{runway inspiration: elie saab, paris}

. . . it's back to the sophisticated seventies on the runways of paris, shades of silver and shimmery apricot and flows of jersey and chiffon, a dusting of sequins and pretty platform sandals, and all through the exquisite eye of the always stunningly elegant elie saab . . .

{style.com, more at a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: valentino, paris}

. . . and after the fluttery fabrics of lanvin, the coral lips & shoes of j. mendel, and the pure romance of monique lhuillier, valentino comes along and changes everything . . .

{style.com, more at a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: chloé spring 2012, paris}

. . . blouses strewn with intricately embroidered blossoms, billowy shorts and crisp jackets, pleated skirts, light knits and linens -- the chloé spring 2012 collection is filled with such prettiness, that despite the suddenly brisk mornings, a little wistful for the breeziness of springtime, or perhaps, even, far off and tropical places, when the first of the snow has fallen . . .

{p.s.} design team vs. hannah mcgibbon vs. phoebe philo







[more of this collection after the jump] x
click to continue >>>

{runway inspiration: chloé, paris}

. . . classic, asymmetrical and draped intermingled with sheer flutters and whispers and light-as-air shades of champagne at chloé . . .

{p.s.} all in white

{style.com}

{style inspiration: past chloé, paris}

. . . if fashion is about looking forward, then phoebe philo may have done just that when she created this stunning collection for chloé; made in 2005, {when gemma ward still walked the runways}, for the 2006 spring ready-to-wear show in paris, the flirty a-line shapes, cut-work and pretty pleats, baroque patterns, ruffles, appliqués and florals {not to mention the lovely wedges} look as if they might have just stepped off the city sidewalks this morning . . .

{p.s.} you may remember this beautiful ad campaign, {previously featured here}, for this collection


{images: chloé spring 2006 ready-to-wear collection by phoebe philo via style.com}

{places: backstage at valentino}

. . . and while we're on the topic of magic, heartstoppingly lovely backstage at valentino couture . . .







{backstage at valentino couture from vogue.com via studded hearts}

{like a fairytale: elie saab, paris}

. . . reminiscent of the complete and utter enchantment of the spring couture collection, . . . the elie saab fall couture collection, with its "diaphanous, fairy princess dresses [that] felt of this paris moment", were nothing short of magic . . .









{images & quote: elie saab fall couture 2011 collection via style.com}

{style inspiration: sheer gold}

. . . quite certain shall be spending the summer in this impossibly lovely sheer & shimmery gold bow blouse by italian label les copains, and of course, the glittery gold miu miu heels . . .


{image: elle fanning by tesh for marie claire, july 2011 via the lovely elle, photo editing by this is glamorous}

{moments of repose . . .}

. . . after a whirlwind week, very much looking forward to a few days of repose, and {as the days magically become longer} even more so, for the fresh early spring afternoons when the floaty & flirty summer whites that have been waiting patiently in the back of the closet will see the sunlight once again -- lacy sleeves and hemlines, pretty lengths of ribbon and feathery sweaters, sexy sheer tops and romantic skirts -- all only too perfect for moments spent lost in daydreams . . .









{images: jeisa chiminazzo by tesh for marie claire us, march 2011 via studded hearts & oh fashion models}

{runway inspiration: elie saab, paris}

. . . elie saab never fails to be utterly breathtaking, and when you finally catch your breath, you will scarcely be prepared for the utter beauty of the latest spring couture collection, a flourish of mousseline and sheer décolleté, of tulle and organza, and flowers piled at the shoulder and tied with grosgrain at the waist, and all in glittery, fairytale shades of silver and champagne . . .









{p.s.} more of this collection

{images: elie saab spring couture 2011 collection via tsf}