Pret-a-reporter picks key pieces from Paris Fashion Week 2012-2013

Oh Balmain, Balmain. Have you visited my gran’s village house and taken all the carpets off the walls? Thanks, as they looked horrible as wallpapers, but pretty neat as clothes.

Carven took us to literature lessons from the old  school days, which I appreciate. For some reason or another I’ve always been fascinated by the dark, Medieval ages.

Celine‘s design just always look easy to wear and even easier to put on and probably take off, which is a good thing. On the other hand, why would I want to take that blue coat off?

Chanel never snapped out of its Paris-Bombay collection. And nor it should – trousers-skirts never really caught on in the 90s, but looking like this, it just might start rocking. The middle outfit I’d most certainly sport when visiting the far East. Especially some dear person who’s currently in Pakistan.

Gareth Pugh‘s girl is tough and probably owns a motorcycle and I would like to be her friend just to swap clothes from time to time.

Givenchy probably wined and dined a lot with Gareth, and potentially YSL (featured below) as it continued the dark, almost evil-looking lacy leather.

Hussein Chalayan has my heart this season. I’d definitely wear the teal dress matched with Gareth’s hardcore leather jacket (on model number two) to achieve the Mother-Earth-went-to-a-rock-concert look. Ah yes, how great it is to manipulate perfect simplicity to create personal style.

Yiiiihaaaa! Cowgirls at Isabel Marant make the wild wild west look detailed, girly and beautiful

Jean Paul Gaultier just woke the 90s era lover in me. But then again that part of me never sleeps. Grunge-glam is back and I have been waiting for it with open arms.

John Galliano‘s collection was floaty, feathery and fierce. I just want that red dress.

Lanvin’s girl still dresses like it’s the first date and she is madly in love. I find this being the only fashion house that can truly translate feelings into clothing.

Manish Arora’s collection was all about graffiti and prints, preferably mixed. Very kitsch yet with gusto.

The mannish and lose suit is girled up with prints at MiuMiu. And it’s kind of cool and comfy but makes you stand out.

Mugler‘s middle white skirt-suit would be something I’d put on when expecting a raise. I’d get it too.

At Nina Ricci, mama’s little angel gets some devil’s horns and looks all feminine and seductive.

YSL went for the dark look, which has been all around the catwalks this season, and it looks viciously-maliciously delicious.

Here’s what London, New York and Milan fashion weeks had to offer this season.

(Images: Go Runway)

MiuMiu and Marc’s wrists slapped for dangerous and “sexy” ads

Here’s MiuMiu’s recently banned campaign. At first glance, what is wrong with it? Nothing really: an emotional scene as if taken from a movie of a woman in very 40s clothes.

But, just so you know that woman is 14. And yet this is not the exact reason why the ad was trashed. It was given the red light because it was placing the teenager in a dangerous situation, sitting on abandoned train tracks and all. It’s not like I didn’t do that with my friends when I was a kid. Totally life-threatening, that is. But the fact that a 14-year-old is wearing clothes designed for thirty-somethings is absolutely fine.

And here’s banned ad number two. I am not sure where to start. This means I will not say at all as I don’t want to risk sounding too vulgar. Then again, isn’t it what this ad is anyway – awkward and vulgar?

Sometimes I wish ASA would stop banning ads just to see how far advertisers would go. We just might end up with toddlers wearing stilettos, Vogue Paris gave something similar a shot some time ago.

Sunday’s Inspiration: Evelina Khromchenko

Ms Khromchenko is rarely seen without her smartie in hand

Being fortunate enough to catch up on my favourite Russian TV while being away, I stumbled upon Modni Progovor, which is one of those makeover shows.

Oh God, how trashy, you might think, and you would probably be right. However, when you put into account that one of the critics on the show is former L’Officiel Russia’s ed-in-chief, Evelina Khromchenko, all suddenly becomes interesting and insightful.

When this woman speaks, you can’t help but listen – she’s a smart and tough cookie. I personally take inspiration from her dress sense for formal occasions or workwear, think sharp tailoring, statement pieces, oh and of course the no beating around the bush MiuMiu frames.

A few stills from Modni Prigovor (you can view some episodes of the show on Youtube):

Last time pret-a-reporter was inspired by the lovely Londoners.