RUNWAY: Gucci FW11

Since Frida Giannini took over the helm at Gucci as Creative Director of both mens and womenswear, the prices at the Florence design houses' have skyrocketed and so have sales. The prices have not just risen for the sake of exclusivity, though I'm sure that's a part of it, but the clothes are so luxe they're almost obscene. Almost. Take, for example, an ostrich-skin or crocodile sportcoat, such coats are an unessential part of any person's wardrobe but isn't that point of luxury? To have something just because you can and because it's beautiful? Signora Giannini finds the correct balance in luxe fabrics and sharp tailoring while still adhering to the collection's overall theme, which was the muted 1970s-inspired clothes, seen by the almost flared trousers and fabrics, like suede.