What Were They Thinking?

This makes me twitchy. Notice also, the face is looking in while demurely looking away. From Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. (And, considering his collection as a whole, he probably does expect someone to wear this.)

Before I embark on today's foray into the deeply bizarre offerings on many of the fall/winter runways, let me clarify a few details up front:

1.) Yes, I know collection presentations are not called fashion "shows" for nothing.

2.) Almost every designer puts something or somethings out there which will guarantee major photo ops and prime placement in magazines, newspapers and on the Net for shock/publicity purposes.

3.) The surprises can wake-up an audience exhausted from running for weeks from collection to collection, country to country. Sometimes spice is nice.

4.) No matter how strange some of these pieces are -- and they are -- if the designer in question did not also create wearable clothes he or she would not be in business to do the weird stuff.

Oh, puh-leese, where did she find those trousers? Take the blouse and run if you are attracted to the color. If you like the pants, try looking at a Target first maybe (?) From Chloe.

In the case of Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçon fame, one expects no less than a half  jacket. If you like the look, it seems to me it could be a DIY project. Start with something old before you cut into one of your favorites. And, for what appears to be another sleeve? Do not, repeat, do not, use your Hermes scarf unless you're totally committed to the look.
You might not like it.

In a way, including Vivienne Westwood in the group is sort of cheating. After all, weirdly bizarre is her stock and trade. She does, however, after one strips away the nonsense, have some interesting offerings.

Now really, does one need a designer to stitch-up a house coat? Might be trickier to find matching boots however. What a shame. From Jil Sander.

How many women do you know who want padded clothes? Or, do you blow this thing up to get the shape? Either way, what was he thinking over there at Jil Sander?

More from our "special" friend Jean-Charles Castelbajac. How adorable is the necklace around the skeleton's bony neck?  Remember, it's always all about the details. . .

I'm confused. Which way did Marc Jacobs want to go with this Louis Vuitton number? Was he trying for prim with the Peter Pan collar and white gloves, then had a change of heart and made the top and skirt transparent? Or, which seems more likely, he was delving into pay-for-view (or just pay for whatever) fantasy land. I could be wrong of course.

And, finally, been there done that. As you know, I covered the collections around the world for years and I understand what's going on with the seeming aberrations, but for some time now I've wanted to write this post. In fact, I'm considering writing it on a semi-regular basis. Let me know if you approve.

I'm trying to decide if I dislike them as much as I did 15 minutes ago. They're rather clever in a way, non? Not that you'd want to own them, but still. I predict we'll be seeing them on famous feet.

Since clothes need shoes. How about these from Miu Miu? If you don't like silver, you have gold and vice-versa.