Bon Mots from New York on the Paris Couture Spring 2012 Shows

So the couture shows have come and gone.  I adored Giambattista Valli: transparent black lace, black alligator peplumed vests and Oscar worthy gowns, there is no doubt who is ordering these fabulously modern clothes (Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco for one fabulously fine young girl)  - I know I placed my order on Valli's first couture collection and I plan on ordering a second dress...  

Valentino was wonderfully gorgeous and youthful - so pretty.  Who does not want to feel "giddily romantic" as Hamish Bowles said about those light as air, frothy confections?  I don't know if you follow Little Augury - but you should- she compared the Valentino collection  to William Paxton's painting Tea Leaves.  1,000 hours of handwork went into the elaborately smocked shamrock printed organza dress that opened the show.  So beautiful. 

I confess to be a little disappointed in Givenchy - the nose ring thing was distracting and unnecessary so too Alexis Mabille with the overblown flowers.  I think the clothes are finally starting to become more important then 'the show'.  

Isn't it refreshing that the beautiful Celine store which just opened in New York did it without the paid attendance of a celebrity and a DJ - it just opened and it is crowded and busy with girls and women who covet Phoebe Philo's real girl amazing chic.

Great couture does not come just from Paris but from New York too - just take a look at the crazy gorgeous Bill Blass dress we posted this morning. This is truly Bill Blass at his most amazing and most beautiful from the 1970s!  And it is from the garde robe of a woman who was given 1st dibs on the best of Blass from his studio post show.   Super couture, super amazing and there is more to come from New York!  You can follow us on twitter at @RareVintageNYC!  for the latest and the greatest.  Like more Blass, more vintage YSL and my upcoming trip to Paris - to see a private collection (and not one from the auction house Drouot - which is an amazing resource for vintage couture in Paris).

Bonne Nuit et bon mots!!

Va Va Vroom! Prada Spring 2012

Ladies start your engines and get that credit card revved up for the Spring 2012 Prada Collection!  It has to be one of the best shows that I have seen in awhile.  It is wearable, whimsical, gorgeous and basically I want just about everything.  Literally.  Everything!  And luckily for me, my husband being Italian, is obsessed with cars and car racing so the "donna e motori" (women and cars) theme of Miuccia Prada's sweet and wonderful Spring Collection should be just the thing he will love seeing me in.  And he will be seeing lots of it!  Just take a look:

Hello Gorgeous!  (The clothes silly, not the girl:)

"I tried to do a sweet collection.  That word is such a taboo.  Why do women have to be so aggressive?" said Miuccia Prada of the collection.  And I agree.  I do not know if it is because of shows like 'The Real Housewives...' but there are some scary aggressive women out there.  Women can be powerful and sweet. My Mamma taught me to be kind to everyone.  

Looks like a pair of earrings that you might find in your grandmothers jewelry box from the Fifties only the roses are pea green.

The skirt!  The shoes!  Ka-ching!

How long do I have to wait before buying this dress?  Oh, Agony!

Mamma mia!  Che fantastico!!

And guipure lace

I have written before that because I own a vintage store, I always shop with a thought on whether a new piece is a good investment, will it be timeless, etc...  this collection is a keeper.

Photos from Style.com