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.

Giorgio Armani went midnight blue for Spring 2011.  The collection was ethnic chic, fully equipped with turbans and loosely draped sheer fabric.  I’m getting a little nostalgic for Arabian Nights from these looks.  It was sleek and superbly styled.  Armani made navy the new black for the season.  The looks were dramatic, and tailored to perfection.  He gave us an updated version of power-dressing.  Each look was strong and confident, and it was accomplished without sacrificing femininity.

Roberto Cavalli celebrated his 40th Anniversary this season with a collection of tantalizing dresses in animal prints and fringe detail.  There was something aboriginal and native about this collection, yet it also managed to be soft and pretty.  That’s a difficult task.  The dresses were light as a feather and floated effortlessly in the wind.  Cavalli also designed sexy low-slung pants with a lace-up detail.  Fringe was central to this collection, it appeared to have an influence of hippie chic, only way chicer and far more daring.  The color palette was muted and subdued, probably because the prints were so bold.

Versace was almost demure for Spring 2011, but Donatella Versace still delivered the provocative.  The Versace woman always maintains her allure, and she does so this season with sexy cut-outs and body-conscious fit.  There were hints of skin in the collection, but nothing overt.  The dresses were pretty with modest hemlines that fell below the knee.  Geometric shapes and cut-outs brought visual interest and excitement to this lady-like collection.  Donatella gave us a vibrant color palette of red, white, turquoise, black and a rainbow striped print.  Versace accomplished quite a feat for Spring 2011; she delivered something new to the House, all while maintaining its sexy signature.  This collection is both beautiful and wearable.

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.

It appears Matthew Williamson was inspired by ancient Rome, both military and Parliament, for his Fall 2010 collection.  His first looks had the signature Williamson aesthetic.  Somewhere during the middle of the runway show the Roman look appeared, and it was an unexpected surprise.  The fabric and draping were the central players; the collection as a whole came in cobalt blue, gray, pink, mustard and Williamson’s signature prints.  One look at the sheen of the gold and bronze, the one shoulder draping and the shoes, and you will be taken back to Rome in ancient times.  Of course the metallic fabrics were more like the armour of the army.  Think back to Julius Ceasar, Mark Antony and Cleopatra.  The fabric choice was very luxurius and the draping created the visual interest.  Hemlines remained tastefully at mid-thigh, so most women will be able to wear these looks without becoming victims of fashion.

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