ATTENTION TO DETAIL

WHERE TO FIND GOD

I was tempted to quote Ludwig Mies van der Rohe here, but I know that both my former Emory architecture professor and the master himself would be upset, so I’ll refrain. But you get the picture.

Here are some of the many reasons why I love fashion: ornate beading, delicate folds, intricate textures, unexpected materials, and impeccable draping. When artists and couturiers are given the time, freedom, and bankroll to let their creativity run wild, the results are spectacular!

The surprising variety and combination of fabrics, textures and tones at Emilio Pucci’s Fall 2008 show was nothing short of spectacular. Witness (at right, detail photo from style.com) the interplay of chunky sky blue wool, ecru fur, and yellow plastic!

On Vera Wang’s fall runway, it was orange pom-poms. Delightmare! (I quote Michael Kors here, who may have coined the term, describing his love of the Rockettes' sequined costumes in an interview with W Magazine last year).

Andrew Gn’s beaded silk gunmetal-tone frock garnered enough attention to warrant its placement in the pre-fall collection at Neiman Marcus (waist detail pictured at right).

And check out this Castle Starr hammered silk blouse in a minty ice blue with bold black and ivory beads (at left, available at shopbop.com).

Even more delicious beading was to be found at the Jean Paul Galutier Spring 2008 Couture show in Paris, where gold studs lined the backs of the models’ stockings . . . delish!

Another sumptuous detail at Gaultier was this "fish scale" skirt suit. Exquisite!

At Gucci (photo at right via style.com), it was tassels as far as the eye could see, on everything from handbags to belts to (origin of the trend?) shoes.

But I’m saving the best for last. Are you not awestruck by this uber-skilled feat of craftsmanship at the Valentino Spring 2008 Couture (left)? I don’t know whether to wear these delicate flowers or frame them. And it should be noted that their capture on film owes to the genius photographers at style.com.

Dare to be detailed!