Spring/Summer 2011 RTW

I'll finish up my reviews of select collections in the coming days (if there are any you want me to review, just tell me!), but since Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week is over, here's a collection of my favourite moments:

Alexander McQueen

Chanel

Chanel

Dolce & Gabbana

Lanvin

Louis Vuitton

Marchesa

Marchesa

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta

Gisele Bündchen at Fashion's Night Out 2010

Image Source: Style.com, Gisele Bündchen

Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2011 RTW

We've been seeing a lot of menswear inspired clothing these past few seasons, but we've never seen anything like what Viktor & Rolf gave us for Spring/Summer 2011.  This was menswear taken literally and artistically to the max. 

The main focus of the show was to take basic menswear and turn it into something undeniably feminine and sexy.  Shirt cuffs were enlarged to adorn whimsically coloured shirt-dresses, and basic button-down shirts were elongated.

Then came what I saw as a strange cat-fight between menswear and womenswear.  Sometimes, an outfit was feminine, but if you looked closer, it seemed more masculine, and vice versa...it's difficult to explain.  I call it a cat-fight because the dresses were slashed and divided.

 

For a stunning end to the show, the man's shirt from the beginning was blown up to exaggeratedly large proportions.

Bryan Boy described that last dress as Lady Gaga's wedding dress, and I wouldn't be surprised if she comes out one day wearing it.  Although this collection is far from wearable, I doubt anyone will ever look at menswear the same again.

Watch the entire show here.

Image Source: Style.com

Hermès Spring/Summer 2011 RTW

At the same time Sarah Burton celebrated her beginning, Jean Paul Gaultier gave us one last show at Hermès.  It's obvious that Gaultier has done the label well, and I am very sad to see him go.

Spring/Summer 2011 dug back to Hermès' equestrian heritage, complete with harnesses, and gave us a show worthy of any equestrienne.

Not only were there riding outfits, there were also some wonderfully tailored leather jackets.

And for evening, it was simple black and white.

The rave, however, has got to be the use of transparent crocodile skin.  I can't believe it's possible!

With a collection that celebrates the heritage of Hermès, as well as Gaultier himself, one begins to wonder how Christophe Lemaire will fare taking Gaultier's place.  It may just be me, but I don't see the switch from the sporty, preppy label Lacoste to the well-respected, luxury brand Hermès being an easy one.  Having said that, Gaultier caused many raised eyebrows when he took over at Hermès, but he's proved to us he has what it takes. I suppose we'll have to wait and see if Lemaire can do the same.

Image Source: Style.com

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011 RTW

I was almost blinded by Louis Vuitton's collection for Spring/Summer 2011.  Good thing I wasn't, or else I would have missed indulging in the sparkly, shiny pieces that obviously had an oriental influence.  Although a tiny bit of me wanted Marc Jacobs to produce another ladylike collection, I knew he wouldn't.  But what he did do was just as exciting.  The first part of the show consisted of Chinese dresses, suits and coats (complete with fans):

Then the oriental influence was toned down, and a myriad of bright and deep, sensual colour came out.  As you'll see, everything had a slight shimmer or shine to it.

Almost seamlessly, without me even noticing, Marc started mirroring the three tigers that he placed at the back of the runway.

There was even a panda thrown in for that bit of Jacobs humour, but which also reminded us of the oriental influence from the beginning:

Marc Jacobs is not known for sticking to one idea, and it showed in this collection.  This collection was a complete 180 from his ladylike Fall collection, and his Fall collection was a complete 180 from his sporty Spring 2010 collection.  Then again...not really, because that would make 360, and this collection was nothing like the collection for last spring.  Marc has forced the mathematicians of the world to refine the definition of a circle, and if you ask me, that's talent.

Watch the entire show here.

Image Source: Style.com