Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week

Alexander McQueen: Spring 2012
Editor's Pick

Alexander McQueen Spring 2012

Otherworldly is the best way to describe Sarah Burton's Spring 2012 collection for Alexander McQueen.
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Alexander McQueen: Spring 2012

Otherworldly is the best way to describe Sarah Burton's Spring 2012 collection for Alexander McQueen. She referenced the Greek goddess Gaia, who in mythology gave birth to the gods of sea. The oceanic theme arose via undulating ruffles and pearl and coral-crusted embellishments that looked like barnacles. But first, the impeccable tailoring; first with a series of skirt suits, belted high and elegantly on the waist, done in powerful metallic gold and blush tones. Some of the jackets were cut to reveal delicate lace bralettes underneath. A string of babydoll dresses were floaty and full, designed to mimic the movements of a jellyfish, thanks to a plethora of ruffles. For the finale, a string of awe-inspiring gowns, one that spoke to the darkness of McQueen with black, spidery-cut leather. Models wore facemasks cut of lace, but some had beading made to look as if coral were spreading over their faces. It was transformative, and on a larger scale, a transformative moment for Sarah Burton, who has shown that she can lead the Alexander McQueen house forward in a lighter, but still breathtakingly complex direction.

  • Trends: aquatic theme, pearls, feathers, embellishment, wide belts, asymmetric hems.
  • Colors: gold, blush, coral, white, cream, black.
  • Key Piece: babydoll dresses with lace and ruffles were surprisingly light, while the gowns were just incredible. For "everyday" we love the tailored jackets that opened the show.
  • Accessories: platform gladiator sandals that climbed up models's legs.
  • Who Would Wear It: The gowns are for the most fashion-forward red carpet goers. But we can see some of the skirt suits working on Sarah Jessica Parker.
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Valentino: Spring 2012
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Valentino Spring 2012

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli honed in on Valentino's signature dreamy elegance for Spring 2012 with a parade of delicately embroidered and embellished lace gowns and dresses.
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Valentino: Spring 2012

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli honed in on Valentino's signature dreamy elegance for Spring 2012 with a parade of delicately embroidered and embellished lace gowns and dresses. The aesthetic was perfectly in tune with the house — the kind of beautifully femme gowns we'll anxiously await to spot on the red carpet. Then, a few surprises: models in slick Spring leather — some with chiffon detailing — and relaxed, minimalist strapless dresses in blush pinks and daffodil yellows that spoke perfectly to Spring, and were a refreshing change from the signature black, blush, and Valentino red. It's a collection that walks the line between the girlish and the womanly, glamorous and accessible. Even the footwear walks that line with beautiful metallic, flat thong sandals, and flat espadrilles covered in — what else? — lace.

  • Trends: Feminine dressing, red, embroidery, florals, metallics, sheer, lace, and leather.
  • Colors: Black, white, red, nude, soft pink, yellow, and blue.
  • Key Look: A black lace deep-v maxi that would look just as at home on the red carpet as it would out to dinner; a statement red, floor-length gown we're dying to see on the red carpet.
  • Accessories: Chain-strap handbags, red heels, slim leather belts, gold drop earrings, flat strappy sandals, and flat lace espadrilles.
  • Who Would Wear It: Feminine red-carpet darlings like Keira Knightley, Olivia Palermo, and Anne Hathaway.
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    Spring 2012 Backstage Pictures: Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf, John Galliano, Costume National, Issey Miyake
    Viktor & Rolf

    Pink Eyelashes and Stuck-Out Tongues — Backstage at Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf, John Galliano, Costume National, and Issey Miyake

    >> Color seeped into beauty looks at Issey Miyake and Viktor & Rolf — in the form of long pink eyelashes at the latter; Gisele Bundchen stuck her tongue out — more than once — backstage at Givenchy; plus, see appearances by Miranda Kerr, Erin Wasson, and Naomi Campbell as you flip through the latest backstage snaps from those shows, John Galliano, and Costume National.
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    Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week

    >> Color seeped into beauty looks at Issey Miyake and Viktor & Rolf — in the form of long pink eyelashes at the latter; Gisele Bundchen stuck her tongue out — more than once — backstage at Givenchy; plus, see appearances by Miranda Kerr, Erin Wasson, and Naomi Campbell as you flip through the latest backstage snaps from those shows, John Galliano, and Costume National.

    Photos by Greg Kessler

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    Chanel: Spring 2012
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    Chanel Spring 2012

    Frills, feathers, sheerness, and shine: Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2012 collection for Chanel had all the feminine indulgences, presented in a dreamy, under-the-sea setting.
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    Chanel: Spring 2012

    Frills, feathers, sheerness, and shine: Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2012 collection for Chanel had all the feminine indulgences, presented in a dreamy, under-the-sea setting. Models strode the runway in 80 looks, most of them rendered in a soft palette — silver, seafoam green, blush — and walked against a white backdrop filled with shapes from the sea, like seaweed and coral. They wore pearls in their hair, and as belts. Girly dresses with short hemlines, styled with metallic ankle booties or gladiator sandals, looked made for Chanel ambassadors Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, and Alexa Chung. On the flip side, slim-fitted sheath dresses worth with iconic tweed jackets might have seemed more conservative, and certainly lacked the frills, but they felt light and even sexy.

    • Trends: feathers, peplum, seafoam green, .
    • Colors: seafoam green, iridescent hues, light blue, white, pale yellow, blush.
    • Key Look:Supermodel Freja's seafoam green, feathered dress took our breath away.
    • Accessories: Silver ankle booties, silver gladiator sandals.
    • Who Would Wear It: Girly, modern style icons of our day, who can easily wear feminine clothes without seeming too precious.
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    Beauty Quiz: What Inspired These Paris Fashion Week Looks?
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    Can You Guess the Surprising Inspirations Behind These Paris Fashion Week Looks?

    Where do you find your inspiration?
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    Where do you find your inspiration? For Fashion Week's beauty teams, it's just about everywhere. And now that Paris Fashion Week is almost over, let's take a look back on the week that was with this quiz. Can you guess the inspiration behind these Paris Fashion Week styles? The answers might surprise you.

    Yves Saint Laurent: Spring 2012
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    Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2012

    Spring was seen in a darker light for Stefano Pilati's collection for Yves Saint Laurent.
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    Yves Saint Laurent: Spring 2012

    Spring was seen in a darker light for Stefano Pilati's collection for Yves Saint Laurent. Instead of the bright colors and prints favored on many runways this season, Pilati showcased a gorgeous jewel-toned collection highlighting blue, purple, and forest green hues with a sprinkling of mint green to lighten up the mood. Showing what he does best, the designer created sharp tailored jacquard trousers and structured coats. The feminine touch in the way of fit-and-flare skirts, ruffle detailed blouses, printed coats, and sexy halter tops. For eveningwear, Pilati created sultry sheer black gowns, cut deep in the front and flecked with gold shimmer. The footwear selection was covetable, showing gold-plated suede loafers dipped in beautiful jewel tones, lace-up flats, cap-toe pumps, and platform loafers. Shoes that are sure to hit the must-haves list of every stylista.

    • Trends: Peplum, exotic prints, volume, jacquard.
    • Colors: Forest green, blue, pink, mint green, purple, fuchsia, pink .
    • Key Look: A bold multicolored horizontal stripe wool blazer coat.
    • Accessories: Ankle wrap flats, gold-plated loafers, cap toe pumps.
    • Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave polished and sleek pieces.
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