Saint Laurent would be happy, YSL is back into its comfort zone. Simply-chic 70’s-inspired looks and a very “Paris” vibe. Sharp and highly detailed clothes, the line is perfect for socialite evening wear. The color palette is simply YSL basics, red rose, navy, black and purple. Wide-leg pants cut at the ankle, classy A-line skirts and draped long gowns were “de rigueur” with elegant layers of fur. Apparently the cape look is the big trend of the pre-collections, all the stylings are so well refined and Yulia Kharlaponova is doing a tremendous job with a playful and feminine attitude.

Not sure if Stefano actually designed this pre-collection, but it definitely brought a fresh air between all the recent YSL collections. I have to say this collection is by far the closest to the old-YSL we’ve known and wondering if the lack of consistency between the collections is meant to be a brand’s strategy. But as a consumer, I want to see classic and rich YSL not the minimalist-modern one.

Vogue Italia July 2003

Fashion is all about having fun wearing it. Spring and summer 2010 will be the seasons to play with opulent and artful motifs.

It’s one of these mornings, when the time freezes, wandering on your bed trying to put each chunks of your memories together. When all the things you’ve done become clearer and all make sense. Assembling the puzzle of your vulnerable life on this thin line that will get you to happiness. Time is a river. Once again realizing you can’t go against your nature but traveling through the storms and mountains forges your character. It’s time. Dreams fade away until the next morning.

For sure, Love Magazine knows how to attract the attention of the industry with a controversial yet fabulous cover buzz. First teaser came earlier in December when they released this cover shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott with Lara Stone striking nude.

After a few weeks for the scandal to start heating up, Love Magazine released different covers with a different model shot a day, among the lucky ones we have: Jeneil Williams, Kristen McMenamy, Daria Werbowy, Amber Valetta and Natalia Vodianova in scintillating poses raising all the eye brows. 3 days to go for whom can’t wait to get a copy from its favorite newsstand. Hats off for this genial PR stunt. Hats down for the obvious Newton-esque inspiration which immediately faded away any creative attempt in this cover shot.

Lara Stone

Jeneil Williams

Kristen McMenamy

Daria Werbowy

Natalia Vodianova

Amber Valetta

Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2010 Presentation

Stella McCartney is inviting us into a British afternoon tea party back in the 70’s. Relaxed and civilized, the pre-fall collection is all about wearing comfortable clothes for timeless occasions. Camel long caped jackets, gray plaid double-breasted jacket & trouser suit, dressy pants cropped at the anklebone alongside Stella’s revisited 70’s items like this hippie-look pair of jeans,extravagant shiny snakeskin jumpsuit and some British psychedelic prints (very McQueen though…). The collection of well-tailored and well-refined evening would attract a lot of customers. The collection comes up 3 weeks before the fashion weeks, enough to create some high-anticipation for her RTW collection.

Lanvin Pre-Fall 2010 Presentation

This is animal print at its best. The Lanvin woman is the typical Parisian that loves fur and animal prints no matter the season, accessorized with high heels, headscarf and long sophisticated necklaces. Lanvin brought us to a new territory where layers can be repetitive but enough to build the perfect outfit. The collection is full of mix-matched leopard prints, layers of fur and shiny eccentric necklaces. Beautiful, sexy and complex, Alber Elbaz is showing again he is the designer to watch setting up the expectations at the highest level. Full skirts and long gowns, Elbaz does not loose his constant signature. My favorite look is definitely the cape hoodie jacket. Now I can’t wait for the RTW if the pre-collection is that good!

Chloé Pre-Fall 2010 Presentation

This pre-fall is an obvious sign that Hannah Macgibbon’s Chloé is moving away from the “lolita” times to focus on more mature looks, well-tailored with some simple and classic suits. The collection has a strong Germanic/Scandinavian preppy-look made for the working-woman. Heavy with plaid and seventies looks, the shapes are inspired by menswear bringing the relaxed fit trousers and moccasins. Not overly optimistic about the F/W 2010 collection after looking at the Pre-fall, I hope Hannah will show us she can definitely do better that a highly conservative line.

It is obvious to see that for the new decade, all the models agencies have put all their energy to scout hard and deeply to find the next faces casting directors will fight for. All the card show packages I had seen were flawless and came with a high potential mixing the “bankable” models and a lot of young & fresh faces. I like this formidable opposition of newbies and veterans that will create some (bloody) enthusiastic castings! Here I have made a selection of 10 new models that we may talk about during the upcoming Fashion Weeks. Let’s see if their poised walk down the catwalk will push them to the next covers and editorials.

If you are not following me on Twitter.com/taistoisoisbeau, well…well…you should! Because you would have learnt yesterday Marc Jacobs has just announced that he will be streaming his Fall/Winter 2010 show LIVE on his website on Feb 15th at 8pm EDT. Not only you will be able to have access from your couch to one of the most coveted show by many in the world during NY Fashion week, but you can also try your chance to win 2 tickets to attend the show alongside Anna Wintour and the most popular fashion people, Lady Gaga, Madonna and plenty of other celebrities.

Harper's Russia Miroslava Duma and Vogue creative director Grace Coddington

NOTE: Follow this link to find the NY Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 schedule.

12 days until NY fashion week starts and I am already extremely excited. I can’t wait to see the models and fashion editors brave the streets of New York in the cold February that is forecasted. Impatient to see the first collections and presentations, and discover the new trends from the runway. The countdown is starting and like me, you would probably wish to take a week off from work to just stand in front of each shows.

So here is the appetizer. An almost-official schedule of New York Fashion Week – Feb 10 to Feb 18 with shows planned at Bryant Park and other venues. In my list of highly expected collections: 3.1 Phillip Lim’s first menswear, The Row first fashion show by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Altuzarra, Rodarte, Band of Outsiders, Proenza and obviously Alexander Wang. These collections will be highly scrutinized by me. Will they debut well on the tough NYC scene and can the designers reinvent their collections after an amazing SS 2010? Mark up your dates, this is going to be a fantastic week!

Wednesday February 10
1.00pm Jsong…Way, 2nd Fl.,499 Seventh Ave. – bet. 36th and 37th Sts.
2.00pm The Vessel by Lois, 6th Fl.,547 West 27th Street
8.30pm Telfar, Amnesia – 609 West 29th Street Bet. 11th & 12th Av.
9.00pm Martinmartin, Open House Gallery – 201 Mulberry Street
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