>> It's ingrained in all of our minds that Paris is the fashion capital of the world.  I can't even remember when I first started thinking that, it's been so long.  But Virginie Mouzat, Fashion Editor at Le Figaro, seems to think differently.  She recently explored the conception that all things French are chic, and made me look at the French sensibility in a totally different light. 

>>  Usually I don't expect much from LA Fashion Week, to be honest.  Why?  Well... this, for example.  But LA always has a few tricks up its sleeve -- Erin Fetherston showed there, for one, and for two, Mandula was there.  Hungarian Hajnalka Mandula has been designing her eponymous line for over seven years now, but this was her west coast debut.  She uses natural elements like coffee, tea, pumpkin seeds, and porcupine needles, the latter of which may leave you wondering a bit, but I assure you, her clothes are perfection.  Very floaty, airy, and... well... natural. 

There's an interview with Ms. Mandula here, if you're interested.  And her S/S 2006 collection is beautiful.

>>  Update: catch her in the Christian Dior Fall/Winter ads shot by Nick Knight, mate. 

**source:  WWD