SUPERHUMANS...

PRETTY DAMN IMPRESSIVE. GIVENCHY FALL 2009 CAMPAIGN VIA JAK&JIL BLOG.

The Tangent Flows...

Hussein Chalayan is reliable for progressive, sci-fi designs and technical feats. I love that he never considers the laws of nature to restrict the function of his clothes. Style.com's 15-year retrospective video of the Turkish designer shows some of his greatest moments - and they are incredible! See it here.

Ten Items or Less...

• Japanese technicians have created a robotic fashion model. Her looks are based off an anime character. And her purpose is "entertaining." Asian culture is creepy business.   [NY Times]

• Colorful label Pegleg NYC threw together some designs for Opening Ceremony, available now. USA pride doesn't have to be tacky, ya'll.   [Fashionindie]

• She's only 15, but Karlie Kloss can and will make you cry.   [Refinery29]

• Beyonce blogs for The Cut. She spent $11,000 at Patricia Field. Jay-Z doesn't care. We do. Sasha fierce!   [The Cut]
  

The Worst of Fall 2009...

The results are in, and yes, the fashion industry is taking a beating from the current global economy. This demands creativity from designers, but some have gone the wrong route. Below are some looks from Fall 2009 that suck just as much as the recession!

Dsquared

This may or may not be a picture of Winona Ryder pre-shoplifting arrest. Winona, we feel for you!

Bottega Veneta

This dress in itself is a lesson in anatomy. Breast reduction included.

Central Saint Martins

It appears Little Miss Model had trouble dressing today. A balloon-shoulder dress? No, a jumper. Or perhaps leggings? So she threw all three under a sewing machine and wham, bam, we have an OUTFIT! Crisis averted.

Zac Posen

Channeling the offspring of the Beauty and the Beast.

Paul and Joe

Jessica Simpson (circa that Pepsi commercial), is dat chu?

[images via style.com]

Chanel Briefcase

This plexiglass Chanel briefcase is phenomenal. A little gaudy, a little obnoxious but original nonetheless. Fierce! [via fashionologie]

Carine Roitfeld at Christian Dior

Via Fashionologie - We are all eagerly awaiting CNN's profile on French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld. Well, a teaser has been released of the documentary, which follows Carine around Milan and Paris fashion weeks. See it at fashionologie. [image via style.com]

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Autumn 2009

These are a few looks from the Jean-Charles de Castelbajac show. JCDC has always been a humorous and whimsical designer, and his colorful pieces reflect his talent of evoking emotion from viewers. But his fall collection lacked the usual dream-like appeal that we are used. It was much less stunning than usual, and a bit juvenile. Castelbajac's inspiration was clearly childhood: prevalent inspirations on the runway were hobby-horses, Muppets and imaginary love letters. In a time when the economy has made fashion a little too serious, lightheartedness is appreciated - but Castelbajac's pieces were not as phenomenal as collections past. [images via nymag.com]

Alexander McQueen AW 2009

I have always appreciated Alexander McQueen for his ability to cleverly break all the rules, which he didn't fail to do this season. The McQueen show was anything but gentle - models, sporting various headpieces of household items, walked down a runway of shattered glass surrounding a mountain of garbage. The clothing was a little too literal - Chanel suits were parodied with exaggerated proportions and cuts, some outfits appeared to be made of nothing more than black trash bags, and models wore dramatic lipstick which created the illusion of gigantic lips. However, one can't rightfully claim McQueen's collection to be pessimistic - he is being a realist by effectively drawing attention to the sad state of fashion due to the economy. [images via style.com]

Paris Fashion Week

At Sonia Rykiel, models waltzed around the designer's Paris store while talking to attendants, dropping light and humorous comments such as "I'm wearing sunglasses because I'm a star." The collection was entertaining as well, with velvet and sequined frocks, color-block sweaters and ruffles on dresses and pants. [style.com]

Hussein Chalayan's collection, titled "Earthbound" was just that - a step away from his usual sci-fi dreaminess to more relatable garments. The pieces had their usual otherworldly allure: experimental textiles (or rather materials), industrial and surreal prints, and rigid sculpture. But fall was a little sexier, with higher hemlines and revealing dresses. [wwd.com]

Undercover went the way of an increasing number this season by showing a presentation in lieu of a show. Futuristic elves vamped through a Tokyo forest down a runway made of a metallic silver survival blanket. The scene denoted survival, and the clothing corresponded with this concept of function. Jun Takahashi used fibers made for NASA, which insulated body heat or deflected windchill. [style.com]

Rick Owens Fall 2009

Rick Owens' fall show was all about duality; or rather the evolution from dark to light. The first eight looks were iconic Rick: head-to-toe black, leather everything, structured jackets.. but suddenly the models became futuristic ghosts, clad in silver-grey with fur beanies, ribbed tights, diagonal cuts, and materials like nylon and silk. It was Rick Lite, or perhaps it was Rick 2.0 - everything dark and twisted you would expect from a Rick Owens show, but turned on its head. The clothing's many layers added to a feeling of sterilized airiness: slightly creepy, but with enough innovation to leave an impression. [images via style.com]

Oh, Carine..

French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld backstage at the Balenciaga Fall 2009 show. The woman is fierce! Fierce!

[image via style.com]

Gareth Pugh Fall 2009

For Gareth Pugh's fall show, editors were surprised to find that they had arrived to see not a show, but a video. Modeled by Natasa Vojnovic, the eight-minute video shows a new Pugh, one who is a little less fantastical and a little more "grounded" - literally. The designer says his inspiration came from the subterranean. There were Pugh's staples: black fur, spikes, geometric-print leather, but there were more greys and sheer fabric than we are used to seeing. The 24-look collection showed small shoulders, something we are seeing a lot of the opposite of (think Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana...). And if you haven't already seen the video, it is magnificent. [image via style.com]

Obesity and Speed: "Bored to Death"

I have been a follower of Obesity and Speed for a while now. The line's pieces have evolved from ubiquitous (albeit hip) Misfits skull tees into tank-dresses and beyond. Their Fall 09 collection was recently posted online, and they've hit gold with studded leggings, oversized hood tees, and shredded tees. I love how the clothing is effortlessly cool; punk and elegant at the same time. 

Also: see the designers, Lyz Olko & Josh Conner over at theselby.com.

[images via obesityandspeed.com]