Valentino Spring 2013 Couture

I would like to live in this world, please.

images via style.com

Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2013

"Beauty can be frightening" - Ann D herself

Demeulemeester has always been a front-running in that whole 'dark pagan princess' world, and this season did not disappoint!  If you need a little extra strength to get you through your day, throw on some of Ann D's designs and there's no way that you wont instantly be transformed into a bad-ass, take-no-names, strong and powerful woman.  Not every designer can make flowing silks and chiffons read as a tough suit of armor for women to drape themselves in.  

This is the opening look from her Spring 2013 collection.  A lot of reviews of this show call out the interesting and new sleeve shapes and silhouettes and how they reference insects and bug wings.  This look is a great example of this look.   And the shoessss!! And the crazy parted hair with minimal makeup, GORG.

Is metallic considered a color?  I'm stuck in that black on black on black jam, but I am totally responding to these platinum leather (is this actually leather? or is that just in my dreams) looks.  This oversized blazer/trench is such an amazing shape and twist on two classic coats.  And those black sleeves on the tunic floating out from the jacket?!?!  Ok, not so practical, but who cares?  It's major and I want it.

Throw some leather detailing on it, and I'm on board.  That should be my new slogan or something.  These last looks of flowing, floor length gowns just made me want to bow down.  It is everything that she embodies as a designer and more.  Dark hues of black, purple, with stark a contrast of simple white gowns.  And the leatherrrr!!  I love how this dress above creates kind of a harness with how the leather belt detail connects to the neck piece.  LUVIT.

Can I just float around on a dark storm cloud and wear Ann Demeulemeester all day long? 

Anna Sui Spring 2013

Anna Sui has always held a special place in my heart, being one of the first designers that I fell for when I was first diving into the fashion world.  Her designs are always a mash-up of Girly Girl vs. Punk Rock, and I looooove that always!  It's like, cute, but not gross, bubble-gum and cotton candy cute.  It almost reads as a toned down Harajuku girl.  And her styling is on-point.  Rainbow colored wigs?  Winged eyeliner in crazy shades? (Her blue cat-eyes from last season inspired me to go out and buy blue liquid eyeliner to re-create it for myself! No lie!) Ripped stockings, chunky jewels, and little cat ear hats?  Anna'll bring out the lady in the most badass of us.

I love this outfit head-to-toe! This one is a good example of the styling she used throughout the collection.  Scarf prints have been all up in fashion lately, and I'm not complaining!  The use of the border prints down the center front is cool, and I love the big sleeves.  And pairing that with fishnet sleeves and legs??! The combination of hard and soft works so well here.  I wonder if its just a full body mesh cat suit...with a dog collar choker? HELLOOOO

Another theme for Anna's collection is the use of military pieces paired with super romantic florals and chiffons.  This surplus jacket is raaaad!  I love the almost sage green color of it paired with the chunky metal zips.  And who wouldn't want to float around in that floral dress?  Just the right amount of toughness and just the right amount of sweetness.

Quintessential Anna Sui right here.  When I think of Anna Sui, I immediately think black, white, and purple.  Both of these pieces would be great additions in anyone's wardrobe.  A chiffon bed jacket? Of course you need it!  And a cute striped and floral baby doll dress? DUH.  Great prints.  Great shapes.  Done and done.  I have nothing really to say about it.  

Sometimes it would seem that throwing so many different ideas into one look or collection would result in a mishmash of craziness, but Anna knows how it's done.  Military surplus.  Romantic textiles.  Rock-n-roll.  And always a touch of vintage nostalgia.  I wanna be a modern day Stevie Nicks, don't you?

3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2013

 OK. 3.1 Philip Lim kinda just rocked my world, and it's only the first show I've laid eyes on. 

Let's check this out.

Oh, ok. You're gonna open with this?  Mixed prints, dark colors, and shoes that I might just try to reach in the computer screen and rip off of her feet?  BRING IT.  I want her to be wearing crazy white gaucho shorts underneath, but I'm pretty sure it's just a skirt.  

I may be a little biased about this look because I already own a floral jumpsuit that is quite similar to this bad boy right here.  Can anyone confirm that it is a one piece, or separates of the same material?  In my dreams, this will replace the whole leggings craze.  Think about it.  All these girls are running around in Lululemon pants and a kitschy t-shirt that is definitely not long enough to be wearing with pants that don't have a zipper fly.  This jumpsuit will serve these ladies in the same way.  You'll still feel like you're wearing pajamas, but it's way way way more chic.  And badass.  OH, and that gold bag? Slayin' me, my friend.

I really loved his fabrication here.  His use of sheer fabrics was so interesting and intricate, I kept scrolling back to them to try to pick apart the different layers of the outfits.  Chiffon is like ruling the world right now,  every store from Barneys to F21 is carrying pieces in sheer fabrics.  So, I really enjoy Philip's take on the current trend.  Adding these plaid floral cut out pieces is so beautiful and interesting to look at.  He continues this theme with sheer plaids and other prints as well.  I'm into it!

Philip Lim threw down on this collection.  He showed us awesome prints, and masterly mixing those prints, rad denim, sheers with intricate applique and cut out techniques,  OVERALLS, badass shoes that I want to live in, and and and and... All together the vibe was totally chill and cool, girls that are a little grungy and sexy all at once.  I want to be these girls...or meet these girls, so I can borrow their clothes.

  

I'm a die-hard fall fashion girl myself and I can find spring to be not as inspiring for my own personal style, but this dude NAILED IT. For reals. And now I'm totally stoked to see what else is in store for Spring 2013!