Finally, it’s over! The frenetic flurry of fashion weeks across the globe have finally culminated in Paris–the cherry on top of fashion month. Paris is the most highly anticipated week due to the concentration of conceptual and high fashion designers–fashion that’s aspirational for the majority of us, because, face it, what are the average girl’s chances of getting her hands on a fantastical McQueen gown or on an iconic Chanel jacket, save for a lucky vintage find or a couture vs. rent wrestle, with couture for the win? Paris is where our breath is taken and where our fantasies bloom and transport us to worlds we may never experience, except through these glorious clothes.

*Note–for this post we covered things we really liked. We did not cover anything conceptual, costumey or plain confusing (e.g. Gareth Pugh, Christian Dior, Comme des Garcons or Givenchy).

Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton stayed true to Lee’s vision, but softened it in the only way a woman can. She married an earth mother sensibility to the McQueen fantasy that’s been carefully cultivated throughout the years.

Celine

Phoebe Philo continued with Celine’s signature sparseness with a slight loosening up and color in geometric patterns to break up the parade of whites, nudes and blacks. Though some items looked like straitjackets, many were lovely and simple in their luxuriousness.

Cerruti

One of our most recent favorites, Richard Nicoll has created the perfect balance between structure and femininity for Cerruti, showing bodycon dresses and flowy bottoms with menswear blazers.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld is an effen genius–an eccentric, sometimes annoying genius, but still a genius. For the S/S 2011 collection, he dazzled us with the authentically Chanel aesthetic while adding an Edward Scissorhands touch, showing unfinished edges and holes in this decidedly modern collection. The dresses were not dresses, but plumes of feathery (and sometimes sheer) confections. Seriously, this caused us to have a visceral reaction. Please, Jesus, let us attend a Chanel show at least once in our lifetimes!

Elie Saab

Elie Saab gave us his reliable red carpet glamour girl dresses, with ethereal silhouettes and colors that ranged from pastel blush and baby blue to bright disco apricot and chartreuse.

Paris Fashion Week review to be continued demain! Au revoir!