best of s2009rtw

spring 2009's fashion weeks were held in an economic climate where even the richest among us are scaling back. for the less rich among us however, fashion week has never been -- and never will be -- a shopping guide. it's pure fantasy, which is a joy in and of itself. so if you're part of the growing ranks for whom the runway and the closet will never coincide, don't fear. fashion week can still have a purpose for you. that being said, following the shows can be a little overwhelming and tiresome if you don't actually get to buy anything. so to simplify things for you, i've compiled a handy guide of fashion week spring 2009 highlights.

best runway show: sonia rykiel. nothing topped this show.

best designer i've never heard of: ann demeulemeester. maybe she should consider changing her name if she wants it to become household.

line i would purchase all of, had i any money: burberry prorsum. considering how much i love fashion, i'm not really very adventurous. burberry's line featured very wearable pieces that no one can mess up. i'll leave the avant guarde to someone else.


scariest: comme des garcons.the entire collection was black. every model's face was covered. it was spooooky!!!


best little black dress: viktor and rolf. everything in this collection that was remotely wearable also happened to be a little black dress. but they nailed it.


most suitable for spring: luella. kind of hurts my eyes.


most ethereal: erin featherston. to the point of nausea. i usually really like erin featherston, but this is a little much. it's like the entire collection was swallowed by clouds and fairies.


least wearable: gareth pugh. as always, nothing in the entire collection is commercially viable. one day i will understand how people make any money designing clothes for no one. until that day, i'm just going to roll with it.




all that being said, most of the real highlights came from off the runway. the best reference for looks from the street is http://www.style.com/fashionshows/sartorialist/.

the end

paris fashion week spring 2009

paris fashion week is in full swing and the line between art and fashion remains blurred. in paris, the term "ready-to-wear" takes on a whole new meaning, as in "i'm ready to wear this outfit to my cult meeting/s-and-m party/outer space/the future!"



comme des garçons. whether you're going for chimney chic or bondage beautiful, this line has it all!


hussein chalayan. it's important to have protective eye wear when engaging in interplanetary travel.


viktor and rolf. i don't know what to think. she looks like a futuristic robo-turkey. i will be wearing this outfit to thanksgiving dinner.

instead of a live runway show, viktor and rolf made a video using one model (shalom harlow) and a virtual runway. at the end of the video, all the shaloms stand on the runway clapping until they dissolve into pixels. are live runway shows going the way of the 8 track?


here are some highlights from the real world:


viktor and rolf's collection isn't all insanity and turkeys.


ann demeulemeester.




sonia rykiel's show was amazing. the models had dance parties, the audience interacted and there were birthday surprises. the line is very feminine and french and her attention to detail is impeccable as always. when i get rich i'm buying the entire line.