Thursday started with a pleasant surprise – as if being in Paris for prêt-à-porter is not pleasure enough! I was very excited to receive an unexpected invitation to the show for Giambattista Valli. A designer that just introduced his own line three years ago, Valli’s collection, which I had never before prioritized on my list as a must-see, has now certainly risen to the very top, with what was one of the most fabulous and chic shows I have seen this season.

Bringing luxury to an entirely new level, Valli created couture that compared easily in innovation to Haute Couture. Despite its opulence and grandeur, his designs remained wearable for women wanting to make jaw-dropping entrances during fabulous affairs. With an originality that moved in a direction different from other fashion houses, his styles emphasized an eccentric elegance that spared little excess.

Many of my favorite pieces included Valli’s fabulous furs, which were unconventionally extravagant in their construction, composition, and color. Extremely opulent, it brought the few pieces of fur I had fallen in love with at the Dior show and Requiem show to an entirely new level that was even more modern-luxe.

As seen in many of the other collections, voluminous silhouettes were featured, but Valli set his style apart through structure. While the couture did not cling to the body, looks were given shape through stunning construction of the fabric into capacious sleeves, capes, and tulip-style skirts.

Sumptuous and stunning, the form-fitting dresses in shades of crimson took my breath away. The slimness of their cut through the body was sharply offset by elaborate bunching and gathering of fabrics into geometric spheres and florals that sprawled over the shoulders and cascaded down the back of each dress beautifully.

A collection that was elegantly ostentatious, Valli kept a few pieces within the line for clients looking for more classic couture. Infusing surprise into what looked like simple styles at first glance, these fashions stole a slighter and more sophisticated spotlight. One specific piece that stood out was a voluminous dress that looked timeless from the front and was richly draped with ruffles at the back.

A collection that completely caught me by surprise, Giambattista Valli has become a favorite designer of mine for his glamorously chic style that includes the innovation of Haute Couture within an originally chic prêt-à-porter line.

Later that evening I made my way over to the Yves Saint Laurent show, which was held at Le Grand Palais. Always an exclusive event, the crowd was very select and filled with celebrities, socialites and fashion’s most famous faces. Being an incredibly classic venue, it was shocking at first to see such a modern exhibit enveloping the runway. Draped dramatically in pristine white coverings, the enclosed tent erected within the historical Grand Palais hinted at the contrast to come within the collection.

Playing on the lines between classic and contemporary, Stefano Pilati paired sharp and intense hair and makeup with clothing that was elegant but with an edge. Whether it was through a shock of color in the lining, transparent tops, or an over-sized fit, the classic fashions were brought up to date without losing their sophisticated style. While fabulously featured as a total look, the outfits included pieces that could easily be mixed and matched to accommodate more conservative or avant-garde personal style preferences.

The line seemed to offer an endless array of jackets and coats, which is perfect for the cooler months ahead. From zipper detailed bomber jackets to heavy coats cut short in the front but left long in the back, staple pieces were updated with innovative style offering a fresh options for covering up this Fall/Winter season.

The dresses also varied greatly in style while continuing the central theme of edgy-classic clothes. Over-sized short-sleeved dresses exaggerated slim silhouettes with contrasting colors, and classic all black conservative cuts featured sheer fabrics that made traditional pieces trendier. One of my favorite dresses from the collection was a white cocktail dress detailed with black feathers and drawn in at the waist. Reminding me of the dresses worn by Audrey Hepburn , it was as if modern influence had updated this timeless style and brought Breakfast at Tiffany’s into the 21st century.

A collection that had a more sporty feel that the previous shows I have seen, I think that Stefano has designed this season’s line to accommodate the styles clients want to wear. Fewer people these days are dressing up, and although I find this a little sad it brings about a point I think YSL has made perfectly with this collection. Every woman wants to look elegant, but the idea that women have to dress up to achieve this look is flawed. Understanding this, Stefano’s prêt-à-porter makes elegance effortless. Wearable fashions that are differentiated with edginess, YSL has once again created a collection that is easy to look chic in, regardless of whether you are getting dressed up or leisurely shopping uptown.

Backstage at YSL with Kanye West

After the show I headed backstage and ended up discussing the collection and fashion with Kanye West. Poising for some pictures together he noticed a ring I was wearing and said he loved it so much he had to get a picture of me showing it off. As he snapped a few photos we had a good laugh together and it made the evening all the more enjoyable.

Chatting with Julianne Moore after the show

Congratulating Stefano Pilati on his elegant collection