• Lanvin S/S 2009 Collection

Alber Elbaz elevated the theme of the classic college toga party to the realm of high fashion in his Spring collection for Lanvin, by taking the look of a messy twisted and tied sheet and reinventing it as perfectly draped, one shoulder dresses in colorful stain and chiffon fabric. Nothing in this collection was simple, yet nothing was over the top either. The draping of these pieces, along with ruching, ballooned sleeves and hourglass waists (similar to Calvin Klein’s abstract collection), as well as the contrasting colors decorated and updated ordinary styles like the little black dress.

• Hermès S/S 2009 Collection
  

Originally, us trendy New York fashionistas thought cowboy hats and fringe belonged solely as a Halloween costume, or on our mid-west cousin Sally. However, the minute we saw veterans Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell walk down the cactus strewn runway in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Wild West creations, we couldn’t help but fall in love. As only Hermès could achieve with this theme, there was nothing tacky or cliché about the collection. Models donning black cowboy hats and riding gloves, and dark aviators looked like chic bandits ready to rob a bank or win a shootout. Even in a delicate and revealing red gown, Naomi Campbell looked fierce enough to intimidate any tough wrangler. We were drooling over the fringed Birkin and signature Hermès suitcases in snakeskin and zebra prints that helped add a dose of Parisian chic to this wild rodeo show.