My Favorite Past-time: Fashion: Christian Dior Cruise 2011 show @ Shanghai

Christian Dior followed the footstep of Chanel and held their own 2011 Cruise collection fashion show in Shanghai. It was held inside a big, long tent located right on the bund, the historical foreign district alongside the HuangPu Jiang river. That place is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most beautiful places I've been to, there's just so much history behind the location, it adds onto the wonder and the beauty of it all.

Anyway, so back to the collection. Surprisingly and thankfully, John Galliano, the creative director of Dior, did not go for an Asian/Oriental look. He chose Shanghai simply because it's Shanghai and it's at the forefront of emerging markets for luxury goods. As I've mentioned before, cruise collections are starting to sell quite well because of their unique blend of workmanship, style, and wearability.

This collection is a full-0n Parisian display of French 60's chic, there's a distinctive air of savoir-faire. Very dress heavy, the silhouette doesn't alter much (similar to the latest LV Fall collection), fitted bodice, cinched waist, and a full skirt; or above the knee pencil skirt with boxy outerwear. It channels the late Bridgette Bardot or Barbie Doll, both iconic figures from that time period. We have housewives, the nautical girl who hangout on sailboat sailing for St. Tropez, and of course the secretary look. The collection was styled with big poofy hair, Jacky-O shades, stockings, and pointy heels, and I'm not a fan of the make-up work, especially on the Chinese models.

The colors and shapes are feminine and romantic. Pink in all sort of shades, light blue, navy, black-and white, and an abundance of lace and frills. I'm most impressed by the use of leather in some of the most feminine pieces, including a pink short sleeves dress with a flower on the belt, or a purple leather blouse with cut out details along the neckline. The use of leather adds a punch of power in this otherwise uber-feminine display. My favorite pieces included the above mentioned pink leather dress, black and white striped full skirt dress, the trenches (in white cotton, gray flannel, and black/white stripes), and the gowns, John Galliano must've had a princess moment.

Ordinary if not for the leather, it's so French with the collar and flower detail.

This trench coat is going places, places like the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W...etc.

Love this, but only attempt if you're proportioned like this model and you are anything smaller than a size 4.

This is actually my favorite look. French, chic, effortless.

Whereas it's not my favorite look, this is my favorite dress, this will definitely be seen on A-listers like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Drew Barrymore, Charlie Theron...etc.