>> Todd Lynn focused on the idea of "corrupted elegance" for Fall 2012. To that end, the designer worked a bit of deconstruction into his usual sculptural aesthetic: asymmetrical panels, draped silk, and geometric cutouts. There were some knock-out looks here, including some fluid silk suits in dusty mauves and deep brown. A long-sleeved dress in an intriguing burn-out star print and a luxe chocolate wool coat with an oversized folder collar were other winners.
>> This season, Stella McCartney decided to forgo her usual show in Paris for an intimate — and unorthodox — dinner presentation at London Fashion Week. Around 100 guests — including Kate Moss, Stella Tennant, Yasmin Le Bon, and Rihanna — attended the Saturday evening event, which began with a magic show and finished with a formal jazz band. The real excitement, however, came with the presentation of McCartney's Fall 2012 collection. While guests dined unassumingly at their tables, models burst forth from the crowd — flash mob-style — in an energetic display of table-dancing, chair-passing, and rowdy hip-shaking. "It was nice to see something different, something dramatic. The clothes looked great," guest Bianca Jagger exclaimed.
>> For Fall 2012, Alice Temperley looked to "the sumptuous colors and decadent subjects of the religious paintings and tapestries" of the Renaissance era. Indeed, it was a decadent offering — and plenty appealing. There were full-flare skirts in gold jacquard; delicate blouses detailed with intricate lace insets; and a plethora of metallic gowns embellished with Tudor-inspired embroidery. Draped dresses in solid-colored silk and some cozy-looking fur-and-leather coats provided balance, while the Russian-style hats that topped each look added just the right hint of romance.
>> There was a bit of something for everyone in Daniella Helyel's '70s-tinged "Trans-Siberian" Fall 2012 collection for Issa London. For those who lean towards the preppier side of things, there were capes in tailored wool or cableknit; for the more bohemian among us, flowing maxi dresses in swirling paisley; and — for those who aim to emulate Issa's most royal fanbase — a long-sleeved, full-length gown in bright red lace.
>> There was no shortage of fun at Moschino Cheap & Chic in London earlier today. For Fall 2012, creative director Rosella Jardini riffed on "makeup and Queen Elizabeth", and the result was an ice cream-hued, royalty-gone-askew foray. Silhouettes were vaguely '60s and came in an eclectic palette of makeup prints, patchwork lace, and rainbow fur. Standout pieces included a series of military coats and wool dresses in deep army green, and there were plenty of the brand's standby details: lip prints, hand-scrawled slogan tees, pearls, and bows. "It was a pastel dream," Alexa Chung declared after the show.
>> While the rest of us are still weeks away from getting our hands on the Marni for H&M collection, last night's pre-launch event in LA saw a bevy of high-profile guests already decked head-to-toe in the capsule's pieces. Sofia Coppola, Consuelo Castiglioni, and H&M creative director Margareta van den Bosch hosted the event, while guests Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder, Milla Jovovich, and Lou Doillon were on-hand to celebrate — and sing the praises of — the collection. "I feel unique, I feel well-tailored. I feel like a rock n' roll Jackie O," Milla Jovovich, who wore a floral off-the-shoulder ensemble, exclaimed.
Also in attendance was the star of the collection's Coppola-directed campaign video, Imogen Poots, as well as Brian Ferry, who performed the campaign's theme song, Avalon. Get an inside peek at the event in the video — which also features a cameo by Mel Gibson — below, then click through the slideshow to see all the guests in their Marni-for-H&M-finest.
>> For Fall 2012, Henry Rolland went back to the '70s with a collection of super-bright separates in a high-energy palette of yellow, purple, fuchsia, and electric blue. It's "Mork and Mindy meets the Tour de France", the designer described. True, there were kooky color combos and playful zigzag prints, but there was an underlying elegance on offer as well. Silhouettes were streamlined and uncomplicated, while fabrics felt upscale. "It's a bit more elevated, a bit more luxe", Holland explained
>> For Joanna Sykes's third season at Aquascutum, the designer offered up a strong collection of military-tinged coats and separates steeped in cool androgyny. Colors — olive green, crisp white, fog grey, deep forest — were understated and elegant, while fabrics like bonded wool and shearling felt sophisticated. The designer also worked a nice amount of modern-utilitarian detail, including leather panels, gold zippers, and fur patches.
