Alexander McQueen S/S '11

Taking up the reins at Alexander McQueen would be no easy task, but you just have to check out Sarah Burton's first collection as creative director. Hailed by critics as having all the drama and edginess typical of McQueen, but with a softer, more feminine approach, it's just downright stunning:

View the whole collection at Style.com or NYTimes Fashion.

Celeb Fashion Collections - Why?!

It's not news that for whatever deep-rooted biological and/or psychological reason, we've all been conditioned to want what celebs have, wear what they wear, pay use the products they are paid to tell us to use.

What is news, or at least a small ripple, is that finally the tide is turning and people are speaking up and saying "hang on, for the most part these celebs know bugger all. Why do we care so much?" Hurrah! Vogue editor Kirstie Clements was suitably horrified that Peaches Geldof was a 'reporter' for London Fashion Week, imparting such wisdom as "yeah i like the shorts and stuff. It's stuff I'd wear". Clements wrote, "is it only in the fashion world that people let uneducated morons have their say?" Fashion journalism might not oust political corruption or lead to world peace, but imagine being one of the articulate, educated writers who really know their stuff, working your bits off to cover show after show, only to have people skim over your words in order to see what Peaches and Pixie and ZanyStardust utter in their uber cool contemptoous way.

Not to mention being a designer. Imagine the years of work, training, the strenous creative process and ultimately the part you can play in social history (clothes maketh the man, yes?), only to have Linday Lohan come onboard, not as the 'face' of your brand but actually a creator, and a month later present a collection. To say she's no Kate Moss is pretty fair. We're talking about a chick who gave us Mean Girls and Leggings-as-pants.

LiLo came on board as Ungaro's 'artistic advisor' and the collection was kindly labelled by WWD as "cheesy and dated". Apparently the show also involved "glitter heart pasties". Um. To be fair, expectations probably weren't all that high to begin with, and to read that Lohan came out for her bow with tears in her eyes softens the snickers a little. At least she had the decency to be a bit embarrassed and admit the whole collection was a rushed job.

Maybe its a result of the GFC, but is our spend-and-consume-instant-gratification mindset slowly slowing down? Quality not quantity, dahlings. Can a product be judged on it's own merits, instead of the popularity of the celebrity endorsing it?

Speaking of celebrity endorsements, this gorgeous white dress has been given much love (and some editorial) by the classy ladies at Shoptilyoudrop magazine. Ok, so they're not really celebs, but they sure do know a thing or two about frocks:

Sunny Girl Cutout Lace Dress $49.95

Ooh La La: Looks from Fashion Week

It would be so glamourous to be a globe-trotting fashionista who can stomp along the most stylish streets in the world, dressed to kill while desperately trying to look like you don't give a damn and at the same time incredibly conscious of what everyone is wearing. Sigh. However, the reality of a Fashion Week is far removed from that, so viewing it in the safety and comfort of your pjs is kinda more fun in it's own way. The week in Paris has finished and here are some lovely looks that emerged (not overly groundbreaking, but it's time to play it reasonably safe...):

Lanvin - lovin' a bit of nude at the mo (the colour, as public nudity gets one arrested), and this little strapless number just makes me think of how much better Nicole Kidman's oscars dress could've been. No need for full on feathers, just a bit of grungy raw edges on a feminine shape.

Just look at the dress, not the model (eek! shield the children!). Gloves look awesome, though I'm not sure how many of us can ger away with them on a daily basis. A bit of shulder detail, a modern update on classic LBD shape. Thumbs up. Don't you love my technical interpretations?!

Isabel Marant did lots of fur coats, which do look glam but, you know, it's a DEAD animal. As are leather jackets and shoes I guess, but they're not fluffy. Anyway, this look involves no fur, is chic, modern, effortless and involves a blazer, possibly my all time favourite jacket now that school is at a safe distance of 8 years ago:

Jean Paul Gaultier does dramatic oh so well. Peekaboo cutouts, unashamedly I-Am-Rich black dresses and a splash of colour makes a successful show, indeed:

John Galliano brought colour and "orientalist decadence" to the runway for Christian Dior *love*:

Designers might have taken the safe route, but at the same time nothing there makes you think "hot for 15 mins"...investment dressing will be very easy next season methinks!

Pics from fashionweekdaily.com.

Good Job, Vogue, but where are my boots?

I finished it. And the High Street supplemeent wasn't overly original, but tehre were a few key pieces I am happily lusting after, AND can afford! So: Mission Accomplished, Vogue. (Well, ok they didn't do it for me personally, but if your Regular Kat can relate, then so can other Regular Joes out there). Now, if only I could find those heeled laceup boots...they don't seem to be anywhere! *hides in corner crying*

Also keeping an eye on Paris Fashion Week fall '09...ooh la la! Watch this space...