Fashion: The single most personally inspiring fashion season - Fall 2011

For some reason, the collections two seasons ago always seem to amaze me. There were so many great collections, it seems as though designers knew exactly what direction to point the fashion world towards: strong, independednt and sensual women with a penchant for the exotic and mysterious. I will always go back to Fall 2011 as a constant source of inspiration.

Haider Ackermann

One of the most impressive and emotionally riverting shows on the runway since Alexander McQueen showed his first collection. It seems like the designs were a reflection of the illusive designer himself: the dark horse that came comepletely out of left field, blowing everybody away. His woman was like an alien from outerspace, gracing our world with her elegance. Strategic cutouts exposed the most sensual parts of a womans body: the hip bone, side cleavage, collarbone and back. The bold but muted tones and flowing underdresses revealed an ethereal godess under the severe kimono style jackets they had on.

Gucci

Frida Giannini's muse really must've been the 70s glamazon: Angelica Huston by Bob Richardson incarnate. Long billowing dresses accented with florets, stringent pulled back hair, hats teamed with aviators and a colour palette that ranged from turquoise, teal, voilet and rouge to liac and orange really gave a sense of mystery about this woman. 

Ralph Lauren

Collared silk button up shirts underneath astringet taperd pants suit, long dramatic silk dresses and mandirin necklines, kimono sleeves, blacks-white-deep purples-emerald greens-and the colour for prosperity in china - red, the masculinty and strength of a man juxtaposed against the feminine softeness of silk harks back to a "1920s Shanghai naightclub" oriental sensibility. A touch of the exotic with a western twang, gives it a mysterious allure, all of which exude a romanitc elegance.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Never one to be understated, Jean Paul Gaultier went witht the classic velvet sophisticacation of the 20s and 30s screaming film star glamour, with a very Galliano twist. This proves that regardless of his past transgressions, Galliano will always remain one of the most talented and eccentric voices that has ever graced the fashion world.