Catherine McNeil

>> Natalia Vodianova was front row yesterday at Louis Vuitton, but it was the cast on the runway for the And God Created Woman-themed show — after the Brigitte Bardot film — who demanded all the attention.  After Miuccia Prada started the "womanly" casting trend this season, Giles and now Vuitton (both styled by Katie Grand) continued the idea.

Marc Jacobs's below-the-knee full skirts and bosom-baring scoopnecks were donned by opener Laetitia Casta, as well as Bar Refaeli, Noemie Lenoir, Lara Stone, and Catherine McNeil.  Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima — both fresh off pregnancies — also walked, as did Lily Donaldson in her only show of the season. But the major closer: Elle Macpherson, who reportedly turned down Marc before rethinking and saying yes.

“Designers are always saying they’re going to do a collection for women, but then every girl on the runway (catwalk) is under twenty,” Jacobs said backstage. “I wanted a variety of ages and sizes. We set out to cast gorgeous women, women who feel happy to put their make-up on, get dressed up, get all their accessories.” “It’s a bit old-fashioned, I know, but I think it’s nice for a change.”

>> A casting surprise was promised, and Miuccia Prada delivered: Victoria's Secret regulars like Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Bianca Balti all walked the labyrinthine runway — perhaps as a one-up to Givenchy, who cast Adriana Lima, and Balenciaga, who cast Kerr, in recent seasons.  Also populating the Fall 2010 Prada cast: Lara Stone, Catherine McNeil in her first runway turn since a year ago, Mariacarla Boscono, Rose Cordero, and opener and closer Samantha Gradoville.

The show was preceded by cartoons portraying feminine cliches like "He loves me, he loves me not" while front rowers complained about the anchovy canapes handed out, but once the show started, it was all beehive hairdos, cat-eye librarian glasses, and A-line skirts in muted tones and vinyl-like finishes.  Busts were enhanced with rows of ruffles and strategically placed darts, while knee-high pleated socks were finished off with pointy-toed patent pumps.  A slow jazz soundtrack played, and the whole look — cable knit sweaters, sketchy plaid — earned a chorus of Mad Men comparisons. Apparently, when asked backstage, however, Miuccia said she had never seen the TV show.  A video of the Prada show can be seen here.

If anyone can tell an uplifting fashion story, it's Barneys. The retailer established its niche as the fun-loving purveyor of high fashion long ago, and its marketing efforts mirror this. While I always smile when I find a J.Crew catalog in my mailbox, a Barneys catalog warrants an even warmer welcome. Feast on Fall's forward offerings, as worn by Anja Rubik, Suvi Koponen, and the delicious Catherine McNeil in a killer red dress. Who can resist a cozy Suvi with juicy red lips in a Commes des Garcons army jacket holding a snow tiger cub? Click on for more quirky Barneys fun . . .

If you look up the term femme fatale — the inspiration for this Vogue Germany spread — it says "an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations." Catherine McNeil is it. She's the epitome of it — womanly, rebellious, sexual, and capable of making men moan. She gets more into character by wearing all black and leather Balmain, Nina Ricci, Alexander Wang, and Yves Saint Laurent. It's leather heaven and this Australian model wears it like no other. Warning: some shots are NSFW.

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