While fashion month is over, the shows are still the talk of the town. Chictopia Everybody Is Ugly has covered countless New York shows first hand, and now that we’re out of the fashion frenzy, it’s time to look back at all the weeks and dissect all of our favorite shows. From everyday edgy to just-about-couture, these shows proved their standout style. Get ready, this is a huge post, here are our Fall 2011 fashion week favorites. _________________________________________________________________________
Alexander Wang // The king of downtown cool shows his dark side after Spring 2011’s not-so-popular all white look. The collection was not completely awe-inspiring but it was an interesting and fresh look for Fall. Effortless and 90s-styled, the Wang girl is back come September. → See the collection here
Carven // This show was a dream for the Alexa Chung set. Prim and proper, the show was definitely not for dummies. It was everything the simple and chic girl who has a secret (but not skanky) rebellious edge. → See the collection here
Alexander McQueen // Sarah Burton’s second main-season women’s show was nothing short of amazing drama. The dresses were filled with light softness and princess-y beauty but had a underlying element of darkness. With broken china used as textile, and leather harnesses worn overtop couturier gowns, the collection proved to stay true to the subversive style of the late great Alexander McQueen. → See the collection here
Chloe // Snakeskin is back, Chictopians! Whether happy or sad about the textile’s return to fashion, the colorful and classic way it was presented at Chloe is undeniably stylish. The mixture of different fabrics and bright bold color with the simple-Chloe formula definitely predicts a likely future on the backs of street style-captured editors next Fall. → See the collection here
Acne // This is what futuristic work wear looks like. It’s tough, rugged, but extremely forward with Acne’s sublime color combinations that are so wrong they’re right. → See the collection here
Balenciaga // Continuing the future love, Nicolas Ghesquière created the punk rock girl of the 22nd century. Clunky boots, leather, and bold flowery prints were mixed with a ladylike silhouette to make ready to wear runway DRAMA. We love the knitted leather sweaters and scarves which are like a tougher version of the ribbon knitted Chanel dresses from Spring 2010. → See the collection here
The Row // The Olsens went glam this time around and injected luxe leopard and furs into their otherwise minimal standpoint for The Row. The oversized and over the top pieces were accented by beautifully tailored and structured sleek staples. The mixture of Mary-Kate’s and Ashley’s styles harmonized into a beautiful collection. → See the collection here
Stella McCartney // Keeping within the masculinity versus femininity styles that create the modern and minimal look of her design, Stella McCartney played with a print a bit more artificial than citrus fruits this season. Wrinkled up Mylar gave the simple silhouettes (rounded arms, baggy jackets, and tailored trousers) a optical illusion effect. → See the collection here
Rodarte // A bit more simplified than a typical Rodarte collection, but the refined look was refreshing. The Americana was apparent as per usual, and we swoon at the sight of any photo prints. Rodarte’s wheat fields were no exception. → See the collection here
Celiné // Essential is the perfect word to describe not only this collection but the house that Phoebe Philo has built in just a short amount of time. The colors were drool-inducing and the fabrics and silhouettes were nothing short of the primitive action as well. We loved to see both the pale pink and wood grain patterns used in a simple and straightforward manner. → See the collection here
Chanel // Just as a phoenix, models rose emerged from the light within the post-apocalyptic world of smoking rock that wowed the Chanel audience. The boy-versus-girl look was definitely the star, making a surprise entrance within the ultra-feminine frill of recent seasons. Definitely a look that could be broken down and worn on many occasions, Karl Lagerfeld brought Chanel to more relaxed and modern times. We don’t know if we’re entirely ready for the short-heeled black shoe yet though, but when will we ever be? → See the collection here
Burberry Prorsum // Super Sixties! Burberry’s trench took backseat to a thicker and more colorful cousin. The coat dresses were minimal in shape and style but were filled to the max with statement. The collection covered all of the bases; electro-bright solids, blanket checks, camels, khakis, and classic black and white. →See the collection here
Haider Ackermann // The designer that has everybody talking and he lives up to the hype. Haider Ackermann presented a beautiful masterpiece of fashion, both powerful and feminine while retaining a relaxed modernity. The collection brought its audience to tears and the emotional connection to the presentation and clothing is definitely a testament to its beauty and power. → See the collection here
Christopher Kane // Unconventional textiles were the jumpstart of this collection. The British designer created innovative looks using both crochet granny-square (as a print and actual fabric) and plastic filled with lava-lamp-like liquid. It really felt like the future was alive and coming. → See the collection here
Christian Dior // While the finale of the show was a bit more high fashion pharmacist than the usual Galliano parade of panache, the show retained the House’s famed luxurious style. Dior favorite, Karlie Kloss walked out in a beautifully dramatic cape. The show definitely kept us wondering what will happen next. → See the collection here
Meadham Kirchhoff // At this London show, all of the models marched out at the same time. In true rebel style, Meadham Kirchhoff made the entire show a finale. The bold bright reds accented with pale robin egg’s blue were gorgeous against the rest of the collection’s graphic black and white. It was horror movie school girl in the best way possible. → See the collection here
Givenchy // If this entire article is about the standout shows of the season, this show was the valedictorian. We loved the simplicity, sexiness, and bold odd print choices. The main criticism about Ricardo Tisci’s work is its similarity to Prada, which we completely see in the bold print and silhouettes but we can’t help but be obsessed with it anyways. We need panthers, pansies and pin up now! → See the collection here
Mugler // Nicola Formichetti definitely splashed onto the fashion scene with his first women’s show for the house of Mugler, and how could he not with Gaga strutting down the columned runway with dramatic Sailor Moon-esque pigtails? The look was strong and a very modern and futuristic interpretation of Mugler classics. We definitely saw a bit of the most recent Armani Prive in this collection and with the Lady as a link, how could it not happen? → See the collection here
Lanvin // While the collection was definitely classic Lanvin and beautiful nonetheless, it felt a bit “been there done that.” Alber Elbaz’s girl had a bit of an edge this season though: wide brim Amish-hats, short hems, bare legs, and flat man-shoes; she was definitely not a prim party cupcake. → See the collection here
Jil Sander // Lovely as always, Raf Simons gave space age ski-cap chic, modern minimalism, and bold daisy prints. The simple and sleek silhouettes made our hearts flutter, while the air-filled balloon dresses were unflattering but extremely interesting. → See the collection here
Louis Vuitton // The most glamorous bell boy that ever lived. Marc Jacobs presented an amazingly dramatic show, complete with four elevators, doormen, and supermodels (what!?). Both Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss walked in the Vuitton show, which was filled with high neck collars, sculpted and rounded sleeves, and below the knee hemlines; albeit all made with an attention to supermodel-level sex appeal. → See the collection here
Hermés // Loved this show so much. The opening white looks were clergy-esque and the refined nomadic caramel looks created a show that felt modern and trendy but also intrinsically classic. Christophe Lemaire’s first collection for the house definitely made us swoon. → See the collection here
Prada // Definitely youthful and perverse as per usual. Miuccia worked with the rounded sleeve look as well, teaming them with thick ladylike coats, fur, and plastic fish scales. Snake skin was also apparent at this show, in the form of socks, which we don’t know if we’re completely sold on. → See the collection here
Rick Owens // Cocooned in black, white, and browns, the graphic collection was elegant and regal. But just because there was a more classic feeling to the collection, the narrow silhouettes were filled with just as much darkness and edge. → See the collection here
Theyskens’ Theory // Every fashion lover wants their hands on a Theyskens’ Theory piece and he definitely has their wallets reserved for Fall as well as the currently releasing Spring collection. The separates were both dramatic and simple. Wearability never looked so stylish. → See the collection here
Gareth Pugh // The look was very quintessential Gareth Pugh, experimental, tough, futuristic, and finished with refined rebellion. We loved his use of royal blue and gold metallics, it elevated the Pugh-look to regal. → See the collection here
Erdem // The explosion of floral of usual Erdem collections was just that, the popped-balloon-Pollock style prints were an amazing shift from the overtly girly and pretty look of collections past. The use of odd materials like shine and velvet was ugly in the most perfect way that makes us impatient for Fall! → See the collection here
Valentino // Soft, feminine, and smart is the best way to describe this collection. The colors, prints, and textures were gorgeous. While the looks were preciously put together, the silhouette kept it relaxed which is perfect for the modern fashionista. → See the collection here
Damir Doma // Obsessed with this. Loved the colors (which reminded us of Acne) and straight silhouette. It was extremely modern and danced on the line of masculinity and femininity. Damir Doma was obviously stylish, unique, and interesting but wasn’t high maintenance; the standard fashion show platform was switched for a different kind, the creeper. → See the collection here
Fendi // Karl Lagerfeld gave Fendi the most beautiful autumnal color palette which was hinted at during Pre-Fall. Ladylike bags and chunky heels were lust-worthy. With an buttoned-up art teacher as the inspiration, the surrealist and conceptual additions of giant fur and ruffle accents injected creativity and luxe into the collection. → See the collection here
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We’ve told you our favorite shows, now let us know yours! What were your standout fashion week favorites (from either this list, or those that went unmentioned)? Let us know in the comments which Fall 2011 collections you loved and why!
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