At Acquilano.Rimondi, It's the City of the Big Shoulders

It's a testament to Balmain's Christophe Decarnin that so many of fall's looks feature the same sharp-shouldered silhouette that is the hot shape right now. Of course, Balmain's much-coveted looks are limited to fashion royalty (check out Jack & Jil's blog to see some of them sporting these astronomically-priced jackets), a select group of celebrities and a few lucky commoners willing to forgo their mortgage in favor of high fashion. Acquilano.Rimondi's collection, no doubt, will be pricey, but it'll certainly be significantly lower than Balmain's prices. And with the passage of time comes cheaper incarnations for the hoi polloi.

Once again the collective geniuses Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi have churned out a drool-worthy collection fit for the seriously fashion-minded. And unlike Balmain's spring collection, this one is more sophisticated and less rocker, which is an aesthetic that I can personally relate to more. The highlights of the stunning collection:

1. Although this particular dress reminds me a little too much of Dolce and Gabbana's current spring collection, it nevertheless wins my approval. The bat-like sleeves, the carmine peeks of color from the origami folds, and the dark, Forties sensibility all stand out as stunning details:


2. It may not be apparent from the small photo, but this jacket features a dramatic inward fold on both sides of the shoulders. It's an investment piece that I would turn to time and time again, but with a slimmer bottom:

3. I am making a mental note to buy this dress in September. It's absolutely divine, from the subtle black and navy-gray shading to the complex combination of textures:

4. The perfect white tuxedo jacket, to be worn at a white-tie event or to work for the daring among us:

5. This dress/coat is quietly constructed but conspicuously chic:

6. A basic is basic no longer in Acquilano.Rimondi's capable hands: