*Snaps =Wireimage

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 If lush fur skirts, sumptuous textured suits, and black-tie gowns in rich brocades didn’t tip you off to Giambattista Valli’s rising-star status, then Mary-Kate Olsen poised in the front row of his fall show certainly did. The designer, who once helmed the house of Emanuel Ungaro, has been making a name for himself in elite fashion circles for his couture-like separates. Of course, all his clients are globe-trotting VIPs—like Olsen herself—but even those without an Amex Black can appreciate his craftsmanship. If Valli keeps this up, an old adage will have to be amended: It’s not that the rich keep getting richer, it’s that—at least in Valli’s capable hands—they get chicer and chicer.

*Snaps=Getty 

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Stella McCartney Fall 2008 

 Stella McCartney is a girl’s girl. While many of her peers have whipped up sharp silhouettes and unusually dramatic separates, the British designer unveiled a collection of approachable, flattering clothes. That’s not to say her styles aren’t in keeping with the season’s trends; on the contrary, her boxy oversize coats and vaguely medieval gowns fit right in with the direction of the season. But McCartney differs in that her lofty goal is not to change the course of fashion but to change the life of those who wear her clothing by offering them stress-free separates and eco-conscious accessories. And to that we say encore!

*Snaps = Gettyimages 

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Jeremy Scott and his fashiony friends

What do fashion designer Jeremy Scott and tourists from Kansas have in common? Both were spotted sight-seeing at the Louvre today! Betcha weren’t expecting that were you?! Just a Fashion FYI!

A Kansas tourist.

No, she wasn’t spotted at the Louvre, but if you Google “kansas tourist” her image comes up. For reals.

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Mary-Kate Olsen in Chanel shades at Giambattista Valli

Though a previous post mentioned how in Fall ‘08 baubles and bags–save YSL’s doubled-up cuffs and Balenciaga chokers–will be put on the back-burner, a disclaimer should have been added that pertained to the Olsens. As Mary-Kate’s arrival at the Giambattista Valli show proved yesterday, it’s doubtful that she and Ashley, a fellow Iconic Accessorizer, will ever be seen without a few dozen do-dads. And nor should they: Pint-size frames make for the best canvas for artful accessories, and when you’ve got a wardrobe like their’s it would be a shame to keep everything in the closet.

MK’s many hand baubles

*Snaps: Wireimage 

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Meanwhile, outside the Paris fashion week swirl, life goes on as stylishly as ever…

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Like the Eiffel Tower and Laduree’s pastel macaroons, carousels have long served as most endearing symbols of picturesque Paris. It made sense then, that Karl Lagerfeld would opt for a merry-go-round as the focal point for today’s Chanel show, as for many, the house embodies the French fashion’s joie de vie.

For fall, Lagerfeld circled around the label’s most familiar motifs—tweedy suits, hearty embellishments, piles of lace and a few froufy bows—but much to the dismay of the 2.5-toting crowd, nary a handbag surfaced on the runway. Now at the tail end of the various fashion weeks, there’s been more than a few declarations made in industry circles that accessories are on their way out, and sculptural, challenging silhouettes have arrived to take their place. That Chanel—the house that invented It-bags long before the starlets who now sport them were even born—shares in this anti-trend is telling indeed. So accessory fiends, be patient: As Chanel’s carousel reminds us, what goes around comes around—uber-clutches, totes, and bags will be back again soon, maybe even next season.

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While there plenty of strikingly bold looks to be found on the catwalk at tonight’s YSL show (more on that later, but check out the models’ sharp black bob-wigs: Who knew a bowl cut could look that good?), the off-runway scene contained more than a few stand-outs too. Once inside the cavernous Grand Palais, guests were ushered into futuristic tent–which set the tone for Stefano Pilati’s severe fall aesthetic–by hostesses clad in khaki YSL dresses. Air France, are you listening? Couldn’t you have Pilati update your stewardess uniforms? It would make those grueling transcontinental flights so much more chic…

The YSL “tent” inside the Grand Palais

YSL hostess…

…and her peers

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Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz and the label’s new creative director, Hussein Chalayan

“A lot of designer collaborations are short-term relationships, this is more of a marriage,” Hussein Chalayan said today at a press conference announcing his new partnership with Puma. Starting tomorrow, the innovative designer will joins the sportswear giant as creative director–a move that marks the first time a fashion leader has helmed an athletic label.

In exchange for Chalayan’s aesthetic expertise, PPR(the luxury conglomerate behind Puma and Alexander McQueen among others) acquired the majority stake in London designer’s label, a financial partnership which will help fund Chalayan’s own brand. “The reason why I got into design was to try and create a new language of clothes–one that dealt with politics,society, and above all, technology,” the designer revealed, “There’s always been applause [for this] but limited access to the collections because of technical concerns. This partnership will allow us to turn our research into a reality.” Here’s hoping that means the constellation-like dresses that Chalayan showed last night will become available at Barneys sometime soon. Until then, we can look forward to seeing Chalayan’s visions–LED running kicks anyone?–for Puma in fall ‘09.

Hussein Chalayan Fall ‘08

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You’re busy. I get it. That’s why I’ve whipped up this handy little pie-graph about last night’s stunning Givenchy show. I mean, why read a whole long article about it when a few key words can capture the whole she-bang?! Gaze on and then get on with your morning:

To see all of Givenchy Fall 2008 check out Elle.com

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