AnA's NYFW Lookbook: Day 2: The Boys from the Brunch

Gearing up for a week of teetering around in heels, Dolly, Ms. Streisand and I decided to savor a moment of quiet reserve by getting shitfaced at brunch. And what does brunch mean but a glorious say-something hat!

Here I am, delicate as a flower and half the weight, in my Spring '10 Dior Haute Couture hat and veil. Three mimosas in and I was already on the floor. Of course, I magically sprung to life again once the fourth made its way to our table.

Ms. Streisand, feeling longing for Lacroix, donned this spectacular Spring 08 beaded number with real flowers! Luckily, or not considering the blizzard allegedly heading our way, it's too cold for any bees to make a nest in his chapeau.

Dolly, always a rebel, chose this delicate hair bow to accent the celery stalk in her (seven) Bloody Mary's. After brunch, we hailed a cab, but seeing that our head adornments towered too high for a backseat, instead rode home one of our burly waiters.

Ah, how nice it was to relax.

Haute and Cold Couture

The loss of Lacroix, Dahling! was certainly felt this couture season with a less than stellar showing, with only Dior and Chanel, the two powerhouse couturiers, delivering.

Gaultier was a joke and Sarah Mower was not laughing. Armani and Givenchy were boring.

Etc, etc, blah blah, give me a bowed bouffant and a riding crop.

I expect a lot from couture, a fantasy that I can only hope to attain, so don't give me whatever the hell this is. The queens on Drag Race could come up with better.

Chanel

Uncle Karl delivered one of his best couture collections, replete with silver and jewels entwined with the fabric, a wink to the future he doesn't believe in.

I really want to get married in this. In either look, really.

Dior

Galliano kind of phoned it in, but even half-assing it he's better than almost everyone else.

Just throw in some equestrian references, some lace and a few gorgeous, heart-stopping satin gowns and you've got a hit.

Christian Lacroix // Couture Cause

Couture is like the World Series of fashion. Only the best and biggest players meet to flaunt their re-interpretations of the couture gown and the skill and breathtaking ability of their atelier.

One of the best was Christian Lacroix. In some ways this season for Lacroix was about piling things on, about ornamentation mucho caliente. The couture borders the line of “too much” with “just enough” masterfully; a lace underlay a la Prada with multicolored pasties, appliqués and other tidbits symmetrically added about to emphasize sexy with a quirk. That’s a hypothetical “too much.” Also in this vein were some fancy garden vined stockings and a golden and pearl Victorian-lady purse. And why not accessorize with a bug broach?

Lacroix is fabulous because he does whatever he wants season after season. Behind the glitter, sequins, the tulle, and the romance of all the bows are great pieces and amazing color blocking and gradients. This is the "“just enough.” The key to the Lacroix palette is a certain passion, even in the blacks. Everything shines. The reds are lush and without the cheeky Valentino pop. And that red and green chiffon number? Things couldn’t be dreamier.

What to do if you can’t decide which piece to mortgage your house for? Just go with a green neck warmer and a lace veil. And keep that romance alive.