few days ago when the Haute Couture lines for spring/summer 2012 will be revealed. Apparently- sooner than I had expected. Although good timing, because most of these pieces need to be grabbed by Oscar nominees and presenters na, which is in less than a month. So yeah, speaking of the Oscars, I am totally shunning them this year because as you may already know my Leo did not get a nomination for his role in J.Edgar. WTH? I hear he was fabulously sick in it, even if the movie is a bit dry. So rude.
Whatevs, We don't need a stupid Oscar nom, or even an Oscar and to show how we don't care I will shun the show. Only see the fashion.

Anyway coming back to the Couture shows that started taking place a few days back. Wow! I've reached my saturation point. I don't where to start. I always look forward to the couture more than the RTW and other lines because- hello! This is where fashion and craftsmanship and geniousness come alive. Like really alive. Its the stuff dreams are made of.  Since the Couture lines target a veryyy small, elite and increasingly middle eastern audience, this the only real chance for designers to really go all out , without thinking about affordability ( as if they ever do) or any practical considerations in the real sense of the word. Think boundless.
Atleast that's what I think.

I thought I'd do a quick overview of the collections in this post, and  feature the lines from most of the collections in later posts. Sound's good? Yes? Great.

Christian Dior

Dior has had a tough year, and its still kinda roughing it. John Galliano, the former creative director indulged in a crazy antisemitic rant that unfortunately went viral, and that's it; he was dumped by the label after years and years of great service. No matter how Galliano is perceived, nobody can change the fact that the label and the designer had  a great partnership, and many were sad to see it end. Galliano's reign at the Dior  is legendary. Anyway, in the meantime Bill Gaytten, Galliano's right hand man took over after the designers unfortunate ousting. His first collection last fall was thoroughly criticized for reasons I never bothered researching. This time, Gaytten upped his game. Its a good collection. It will sell. Very wearable. Drastically different from the fantastical creations made under Galliano's reign. Its the mark of anew era for the label- this collection is like an announcement that they will be taking a different direction post-Galliano.(Obv. Like they had a choice) The clothes are very late 50's, early 60's. Its like Betty Draper's closet- and mind you I think her wardrobe is amazing. Ultra feminine clothes, there is a constant play between different fabrics,volumes and transparencies. There is nothing wrong with this collection, yet I can't help but feel the absence of unique  a point of view/ direction which the creative director brings to the table. The collection is an ode to the iconic Dior woman of the past, but her relevance in today's day and age needs to be established, and that is precisely what we are left longing for. They all seem to be a little seen.Not that it makes them ugly or anything, no definitely not! and some of the pieces are real winners. Especially the dreamy red concoction at the end. Maybe we just need to give Mr.Gaytten sometime to sink his teeth in his new responsibilities, and perhaps soon he will find his feet. He has the skill, now all he needs is a vision.

Atelier Versace

This show marked the end of an eight-year hiatus that the label has taken from the runway, and if anything acted as a reminder of what a great year Versace has had all due to its extremely successful collaboration with the high-street retailer H&M. Given how stupendously successful the collections was (sold out globally in two days), maybe Ms.Versace has finally gotten her groove back. Not that she ever lost it, but you now it gave her a much needed push. The show itself was very Versace in its celebration of the female form and the unabashed glitz and glamor.  Sparkly minis, corseted lace gowns, and metallics all were featured prominently in the collection. My only bone of contention was with the minis. Although the gold one was beautifully laser cut and embellished, the cut itself seemed a little dated. Like it could be two seasons old and you wouldn't be able to tell. So again, like Christian Dior, I found the collection to be offering nothing new in terms of design, but if you're not particularly looking for that it was a great collection, and it would look great to wear.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld is King .We all know that. How else can you justify his strong leadership at the label for decades? and not only that, he freelances at other places as well.The man is a machine. And he knows how to put on a show.He doesn't hold back, and most certainly not care for the expenses.He follows his vision through and through, economy be damned. The couture collection was shown in an elaborately designed set modeled to look like a life-size aircraft, complete with revolving seats, and logo-ed carpet. That's pretty cool, you must admit. Inspired by air travel and stewardesses, the collection was predominantly blue- the color of the sky. 154 shades of blue were featured in the collection. A very wearable collection, with deep pocketed skirts, pleated skirts , stiff puffed sleeves, stand away necklines and almost no waist. Me? what do I think? to be honest, I have never gotten Chanel that well- Like I don't get the big deal. Yes I like some of the pieces, would love to wear some of the gowns, but largely,  its not for me.Even the Bombay-Paris collection, for the Pre-Fall- just don't get it or the big deal surrounding it, but people are positively nuts about it.I don't even bother asking why. I know it must be soemthing I'm lacking, because most people go crazy over Chanel couture, but all those day dresses with the drop waists- I couldn't pull them off, I guess cos I don't believe in them - but oh well. It happens. I can admire them, but it stops there. But,the evening gowns are a delight as always. Seriously. And ofcourse, the aircraft! Geniousity.

Okay, in the next posts I'll feature the collections for Dior, Versace and Chanel without much talking.

Heads Up

I just realized, like barely ten minutes ago while signing off on a deadline, that tomorrow is in fact Friday the 13th.
Yep. Not that I believe in it, like really really. But, its the first superstitious date in the much speculated superstitious/Armageddon-is-upon-us new year. So, do look both right and left before crossing the street. Its a rookie mistake to only look at the side where the traffic is heading on  a one way street, but freak accidents are caused by freaks- i.e people driving on the wrong side of the road.
Just sayin'

On the other hand today the date is 12-1-12. Sounds like a lucky day.

Katy and Russell: This Is Just Sad

I don't know about you, but I was terribly disappointed to hear about Katy Perry and Russell Brand's split last night.I had just returned from a wedding.Like genuinely shocked.
Yes, I was getting feelers about it because they spent Christmas apart, and as we know if your not together on Christmas, somethings up...its just one of those things. Its like opting to spend Eid apart from your other half. Or something like that.Better! Its like opting to spend New Year's Eve apart. Anyway, yes, original point being that that was definitely not a good sign, but still I didn't think that doomsday was so near.
Its not like I'm even a fan of either, so I had special interests or anything in their relationship like I do with Leo. But somehow, I remember when they first started getting it going on, I felt that they fit.Really. Like something about them. The physicality, the quirkiness, everything- they just seemed to complement each other. Like they were on the same level, that they got each other.As I said before, they fit.They had a crazy wedding in India, and really seemed into each other.Didn't even have a Pre-nup, cos they didn't think it would ever end. So then what? Russell Brand files for divorce, just after a year of marriage. I swear, you just cant trust this world anymore.
Duniya ka koi bharosa hee naye raha.
This is not a good note to start the new year. Don't know why a stranger's marriage is getting the best of me, but I really feel that they could make it work.They had that thing, that zing, that chemistry.Apparently they had  a huge fight right before Christmas and told each other to duck off and went their own ways. That's okay, fights happen. But you have to try and figure it out na. Apparently Russell Brand's mom tweeted or something just days before saying oh, so excited about spending Christmas together, just spoke to Katy and Russell, they are so happy- or something along those lines.So obviously we know that this is something that they are doing without giving much thought to it. Why? why're they throwing it away, give it a little bit of time. Nothing gets solved overnight. But then again, maybe they want to get a fresh start , with the new year, especially cos it might be the end of the world next year na. So they're probably thinking oh, no regrets, lets live it up, we might not get tomorrow type, don't want to spend next year fighting.
I don't know, I'm just rambling- but this is heartbreaking.
I know, I shouldn't be here writing about it, because becharay they must be going something so awful. And they must hate it. Especially cos I was reading that there were like proper bets going on for their divorce between 2012. How sick na? Imagine you are living in a world where people bet on the fact, and by people I mean strangers, on when you will get a divorce, or when you'll fall out of love. That's just sick. sick , sick ,sick. On top of that you have people like me writing about how they should've tried to make it work, when I know nothing about them, their relationship, or what it was like. Must be hard.I'm terribly ashamed of myself, if its any consolation.I hope it works out for the best for both of them.

Russell more, I feel Katy might have been the instigator.