Paris Fashion Week ended last Thursday, which means that Chicago retailers from boutiques like Ikram, Blake, and Chalk are on buying appointments placing orders; our Fashion Director Stacey Jones is planning her upcoming shoots; and I’m here with a roundup of the show highlights. Overall, the recession was palpable in what was a safer and very chic season. There are still terrifying shoes on offer (most notably at Alexander McQueen, where they resembled armadillos in both shape and size), still notions of sex (Dior, Balmain) and the extreme (McQueen), but many designers went for sure bets like youthful looks (Chanel, Vuitton, Miu Miu), or high chic (Givenchy, and Celine). 

Here are some highlights:

DIOR

A man with a gun. Screaming. Smoke. A woman in a short and flirty trench strikes a pose. No, we weren’t watching the beginning of a film noir, but a Dior show by John Galliano. On the runway, the clothes were less about making headlines (does lingerie as outerwear shock anyone today?) than pleasing retailers: note the many wonderful trenches and bags.

CHAPURIN

I went to the Chapurin show to see Naomi Campbell walk for “one of the last times of her career.” Campbell is only 39, but for a point of reference, everyone’s favorite model right now is 17-year-old Chicago native Karlie Kloss. I thought it might be depressing, but I shouldn’t have doubted the power of Campbell. She’s astounding on the catwalk, with magnetic appeal and wow, what a body.

CHLOE 

Chloe created the bag most tweeted about during the shows. How much you want to bet that knock-offs of this fantastic croc purse are already in the works?

VUITTON

Marc Jacobs called this a show for the New Age Traveler. Combining street, hippie, and cyber themes, he meant it to be an antidote to his cocktail punk/couture look of last season. Fur-covered moccasins anyone?

GIVENCHY

Even the most jaded folks cracked smiles at the close of Givenchy’s incredibly chic and wearable show. Riccardo Tisci was influenced by Morocco and his recent research of 1960s Roman couture. This translated to flattering diamond-shaped shirts, and jackets with exaggerated "V" lapels, short pleated kilts, and harem pants. 

Check back tomorrow for more from Paris Fashion Week.