London Fashion Week: Autumn/Winter 2011--Vivienne Westwood, Antonio Berardi

Irreverent British School Girls, Alice In Wonderland Mad Hatter, Lace & Satin and Sexy Gowns: It's London Fashion Week!

The Do-Not-Meet-The-Inlaws Outfit: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011:

When Is My Lunch Appointment? Vivienne Westwood Autumn/Winter 2011

For Autumn/Winter 2011, Great Britain's High Priestess of Fashion, Camp and Tartan, Vivienne Westwood did not disappoint. Vivienne Westwood states that her inspiration--well really, she gives credit to the head of her Design Studio, Murray Blewett--was inspired by Portobello Road, the Royal Family and "Alice In Wonderland". From the video and photos I have seen, the collection had everything: Tartan school girl uniforms--disheveled and UBER styled--plus great tailored suits featuring that iconic Westwood "corseted jacket", sexy trench coats and (GASP!), VERY wearable dresses!!! Take away all the kooky make-up, hair, Babushka scarves and askew over-sized crowns--and guess what? There were sellable, pretty clothes underneath.

Cutting English Class: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

GoldFace Cocktails: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Crack-On Geisha Meets Savile Row: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Click Below for Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fall 2011 Collection Highlights:

Antonio Berardi Fall 2011:

Color Blocked Autumn: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Designer Antonio Berardi--famous for his sexy dresses and THOSE heel-less boots and shoes showed his Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection during London Fashion Week this past weekend. There were lots of those cocktail and evening dresses he's come to be known for but also, the news here, was he also showed his version of "Daytime Clothes". Tailored geometrically-cut color blocked suits with draped-folded skirts looked modern and irresistible to his Berardi girls who want to "Give It To Them" while having lunch. In the evening department, the slits were high and there were shots of see-through laces, chiffon mixed with double-face satins, lurex and velvets. And as far as cocktail, as we saw in many of the recent NY Fall 2011 Collections, the lengths are coming down ladies.

Cover The Knee: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Metallic Gala: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Royal Wedding Party: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Be Careful Getting Out Of Your Limo: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Click Below for Antonio Berardi Fall 2011 Runway Show--Highlights:

Vivienne Westwood's Palladium Project

How do you save the planet and look good doing it? Look no further than fashion icon, Dame Vivienne Westwood, who's channeling some of her "do-gooder" design energy to an often-overlooked jewelry category:

Palladium

Many of you may not be familiar with this light-weight white-colored precious metal, but you should be. Just as durable as white gold and platinum but much more affordable - palladium is often used in jewelry design to bring price points down to mere mortal levels.

In a move wiser than a Charlie Sheen rehab visit, Palladium Alliance International partnered with Westwood to create a line of palladium jewels to give their product some much-needed press while showcasing the designer's love of all things earth-friendly.

The result is the acorn-laden Vivienne Westwood "Get A Life" Palladium Collection, which will debut during London Fashion Week in February and will be available exclusively in Vivienne Westwood boutiques in London and Los Angeles this spring.

"We wanted Dame Vivienne Westwood to showcase Palladium to the world because of her continued exploration and reinterpretation of history, combined with a tireless individualism which has cemented her reputation as the UK's most culturally significant fashion designer. We believe this creativity and individuality make her the perfect fit for the brand and her designs will complement our metal," said John Stark, chairman for the Palladium Alliance International in a release.

I know most of us won't be near Ms. Westwood's boutiques anytime soon, so I've picked out a few of my favorite palladium bridal styles for your drooling pleasure from sample sale site, JewelClub (click on the image for more info). 

The prices are incredible, and the styling is just as classic and elegant as the more traditional platinum or white gold piece.

And it's cool to be like Vivienne Westood. Thoughts?

Milan & Paris Menswear Spring/Summer 2011 Collections: Westwood, Moncler Gamme Bleu, Gucci

Euro Dandy or Euro Heir?Summer Drizzle: Moncler Gamme Bleu S/S 2011 Trenchcoat

The Menswear Spring/Summer 2011 Collections continue and here are some of my faves. First up, the Moncler Gamme Bleu Collection, designed by American Thom everything-is-shrunken Browne. Browne is known for his great presentations and somehow he had to "top himself" from last year's Swimming Extravaganza. He did. The runway show occurred in Milan's Vellodromo Vigorelli Football (soccer for the Gringos) Stadium and it was all about chic Activewear for that Tour de France fashionista in every man. Great windbreakers, trench coats, shrunken double-breasted cardigan/jackets (I can't wait until Topman knocks those off!) and LEGGINGS--bicycle-print ones, which I guarantee will be the "must purchase" for every stylin' gay this side of the Marais!
Going To A Picnic: Vivienne Westwood Menswear S/S 2011

Moving onto Vivienne Westwood. Her Menswear show was FAAAABUUUULOUS! I could just see those bloggers and oh-we-don't-get-it people saying "I would NEVER wear that!", "Is she crazy?", "what IS thaaaaat???". Ummm, how shall I say this politely: That's not the point and by the way IT'S NOT FOR YOU!! (for those people who say the "I would never wear that" comment. It's all about creative inspiration and creating a presentation--a show (think John Galliano). BIZZZNESS Class: Vivienne Westwood Men Spring 2011

Smart editors, store buyers and fashion-savvy writers will see beyond the wig and 1979 Male Hooker scarf (love!) and see a great plaid jacket, a rather "basic" purple gingham shirt one could even buy at Urban Outfitters, and some sexy shoes to boot! I loved the collection so much, I actually started looking for some inspiration for my upcoming lecture trip to Italy next month. I have been invited to speak to the Miami University of Ohio Summer Europe Program once again so I saw this look below from Miss Westwood as a "suggestion" for my "Traveling to Europe" ensemble...and well, I had to think again. It could be the Manpris or it might have been the I-think-all-that-carry-on might NOT be allowed on the plane factor...So, in other words, I had to "think again". A look which definitely might be in my "Summer In Florence" ensemble is:
Ahhhhhhhh, yes, leave it to Gucci. I think the above outfit WILL BE my inspiration for next month's European trip and lecture. For Spring/Summer 2011, Designer Frida Giannini designed a collection which was very 1960's Fiat Heir On His Way To Capri...or London.
The collection screamed Andrea and Pierre Casaraghi (Princess Caroline's we-do-nothing-bu-go-on-Holidays- sons). Slim very 60s suits, high-water cropped pants (a S/S 2011 Trend), rolled-up sleeves (great styling!) and an altogether Euro Trash-Gone Good look to it, which is what defines Gucci.
My Positano Beach Bag: Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 The sock-less loafers (sooooo GUCCI old-school!)
Oh it all SCREAMS "Me!". Now this is a collection where it is OK to say: "I would wear that!" Thank God the Euro is poor and the Dollar is strong because "Uncle Nick" might have to do some Gucci Damage in Italy!

Click Below for Moncler Gamme Bleu by Thom Browne Spring/Summer 2011:


Click Below for the Vivienne Westwood Menswear Spring 2011 Preview:


Click Below for the Gucci Menswear Spring 2011 Runway:

Jewelry a No-Show in Paris

The runways in New York, London and Milan have spoiled us this season with big, bawdy jewelry statements that are downright gawk-worthy. Paris, on the other hand, is a ghost town in the bling department. To compensate, designers have apparently decided to put the gasp in headwear so spectacular any other accessory would be relegated to second-class citizen. And well, that’s just not where we want our jewelry now, is it?

Commes des Garcons models wore white wigs so large, Marie Antoinette herself would take a topple. Junya Watanabe’s line used cornucpia-sized head pieces to highlight his African prints and contrast his comfy criss-cross sandals. Icon Vivienne Westwood contributed her signature style to the beach hat genre and Yohji Yamamoto featured big black and white futuristic looks with his calm palettes.

Dior did come to our rescue with a line featuring statement necklaces, earrings and cuffs using what appears to be Buddha-inspired statues throughout. The clothes themselves didn’t hit high marks with the critics, but this jewelry hound was glad to see at least a little glitter where it belongs. This is the city of lights after all.

The week isn’t over yet, of course, so there are plenty more opportunities for designers to show us some diamonds, some gemstones, some gold - anything we can sink our teeth into. I can't imagine we'll see a complete dearth of the bling, but if these head strong Parisians don’t belly up?...I’ll eat my hat.