It's Fashion Week in Paris

Not that I ever paid much attention to the fashion shows before. Until this week, that is.

I think, and this is tentative because I'm certainly not a fashion oracle, but I think, from what I've been seeing in the French collections, Lacroix, Dior and Givenchy , is that Fall 07 will be about detail, richness....clothes that look like they cost the (exorbitant) amounts that they do. Lots of ruffles, embroidery, top-notch tailoring (ok, it's always about top-notch tailoring) but I mean, the type of tailoring that takes it up another level.

How will H and M and Forever 21 crib these looks? I look forward to seeing their spin.

Dior part II

Sorry, but just one post was not enough to do Dior's fabulousness justice.

Apparently I wasn't alone in being gobsmacked in the best way about this collection.
Even the gossipistas were all over it...
Perezhilton.com posted about it (and he doesn't do fashion posts normally)
Laineygossip.com posted about it (neither does she)

I am in love.

Galliano for Christian Dior

I'm breathless.

I mean, look at this.


The beauty.

This is all over the fashion news today. The show was yesterday.

Oh Galliano for Dior, I love you this season!

I've always loved Galliano, even at his most ridiculously flamboyant. Even when he dropped a pile of weight and had a rippled stomach which he would flash on the runway. Even through the minimalist Calvin Klein 90s. I've always hated minimalist clothes. Give me rococco anyday.

Anyhow, this collection isn't so much rococco as it is Dior's New Look mixed with romantic costume drama.

Gorgessity. I'm without words.

Sarah Mower for Style.com writes:
"Those color effects were ravishing. Running from the palest pinks through mauve, ice blue, crimson, orange, and emerald, they often appeared to shade from one hue to another in the rich folds of duchesse satin skirts and the tiny-bodiced jackets sitting above them."

OK, I have a few words.

For my part, I think these looks are imminently wearable (pared down, of course) and I can't wait for them to trickle down into the fashion vernacular.

Dior's Victoire de Castellane

I'm watching a repeat of CBC show Fashion File right now. It's a bit meta.

The couture jewelry designer for Christian Dior, Victoire de Castellane, is brilliant. Painted gold, rings with delicate petals, tiny intricate details. So exquisite I'm holding my breath watching the images flash on the TV screen. She's very pop-roccoco. Delish.

Fashiontribes has a nice post on her work:
http://fashiontribes.typepad.com/main/2005/10/victoire_de_cas.html

I miss old FF host Tim Blanks. I miss his comforting posher-than-you accent and his smart stay-out-of-the way comments about the runways.

Now on the telly, JP Gaultier is the designer of Hermes? When did this happen? I really have to start reading Women's Wear Daily more often.