Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 2013 | Métiers d’Art Paris-Bombay

For their Paris-Bombay collection, Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld transformed a shabby wing of the Grand Palais into a delicately faded Maharajah’s palace. Guests who included actresses Freida Pinto, Sonam Kapoor, Sandrine Kiberlain and Joana Preisswere seated at two long tables that faced a sumptuous buffet spilling over with a tempting display of exotic sweets, fruit and Jasmine flowers.

Lagerfeld unveiled a luxurious collection that was inspired by British colonialismand traditional Indian men’s costumes – “since they are easier to wear than the woman’s clothes,” he opined. Presented by models like Stella Tennant, Yasmin Le Bonand Audrey Marney, a few highlights included pearl-laden tweed suits, Nehru-collar silk tunics teamed with soft leather legging-cum-boot and sari-style sweaters. Kiberlain described it as “magnificent,” while Pinto was “impressed by the non-gimmicky Indian elements and the strong French feel.”

Text : Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni

Milan Fashion Week | Prada SS 2012

Miuccia Prada explored contradictions and burning through to new positions as a feminist. Her hot clash of intellectual impulses roared up managing to combine infinitely 50s - 60s feminine silhouette with the aesthetics of fire and supercars.

In a stage that shows the real life of the Streets  , with the help of foam cars, fake oil slicks, and paint stains on the floor, Prada’s woman for the next season marches forth. A woman who, “ Rediscovers Her Sweetness.” Denying aggressive, loud femininity, and coming back to soft and measured sensuality, the young women wear fluttery soleil-pleated skirts in shades that range from neutral to pastel, with gathered strapless halter tops or soft blouses, voluminous jackets and coats, pencil skirts, tops, stripes and dresses.

Everything is accompanied by coats in double wool at the back and embroidered flowers in front. An effect that is repeated in short, straight jackets with gathered hems. Soleil pleats dominate the collection, used for shell blouses or overcoat-capes in chiffon.

Fantasy and inventiveness is expressed also in the different sized prints of vaguely comic-like cars, or evanescent roses in the coifs of the women.her uses of color combination ranged from white, black, cream, light baby blue and pink, pale yellow, candy pink, blue, red, green, marc, bordeaux, bottle green, coral to light turquoise.

Roses come back as applied in the tube skirt with elastic hems, or in embroidered motifs; and even in gems such as earrings and thin necklaces.

Vaguely Sixties silhouettes disappear, making room for one-piece bathing suits "grandma" style , that are almost more like body suits, figured outlines, and embroidery. An ode to irony and to that subtle femininity that we seem to have forgotten.

The Designer Completed the Look with handbags in leather , clasp closings, trimmed in studs or leather. Clutches in embroidered cotton or leather with car prints . The shoes, sandals with heels or shaped wedges, have wing sculptures on the sides or at the heel, Roaring fire Never looked so feminine, symbolizing the speed of cars. This theme returns with reflectors applied on heels. Subtle jewelry such as earrings, little necklaces and painted-flower bracelets .

Text : R Al Naimi