PFW AW11

Balmain AW11

Gareth Pugh AW11

Mugler AW11

Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti and Sébastien Peigné

In what will surely go down as one of the most controversial seasons in Paris, it would be easy for the events of the week to overshadow some of the best collections seen for Autumn/Winter 2011. I wanted to round up a few of my favourite collections and focus purely on the clothes...well, and Gaga. 

Christophe Decarnin's Balmain went glam rock with lame trousers, huge fur shoulders and metallic dresses embroidered with ribbon and mirror. It was a new direction for the designer who is usually known for his tight fitted, sexy silhouette. It showed the Balmain girl at her best - edgy and cool but this time more relaxed. Another designer who seemed to take a softer approach to the season was Gareth Pugh. His looks were a lot more wearable than seen in previous seasons, with batwings and flowing chiffon added to his signature structured leather. 
For me, the show of the season had to be Mugler. Nicola Formichetti introduced himself as the new creative director for the brand by inviting his good friend Lady Gaga to take to the catwalk. The show was full of sheer panels, moulded plastic and skin tight animal print cat suits. It's safe to say the Mugler girl is no wallflower. She's confident, sexual and wears very high platforms. Gaga modelled two looks for the brand whilst walking to the sound of her latest single "Born this way". The first a black moulded bra and skintight patent skirt and the second, a corseted white dress which she wore to close the show.

Images: style.com