J'ADORE KARLIE: SPRING 2011

Some warm weather inspiration for you. Shot by Steven Meisel, Karlie Kloss is sizzling in this heated Spring 2011 campaign for Dior. Red lips and tousled hair, beauty is looking classic for this spring. Most of all, I can't wait to wear the cat-like shades.

MODEL CITIZENS: ANN + KIRBY KENNY

I first caught wind of these two bewitchingly beautiful twin models on the first of March three months ago, when esteemed blogger and casting director Douglas Perett of COACD posted two polaroids (pictured above and below) of Ann and Kirby Kenny @ DNA in New York. Twenty-four days later, Perett posted his  "Top Ten Faces of Fall/Winter 2010" piece, and sure enough, there were the Kenny twins at number one. Indubitably, you can count on the highly reputable Douglas Perett to select the best, and it is nothing short of evident that these two are headed straight to the top. 

I figured that much when an image of the Kenny sisters filled my screen while visiting the Hedi Slimane Fashion Diary. Now we all know the stature of Hedi Slimane, the photography mastermind behind the Dior Homme line, who has shot the likes of Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, Courtney Love, Robert Pattinson, and plenty of others. Not to mention his countless contributions to distinguished magazines such as Dazed, Another, V Magazine, and multiple Vogues.

It is with that knowledge that I am rather certain of the fate that the two darling Kenny girls have awaiting them. With their piercing blue, alien-like eyes and porcelain doll features, it is quite clear-cut why these two have caught the eye of someone such as Hedi Slimane. I expect it's only a matter of time before these two are gracing covers and campaigns from coast to coast.

Check out Hedi's shots below.

CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE SUMMER 2010

Adorned with top hats and riding crops, John Galliano unveiled the Christian Dior Haute Couture Summer 2010 Collection at Paris Haute Couture Week yesterday. Inspired by all things equestrian, the riders- erm- models sported long side-saddle riding skirts, polo sticks, and top hats set upon oversized updos. Tailored to precision, the jackets were swathed with the bold shades of this spring and summer, with red, black, white, and hunting pink making the most prominent appearances. Many of the jackets were tailored at the waist, some with belts to buckle them in place. Black gloves covered the hands of the models, and silver and black buttons studded the blazers. Collared necks, English plaid, and thick pleats were common attributes, as the regal couture collection reigned supreme.

The next set of gals after the equestrian dolls displayed Galliano’s evening collection, dressed head-to-toe in what looked like ruffian garden party gowns. Drawing inspiration from the era of “The Gibson Girl”, these delicate pieces emulated style icon Millicent Rogers of the early 20th century. With booties cropped just above the ankle and exceedingly large hats bearing veils and feathers, these frocktail dresses were my favorite out of the entire show. Embellished lace and tulle in gorgeous pastel shades were just the ticket to match the beautifully big-haired porcelain dolls upon which the clothes were paraded. Some dresses were once again belted, and many skirts had the bunching-and-hanging quality that I adore. Some of the latter skirt-and-blouse pieces did not quite win my heart, but alas, the prior ones were so overwhelmingly breathtaking that I can forgive the final few.

As for the last set of couture, Galliano wowed the crowd with his cunningly sculpted ball gowns that drew gasps from the mouths of the front-row showgoers including Dita Von Teese and Kylie Minogue. Plum, caramel, jade, and rich burgundy gowns stole the show with ravishing ruffles and bows on many of the pieces. My favorite of the gowns was the beige and caramel piece worn stunningly by Magdalena Frackowiak, her arms veiled in elegant, three-quarter sleeve white gloves. Although not my favorite of his work, the ball gowns were extraordinary. With the mix of his equestrian inspiration, early 20th century glam, and bewitching ball gowns, it is easy to say that recession of not, John Galliano will never lose his magical touch.

Have a look at my four favorites below, from the second set of couture inspired by "The Gibson Girl".

JOHN GALLIANO PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS HEROES

From Sherlock Holmes to Bunny Rogers, couturier John Galliano pays tribute to his heroes. Take a look!

SPOTTED: TAVI BACKSTAGE AT CHRISTIAN DIOR

Thirteen-year-old prodigal fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson of Style Rookie backstage at Christian Dior interviewing Norweigan model Siri Tollerod. The photo was snapped by New Zealand blogger, Isaac Hindin Miller, confirming Tavi's presence at the haute couture shows, although we are still unsure who she is covering the shows for, possibly for Pop Magazine? (Image via @IsaacLikes)

FYI: BRITISH GRAZIA IS NOT PLEASED WITH THEIR VIEW AT CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE

The editors over at British Grazia do not seem pleased to be sitting behind the front-row thirteen-year-old Tavi Gevinson and watching the Christian Dior couture show through her headpiece. The young blogger is sporting a pink Steven Jones bow-hat at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Images via British Grazia Twitpic.

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2009

For those of you who missed it, Paris Haute Couture SS/09 Fashion Week took place just last week, from Monday, January 26th to Wednesday, January 30th. While most of us were writing papers or filing overdue reports, models from across the globe were frolicking down the catwalk in the majestic brilliance of designers such as Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, and Valentino. I couldn’t possibly allow the week to pass me by without at least giving a runway report on my absolute favorites of the week; Dior, Lacroix, and Givenchy.

Monday mornings tend to be a drag for most, but fashion fanatics arose with smile-slapped faces to attend the 10 am start to fashion week with Alexis Mabille kicking it off at 51, rue de l’Université. Two shows and separate venues later, the crowds shambled over to 79 rue de Varenne, where Christian Dior sent his masterworks down the room at 2:30pm. Dior’s collection featured Vermeer-inspired designs overflowing with puffs, lace-laden necklines, fitted torsos, and a multitude of resplendent ruffles. Designer John Galliano said that he drew his inspiration for the Dior line from 17th-Century Dutch paintings, in which the poses of the subjects particularly captured his eye. Well, Galliano certainly caught our eyes by sending lavish porcelain dolls decked in genteel pastels from creamy white to Bo-Peep blues down the massive hall. Some of the dresses looked more regal, while other designs looked more like my grandmother’s Sunday tea set (in a good way of course, she never fails to receive a compliment on such splendid porcelain pieces of finery). 

Day two of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week SS/09 brought a mid-afternoon style snack from mad-genius designer, the great Christian Lacroix. The show kicked-off at three-thirty in the afternoon at the Centre Georges Pompidou off of la rue Beaubourg. One of my personal favorites, Lacroix’s work this spring was a remarkably fresh spin on couture. The French virtuoso took his predominantly wild and striking designs down a notch, in consideration of haute couture. But with inspiration varying from retro prom chic to Spanish luxury to Parisian glam, he still managed to throw his crazy, whimsical “WOW Factor” into the designs that make them unmistakably Lacroix. I must say, every single dress was a masterpiece in this show. Always one to go with “the whole shebang”, models wore over-sized earrings and thin, patterned tights. Some dresses resembled fashion-forward flamenco dancers on their night out, while others looked like frivolous teen prom queen prototypes. Polka dots, exotic color mixtures, vivid flower designs, explosive colors, and scrumptious bows were just some of the many luxuries that Christian Lacroix let the world indulge in this fashion week. As per usual, Lacroix has me head-over-heels in love with his lavish line.

Later that night, Givenchy put on quite the show at Couvent des Cordeliers on 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine. Now before I go in deeper I feel compelled to say that although never disappointing, Givenchy has not usually been in my favorites during fashion weeks. However, 2009 has clearly been a year of change thus far, and I must say I was impressed with this collection. Succulent necklines stayed high and close to the neck, while the backs of many dresses took the plunge with crisscrosses and droopy layers. Givenchy played with floral prints and light pastels from yellow to mint green, flirting with the joys of spring in material form. Bunched-up material flowers, thin layers of flowing material, and dresses drizzled with lace were some of my personal favorite highlights of the show. The graceful and dainty collection won my heart this couture week, putting Givenchy in my top three for the week, leaving me yearning for a few of the delicately chic pieces for myself! See the backstage photos on our TUMBLR.

In the two days of frivolous footsteps down the runway coated with spring fashion’s finest, designers in Paris have clearly chosen to turn a blind eye to the economic recession deterring most of us from our frivolous fashion splurges. “Of course I’m aware of the credit crunch, but it is not a creative crunch,” Christian Dior designer John Galliano said after his outstanding display on the Monday evening. As we could tell by the ornate three-day extravaganza, the worst of times cannot even kill the life of couture lovers everywhere. A persistent fashion culture that will not allow itself to be doused by any flame? Now that, my friends, is haute.

Photos via Cobrasnake & Hapsical