Real Style Network has been following all of the action from Paris Fashion Week and we have waited to bring you the highlights and reviews from the top shows. Paris Fashion Week is THE event of the season with the biggest names in fashion presenting their Fall/Winter 2010 collections on the runway. For our first wrap up we have chosen the following designers: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

CHANEL

In one of the most talked about shows of the week, Karl Lagerfeld imported a 265-ton iceberg from Sweden into the middle of Paris’ Grand Palais for the Chanel Fall 2010 show. The –4 temperatures needed to allow the iceberg to be the centerpiece of the set accentuated the cozy Chanel collection shown. Unlike other designers this season, Karl Lagerfeld chose to use faux fur in the Chanel collection. There was a lot of it. Full body fur coats, pants and boots were all a part of the collection. Leather jackets, miniskirts and shirts were trimmed with more faux fur. Are you going to be wearing a fur skirt on the street? Perhaps not, but the message for next season from top designers is definitely soft and furry, would look great in a vest, boots, hats and even bags.

LOUIS VUITTON

For Fall 2010, Marc Jacobs was inspired by old cinema when he created the Louis Vuitton collection. He cast curvy supermodels like Elle Macpherson, Bar Refaeli and Adriana Lima to model the clothes. Tweed suits and wool and chiffon dresses with nipped in waists appeared in the collection. Jacobs accentuated the models’ curves with tight corsets and hip hugging skirts. Skirts were ¾ length made of heavy materials. It was a ladylike collection following trends we have seen in Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs’ own collection. Of course, as it is Louis Vuitton, the handbags were exquisite. Marc Jacobs reinvented the classic Louis Vuitton Speedy bag with sequins, lace and fur. Watch the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010 fashion show here:

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Jean Paul Gaultier took his inspiration for this season from cultures around the world. Hints of styles from Morocco, Russia, Greece, China and more could be seen in his designs for fall. Gaultier told the Telegraph, “It’s all about a journey around the world, and sometimes it includes several countries in one outfit, even Europe.” The styles included African headdresses, Chinese silks, European embroidery, Mongolian furs and Spanish dresses. He combined these things with modern street wear like sweatpants, knitted sweaters, pea coats and leather jackets.

[photos via Marie Claire Au, Kari Estrada, and Jimshe809]

What name comes up when you think of modern fashion industry legends? Among a list of the top names in fashion sits Karl Lagerfeld, a man who has been in the fashion industry for decades working at the most coveted fashion houses ever. His 50 years on the fashion business have not been without controversy. See below for some of the highlights.

History:
Karl Lagerfeld grew up in Germany always knowing that he wanted a place in the fashion world. He moved to Paris in the 50’s to begin his informal education in fashion and quickly won a spot as Pierre Balmain’s assistant after beating Yves Saint Laurent in a design competition.

Karl Lagerfeld earned his dues working hard to perfect his design. His first haute couture collection for Jean Patou was actually booed by the press. Karl didn’t let that stop him from achieving his dream and he moved forward.

In 1972, Karl Lagerfeld began working for the fashion house Fendi, a collaboration that still exists to this day.

In 1983, Lagerfeld was named the art director of Chanel and together the fashion house and Lagerfeld have become a brand to be reckoned with. Karl Lagerfeld is the only major fashion designer without a house to call his own. But he has transformed Chanel and brought it into the modern day.

Currently he designs collections for Chanel, Fendi, Lagerfeld, Karl Lagerfeld and k Karl Lagerfeld.

The Artist:
Lagerfeld is not just a fashion designer though. The man is a skilled artist who has illustrated books and an achieved photographer. For decades, Karl Lagerfeld has been shooting the ad campaigns for Chanel and Fendi as well as taking pictures for fashion magazines, such as V Magazine.

Controversy:
Through the years, Lagerfeld has been the subject of controversy. In the 1990’s, Anna Wintour walked out of a Fendi show when Karl Lagerfeld used strippers and adult film stars as models.

His use of fur has caused a longstanding battle with PETA, who tried to pie him in 2001. Karl Lagerfeld has said about fur: In a meat eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish.

More recently he has received criticism on his input on the weight issues of models. The fashion designer said that Heidi Klum “is no runway model. She is simply too heavy and has too big a bust.” And caused outrage by saying that “no one wants to see round models.”

Karl Lagerfeld stands alone in the fashion world. Because of his intellect, because of his mastery of dressmaking, because of his German love of literature and humor, because of his evergreen curiosity, he alone among the designers of his generation has stayed vital and contemporary. He was trained in couture in the 1950s by people who were themselves trained in the 1920s, and it’s safe to say there is not a technique or trick he does not know. – New York Times

Love him or hate him. As Dior and Yves St. Laurent, Lagerfeld name is forever associated with high fashion of the 20th and now the 21st century.

[Karl Lagerfeld photo courtesy of PR Photos, Chanel Couture photo via Lisa Tant]

We have seen celebrities give their time to help raise money for the people of Haiti, and now celebrities and the fashion world at large are donating their profits and clothes to help raise even more.

American fashion designers are banding together to raise money for Haiti relief efforts. The Council Of Fashion Designers Of America has created a $25 “Fashion For Haiti” t-shirt to be sold across the US with all proceeds going to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. The green and black logo was designed by Peter Arnell and says “To Haiti With Love. Hope Help Heal Haiti.”Go to the CDFA website for a list of retailers.

Diane Von Furstenberg, the President of the CDFA said in a statement: The tragedy in Haiti has affected everyone and most of us individually have given money for relief. However, I think it is now important to send a message and create a channel for funding from fashion as an industry.

Shopping Blog reports that Lindsay Lohan is donating 100% of the profits she makes from her Fame leggings on the 6126 line to Save The Children to support the Haiti recovery efforts.

Britney Spears is auctioning off two Versace dresses that she wore back at the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. People reports that where you can bid is still unknown.

The website Charity Buzz has a number of celebrity fashion items up for grabs to the highest bidder. You can get a one-of-a-kind Christian Dior bag made for Gisele Bundchen, a pair of Heidi Montag’s Chanel shoes, a Stella McCartney dress worn by Liv Tyler, a stage costume worn by Lady Gaga and a Chloe dress worn by Kate Bosworth. Many of the auctions end next month if you want in on the goods.

We are glad to see the fashion industry donating their time and merchandise to raise money for the people of Haiti in these trying times.

Dior Haute Couture Fashion Show

Haute Couture week has begun in Paris. This is the week fashionistas dream of. When the biggest names in fashion show you their most extravagant designs.

Christian Dior started the show off in Paris on Monday in a salon filled with roses according to Canadian fashion maven Jeanne Becker from Fashion Television. According to reports, John Galliano’s Dior line was inspired by the women of the 1900’s with tiny waists, big skirts, and even bigger hair.

We have been following Jeanne’s tweets from Paris. She said from the Dior show: Seeing these garments up close like this is dizzying. Crystal-embroidered tulle skirt, made of petals, is eye-popping.

Watch highlights from the Dior show here:

Later last night, Giorgio Armani Prive held their Haute Couture fashion show. The Armani show had a crescent moon theme throughout. There were business suits with moon shaped adornments and beautiful strapless gowns with ruffles and moon shaped handbags. See more from the Giorgio Armani Prive show here:

This morning began with the Chanel fashion show. The Chanel collection consisted of cocktail dresses with ruffles and sequins, boucle suits and pale pastel colours. We looked to Jeanne Becker for the review. This morning Jeanne tweeted: Genius of Karl is that no matter how many confections he whips up, there are always subtle new twists to his vision…

Chanel Haute Couture Fashion Show

Check back here for more videos and photos of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week as it progresses.

[photos via Grazia Live]

How many emerging fashion designers can say that just a year after launching their first line they have made fans of celebrities Chloe Sevigny and Olivia Wilde and have Anna Wintour attending their shows? Well, Kimberly Ovitz can and we can see why.

At 25-years-old, fashion designer, Kimberly Ovitz is making her name heard loud and clear in the fashion world. She always knew that she wanted to be a designer and dedicated her life to getting where she is today. She started her journey at 16 years old working an internship for J. Crew, but moved up the ranks to a spot interning for Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld.

In 2009, she launched her own line and quickly became known for her minimalist, androgynous style. Her Spring/Summer 2010 line follows in those same ideas with simple silhouettes and timeless pieces. She was inspired for her Spring/Summer 2010 pieces by minimalist design and art and the equestrian lifestyle.

Kimberly Ovitz told Style.com: This season is a lot more fluid, with more wrapped silhouettes. And I’m adding colour for the first time.

Her pieces are favoured because they are easily taken from day to night without being too dressy. She says that that the Kimberly Ovitz woman is edgy and not overly sophisticated. The Spring/Summer 2010 fashion line has something for every woman. It includes luxurious silk dresses and silk chiffon shirts, seersucker shorts, organic cotton dresses and tops to the extremes leather everything (jackets, pants and dresses) and stretch polyurethane dresses. There are even knits in linen and suede cording.

You can buy Kimberly Ovitz’ Spring-Summer collection at Holt Renfrew in Canada, Neiman Marcus or online at Net-A-Porter.

World renowned jewelry houses will be joining top designers next week to create the most extravagant fashion week that Paris has ever seen.

The Telegraph reports that in January, haute joaillerie houses have been invited for the first time in 150 years to join haute couture fashion houses in fashion for Paris haute couture week to bring in the spring/summer 2010 season.

Chanel, Dior, Gaultier, and Valentino will be joined by well-known jewelry makers Boucheron, Cartier, Chanel Joaillerie, Chaumet, Christian Dior Joaillerie, Mellerio dits Meller and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Paris hatue couture week begins on January 24th and end on the 28th, which will be the day dedicated to the jewellers.

Wow, this will be something to watch and dream about!

It used to be that the world of high fashion belonged to us mostly in the magazines and on tv, we would wistfully look at the unattainable garments in expensive store front windows, never daring to come in and wondering who can afford $3,000.00 gowns and $1200.00 dollar shoes. The recent world recession has changed all that, the Fashion houses and the luxury market suffered the brunt of the closed wallet and have learned to adapt. How? By designing secondary or capsule collections for mass market trendy mega stores like Target, H&M and Walmart. While “celebrity” designer collaborations with the mega retailers span a few decades going back to the likes of Jacqueline Smith and Kmart, the high end established designer collaborations are only a few years old. Karl Lagerfeld, Mathew Williamson, Jimmy Choo for H&M, Anna Sui, Alexander Wang and Alexander McQueen for Target just to name a few.

Now one of the most established French fashion designers also joins the Target team. Jean-Paul Gaultier will join other designers at Target. The designer has announced he will be creating a line for Target for next spring, which he says will be a tribute to American women. Gaultier is known for his work with Madonna and is currently the creative director at Hermes.

The diversify or perish concept of making high fashion more affordable and attainable is great. Now real people can afford to shop the look. But the Question becomes at which point do you dilute your high end brand?

If you can now buy top designer fashions at Costco such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Ferragamo, Tod and Coach is it the same as creating a special collection for H&M? Does the concept of LV bag in the X dollar bin in isle 5, potentially risk the very same thing that made the items so desirable in the first place: the dream of owning something special and exclusive? Or is this a barganista’s dream come true?

Chanel is being sued by a 61-year-old seamstress in France over a crochet pattern that she alleges the fashion house copied from her.

Carmen Colle is suing Chanel for $3.7 million over a crochet pattern she saw on a sweater in Tokyo that she says they stole from her. Carmen Colle is not just your average little old lady crocheting and looking for an easy buck. She owns World Tricot, a company that hand makes haute couture items for Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gautier and Chanel.

If she wins, this case could set standards for the fashion world empowering the little guys that work as tailors and seamstresses in these big fashion houses. They could fight for more control over the patterns they create if of course they do in fact have a copyright to those patterns.

Carmen Colle told the Guardian: “It is not just World Tricot at stake. It is the recognition of small businesses and their creations,” she said. “[Big names] treat us as things they can take up and then throw away. It’s a shame for them. The greatness of a country, and the greatness of a brand, is the respect it shows for its petites mains.”

She also says that since the lawsuit has been filed her company has suffered by losing clients and the support of the bank. She should be ready for some type of backlash when she is taking on a company this big.

Chanel is denying the claims saying she does not have copyright if she made something based on Chanel’s outline. This will potentially set a new precident for the fashion industry which is beleaguered by copy cats and fake goods.

The Louis Vuitton fashion show was much anticipated, with the live streaming on their Facebook page and all. But, the comments on the status feed were mostly not very flattering to the spring/summer 2010 fashion collection by Marc Jacobs. It looks like this is a second strike out for Jacobs whose own fashion collection under his name was also received with raised eyebrows. He had done a nice job with Louis Vuitton in the past, managing to be classic and innovative. Alas with this collection we weren’t sure what was more distracting the huge afro hair wigs on the models, the swinging fox ? tails or just bag lady type clothing.

Louis Vuitton style trends:

Silhouette: short skirts ( are we seeing a pattern here yet?), layers, fitted to body, tunics over short pants, sheer tops over plaid shirts, tassled skirts over lace leggings..

Colors: mostly mixed prints , pinks, grays, taupes with embelishments.

Fabrics :sequins, tassels, lots of textures to the fabrics, tweed, lots of textures mixed together

Shoes: kitten heels, fur embellished short boots

CHANEL:

Whereas, Marc Jacobs went for drama in the way his models looked, the fashion designer for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld just went for theatre. His fashion show was set in a ‘barn’, complete with haystacks and with Lily Allen performing, and ( ahem) an interesting menage frolicking in the haystack at the end of “the story” fashion show.

Theatrics aside, thankfully the Chanel fashion show and Karl Lagerfeld delivered a sophisticated collection. Chanel as Dior and perhaps Yves St.Laurent brands are classics and sometimes the classics are just best left in as close to the origional designer’s vision as possible. And that’s what the collection delivers, some straight up classics and some variations on the Chanel suit with a-line skirts ( didn’t love those), cropped to the body jackets and light dresses.

Chanel style trends:

Sihouette : short, cropped, fitted jackets, a line or fitted mini skirts, flouncy skirted dresses, wide leg loose pants, skinny jeans, fitted jacket pants suits

Fabrics: traditional chanel- tweeds, wools, silks, chiffon

Colors: mostly a light colored collection - pinks, light gray, white , black

Shoes: Clogs ( and you thought you would never have to try walking in those again, didn’t you?)

This past week’s couture shows in Paris dazzled critics and fashion-lovers alike. There was no sign of the recession as models pranced down catwalks in architectural, high-end glamour.

Trend Watch

These trends emerge from the haute couture shows: metallics and sparkle,structured shapes, nipped in waists, sequins,retro glamour, suits (yes, more strong shoulders — playing with proportion is key) and lingerie-inspired looks, tulle, silks and embellishment. Keep this list in mind should you be nominated for an Oscar this winter. We’re looking at you, Penelope Cruz. We know you have two movies coming out…. 

Here is a look at the 2 top kings of High Haute Couture, whose creations are both uber glamorous and trend setting: CHANEL  and CHRISTIAN DIOR .

Chanel

The folks at Style.com couldn’t gush over Lagerfeld’s show enough. He’s in a class of his own. As per usual.

Lagerfeld’s single conceit was a play on graphic proportion–suits and dresses with a longer flyaway panel in the back, all shown with lace tights and stiletto-heeled booties. As the show progressed, he offered up some remarkable looks: a “smoking” redingote with a ruffle-necked blouse; a crinolined dance dress; pretty, light chiffon dresses in nude or midnight blue with ruffled trains. The outstanding look, though, was the one where the panel device was the least evident: a superchic spiral-cut dark blue dress with an asymmetric “tail” lined in red.

Christian Dior

Canada’s own Jeanne Beker chimes in (via The Globe and Mail) on the 1950s-presentation-styled show. 

The collection was an ode to elegance and sexuality, with many of the nipped-waist silhouettes featuring an air of drama and playfulness. Bold Stephen Jones hats - some with huge, feathery pairs of wings - were great complements to the vibrant theatrical pieces, many which were teamed with retro-looking lingerie.