Favorite fall looks from Paris fashion week
Comme des Garcons
The quiet show, a poetic fusion of masculine and feminine, was a reminder that the avant-garde is alive and well. Models faces were wrapped in pieces of tulle with a glittery red lip print off to one side, like a parting kiss. The collection began with the idea of a simple Army jacket, shown deconstructed, spliced together with panels of soft plaid or check blankets, then marked with white trompe loeil line drawings of pockets, hinting at a missing person or an alter ego. The looks flowed seamlessly, jackets and cozy blanket leggings into romantic skirts and finally, sheer peach double layer dresses with pearls and bits of tulle trapped inside like fading memories. (Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty Images)
Chloe
In the capable hands of designer Hannah MacGibbon, Chloe is back. The label, which has struggled under a few designers since Phoebe Philo left, is once again the source of the kind of laid-back style that works as well in L.A. as in Paris. There wasnt a bad look in the show, which ran the gamut from a suede jumpsuit with a tassel belt, to paper-bag waist trousers worn with a romantic blouse with scalloped bib, to an ankle-skimming knife pleat skirt topped by a filmy blouse and cream silk blazer. The shoes were fab over-the-knee suede pirate boots, multi-strap flats decorated with bows, and scalloped heel pumps. Its just in time too. Chloe opens its first L.A. store next weekend. (Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty Images)
Lanvin
Alber Elbaz knows how to romance a woman, from the red roses and stuffed Lanvin dolls he sent out with his invitations to the cherry-flavored cocktails he served at the show. So its no wonder he is the master of the subtle and sensual. I like to imagine him sitting at a Paris cafe observing how a woman walks and moves and carries herself. His clothes are perfectly in sync a black bias-cut jacket spiraling effortlessly around the body and belted over a pencil skirt, and the perfect black velvet column with cap sleeves. It was all grounded and transporting at the same time, exactly as fashion should be. (Michel Euler / Associated Press)
