the September issue.

The highlights of the 2011 Vogue September "Fall Fashion Extravaganza" issue - all 758 pages, bigger than my hometown phone book - are flashbacks to the late 1970s and early 80s, vivid 'color blocking,' mod Mad Men inspired looks, and all around I must say, I miss last year's issue.  I will admit that these images and campaigns are a bit more fun the more I look at them as the hue is more saturated - the color more vivid.  Couture is always entertaining and intriguing on some level (take the Prada campaign); but when you dive a bit deeper into the ready-to-wear lines, you may come to find yourself saying: "I'm simply not ready to wear chartreuse bell-bottom tweed pants."  But through it all, I was able to find some winning adverts and looks.  Alas, a lot of regrets as well, some images too garish to even waste time searching for on the web and need not be mentioned.  (Ok, ok, I have to mention the Céline faux bois pant/shirt because I wanted to gouge my eyes out.  I feel betrayed, Céline).

Surprisingly though, I was neither impressed with the looks nor the campaigns themselves of a lot of the big houses: Michael Kors, Versace, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Chanel, or Salvatore Ferragamo for example, and nothing from the big Nordstrom spread.

Above I placed my dearest love Valentino and I will also end with Valentino.  Their haute couture and ready wear Fall/Winter lines are by far the most compelling, inspired and intriguing as far as I'm concerned.

Fendi. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Gucci. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Vera Wang.  Fall - Winter 2011/12.

BCBG Max Azria. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Prada. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Alberta Ferretti, Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Jimmy Choo. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

"My Generation" in Vogue. The September 2011 issue.

Lanvin campaign. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Donna Karan campaign. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

If you read about the director's intentions for this campaign, based on a short film, it is about the empowerment of women in politics.  However, when taken out of context and the images shown as stills, it can also be taken as something like: "Please don't take all my money away and lock me up like Bernie; I'm sorry I was part of a large scheme to sell toxic assets in the housing market."

Burberry Prorsum.  Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Mullberry.  Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Ugg Collection. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

Introducing: Ugg Collection.  Emphasis on collection.  Finally they've designed a line that doesn't make me want to create an entire webspace devoted to slamming that fuzz-lined bootie.  Now can someone work on Crocs?

Dolce & Gabbana. Fall - Winter 2011/12.

I'm trying. I really, really am trying to appreciate the delicate fur trimmings and pleated gauzy dress and the contrasting black and white.  But when I look all I can see is the last Urban Outfitters catalog lining my recycle bin and I want to ask:   

Where's Ducky?

"Playing to Type" in Vogue. The September 2011 issue.

Valentino Haute Couture Fall - Winter 2011/12 Runway Show snapshot (not from Vogue).

You should really take the time to watch the presentation video of the of the Valentino haute couture Fall - Winter 2011/12 collection.  Resplendent is the best descriptor and it is easy to see why Valentino is one of my most favorite design houses.  It is available here.  Just click collections (upper left) and watch video (right).  Also available is the runway video for the ready to wear collection, which I also recommend.  Long they might be (over ten minutes) but very much worth it.