Coco Before Chanel

I Triple Dog Dare You

Society is daring women to take on more power. Women outnumber men nationally on college campuses. Employment metrics predict women will overtake men in the workforce in the next decade. While the glass ceiling remains unbroken, it represents a challenge, calling women to break through it, as well as an impediment. Designers are equipping their customers with the daring wardrobe confident, assertive women need. One of their newest dares is leather as daywear. A few years ago, how many women would think of wearing a leather skirt, shirt, or dress if they weren't bikers or hookers? Today, designers like Nicholas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga and Phoebe Philo of Celine love the idea of their client wearing a leather tee with jeans to her son's football game or a form-fitting black skirt with a crisp white blouse to a meeting of the partners. Here are a couple of sharp leather looks from Gianfranco Ferre I dare you to try.

Everyone Has To Have a Favorite

I'm a sucker for the classics like Ralph Lauren, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel, but as a young guy I can relate to young designers. My favorite is a Turkish fellow by the name of Erdem Moralioglu, whose eponymous collection demonstrates mastery of 3-dimensional detail and captivating prints. Since winning the British Fashion Fringe Competition in 2005, Erdem's knack for florals has exploded- literally. His earlier collections featured prints just dying to jump off the fabric; his later collections showcased embroidery and embellishments that did just that. Many pieces (like the dress featured below) looked like some sort of shiny fabric from afar, but that shimmer is an illusion, created by striking color combinations rather than sequins or satin. Like a well-tended garden, Erdem's collection invites you in with its general gayety, and then delights you with every single blossom within.

Burberry Prorsum: Why So Serious?

When Burberry Prorsum's Christopher Bailey is at his best, he maintains the classic British label with infusions of youthful pep. Unfortunately, Mr. Bailey took himself too seriously in this collection. His past palettes consisted of subdued gray-blues, creams, and pinks in enchanting hues, but this Fall featured disappointingly flat greens and soulless browns. Granted, many of his shearling-leather hybrid coats undoubtedly appeal to many customers, but teamed with disheartening dresses and tops that appear to be decaying, where's the showmanship?

Prada: Inside Every Librarian...

Inside every librarian, every working woman, and every Jackie O lies a sensuous, sexual side. Miuccia Prada capitalized on her customers' inner devils (indeed, the devil wears prada) with a clearly classy and subtly raunchy collection. The flirtatious frills at the busts of basic dresses and a patent jet black dress paired with a scholarly cardigan delighted viewers in a scandalous narrative of a daytime lady and nighttime venus. Nubby turtleneck sweaters and classic Mad Men-inspired toffee leather coats and angled glasses also whetted buyers' appetites. In a season obsessed with women's liberation movements in history, Prada alludes to those hardworking Peggy Olsens of the 60's in a very timely manner.

Getting My Feet Wet

My inaugural blog! =) I know the title is Knee Deep in Style, but right now I'm just getting my feet wet and waiting for someone to help me make this page less lame. Bear with me and thanks for visiting!

-Christian