Christian Dior fall 2011 haute couture, IMAXTREE

And the show goes on—couture that is. In Paris this week, we saw the first Christian Dior haute couture collection sans John Galliano. 51-year-old Bill Gaytten—head of the label’s studio who took a bow with his assistant, Susanna Venegas, at the end of the show—must have rubbed off on Lauren Conrad with the whole dyeing frenzy. OK, it’s rubbing on us, too! Animal prints itself are bold in its true colors. Go the extra mile and put a dab of color on your fur, hair, and uh, pretty much anything you can get your hands on. The animal print trend will never die out, but like spicing up a plain tee with jewels, adding a little color brings the look to life. Diane von Furstenberg is one of few that brings print to the runway since its early years and buyers from all over welcomes them into their stores—see the hot black and yellow slip heels from bluefly.com below! Christian Dior fall 2011 haute couture collection was all over the place with a mix of pastels, layered frills, choppy sequins and more. But that pink-striped zebra jacket and blue giraffe printed skirt stood out from the monstrosity. Here’s what to consider if you want to dip into the trend:

The Fall 2011 Haute Couture collections marked a return to monochrome. Black and white looks ruled the runway, but that doesn’t mean the styles were boring or basic. Last season, designers  avoided this fate by jazzing monochromes up with splashes of bright neon accessories. This time around, designers amped up the glam factor by dousing the looks in all-over shimmer that glistened and gleaned as models strutted beneath the bright lights of the runway. Chanel, Stéphane Rolland, & Elie Saab, photos: Imaxtree In the Chanel collection, Karl Lagerfeld presented a half-structured, half-flowy ivory creation that was all sparkle. Stéphane Rolland, the Parisian fashion superstar, presented a just-as-shiny see-though, long-sleeved white dress that looked as if black, sparkly ink spilled and was just beginning to spread upward.  Finally, Elie Saab embellished a short-sleeved gown with reflective sequins. Christophe Josse, Giambattista Valli & Jean Paul Gaultier, Photos: Imaxtree While designers went sheer with the glimmering white styles, the black creations were opaque and sexy. Christophe Josse‘s off-the-shoulder gown was born for the red carpet- we’d be happy to see it on any curvy star. Giambattista Valli went for a shorter hemline and white sleeves with his sparkly, textured party dress, and Jean Paul Gaultier topped off a tattered-hemmed  sequined stunner with a black tuxedo coat for a seductive masculine look. Glisten like the models on the haute couture runway in these glittery black and white pieces: Photo: Courtesy of ASOS ASOS Sequin One-Sleeve Dress, $24 Photo: Courtesy of Macy's Arden B. As U Wish Dress, $34 Photo: Courtesy of Express Express Sequin Mini Skirt, $60 Photo: Courtesy of Nordstrom Adrianna Papell Bead & Sequin Sheath Dress, $70

The Fall 2011 Haute Couture collections marked a return to monochrome. Black and white looks ruled the runway, but that doesn’t mean the styles were boring or basic. Last season, designers  avoided this fate by jazzing monochromes up with splashes of bright neon accessories. This time around, designers amped up the glam factor by dousing the looks in all-over shimmer that glistened and gleaned as models strutted beneath the bright lights of the runway.

Jessica Simpson & Nicole Richie at the Billboard Music Awards in 2003. Photo: Getty Images

Last month NBC’s Fashion Star announced they’d landed their first mentor: Jessica Simpson. The popstar turned fashion designer would coach young designers on everything from design to business and publicity. Now, as the show gears up for its fall premiere, they’ve added two other mentors to a cast including host Elle Macpherson: Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. If Simpson’s conquered one end of the celebrity fashion market and the Olsens another, Richie lies somewhere in the middle. Her jewelry collection, House of Harlow, and clothing, Winter Kate, appeals to both tween fans and fashion forward women. Richie hasn’t been on TV since The Simple Life—which feels like eons ago in reality TV time—but has proven herself first watchable, and then lovable. It’ll be Varvatos’ first time on national TV and a huge boost for the menswear brand. One of NBC’s VPs said in a release, “Jessica, Nicole, John and Elle make the most exciting team we have ever worked with on a reality television show and we are thrilled to feature such an extraordinary group of mentors and designers.”

From right to left, Giambattista Valli, Alexis Mabille & Valentino

Couture week’s never been short on fantasy, but this season a few designers took an especially playful spin on everyone’s favorite hero—the white knight. Their fairytale fantasies came to life via white evening capes in styles running the gamut from festooning tiers to precisely tailored wool crepe. First seen at Giambattista Valli’s couture debut, our generation’s Italian master re-envisioned the evening suit, pairing his cape with a coordinating sheath and embellishing it with handmade silk petals for a restrained take on princess charming. Moving onto Valentino, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli presented a collection of sheer delicacies, and this meticulous look: a mandarin-collared topper with a keyhole neckline and oblong diamond cutouts. While similar to Valli’s creation in silhouette, their version was inspired by the Edwardian era Romanovs, something evident in the duo’s diminutive embroideries and coronets.  Alexis Mabille rounds out the trend with a cape that’s more Renaissance court jester than early 20th century discretion. His frothy pile of organza tiers was accessorized with yellow lace ups and Pocahontas hair feathers. The look could have fit in at Puss and Boots: The Opera (which can’t be theatrically far from couture anyway). Seems like this year’s influx of (fashion snooze-worthy) royalty has had its valiant effect on Paris— just thank god their ancestors gave us something to be inspired by!

What does summer smell like? The ocean? Sunscreen? Your summer fling? We’re not sure we could put a finger on it, but this season’s definitely a time filled with distinct and often delicious scents. A number of fragrance-makers have tried to bottle the smell of summertime and have created fruity, beachy fragrances that are available this season only—so get them while you can. A spritz or two before you dash out for your warm-weather activities will ensure you have the best smelling summer ever. Make sure to save a bit for the dreary, cold months and with just a whiff, the snow will melt away and you’ll be transported back beneath the sweltering summer sun. CK one summer, a unisex scent, layers melon, tangerine, lemon, rhubarb and cedarwood into a cool, crisp combo.

Photo: ThinkStock

Summer time means summer heat. We leave our homes with perfect make up all intact, and come night our blush is worn off our cheeks, our lipstick color has faded, and worst of all? Raccoon eyes from running mascara! Lucky for us, we have beauty experts concocting waterproof mascaras to beat the heat. After countless test runs, the ladies of ELLEgirl came across five waterproof mascaras that made a long-lasting impression on our lashes. See which ones got our vote after the jump!

Photo: Getty

Who: Emma Watson
What: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 London photocall
Wear: Rafael Lopez minidress, Chanel pumps

Millions of fans across the globe are anxiously awaiting the bittersweet final installment of the decade-long Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. While many braved heavy downpours at London’s Trafalgar Square last night hoping to catch a glimpse of the film’s stars as they arrived for the world premiere this morning, a devoted few caught the young actors earlier in the day as they posed outside St. Pancras station for a photocall. The always modest and poised Emma Watson chose a gold-and-black Rafael Lopez minidress that was all about the details: a lace overlay, patent skinny belt, and ruffled tulle shoulders and hem—anything but your basic LBD. Keeping the glam factor down for the day, Watson paired the up-to-there stunner with patent Chanel pumps and simple drop earrings. The actress, who plays Harry’s nerdy best friend Hermione Granger, has a lot in common with her character’s book-loving ways. She’s spent the last year at Brown and is set to star in the film-adaptation of another young-adult classic, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, in 2012. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 premieres stateside on July 15.

Photo from V Magazine, Courtesy of Nicola Formichetti

It’s no secret that Americans feel pressure to be stick thin. The image is projected onto us from every media outlet. With super tiny models and celebrities reigning supreme over pop culture, the race is on to become the skinniest version of yourself. Then there’s the idea that big is beautiful and not to be ashamed of your size. These influential messages have teens and adults alike in a standstill between embracing their figure and shaming themselves into thinness. Tom Ford, famously nonchalant in interviews, was quoted in Time Out Hong Kong saying, “Americans are too fat. And in London they are starting to get fat too. So I have to say that if we have to talk about race system and nationalism, I find it refreshing that everyone [who is] Chinese is slim.” Then we have Lady Gaga’s stylist, Nicola Formichetti, whose comments were “misconstrued” in the latest issue of W. He made a comment saying he disliked working with fat people but later retracted. Formichetti even posted a photo on his Facebook of a plus-sized model he styled for V magazine. Well, bold and big are beautiful, and the fashion industry is taking baby steps to ensure these gorgeous women get their chance in the spotlight.