LOUIS VUITTON: As an antidote to the lightning pace of the digital universe and the fashion world's collective on-to-the-next attitude, Marc Jacobs envisioned his collection for Louis Vuitton as an excuse to pause and appreciate what a house like Vuitton is capable of creating. Beautiful bags, such as the fantastic redos of the Vuitton Speedy, were basically guaranteed. So it was a captivating atmosphere. Shown under a greenhouselike tent surrounding an active fountain in the Cour Carrée du Louvre, and set to the music of "And God Created Woman," the whole production had a grand... click to continue





HERMES: A blanket of fog rolled out of a telescopic tunnel as Big Ben chimed, announcing "The New Avengers" theme of Jean Paul Gaultier's zippy collection for the august luxury house. Bowler hats, umbrellas galore and voluptuous Lily Cole packed into a leather catsuit also signaled the landmark British television series -- and cued Gaultier's jaunty take on English-isms and masculine style. As with many shows in Europe this season, outerwear was a key focus and -- this being Hermÿs -- it was sumptuous and then some. Buttery double-face cashmere, luscious leathers and glossy croc... click to continue







CHANEL: He has yet to officially move mountains, but Karl Lagerfeld came close with the 265-ton iceberg he had imported from the northern reaches of Sweden to the Grand Palais for Tuesday's Chanel show. Standing 28 feet tall in a placid pool of water, the glacial sculpture was a spectacular sight that forced those complaining about the subsequent chill to save their frozen breath. Besides, the subzero air (-4ºC) only made the collection's fantastic downy knits and fuzzy tweeds all the more enticing. Not that they needed a boost... click to continue







ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: "Each piece is unique, as was he." Those simple words, at the end of the show notes for the final collection by the late Lee Alexander McQueen, captured the sentiment of a singular talent extinguished too soon. The 16 showpieces that paraded slowly through a gilded salon at the headquarters of luxury titan Francois Pinault were all cut "on the stand" by McQueen in the weeks before he took his own life. In their artistry, imagination and technical wizardry, they brought his fashion spirit to life. Here was a designer with the intelligence... click to continue