Karl Lagerfeld took a little time from his Chanel design duties to star in a new Volkswagen commercial.  The designer brought his personal style and charismatic sensibilities to the set, he was also impeccably dressed.  His real life creative skills were highlighted as he pondered the elegance of the automobiles while holding a professional camera, hinting at his photography background.  Karl apparently believed these models belonged in Paris, even if they were not intended for Paris.  The ad is in German, but the humor still translates very well.

The simplest way to sum up Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 Haute Couture show is to deem it a lesson in perfection, but that barely covers the colors, shapes and magnificence of the collection.  It was a bouquet of splendor on display for all to admire.  Many connected instantly with the collection because it was daring and bold, yet at the height of femininity.  We also marvelled at John Galliano’s ability to bring the Botanical Garden to the runway.  There is genuine excitement about this show because it was like attending an art exhibition of one of our favorite artists.  Dior’s Fall 2010 collection lived up to our preconceived notions of haute couture, and in true showman fashion, Galliano has left us wanting more. 

Jean Paul Gaultier – Spring 2010

Jean Paul Gaultier’s venture into lingerie may have reached great heights with Madonna’s cone bras in the 1990′s, but he is making even greater strides with a new partnership with La Perla.  “In my latest prêt-à-porter collection I revisited the conical bras and corsets worn as outerwear,” says Gaultier. “This collaboration was a natural and logical step, especially since La Perla is the pearl of the lingerie, with the best savoir faire.”  We will get a sneak peek at two limited-edition pieces during his haute couture show on July 7th.  Look for a back-stitch strapless bra and a garter belt.  The collection will be available in stores in November.  Ladies, you can start hinting to your significant other about your Christmas gift. 

Jean Paul Gaultier and La Perla Lingerie Collaboration – Brilliant! [Stylist]

Michael Kors delivered a Resort 2011 collection that was clean, simple and chic.  The designer was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CFDA Awards this week for his 30 years in the fashion industry.  He has consistently delivered inspired work and this collection was no different.  Neutrals in taupe, white and black with a splash of tangerine would describe the color palette.  I felt a vibe of the most sophisticated safari.  Animal prints were used as subtle accents for variety and visual interest.  The shapes and colors readily provides an air of simple elegance to collection.

Martin Margiela Spring 2009

Martin Margiela has made his final curtain call at the house of Margiela.  It comes as no surprise because the rumors have been rampant about his impending exit for over a year.  He leaves his fashion house after 20 years and there are no plans to replace him.  Margiela will now have a creative staff instead of one creative head; this team benefits from the designer’s creative nurturing over the years.  Only time will tell if this new effort will be successful.  So far the last applauded collection at the fashion house was the elusive designer’s ‘backwards’ collection in spring 2009; both the fall 2009 and spring 2010 collections received luke-warm receptions.  It is believed that Martin Margiela did not have a hand in either collection.  Can a group be as successful at communicating a cohesive vision as one creative leader? That remains to be seen and we’ll be watching.

Zac Posen Spring 2010

Zac Posen is coming to Target.  His Go International collection will be available at Target on April 25th to May 30th.  We are in an environment where high-end designers are opting to make their clothes more accessible to the mass market. 

Posen has been very busy lately; only two weeks ago he announced his diffusion ‘hipster’ line to be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.  His Z Spoke collection with Saks will go for $78 to $675.  The young designer’s high-end collection goes for $900 to $12,000, but the price point for the Go International collection has not been announced.  It’s fair to say that the price point will be significantly lower than even the Z Spoke collection because previous Go collections at Target have retailed from $14.99 to $149.99.

Designing clothes for the mass market improves the bottom-line, and it increases the name recognition of the designer.  The consumer also wins because they will have access to affordable  merchandise from a high-end designer.  Only the lines at Target will tell the full story next spring, but it’s likely that the story will be a very good one for Zac Posen.

Zac Posen to Design for Target [WWD]

Related: Zac Posen is the Latest to Launch Lower-Priced Line

Ring the alarm, Roberto Cavalli is having a sample sale on November 12th – 14th.  You will have your chance to score womens and mens apparel and accessories from his ready-to-wear collection, all at 70 to 80 percent off.  That was enough to add Roberto Cavalli to our Rollcall list this week.  The sale will be held at the Metropolitan Pavillion in New York City.  Dresses and gowns start at $700 and up.  Many other  items are starting at $230, and the scarves are priced at $100.  Take your time in surveying the merchandise, you have three days to peruse the racks.  Cavalli’s showroom has us day dreaming that it was our own personal closet; there are at least three solid hours of playing dress-up in there.

Roberto Cavalli’s Calm Preview Sale  [Sample Sally]

Naeem Khan unveiled his HSN collection, Timeless, to the audience on October 29th and it was a sprint to the finish-line.  No one anticipated that the finish-line would be reached within 10 minutes.  So Naeem Khan makes our Rollcall list this week. 

The Timeless collection sold out so quickly that the show ended early; every designer wishes to have that problem.  The audience had an insatiable appetite for his 10 piece collection.  Five minutes into the show, four of the 10 pieces in the collection were sold out.  Seven pieces were sold out 10 minutes into the show.  “We were expecting the reaction to be positive, but it was above and beyond,” said Khan. “The show had to be cut short because we sold out!  This really speaks to the potential and the power of HSN.”

The designer is being incredibly gracious because we know that it also speaks to the quality and desirability of the items he created.  The dresses and tops are mostly sequined, and they’re perfect for the upcoming holiday season.  Timing was key to this collection’s popularity, sequins would likely be a tougher sell to the HSN audience in June.  If you missed the collection on HSN, take a look at the video.

Yes He Can: Naeem Khan’s HSN Collection, Timeless, sells out in under 10 minutes [Fashion Week Daily]

Donatella Versace inherited the fashion house through tragedy, but soon found her footing and maintained the house’s relevance for over a decade.  If anyone can bring this house back to profitability during this downturn, it is Donatella Versace.

Versace has not been immune to the economic recession; the company announced last week that it would reduce it’s workforce by 26 percent.  Losses are projected in the near future, but the house is expected to return to profitability in 2011.

When you consider how Donatella was thrusted into a position that, as she says, she never wanted, and thrived, it would be premature to count her out right now.  If she takes this setback as an opportunity to regain the house’s dominance, Versace can emerge from this downturn virtually unscathed. 

Unlike most fashion houses, this one is extremely personal to the designer.  It was founded by her late brother, Gianni Versace, and her daughter now holds a 50 percent share in the company.  There is every incentive to bring this company back to its pre-recessionary days.

Ms. Versace has managed to maintain the prestige of the Versace label.  Known for its overtly sexy designs, it’s difficult to imagine her customer base abandoning her for long.  Combining the house’s ability to maintain the quality for which it’s known with affordable pricing may be its biggest test.  

The company’s greatest asset may be the designer herself; she is Versace, and she’s resilient.  The label is often glorified in rap songs, and sought after by the young and fabulous.  Even through this downturn, the name still maintains its luster, and if Donatella Versace has her way, it will stay that way.

Restructuring Luxury at Versace [NYT/Style]

These lovely ladies worked their respective  red carpets in this Donna Karan gown.  All day today, the question has been ”who wore it better?”  However, my question is, what is Donna Karan’s secret to getting her gowns onto the red carpet?  The sequin halter is on trend this season, and that likely played a role in its selection.  Iman added extra sparkle with her bracelets, and Eva opted to let the dress shine by itself.  From all appearances, this dress is glamorous and sexy, and it brought out those attributes in these ladies.  Their faces revealed an inner confidence.  A good designer has to understand the contours of the body, as well as what looks good on a woman’s body.  It’s clear Donna Karan has a firm grasp of both these concepts.  The gown works for both because of the  silhouette and fit.  Even the burgundy color works for their skin tones, and this time of year.  Is it any wonder that it made the red carpet on two separate occassions?

Who Wore It Better? Donna Karan Sequin Halter Dress  [FABSUGAR]