Reed Krakoff's Spring '12 collection was a lesson in polished, ladylike seasonal dressing. The designer showed streamlined, buttery leather dresses in nude and cognac, colorblock cocoon coats, and printed office-perfect frocks with sequined accents. Check back for our full review, but in the meantime, click through to see the collection.
![Gywneth Paltrow for Coach Fall 2011 Ad Campaign [Pictures]](http://media2.onsugar.com/files/2011/07/29/2/166/1668379/6531775b8fcd2634_2011071270388721.xlarge/i/Gywneth-Paltrow-Coach-Fall-2011-Ad-Campaign-Pictures.jpg "Gywneth Paltrow for Coach Fall 2011 Ad Campaign [Pictures]")
>> In April, Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted exiting Coach headquarters with company creative director Reed Krakoff. Soon after, Coach confirmed that Paltrow was set to serve as brand ambassador for an international campaign to mark Coach's 70th anniversary this Fall and next Spring. Krakoff called Paltrow “a natural choice . . . She embodies the spirit, energy and elegance of the Coach brand.”
Peter Lindbergh shot Paltrow on the top of the Tudor City skyscrapers in Manhattan for ads that will only be used in Asian and European markets — and now we have a first look at the campaign.
>> The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund judging committee — which this year includes Jack McCollough, Lazaro Hernandez, Vogue's Mark Holgate, Jeffrey Kalinsky of Jeffrey and Nordstrom, CFDA executive director Steven Kolb, Reed Krakoff, Andrew Rosen, Diane von Furstenberg, Jenna Lyons, and Anna Wintour — have determined the 2011 finalists. They are:
AA, Antonio Azzuolo
Altuzarra, Joseph Altuzarra
Carlos Campos, Carlos Campos
Creatures of the Wind, Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters
Cushnie Et Ochs, Michelle Ochs and Carly Cushnie
Finn Jewelry, Soraya Silchenstedt
Fenton/Fallon, Dana Lorenz
Ohne Titel, Alexa Adams and Flora Gill
Pamela Love
Suno, Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty
Joseph Altuzarra and Pamela Love are repeat finalists from last year, and Ohne Titel was a finalist in 2009. The winner and two runners-up will be announced Nov. 14.
>> The always art and architecture-influenced Reed Krakoff settled on the abstract stain paintings of the early '60s and their saturated hues for his Resort 2012 inspiration. The resultant emerald greens, Yves Klein blues, and tomato reds made their way onto leather suiting and python wrap skirts, mixed in with transparent chain mail pieces. But Krakoff wasn't a 2011 CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year nominee for nothing — his latest offering includes T-strapped sandals, chunky platforms, Klein blue matte python satchels, and extra-small evening clutches.
Summer is the perfect excuse to indulge in new arm candy. We're talking about bags: whether it's a satchel, clutch, or crossbody style, we got you covered with our top picks from the likes of Fendi, Marc Jacobs, and Givenchy to name a few. Tip: pair these bright and bold offerings with a white dress for extra pop. Special thanks to Neiman Marcus!
>> Vera Wang was on CNN this morning, weighing in who she hoped designed Kate Middleton's dress; but, now that it's been revealed to be Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton, how do Burton's other designing colleagues rate the dress? (And one can't help but wonder what Alexander McQueen would have thought of a partnership between his label and Middleton, given that he once famously wrote "I am a c*nt" in the lining of a jacket destined for Prince Charles.) But without further ado . . .
Karl Lagerfeld: “[Middleton] is very elegant. The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. It almost reminds me of (Queen) Elizabeth’s wedding, the royal weddings in the '50s. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.”
Christian Lacroix: “I like the dress very much, simpler than expected: A combination just in between 1956 Grace Kelly and 1947 Queen Elizabeth dress. I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother’s '30s scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She’s radiant; she never was so beautiful. And Prince William’s red Irish uniform is gorgeous.”
Hubert de Givenchy: “The dress is very simple and very nice. The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way. She is very pretty.”
Peter Copping of Nina Ricci: “Very much in a royal tradition, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth’s — and a little bit Grace Kelly. She looks happy, radiant, and natural.”
Donatella Versace: "Kate's dress was beautiful. She looked very regal."
Prabal Gurung: “I thought it was pretty and appropriate. A high-profile wedding like this is not the place for making a crazy fashion moment. It sounds like an oxymoron but it was a personal moment in a very public place. The dress clearly said she’s a modern girl and of this generation. It was not McQueen at its theatrical sense but McQueen in its quiet but beautiful sense. I loved the bustle and how her silk tulle veil was moving softly in the wind.”
Jason Wu: “I thought Catherine’s dress looked stunning. The details were very well done and I loved the emphasis on craftsmanship and the use of British talent. Her choice to pay tribute to Alexander McQueen was both touching and exciting.”
Viktor & Rolf: “Kate’s dress was simply elegant. Her hair down was a beautiful and natural touch, and the tiara was stunning. She looked as at ease as humanly possible and was radiant. Our compliments.”
Diane von Furstenberg: “The dress was beautiful. I think she is irresistible, she is so beautiful. I am happy it was McQueen. It was absolutely the right thing to do. They made [the dress] simple, so it wasn’t costumey but a beautiful evening gown. I was happy for Sarah, happy for the Met, and happy for McQueen."
Tory Burch: “Kate looked stunning. Choosing Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen reflects Kate’s modern aesthetic and style, but the handmade lace details and craftsmanship are a great nod to British tradition. The lace, the clean lines of the dress, Queen Elizabeth’s tiara — every detail was stunning.”
Donna Karan: “The dress was extremely elegant. For me, it wasn’t so much about the dress though, it was all about her. She was the most beautiful bride in the world.”
Francisco Costa: “Kate’s dress had a classic elegance with a modern edge. The superb detailing really characterized Sarah’s expert hand.”
Oscar de la Renta: “She looked absolutely ravishing. She looked like a bride should look and she handled herself tremendously. And they look like a much loving couple. I am happy to see fresh blood coming into the family. It was a very traditional, beautiful dress which it needed to be for that kind of wedding. Most of all she devastated with her charm. Listen, she will wear anything and will look ravishing.”
Valentino: “I loved the dress . . . it was very simple and young even if a hint of Grace Kelly's dress spoke of 1950s! I loved the flounce on the back of the skirt and the little decoration all around the short veil. I loved the choice of the tiara: simple, pretty, very right for the dress and for her attitude . . . it was used almost as an hairpiece to keep the hair and the veil, not as a heavy decoration. Compared to the famous Diana’s dress, Diana’s was a dress of a fairy-tale princess . . . still a dress everybody remembers. Kate’s one is a very pretty, modern dress that will be copied everywhere but lacks that fairy-tale element. Today most of the new princesses are young, modern, nonroyal women who have clear ideas, independence from stiff protocol . . . they want to be themselves and not anymore a symbol of the crown.”
Reed Krakoff: “I thought the dress was very modern. It bridged the gap between modern and youthful, and was respectful to the position she is in. It didn’t look to traditional or expected though. I particularly liked the neckline. It was more youthful than I expected. The fact that the bodice was fitted and formfitting was great, because she is a beautiful young woman and it accentuated that.”
>> The Fall 2011 campaign parade continues: Arizona Muse was on set for Alberta Ferretti yesterday, as were Valentina Zeliaeva and Magdalena Frackowiak for Ralph Lauren (left).
Raquel Zimmermann recently confirmed: "I'll be in the Lanvin campaign which was shot by photographer Steven Meisel, but I can not describe how it was, total secrecy until the campaign out!" And Roberto Cavalli is reportedly employing Natasha Poly, Mariacarla Boscono, and Karen Elson to be shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and styled by Panos Yiapanis.
After Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted leaving Coach headquarters recently with Reed Krakoff, meanwhile, rumors have been fanned that the actress might be a new face for either Coach or Krakoff's Coach-funded eponymous label.
Photos from the Ferretti and Ralph Lauren shoots in the gallery.
