Bigger Heads Prevail in Paris

Last week we lamented the lack of diamonds, gemstones, gold – any sign of a jewelry statement on the Paris runways. And while we held out hope that situation would change, it was most definitely the hat that stole the season this year.

From Galliano to Gautier, Parisian audiences were treated to a theatrical showing of huge headwear and jaw-dropping fashion. Galliano’s Napoleonic military looks were balanced by his Little Bo Peep-inspired bonnets. His clothes were simple, flirty and floral with a line of dresses party girls will surely have on their racks for spring.

Jean Paul Gautier for Hermes channeled his inner cowgirl for a western inspired line spattered with cowboy hats, cigars and cactus – or is it cacti? And the always impeccable Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel stuck to basics with a black, white and gray palette accented by feather poof headdresses.

Marc Jacobs came to our rescue with the by now ubiquitous statement necklace as did fashionista favorite, Stella McCartney. But designers like Hussein Chalayan, fashion icon, Sonia Rykiel, and Bernhard Willhelm favored les chapeaux magnifique, instead, with looks that ranged from the geometric to the feline.

At the end of the day, the fashion world was runway weary after New York, London and Milan, but our hats are off to Paris for keeping the catwalks crackling - even if our favorite accessory was MIA. À bientôt, alors!

Jewelry a No-Show in Paris

The runways in New York, London and Milan have spoiled us this season with big, bawdy jewelry statements that are downright gawk-worthy. Paris, on the other hand, is a ghost town in the bling department. To compensate, designers have apparently decided to put the gasp in headwear so spectacular any other accessory would be relegated to second-class citizen. And well, that’s just not where we want our jewelry now, is it?

Commes des Garcons models wore white wigs so large, Marie Antoinette herself would take a topple. Junya Watanabe’s line used cornucpia-sized head pieces to highlight his African prints and contrast his comfy criss-cross sandals. Icon Vivienne Westwood contributed her signature style to the beach hat genre and Yohji Yamamoto featured big black and white futuristic looks with his calm palettes.

Dior did come to our rescue with a line featuring statement necklaces, earrings and cuffs using what appears to be Buddha-inspired statues throughout. The clothes themselves didn’t hit high marks with the critics, but this jewelry hound was glad to see at least a little glitter where it belongs. This is the city of lights after all.

The week isn’t over yet, of course, so there are plenty more opportunities for designers to show us some diamonds, some gemstones, some gold - anything we can sink our teeth into. I can't imagine we'll see a complete dearth of the bling, but if these head strong Parisians don’t belly up?...I’ll eat my hat.