PARIS FASHION WEEK SS08

PARIS ACCESSORIES

A TRIBAL QUEST

From top left: jeweled necklace; sandal with raffia detail; necklace with wood beads: Lanvin. Multicolor beaded sandal with leather strap; multicolor beaded cuff bracelet: Dries Van Noten.

The spring woman is a globe trekker. Lanvin and Dries Van Noten take her to Africa with bold and chunky accessories-beaded, feathered and jeweled for a tribal look. Paris Chic is loaded with detail and edge.


LADY IN VAIN

From rop left: Silk purple/sand/white headscarf with hat attached; white clutch with color blocks, black/yellow/canvas belt with pink crocodile trim; Christian Lacroix. Pink crocodile riding boots: Hermés. Satin multicolor maryjane with metal heel: Miu Miu.

A peacock is vain and brilliantly colored with iridescent eyes. Paris designers somehow took this into account, using bold color and modern design to make luxe femininity heard.


SLICKER THAN MOST

From top left: Pattern and leather belt; cuff bracelets with diamonds and jewels: Christian Lacroix. Patent and lace slingbacks with diamond patterned heel: Victor & Rolf. Knee-high woven gladiator boots: Balenciaga. Striped hat: Christian Dior.

While a lot of spring trends focus on transparency and delicateness, designers like Galliano and Ghesquiére add sass with pieces that could have come from a 1920's jazz club. Forget floral for a moment-its chunks of black and white, stripes, diamonds, and checkers. Ghesquiére evokes his black and white striped pants of Spring 2006 in gladiator boot form.


FADE TO GRAY

From top left: Crocodile handbag; python belt with silver chain; futuristic stilettos with silver detail: Alexander McQueen. Knee-high multicolor snakeskin boots: Miu Miu. Crocodile envelope clutch: Chloé.

Skins were once considered a luxury, but now every other handbag and heel is python or croc. It doesn't have to be wild like its leopard print cousin-McQueen is taming it to pair it with work clothes. Crocodile becomes soft and elegantly simple, as gray is carried on from fall to spring. Miu Miu may have the boot of the season-the python boots also come in blue, green, and yellow-as they are an avant-garde transition from heavy boots to spring sandals.


DAME SAVOUREUSE

From top left: canvas and pink jewel heel with python strap: Christian Lacriox. Light pink/sheer wide-brimmed hat; light pink satin stiletto; rose pink heels with black lace and tassle detail: John Galliano. Black hat with double-layer ruffled bottom: Karl Lagerfeld.

No one captures a classier lady dining outdoors against a backdrop of nature like Renoir. Effortless elegance took place in a garden setting at a Paris stadium-where the beauty of a lady is most natural-at John Galliano. The ladylike accessories with shades of pink, detailed accents, jewels and delicate form complement spring's ruffle and silk floral print trends.

HERMÉS

Century old signature crocodiles bags and equestrian accessories have evolved into white crocodile riding boots and brown crocodile jhodpurs for Spring 08. Therefore-Hermes successfully outdid itself in creating the ultimate definition of luxury. Bikinis, silk dresses and fedora or panama hats once dressed a sophisticated Hermes lady in the past, but a passage to india cultures her with saris, turbans and kurta style blazers as the Hermes client (according to style.com) is expanding globally. Deep plum and gold metallic (more gold fabric than accessories) are the two most prevalent colors, but brilliant jewel toned gowns wrap up the collection. Hermes silk print scarves and a few ties make their appearance as well. One of the most elegant Hermes looks with a strong flavor of India is a fitted khaki blouse with breasted pocketes and bishop sleeves paired with khaki empire waist, loose fit pants (see second to last image).

COMME DES GARÇONS

Although it's impossible to deduce the inspiration behind Rei Kawakubo's clothes, that he walks to work everyday in Tokyo could've been a factor in his live anime-esque dolls that walked the runway in Paris. Comme de Garcons has shown excess ruffles, tailored menswear jackets with feminine tulle skirts, and pieces that duel with itself. As for spring 08, limits were pushed even further; the clothed models became walking contradictions. The shape of dresses and masculine coats were unflattering to the female form. The finale dresses look like paper dolls with their clothes pasted sloppily on their frontside. Some looks combined men's jackets, a print that could be the pajamas for a 7-year-old, and synthetic ruffled skirts-carrying the personality of an entire family. Was Kawakubo trying to make a statement or was this the work of someone who is bored with fashion? Perhaps New York designers-many of which can't escape playing it safe and catering to consumerism-should take a hint.

She Got Style: Charlize Theron

In honor of Vogue's October issue that features Charlize Theron unmasking her inner cowgirl, it seems fit to put together some of the actress's best looks-because she is one of the best dressed women in Hollywood. A Galliano gal, she tends to walk the red carpet in a Dior gown. Charlize is free-spirited and she's tough-but she doesn't have a bad attitude; she's above that. Top: From Vogue, the image of her in the scarf and hat staring into the distance reminds me of Faye Dunaway's tough gaze in Bonnie & Clyde. Charlize is an effortless combination of old Hollywood glamour and modern edge-that's why she's got style.