Paris Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrapup IV

We know that 4 wrap-ups for one week is a bit excessive, but we feel that Paris Fashion week would not be complete without featuring the houses of Louis Vuitton, YSL and Valentino. In fact, that would be a sacrilege to fashion! So let us pay our respects to these great houses. . .

Louis Vuitton
The show itself was stolen by the appearance of Uma Thurman (who is featured in their new Manhattan bag ad) looking radiant in a white frilly coat.

Back on the runway was the usual flair of sleek, feminine outfits one usually associates LV clothes with. Black is obviously the main color theme. Gorgeous but not that fascinating. But then again, clothing is not their forte.



Valentino
Now Valentino clearly knows what they're doing. Following their absolutely gorgeous Haute Couture collection, they have come up with yet again another gorgeous- this time wearable and chic- collection.


A very simple clean yet chic and fashionable look (I LOVE the white cardigan) perfect for a day out on the streets.


The modern office girl look. Modern in that it also encompasses the high tech fashionistas in us with that ipod hanging oh-so-fashionably on the waist.


And of course, the signature Valentino elegant, stylish gown.

Yves Saint Laurent
Stefano Pilati's second collection since taking over YSL from Tom Ford was yet again another disappointment. While he clearly does has an abundance of creativity and innovation with his poofy tulip skirts and other creations, the wearability of it is lacking. If even these stick thin models cannot manage to look flattering in them, what chances do us, the general population, have?


Junya Watanabe
In terms of creativity and innovation however, I am personally more impressed and attuned to the creations of Junya Watanabe. At first glance they are absolutely refreshing and on closer examination, very well cut and styled. One would actually look GOOD in these edgy refreshing creations! I especially love the leg warmer and flats all the models are sporting in the show.

Paris Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrapup III

Paris is truly the capital of the fashion world. The gorgeous-ness of all the Paris fashion week offerings are just endless and cannot possibly be encompassed in our usual 2 wrap-ups. Here are just some of their latest offerings. . .

Chloe
It appears that new born mothers are on a run here. Following Stella McCartney's collection, Phoebe Philo's a/w 2005-06 for Chloe was equally as spectacular. Blue, black and white were the main color theme for the show, which consisted of their usual chic, emaculately tailored outfits and their signature flowy feminine cocktail dresses.


The boho luxe look, perfect for a stroll down the shops. . .


The chic office look: neat, trimmed and oh-so-stylish.


Ah. . the flowy cocktail dresses. Only question here is, the black. . .


. . .or the blue?Or both?
Christian Lacroix
Following his success in his haute couture collection, Christian Lacroix produces yet again another stunning collection consisting of lots of prints and furs fashioned in a way that reflects the artistry, technique and skill that is Christian Lacroix.

Echoing the patchwork trend that is so popular this season, this dress is oh-so-skillfully put together

And I'm sure that lots of effort and skill has went into this baby doll dress with the seemingly random creases and folds.


And this sexy black dress matched with printed fur is just downright wild and sexy. Stay tune for Loius Vuitton, YSL and more!

Paris Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrapup II

Fashion week continues in Paris, and although it seems the media would rather focus on the poor pie-ed Anna Wintour, we would like to steer fellow readers' attention back to the fashion presented in the past few days.

Stella Mc Cartney
Despite having just given birth to her son, Miller, Mc Carntey still manages to present a critiacally praised show. This collection continues to showoff the normal Mc Cartney style: voluminous, yet still womanly and stylish.

GORGEOUS coat. The wide sleeves and huge tie at the middle wins critics' and womens' hearts.

Lovely and will keep you warm.

The sexy office girl. Now you can go to work stylishly, (and maybe button a few more buttons up.)

This is another style of coat Mc Cartney showed. This is probably more suitable to normal woman. The wide collar is a design that is not often seen with other designers, and it should be a flattering piece to be worn.

Ann Demeulemeester
I admit I only discovered this brand when I was searching which shows Gemma Ward catwalked in. But I was suprised that I had not noticed this brand before. The first words that flashed through my brain when I saw this collection were 'cool', 'stylish' and 'I LOVE/want it.'

Tsumori Chisato
I'm sure many of you haven't heard of this brand before. It is relatively famous in Asia, so if you haven't noticed it before, go check it out! The designer is clearly amazing with patterns and colors. Here's a piece I really loved from the AW 2005 collection.

Chanel
Chanel's AW 2005 collection was all about the playful Sixties look. It seems like MK Olsen as usual is a few steps ahead of the fashion world: the second-skin-like pants were worn under the the top layers. Black and white were dominant as before, together with other seriously neutral colors such as grey. Karl Lagerfeld decides to return Chanel to the sixties, and all the models had the Sixties look- the long, iron straight hair, together with super doed eyes.

The rich elegant rock'n'roll look. Its actually interesting in how much this looks like a female version of Lagerfeld's own outfit.

The perfect outfit to comfortably stroll around the city in.

Probably one the only innovative designs from Chanel this season.

The only outfit from Chanel this season that remotely assembles to next season's voluminous trends.

Alexander Mc Queen
Mc Queen must have had tea with Lagerfeld, because he also decided to go ahead with the Sixties look. Mc Queen's take on the Sixties is more mature. Big hair and pencil skirts (eww) appeared at first. Then there were the colorful woven boho outfits, which was then followed up by huge beautiful dresses.

See what I mean by mature Sixties?

My favourite outfit from this Mc Queen collection. The dress is so cute and gorgeous. I can completely imagine myself wearing this dress and hair to a formal tea or elegant cocktail party, sipping my drink and saying 'That's wonderful darling!'

America's Next Top Model 4

Just in case you didn't notice, America's Next Top Model 4 just aired this Wednesday, the most-watched Top Model opening to-date. I myself did not know about it and actually thought it was a rerun when I happened to come across it yesterday while channel surfing. But it promises to be another good season with all its usual glam and bitchfights. This is also a great replacement for those of you still craving for more Project Runway. So don't miss it Wednesday at 8pm UPN!

Paris Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrapup I

You will all be happy to know that the ready-to-wear collections in Paris this week, are actually ready to wear, even for us normal human being, (well, most of items anyways.)

Dior
As John Galliano's contract is coming to an end this year, he is eager to boost up the always-rising sales of Dior, in order to secure a higher paid contract. The Dior collection AW 05 is the most wearable yet, and is a down-to-earth replica of his most recent couture collection. This is one Dior collection I actually genuinely love, because there are so many items that suit different types of women.

Black & white mohair sweater dress with floppy leather cap and basic stylish black leather boots. This is a young, stylish yet careless look. Take note that black and/or white are dominant colors in this collection, as in many others next season.

Tan leather overall with a volumous mini skirt twist, complimented with brown leather boots, bag and cap. The thing I admire about this outfit (apart from that rarely stylish overalls,) is that the model is wearing a top underneath the overall, making the whole look sexy but not trashy.

Another important color next season- red, seems to play a mojor role too in Dior's collection. This sexy doll-like outfit is sexy, yet volumous and seems comfortable to wear.

Balenciaga
Balenciaga this season can be described as out of the world. The designs are indeed, unlike others from other fashion houses we have seen before, and serves a a refreshing change. Black and white dominate the show. You will notice the military influence on most items.

How could anyone not like this practical-looking and mega stylish white coat?

A dress with a military-influenced top and feminine flowing bottom. The beautiful silver belt on her can also be as ankle straps on some of the shoes, such as the one below.

Definately one of the most unique designs this season. The way that the white material is gathered, and the black T-shape hangs onto the model's shoulder is divine.

Jean Paul Gaultier
Admittingly, Gaultier's designs have always been a bit, err, unrealistic and trashy-like for our taste. But in this collection, Gaultier injects sparkling glamour into his typically military-like outfits. However, the outfits that I actually liked were the ones that were more feminine like this one:

This is my favourite outfit from Gaultier's collection this season. The cutting is so Jean Paul style, and yet so glamourously sprakling and feminine flowy at the same time. Simply amazing.

Lastly, we just want to make sure that you also go check out the collections by Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake. Both designers never receive as much publicity as the ones above, but their style deserves more regonition in their own ways.

By Yohji Yoamamoto. The Japanese are always brilliant with doing a re-mix version of western style clothing.

By Issey Miyake. You can obviously see that a lot of thought was put into the design of this dress. And matching dresses with boots is still oh-so-in.

Laptop bags for the High Tech Fashionistas

Being the high tech modern girls that we are, the occasion will inevitably arise when we have to lug around our laptops in public, whether we are going to class or going on a trip or going to work. But that doesn't mean we have to be unfashionable lugging our laptops around in those big ugly (black in my case) laptop bags they come with (or damage them when we put them into our normal bags). And so, aware of our dilema, some innovative bag companies have come up with fashionable lap top bags for our use. . .
First is (of course) our favourite bag makers of all, Louis Vuitton. This unisex bag is versatile and practically goes with anything. But if you are looking for something more feminine, read on. . .

This red Milano Collection Fifth Avenue laptop Tote is perfect. Its feminine and oh-so-classical. There is even space for your mobile phone and ipods with the two extra compartments in the front! Although if your hesistant about the versatility of red, this also comes in black.

If you don't like leather though, I would go for this Mobile Edge Komen Pink Suede Tote. The color is nice AND it reminds me of Coach. LOL. By the way, I think Coach does produce some pretty laptop totes besides the ugly ones you see on the net. I just haven't been able to find a picture of it on the net.

My favourite one of all though has GOT to be this gorgeous bag that comes in white, fushcia and black designed by Julien MacDonald (the designer of Givenchy). This one has got even more tiny compartments for your gadgets and makeup, plus it looks just look those ever so gorgeous Balenciaga bags that MK&A likes to carry around so much.

But if you are looking for something more funky and exciting, then this Anika carry all bag is perfect. The multicolored stripes add color and life to any outfit.

Or you can try out this eastern influenced laptop bag by Steve. The oriental look is claimed to be "the thing" by fashion magazines every other month.

Are those Asian models I see?

Maybe designers are starting to realise that there are some really rich brand-crazy women in Asia throwing their money at super brands. So in order to help them get a stronger 'feel' of the brand and into the spirits of their craze, designers have finally introduced PROPER Asians onto the catwalk in the Autumn/Winter 05 shows. By the words 'proper Asian', we mean Asians who actually look like Asians, not mixed Asians (such as Devon Aoki,) or the 'Asians' you see in Seventeen.

Asian models from Fashion Weeks Autumn/Winter 2005:
Hye Park was probably the most seen Asian model on the catwalk this season, and its not hard to see why. She looks especially gorgeous in the white Roberto Cavalli dress.

Hye Park from Anna Sui (New York)

Hye Park at Prada (Milan)

Hye Park at Imitation of Christ (New York)

Hye Park at Roberto Cavalli (Milan)


Yoon Ae at Daryl K (New York)

Julianna Imai at Gucci (Milan)

Julianna Imai has got the Gucci's sexy, feminine and seductive look practised to perfection. Which Gucci-crazy Asian wouldn't want to look like her?