Paris Fashion Week Fall 09: Chloé

Chloé's Fall 2009 collection, which debuted on the runways on Paris yesterday has made it to my Top 3 favorites of this season. Designer Hannah MacGibbon, who looked extraordinarily cute during her finale bow, referenced many popular trends in this predominately neutral-toned collection.

We saw what Style.com called, "a soft version of the early eighties, all big blanket coats, high-waisted fluid pants, wrapped belts, and, for evening, a much-needed dose of the easy glamour Chloé has been missing." Put this up against Marc Jacobs' Fall collection which showed a few weeks ago, and it's definitely a diluted version of the decade I love to loathe.

Then there were the subtle nods to militarism in the over-sized wool coats and buttoned-neck shirts. And what about those full-body jumpsuits?!? These were officially declared a trend of Spring 2009 by their abundance on the runways a few months ago. However, we may be seeing them through the fall months, lasting into winter. Goody.

MacGibbon told press that she drew inspiration from the work of Antonio López Garcia, a Spanish painter and sculptor best known for his realistic style. She hones this 'realism' by trying to stay true to the customer. Particularly in this economic climate, many designers find themselves grappling with a conflict of pragmatism and innovation.

Nevertheless, leave it to MacGibbon to find balance between both! For the pragmatic consumer, who tends to gravitate toward more realistic silhouettes, she created lightweight cardigans, loose-fitting tapered trousers and demi-sheer dresses for day.

But, for the girl who isn't afraid, she gave us Raquel Zimmerman, who strutted a black velvet one-shoulder jumpsuit, with a drapey-oversize hip section and slim-leg silhouette. It was all very, St. Laurent. And for shoes, of course - thigh-high pirate boots, embroidered ballet flats, tan suede ankle boots and a sexy gladiator heel. If this is what Fall 09 looks like, can we just skip spring and summer???

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