Every season, a rare talent is discovered in the popular design competition show, Project Runway. Christian Siriano, Jay Godfrey, Korto Momolu and Mychael Knight are part of that exclusive club of Project Runway-bred geniuses. But compared to his aforementioned reality show alum, Mychael Knight's been flying under the radar...save a charming appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. And he likes it that way.

His obscurity granted him the freedom to be independent and fiercely creative with his designs. His latest collection, shown at Charleston Fashion Week, is the embodiment of that freedom. Fittingly, the collection of luxury separates and dresses is entitled Carte Blanche which signifies "the power and authority to do as one wishes." The pieces call for a woman that personifies the Carte Blanche mentality; she's free, self-possessed and in complete control.

Where creative freedom would stereotypically lend itself to an explosion of color, Mychael's collection is sleek and minimalist. But the drama is there. Take the color palette of monochromatic black or white looks, for example. Individually, each look's head-to-toe color promotes uniformity. But together, the white and black looks embody the highest level of contrast. 

Complex details like these separate Mychael Knight from the crowd of Project Runway designers: each aspect of his collection is purposeful, inspired and wrought with meaning.

Mychael's flair for the dramatic also materializes in accents like avante garde ruffles and folds that give each piece character. 

By contrast, the fit is very practical and provocative. Peplum skirts, belted suits and sheer embroidered tops accentuate a sexy silhouette. The sensual shapes are perfect for the modern women who Michael Kors says "Mychael knows how to dress...from start to finish."

Check out more looks from his collection below and visit Mycheal Knight for more information.

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Ed Kavishe of Fashionwirepress.com

Japan is a bustling center of creativity and adventure in Fashion. My trip to the nation's capital was one I will never forget, from the Harajuku street fashion to the incredible shopping centers (here's a pic of me getting ready to hit downtown Tokyo below).

Japan Fashion Week is the time that these innovative designers share their beautiful, freaky, daring, avante garde creations with the world. Take a look at my top four craziest looks from the four-day Japan Fashion Week and tell me what catches your eye.



P.S. I could see Lady Gaga wearing all of this!



P.P.S. An article in WWD reported that buyers are lukewarm about Japanese Fashion Week designers, claiming the collections have no commercial viability. I guess they're a little too inspired, and that creativity doesn't translate easily to retail. Thoughts?

Keeichi Muramatsu

Mintdesigns by Hokuto Katsui and Nao Yagi

Mintdesigns by Hokuto Katsui and Nao Yagi

Yu Amatsu

Kisses,



Coutura



Photos: Getty Images.

Alexander Lee McQueen's final collection before his untimely passing was inspired by Old Master Painters. Fitting, as the work of painters is often immortalized and celebrated for years after the artist is gone. We can only hope the exquisite designs of Alexander McQueen will be lauded and cherished in that way following his shocking death on February 11, 2010.



Where the Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 collection was defined by insect prints and those famous claw heels or McQueen-a-dillos, the Fall collection was grounded in rich hues, ornate fabrics and luxurious embellishments. Still theatrical, yes, but decidedly less flamboyant.



The collection was a study in Medieval romance, channeling the regal beauty and grace of the Byzantine empresses of times past.



Evident in the disturbing tweets before his death, McQueen's fascination with angels and demons materialized here in the fabric he chose for the collection. Lee ordered fabric that translated digital photographs of paintings of angels and demons into jacquard, via Style.com. Chilling, yet striking and beautiful at the same time.



Highlights were an elegant, red gown adorned with gold discs (which would look ravishing on First Lady, Michelle Obama) and a spellbinding high-collared structured gold jacket constructed entirely of feathers (shown above). The collection also included Venetian capes, full skirts and belted short dresses in avante garde shapes that embodied McQueen's flair for the dramatic.



Take a look at the 16-piece collection below, which was 80% finished at the time of Lee McQueen's death.

The collection was presented on Monday to a modest group of grieving editors and assistants, some visibly choked up with tears. Even in viewing the collection, you can't help but feel sad yet appreciative of McQueen's undeniable genius.



What do you think of Lee McQueen's last collection? 



Kisses,



Coutura

Karl Lagerfeld has named himself the latest spokesperson on Global Warming. His first demonstration for the cause? Chanel's Fall 2010 collection, which was fit for an Ice Queen and her Abominable Snowman, and displayed around a melting iceberg from Sweden.





The freezing weather and sea of melting ice was apropos for a line where almost every piece was shrouded, draped or lined with faux fur. But this isn't just any faux fur collection---this is Coco Chanel on holiday in Aspen.



Tailored tweed suits with fur cuffs, fur-trimmed leather jackets, furry pants, denim jackets with fur collars and shaggy boots are only a few examples of Karl's innovative use of the material. He even ingeniously paired luxurious white fur with an embroidered sheer top for a glorious mix of inner and outerwear. Brilliant!



The collection was peppered with stunning knitwear dresses with patchwork prints and traces of menswear in classic white shirts and ties. Sheer even made an appearance on a turtleneck sweater.

The accessories were fit for the Ice Age as well with ice jewelry and white fur chained purses that provide the perfect compliment to wintry tweeds.

What do you think of the collection? I loved it!



Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to educate the world about Global Warming...while outfitting us for the current cold. Genius!



Kisses,



Coutura

Forget Prada's sexy librarian trend. What's really hot this season are breasts, hips and butts...on the runway.





While high fashion has all but ignored a woman's natural curves, opting for the real-life mannequin look, Miuccia Prada has fully embraced our humps in her latest show---and it's about time.





Don't get excited. We're not talking about curves of the Brick House, 36-24-38 kind (sorry, Melissa Ford). But models like Lara Stone, Doutzen Kroes, Catherine McNeil, Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio, and their relative hip, breast and derriere fat, are still a breath of fresh air on the catwalk. Rose Cordero, who covers the new issue of French Vogue, brought some much-needed color to the runway.





The collection, it seems, was structured for a voluptuous woman as well. The A-line skirts and dresses are perfect for women with hips and butt. The raised waists only further highlighted womanly, hourglass silhouettes. 





And the breasts. Ruffles and pointy bras enhance the chest area. While models everywhere are cringing, real women are ecstatic about what this means for the future of fashion. Miuccia Prada is a trendsetter and if all goes well, it's only a matter of time before more fashion brands follow suit. Check out the collection below:

Either Miuccia Prada has been hanging out with Beyonce, or the curves phenomenon (seen previously in the V Magazine Size Issue and Vogue Curvy) is really in full swing.





Regardless, I'm happy to see that a little bit of fat is in fashion. (I'm looking proudly at my shape in the mirror as I type this.)





What do you think of Prada putting curves on the runway? Do you think the "trend" will endure?





Kisses,





Coutura