2007 fall couture

Clad in Giorgio Armani Prive, an attention-loving fashionista can go from the office straight to the red carpet in an instant. By work-appropriate attire, I mean an office that demands high-fashion, high-drama and glamour to the max (think The Devil Wears Prada). That's exactly what Armani delivered this time.

Suits with tulip skirts and low necklines oozed sexy sophistication that only a confident woman can pull off. And to break up the all-black look, Armani infused a pop of color - fuchsia, bright blue, purple - to each suit.

Colorful feathers and flowers served as voluminous shawls, while tilted hats with glitter screamed "Isabella Blow!" Interesting necklines prevailed, including lower-than-low sweethearts. Some red-carpet-worthy gowns were fitted, while most were overly poofy. And of course, bouts of fuchsia and hot pink popped up on the runway in the forms of clutches, jackets and frocks.

It wouldn't be Armani if a couple menswear-inspired pieces didn't shine through. Skinny ties and black fitted suits looked like they were taken directly from David Bowie's closet.

I have to say I'm impressed that Armani pumped up the volume, the drama and the sex appeal. I guess his fans have a siren side, too!

To see the rest of the Giorgio Armani Prive collection, go here.

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Valentino really went all out this time around - but why shouldn't he? He's celebrating his 45th anniversary in fashion!

No doubt about it, the show was extravagant: marabou, sequins, fur, and lamé went every which way. Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, and Diane von Furstenberg all populated the front row. The models looked dressed and ready for a ball, and there was plenty of Valentino's trademark old-school glamour to go around.

Opulently detailed suits in white, grey, and black were followed by gorgeous cocktail dresses in gold, silver, black, purple, and pink. For the finale, Valentino sent endless amounts of those red carpet-worthy floor-length gowns he does so well: bejeweled, satiny, neck-plunging absolutely divine gowns. And of course, the most strikingly beautiful dress was in his favorite color: red. I can't wait to see what happens on his 50th anniversary!

To see lots more from the runway show, read more

Chubby furs, neutral colors, and whirls of fabric and feathers - that's what Givenchy couture is made of.

As a relatively young designer compared to the others who helm the great French couture houses of Dior and Chanel, Riccardo Tisci is still finding himself within the bounds of the House of Givenchy legacy. However, he is starting to pull together a few signature elements: the puffball skirt, the smoke-like frothy long skirt, the piecey satin dress.

And there is something very young, very raw, very edgy about how Mr. Tisci does couture. These are the kinds of qualities vital to keeping the practice of couture, which is so steeped in rules and tradition, modern and alive for both the present and the future.

To see lots more from the runway show, read more

The Chanel couture show may have taken place amidst rainy weather, the front row attendees may have ruined their shoes in the mud, but the clothes were anything but downtrodden. In fact, the bad weather made the stunning designs stand out even more.

The show opened with variations on the classic Chanel suit, with detailing from sequins to leather to feathers, and closed with the bride covered head to toe in a fantastic feathered dress. Karl Lagerfeld seemed to take inspiration from medieval times - the head coverings remind me of the chain mail knights wore under their helmets, the feathers seem reminiscent of the Middle Age pastime of falconry, and a couple of the dresses seem very Maid Marian. All in all, another masterpiece from Karl!

To see lots more from the runway show, go here.

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