Haute Noorda

Spring '11 couture season kicked off in Paris yesterday, and it's good to see couture isn't the only thing making a comeback. Last fall's couture shows prompted those in the know, possibly after attending Givenchy's 11-look showcase, to herald it as having returned to its intimate (yet still extravagant) roots. And it seems Amsterdam-born model Kim Noorda has experienced a similar sort of transition. While 2010 was a quiet one in terms of runway appearances, if the start of couture week is anything to go by (Noorda has already walked for both Christian Dior and Armani Privé) 2011 is shaping up to be quite different. Here's hoping she'll be a mainstay as we round the bend into fashion month, kicking off in New York in less than three weeks. Three weeks!

  

via:tFS

Fine rings and little wings

1. Jordan Askill Heart Ring (on Christine Centenera) via JakandJil

2. Dior Bois de Rose Joaillerie via Garance

3. Gina Tricot Winged Earring via Vanillascented

I love everything about all of this fine jewellery. There's something about the juxtaposition of such a thin and dainty band with more heavier, solid pieces. I plan to pair my Jordan Askill (when I get one, of course) with my new Michael Kors gold man-style watch. It's just like wearing a sweet, sequin skirt (long-line, Taylor Tomasi style) with a slightly scruffy oversized sweatshirt. Been looking for winged earrings like those Gina Tricots for months. Need them in my life, now!

Paris begins... ohh la la!

We're finally into the last, but by no means least, stage of fashion weeks for the summer 2010 collections; Paris. While the prêt-à-porter shows aren't what couture-loving Parisians look forward to most on their yearly fashion calender, they sure know how to make clothes women actually want to wear, that's for sure.

A prime example of a designer who is known for his often avant garde couture is Dior headhunter John Galliano, and his ready to wear collection was just that. Amongst all the overtly '80s inspired collections of late, it was refreshing to see inspiration from a new era emerge. Forties film stars reigned supreme; with shiny red pouts and bouncing waves offsetting feminine yet structured trenches amongst a collection of underwear-as-outwear; a trend single handedly put on the fashion map by Galliano.

Christian Dior

Other highlights at Paris so far have been Balenciaga, the greatly-anticipated Balmain and designer-for-the-cool-kids Isabel Marant. Ghesquière's latest showing is an obvious departure from his drape-heavy fall collection, with not a soft layer in sight in this urban-cool collection for Balenciaga. This show was all about stepping out of the box- it even featured our very own Victoria's Secret angel Miranda Kerr, who was without her feathered safety wings in a street-inspired schoolgirl get up. Leather hoodies, skin tights pants and modern patchwork were combined in a genius way that will definitely prove hard for chain store labels to rip-off; a problem still continuing to plague the next designer.

Christophe Decarnin has really set the bar in terms of sexy deconstructionism; combining military jackets with sequins and barely-there hemlines in a way only Balmain could. While the follow-on from previous collections is obvious, space age has been replaced by a sparkling disco dancer emerging from the caves. The aesthetic is more closely related to Decarnin's own style than previous lines, with the leather jacket and skinny army pants combo he donned himself looking like a piece from the same collection. With the bold-shouldered trend resting upon his own, it's going to take an army (probably dressed in Balmain) to knock him off his well-deserved perch.

Balmain

Newcomer to the high-fashion circuit Marant proved yet again why she's established herself amongst the cool crowd, with her relaxed boho style retaining that street edge from fall; her collection is extremely wearable. Not only is it wearable as a cohesive whole, one can see how those going for the model-off-duty look can add pieces into their existing wardrobes. With more colour than the greys of fall, one has to be leggy to pull off some of these pieces: loose minis with fringed boots, draped grey marle pants and skinny pinstripes. Still on the strong-shouldered bandwagon, it's obvious why the Marant fan club is recruiting members and a speedy rate.

Isabel Marant

Moroccan-born Israeli design genius Alber Elbaz took drapery and ruffles to a new, and unforgettable, level with his latest showing for French house Lanvin. No amount of journalistic genius can do this vision justice; the show was an array of gorgeously constructed garments where intricate design and textualisation were moulded together to create a visual delight for those who made the trek to a shed on the outskirts of Paris. This cult like following, revelling in the build up of beaded brilliance, is testament to the mind who lured them there. With the week just started, Paris is sure to be one we won't forget for a very long time, just as they intended, I'm sure.

Lanvin

photos: style.com

Making the Cut

Sandals, platforms, booties, shoe-boots, shoots- one thing they all have in common this season is cut-outs. The sandal has undergone an edgy turnaround ever since Carrie stepped onto movie screens wearing the now infamous Dior Extreme Cut Out Sandal- the ones that started it all! The cutting-edge trend was responsible for last season's gladiator hysteria, and looks set to continue this season with designers proving they are not afraid of those scissors! Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Versace; even our very own Mimco, are a few designers who have led the way for many a chain store look-alike!


Giuseppe Zanotti Cut Out Sandals, NET-A-PORTER

Siren Cult, $139.95




Givenchy Open Toe Booties, ShopBop.com



Peep Toe Miss Buenos Aires $275

Versace T-Strap Peep Toe Platforms, from Saks.com

Wittner Venice, $179.95

Begian label Ann Demeulemeester now has an almost cult-like following of her lace up booties that are like a cross between a boot and a sneaker... these are not for those who like to play it safe! Not sure if they'll take off in Australia yet, although I've seen a pretty good lookalike at Zoe Wittner for only $199.95.

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Photo: Wittner

Photo: Ann Demeulemeester