The Balmain Armour: AW12

The Balmain woman is growing up – becoming more refined. Still, she hasn’t lost the boxy jackets and studded dresses that make her special. This collection also seemed to subtly touch on feudal times: deep medieval green and armour-like jackets suggest the Balmain girl has been fighting for our hearts for thousands of years.  

Images: americanvogue.com and vogue.it

Balenciaga’s AW12 Dress Code

So you want to work at Balenciaga? There’s a very important dress code to follow:

1)     The metallic strips on your sheer skirt are important to create a space-like feel to the business, which is always moving forward.

2)     Pair your structured skirt with a jacket or oversized knit.

3)     You’re encouraged to wear a graphic print on your sweater for casual Fridays but…

4)   A sharp, strong jacket is essential for the boardroom.

5)     Bright metallic pants are the perfect medium between office hours and after hours.

6)     Your dress at the Christmas party should have at least three different fabrics.

That’s all. Leave your CV if you’re still interested.

See the full collection at style.com
Images: style.com

Gaga’s Igloo: Mugler AW12

Ever since Lady Gaga’s fashion director Nicola Formichetti became the creative director of Mugler, the brand has become more and more Gaga. This collection is not as Gaga usual: sure, you could picture her in a number of these outfits, but there were also some very ready to wear pieces. By ‘ready to wear’ I mean what Gaga wouldn’t wear and what you probably would.  

Save for three pops of colour, this collection was all about white and black. Beginning with white, the dresses and jackets had breathtaking architecture – like an igloo of Gaga – and had a distinct McQueen avant-garde feel to them.  

The transition between the black and white were arguably the most interesting pieces in this collection. Finally we come to the black: these have been described as having a very ‘ninja’ feel to them, but my first thought was that yet another Girl With The Dragon Tattoo has emerged… who knows. If nothing else, these clothes are great eye candy.

Images: style.com, final image vogue.it

Wear Your Art On Your Sleeve: Dries van Noten AW12

Kicking Paris Fashion Week into high gear, Dries van Noten presented  a collection at the top of the wearable spectrum. This woman loves to wear her art on her sleeve, and all over her blouses and dresses. (How about those new-shape pants!) The collection will transcend to all ages, depending on hoe you style it. Here it is at its most classic style. So covetable.

Images: americanvogue.com and vogue.it

Mary Kate ELLE Olsen

This is the first image of UK ELLE’s April 2012 cover to hit the internet. It’s only a partial view… that’s the high street supplement (the cover of which I actually prefer) blocking it. Not my favourite cover, but the Olsen story should be interesting.