I have chosen my favorites of the crème de la crème of fashion; based on versatility, creativity, and of course the feeling the collection gave me. Pastels are back and there was barely a collection that didn’t include one, if not all, of the three key hues: Wedgewood blue, Easter Chick yellow and Fondant Fancy pink. It’s definitely going to be a sugary summer.

Paris is the last major fashion week of the season, and it means that buyers, editors and stylist will rampage and work overtime to get their orders in, their looks picked out for celebrities and photo shoots and to compile their complete trend list and outfits choices for the coming season.

Isabel Marant

When I saw the collection of Isabel Marant, I was completely happy inside. Urban tracksuit bottoms, hoodies and checked shirts with a dash of bohemia. The collection consists of many prints, pastels and wool. Nice and casual are the words that come to my mind with this collection. I certainly see myself walking on a beautiful summer day with my IM outfit. The models show complete outfits so you can purchase the  complete outfit without thinking about possible combinations. I’m a big fan of the label and now exactly know why again. Go Isabel!

Viktor & Rolf

I am proud to say that the collection of Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf was represented well in Paris. Wowww was the first word that came to mind at the sight of the collection.The collection includes many bubblegum colors and black. Ribbon in the main form of stitching shapes dominated this collection. The models looked like living dolls and walked on beautiful shoes. In this collection you can see also the futuristic look of the couple.

Balmain

At Balmain, we see a lot of gold. The collection is sleek and cool with a print. Everything is beautiful! From dresses to pants. This year, they know how to impress me again with their clothes. I’m a big fan of this label and this is mostly for their great jackets and prints. The clothes of Balmain I recognize from thousands. I’m so in love with this brand, this is certainly one of my favorites. Who doesn’t have total respect for a pair of black leather hot pants matched with a white shirt, and gold-encrusted, high waisted jacket. And yes like always I was drooling during the whole collection showing.

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs presented a féerique Spring/Summer offering for Louis Vuitton in a show, complete with a merry-go-round and Kate Moss. Models wore tiaras perched on their heads or thin white Alice bands as they either rode the mery-go-round or strutted down the runway in a collection that combined soft pastels in green, peach and blue with vibrant yellow and fresh white. Kate closed the show, wearing an all white ensemble of  a Broderie Anglaise dress with marabou feathers matched with pointy toed pumps and Alice band. She looked very cute.

Chanel

For the Chanel’s pearled up haute couture show Karl Lagerfeld looked to the skies in Paris, with an elaborate show staged in a Chanel-branded aeroplane. Blue – the colour of sky – was the favourite hue, in all its shades from chalcedony to Pan-Am and midnight. Bags were replaced by ubiquitous pockets – some of them built-into the drop waistbands. I think Karl Lagerfeld is a genius because the themes of his shows are always original and the collection always fit right in. I love it how he keeps the Coco style down.

Dior

Bill Gaytten’s first haute couture collection for Dior consists of oversized teacup skirts and sheer blouses, ultra femme -chiffon, organza and gauze. Frocks were full-skirted and nipped at the waist, or slim-lined with artfully folded pleats, while jackets wrapped in deep, off-the-shoulder vees. It was the complete opposite to John Galliano-fantasy. The collection is very classy and feminine.

Hope I inspired you for your own 2012 spring/summer collection. Next season the trends are: print, paisley, pyjama pants, pearls, peplums, pastels, patchwork and pleats.

Much Love, Barbie