Fall 09 Ready To Wear: Chanel

Karl Largarfeld tagged his Chanel Fall 09 collection with the title "Belle Brummell", a witty play on Beau Brummell, the 19th century British Reagent who dictated men's fashion of time by tying his cravats in ever more elaborate ways. I've recently become obsessed with Brummell's influence on fashion (thank-you Michael for the introduction), so it was no wonder this Chanel collection appealed so heavily to me. It was Chanel doing what Chanel does best, and in a season of somewhat turmulous shows, this is the way to keep things moving forward.

Chanel Homme?

Menswear in the Chanel Fall 09 show?

Here's hoping this is a sign of some truth to the rumors of Hedi Slimane doing a Chanel Homme line.

It could be Karl just being Karl though.

Fall 09 Ready To Wear: Givenchy

Riccardo Tisci said of this collection, "It was Schiaparelli, animal sensuality, the forties, the thirties." He then reasserted himself saying, "Actually, I wanted to show lots of different shapes for all kinds of women." 

And that was certainly what he did. This show had it all: hats, feathers, fur, gloves, leather and lace. Basically everything that makes Givenchy great. Some were saying the collecting had too much. I say that when the pieces are this good, too much can only be the best of things.

Fall 09 Ready To Wear: Balenciaga

For this season's Balenciaga show, Nicolas Ghesquière put together a delectably sumptuous collection, bringing back a more feminine side to the clothes and subsequently, playing down the intense sci-fi looks of the last season. But in no way was the identity of Balenciaga lost by Ghesquière taking to this direction. The girls came down the runway with sleek slicked back hair and porcelain like nude faces, stomping in heels that could only be by Balenciaga. The result was what is easily one of the label's most wearable collections in many seasons.

For the love of Jil Sander

After seeing the fantastic new Jil Sander collections, I was remembering how much I love the Men's Fall 08 collection. In particular, the amazing suits in the intense marbled type print.

I really need to own all of it, the pieces are so spectacular. And with Raf's tailoring skills, you know they'd fit like the most perfect of gloves.

Fall 09 Ready To Wear: Dolce & Gabbana (ode to Shiaparelli)

I am quite impressed with Dolce & Gabbanna's Elsa Shiaparelli inspired collection for Fall. I swear that there are so many people today who don't realise what an influence she was to modern fashion. She was most famously the arch rival of Coco Chanel in the 20's and 30's. Shiaparelli was the first to use shoulder pads, animal print and was the inventor of shocking pink. This collection hits all the right notes of a Shiaparelli inspired look.

I suggest reading the book "Shocking Life: The Autobiography of Elsa Shiaparelli", for all those who are interested in further understanding the excellent inspiration behind D&G's excellent Fall line.

Fall 09 Ready To Wear: Moschino

Oh Moschino.

Once again, I cannot resist. Roses, ruffles and organza everywhere.

The pants in this first look are quite possibly the best piece though. Regular pants with organza sewn over the top in the silhouette of jodhpurs. Genius.

Here is a collection full of its signature whimsy in what some (not I) are calling a dull time.