Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012 - Part Two

Paris Fashion Week
Fall 2012 Favourites
Part Two

This is the second chapter of my Paris Fashion Week round-up. We've seen leather and fur emerge as major trends, along with relaxed fit trousers, opera gloves and a high round-neck.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney mixes work with leisure for her Fall 2012 collection. Oversized flap coats and chunky-knit sweaters made for charming casual wear, and evening wear was intricately embroidered in electric blue, black and white. Cozy cardigans and slouchy pants fit McCartney's weekend style, while tailored suit coats and padded-hip skirts make office wear interesting. The show closed with a line of sporty colour-blocked ice-skater inspired dresses, expertly constructed from silk and tweed.

Andrew Gn

A dark Victorian romance transpired at Andrew Gn's Fall show, through a sultry set of gauzy embellished chiffon, leather and lattice work, and plush black velvet. Suave navy blue coats were belted and bejeweled, fur neatly clustered on the shoulders. My favourite from the range is an opulent purple evening gown, harnessed with black embroidery (bottom row). Lace chokers and fishnet stockings emphasized the glam-goth theme.

Valentino

Valentino's Fall 2012 presentation was charged with it's usual romantic mien, varied by a slight ethnic slant. Leather was delicately refined into elegant dresses, skirts and coats with frog braided clasps. Black was embellished, while siren red dresses were scalloped on the neckline and hem. Silhouettes were surreptitiously sexy with long-sleeves and high-necks, just a hint of skin shown through Victorian-inspired lace. Folksy multicoloured prints and ornamental metallic trims polished off the beautiful evening gowns.

Chloé

A light breeze of subtle hues and uncomplicated clothes drifted across the runway at Chloé's Fall showing. A set of pastel blue and peach parkas, duffle and military coats beautifully contrasted the lightness of the other looks. Elasticated skirts were slung low on the hips, frail lace blouses and dresses seen in vanilla cream, while evening wear made an appearance with a single black silk taffeta cut-out gown. Quilted pencil skirts and cropped wool pants showed off ankle strap Mary-Jane pumps. British countryside chic done with Parisian flair.

Givenchy

Givenchy's Fall offering was abound with 70's style equestrian silhouettes, secured with strict tailoring in nocturnal shades, and just a flicker of red and orange. Silky camisole dresses loomed from the shadow of black leather coats and capes. Jodhpur pants were tucked into knee-high riding boots. Neck-ties and long leather gloves accentuated the dusky damsel look.

Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant puts a chic French spin on the frontier cowgirl for next Fall. A trip to the Wild West is not complete without floral and fringed cropped denim jeans, sheer ivory lace blouses and frilled mini skirts and a slick spate of laser-cut leather looks. The quintessential cowgirl button-up shirt is given a feminine update, and the only type of shoe fit for a stylish ride out on a ranch is the embroidered cowboy ankle boot.

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent's Fall presentation was heavy-laden with leather, slicked back vixens and a ruby-red lip. Stefano Pilati bowed out gracefully with his dominatrix-fired finale for the iconic brand. His swan song played out with boxy, broad-shouldered coats, fur accents and mild florals, acutely clinched-in waists, sharply tailored suits and metallic mesh dresses with plunge V-necks. A grand departure for the designer.

For Part One of Paris Fashion Week, visit here. The final fashion week post to follow.

*Image Credits: Style.com