Paris Fashion Week Lanvin Fall 2011

Austerity or conservative are not words I would usually choose to refer to any collection from Alber Elbaz's at Lanvin, but for his latest fall presentation the designer explored more into the roots of Lanvin as well new areas to the designer's forte, starting from pilgrim preachers and ending in a flair of feminine party girl dresses. Though the backdrop of a large willow tree on the runway may have left a mixed message to what the designer was trying to communicate, the clothes still stood clear- restricted clothing on fluid girls.

The collection opened with a variety of coats (some with the slightest detail of a embellished button or multiple pockets with a gold hem) matched with wide brimmed fedoras, and a bare leg that made the girls look hot to what should usually be considered a chilly season. From there the gazar cocktail dresses emerged in mostly a warm colour palette, which the designer enjoyed in his own frustrated way stating he would be returning to stretch next season. There have been a few designers who have chosen to step outside of their mould this season, but haven't pulled off that same energy you'd hope to expect from previous collections. The weakness I find in this collection is the maturity and sex appeal, though still slightly confident in areas. Maybe returning to stretch fabrics will be a return to the classic femme fatale woman that I want to see each season from Lanvin.