Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin, Miu Miu and Chloe

The general consensus amongst editors was that the Lanvin show was, again, the best in Paris. Consider this from Style.com's Sarah Mower: "For lightness, technical brilliance, and sheer heart-racing excitement, Alber Elbaz's Spring collection was one of the most uplifting shows of the entire season." Elbaz with his models The pudgy, self-effacing Elbaz does what many male designers find difficult at times$mdash;make beautiful clothes that women want to wear. His constructions are amazing, often a dress may be made from one single piece of uncut fabric, but are designed to make the wearer look beautiful. Designs by equally talented men can wear the woman rather than vice versa. Another last-day favorite was Miu Miu. Miuccia Prada continued the current trend of tinkering with proportion. Her teeny dresses were showed with bloomers, but will certainly be worn with treggings (trousers meets leggings) by the fashion flock. Miu Miu is in the midst of a transformation from diffusion collection to full-on luxury label for a shopper as rich as, but less trendy than, the Prada one. The brand is particularly loved in Japan and this collection will keep those fans happy. Miu Miu: A dress for some, a shirt for others. Another must-see show of Paris was Chloe. In its second season under designer Paulo Melim Andersson, it is clear that Chloe as we knew it under Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo—pretty and easy—is over. Andersson's vision is one which seems to want to push boundaries and appeal to a more fashion forward clientele. Chloe: A different kind of pretty Chloe previously was more trend-setting than boundary pushing so it remains to be seen if the label's customers will make the transition or if he's going to find new fans. One good indicator—Vogue's editor Anna Wintour previewed the collection and gave it her seal of approval ...