The Polka-Dotted Truth by Jacqueline Harbin: Fall Fashion

Ulyana Sergeenko Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

2:10 PM

Collections are (almost) always better when there is a story behind the inspiration - something compelling the designer to create beautiful clothes rather than doing so simply because it's expected. Ulyana Sergeenko had a very personal inspiration for her Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Collection - the political disaster that is Ukraine at the moment. The upheaval and unrest in the area made her think about the last time that there was a similar situation there - when the USSR rose up out of the ashes and brought on an whole new era. Talk about ideas to work with.

While the pieces aren't war-torn soldier's uniforms or peasant dresses there is a certain air of old-school inspiration about them that speaks to a woman who has been through some difficult experiences. The clothes are beautiful but somehow have a certain sadness. Some pieces don't seem to fit in perfectly but it doesn't bother us as it has with other collections. Instead of being distracting it adds to the charm - like china at a tea room that doesn't actually match but makes you smile nonetheless. Ulyana Sergeenko's woman is one that is emerging from a less than ideal situation and choosing to embrace beauty through clothes when it isn't readily available elsewhere.

Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Ulyana Sergeenko

A beautiful marriage of menswear to feminine details, Alyana Sergeenko used tailored and boxy cuts in feminine fabrics in her Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Collection.

Invoking a certain Audrey Hepburn in War and Peace vibe, these ladylike pieces may have old inspiration but in beautiful colors and embellishment, they will look right at home on today's streets. (Side note: we're completely obsessed with the skirt paired with suspenders!)

Outerwear the same masculine/feminine vibe that is present throughout the collection - a boxy, yet embellished piece or a powerful fabric in a sexy cut.

Hemlines were slashed to the tops of the thighs for several of the dresses but while we do love a beautiful pair of gams, these weren't our favorite pieces - they evoke a certain desperation, a need for attention.

We actually much prefer these two looks which we find to be much sexier even though there is substantially more fabric (okay, at least the look on the left has more fabric). It's hard to say 'no' to a woman who is strong, confident and beautiful.

The gown on the left is perhaps one of our favorites of the entire collection - structure and flow are harmonious in this gown that we are dying to see walk down a red carpet.

Thank you to Style for the gorgeous photos.

Armani Prive

Armani Prive Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

11:41 AM

To build a successful collection around three colors requires a pretty talented designer and team. Black, white and red have been done plenty of times - sometimes successfully, more often than not, it fails miserably. It just feels...done. Unorginal. We're pleased to see that Armani's experience led him down the path to epic success instead of the alternative.

Starting the show with suiting that consisted of shorts (anyone noticing a trend?), fitted jackets and flared capes it was tempting to think that this was starting to feel...familiar. That thought was quickly erased from our heads when the cocktail and party looks started strutting down the runway. Jackets in interesting prints over polka-dot skirts and textured shorts or vice versa had an interesting way of lending a new spin on a classic look.

From there the silhouettes just got more interesting and the details more intriguing. Yards upon yards upon yards of tulle engulfed models in dresses that reminded us of clouds. Strapless polka-dot formal gowns were accessorized with embellished veils that for some reason reminded us of a beautified version of the red wedding gown worn in Beetlejuice. Overall the shade of red was just perfect, the shapes new enough to be interesting and the overall collection a win. It was the quintessential old-meets-future show that created something beautiful.

Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Armani Prive

Starting off the 2014 Fall/Winter Haute Couture show with pretty, lady-like suits, we have a feeling that this Armani Prive collection is not only an artistic hit but also one that will actually sell.

Ladylike doesn't have to be boring when it comes to silhouette or prints - instead of a fitted blazer try something with more volume; instead solid black, gray or navy crepe opt for a bold print or interesting texture.

We do love a good play on proportion and these toppers are just the way to do it. If you do opt or an oversized or loose upper layer pair it with something more fitted on the bottom or better yet show some skin to keep you from looking larger than you are.

Spice up your LBD with an interesting texture like metallic tweed or a subtle dot overlay - you're sure to light up the room no matter how the party itself is going.

If the classic cocktail dress isn't your thing, you're certainly in luck this season. Designers everywhere have been pushing the boundaries when it comes to not-casual-but-not-exactly-formal dresses like these from the Armani Prive Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Collection.

Formal gowns are always appropriate at least a few times a year and we're excited to see something a little different in this collection - there are always so many dresses to choose from but often they are so very similar that it is difficult to differentiate. Armani takes things to a whole new level with beautiful textures and prints complete with one of the most fascinating accessories we've seen since the Fall 2013 Alexander McQueen show - beautiful textured veils that bring to mind anything but weddings. We think a small fascinator version could be quite popular this upcoming season.

It was only fitting for a collection that was comprised entirely of black, white and a bold shade of red that the finale dress be a home run. Although we aren't exactly sure where the model's hands are we're kind of obsessed with this dress and can't wait to see it (inevitably) pop up in editorials soon.

Thank you to Style for the gorgeous photos!

Bouchra Jarra

Bouchra Jarra Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

8:25 AM

Chanel

Chanel Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture Details

7:52 AM

Chanel

Chanel Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

7:39 AM

We're a little biased when it comes to Chanel - as if that wasn't already quite obvious. We've been obsessed with the brand since purchasing our first Glossimer at 14...we purchased our first pair of Chanel shoes just a few months ago (and yes, they are absolutely exquisite). In fact our collection has grown quite a bit in recent months. So needless to say, we're always excited to see what Karl Lagerfeld has come up with for each collection. We've never been disappointed.

Lagerfeld is a special kind of designer. Eccentric to say the least. A creator that lets his inspiration take complete hold and dives in head-first. Known for incredibly elaborate set creations (Resort 2015 in Dubai, anyone?), the Fall 2014 Haute Couture show's backdrop was markedly more simple, relatively speaking anyway. The source of inspiration? Architect Le Corbusier's old (and gone) Paris apartment which sparked the idea for huge fireplaces with digital flames at each end of the runway decorated with enormous intricate mirrors.

And while the set is interesting, it's the clothes that really are the kicker...the foundation for several pieces is concrete. No, literally. Concrete was turned into tiny tiles (which are apparently quite light) and transformed from building material into art. Fancy that.

The clothes themselves? Beautiful as always - ever present tweed, shorts with everything (to include under dresses, coats and skirts), beautifully sculpted gowns and a wedding dress that will simply make you swoon. We're loving the out-of-control bedhead and accessories - our only small complaint? We wish there had been at least one pair of heels.

Tweed is a Chanel staple and is present in every show but that doesn't mean that it's the same thing over and over. Fall 2014 Haute Couture showed us tweed suits in warm shades of gold, burnt sienna and chocolate burgundy in more voluminous silhouettes. And lots and lots of shorts.

These knee length, winter-white cocktail gowns are stunning on their own, but when you find out the embellishment is created from concrete, well that just sort of takes things to a whole new level.

Suits don't have to be boring - embrace texture like this boxy look on the left or an unconventional color with interesting details like the design on the right.

Girly-girls everywhere rejoice! Ladylike silhouettes are making a comeback this Fall in the shape of voluminous skirts, pretty prints and fitted tops. We're completely on board.

Need a little more drama in your life? Chanel has something for everyone - from a bright bold print to fluttery tiers to a concrete-tile embellished piece of art. We never cease to be amazed.

Midi and ankle length skirts and gowns are huge this Fall so go ahead and start shopping around for some Chanel-inspired pieces (or just wait for the actual Chanel pieces that will be in boutiques later this year if you can afford the pricetag). A general rule of thumb? Choose a length that either hits just below your knee and above the calf OR a length that hits just past the largest part of your calf. Anything that stops in the middle of your calf tends to give you cankles even if you're 5'10".

Never one to play it safe, Karl Lagerfeld closed Chanel's Fall 2014 Haute Couture show with a beautiful model in a baroque-inspired wedding gown. And if she looks a little, well, round, that's because she is, in fact, quite pregnant. To quote Lagerfeld: "I love pregnant women. They're very noble."

Visit our Facebook Page to see larger versions of the looks!

Thank you to Style for the photos!

Alexis Mabille

Alexis Mabille Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

9:03 PM

Fall 2014

Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2014 Haute Couture

7:24 AM

Light. Ethereal. Pretty. Eccentric. These are the first words that come to mind after watching the Giambattista Valli F/W 2014 Haute Couture show...this girl doesn't care if her skirt is sheer and her pretty panties are showing. It's a beautiful skirt and she wants to wear it. She doesn't understand the concept of "situation-appropriate" because for her, the situation is whatever she wants it to be. If she wants to wear a frothy cocktail dresses to get groceries, then by god, it's time to break out the champagne because shopping is going to be a fabulous event that day.

We love and completely embrace that sort of logic. It's fashion, there are rules and really the only one that needs to be followed is that you should bend and/or break the rules. As the for the actual collection we adore the superb chicness of it, effortless almost. A nod to old Hollywood glamor with tea length skirts, long fitted pencil skirts and floral appliques and embroidery popping up on tops and dresses, What's not to love?

Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014 Giambattista Valli

We think the time for boring, safe gowns is gown and fully embrace the idea that formal fashion should be fun - we're in full support of Giambattista Valli with his prints on floor length skirts and floaty dresses.

If we're being honest the sheer skirts are somewhat reminiscent of Burberry's recent creations but the sheerness is untextured and the embellishment is floral instead of gems so the idea still looks fresh and different. We're not mad.

While the extra piece over the shoulder (left) may not be the most practical thing on the planet (we also realize that this is Haute Couture and it isn't supposed to be practical), we are simply dying to get our hands on the mixed pattern dress on the right. The simple sleeveless top paired with the voluminous bottom is a nod to the silhouette that was so popular during his Spring 2014 Haute Couture show and we're loving it.

The next time we go in search of an evening gown, this is what we're looking for. The sheer skirt paired with more conservative or embellished tops is such a beautiful juxtaposition.

Mark our words: at least one of these skirts will make an appearance at next years Met Gala, we'd be willing to bet money on it. Who wouldn't want to wear one of the pastel beauties?

Not all skirt lengths are created equal and if the Haute Couture shows are indicative of what to expect, we're thinking of longer hemlines and ladylike silhouettes as the temperatures cool off.

Thank you to Style for the photos!