Couture Week's Got Your Back

Last season I predicted that back shots of runway looks were going to be a big deal. Low and behold here are images from the Givenchy and Valentino Fall 2011 Couture shows.

Photos via Vogue.com and Pat McGrath

Jil Sander Fall 2011 Sweaters

Jil Sander's re-envisioned ski sweaters happened to be inspired by one of my favorite movies, Blake Edwards' The Pink Panther. One of the reasons I loved the movie so much as a kid were the costumes by Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent. While Raf Simons sent more literal translations down the runway, I was taken by these bold chunky knits. Finally, '60s Italian ski culture feels modern again.

Via Vogue.com

ELITE GIRLS SHINE IN PARIS

We love a good bit of fashion spectacle, and for SS10 the showdown was surely a dead heat between Alexander McQueen and Viktor and Rolf. McQueen's digitally printed minidresses were almost outshone by the incredible shoes, apocalyptic backstory and film prequel, while Vicktor and Rolf showed pretty much the most architectural pieces on the schedule, offset with a giant globe and the seasons' top musical cameo from Roisin Murphy. With 6 Elite London girls in McQueen (Constance, Charlotte, Kate, Yulia, Egle and Anastasija) and 3 in V&R (Olga, Constance and Egle) our loyaties are divided - we're just pleased that nobody did a Naomi on those terrifying heels!

Yulia Lobova at Alexander McQueen SS10 and Olga Sherer for Viktor & Rolf SS10

See the full McQueen show on the SHOWstudio website and watch the Viktor and Rolf show on their own site HERE