|  | Jean Paul Gaultier
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Fashion From The Top
By Diane Feen
Hat Life Editor - hatlife.com The Paris Runway shows are over and what is left in its wake is a sense of drama with global overtones.
Luckily hats helped complete the fashion statement for 2010.
Designer Jean Paul Gaultier used the movie “Avatar” as his muse with a subtle sense of Mexico as the backdrop. Large sombrero style headwear with embroidery, flowers and palm leaf detail were matched with a sense that over-the-top had a double meaning.
Gaultier did not deny his Avatar infatuation. "I saw 'Avatar' and, like everyone, found it extraordinary. And from there I began thinking of nature and ecology and the Latin American tropics, and from there it was not very far to Mexico," said the flamboyant designer.
Gaultier’s color palette reflected his ecological bent with shades of green, ginger brown, blue and turquoise.
According to fashion insiders the best part of the Gaultier show was a blazer with opalescent feathers; coppery embellishment and green and sky blue chiffon layered pants and skirts.
The Christian Dior show was equally as dramatic with signs of the past from the waist up. Designer John Galliano was inspired by the pre-feminist aristocratic afternoons of the 40’s and 50’s.
There were bold (and fussy) hats with lace, chiffon and flowers – perfect for a lazy day at the chateau. In those days women rarely went out alone, hence the need for shade (and hair perfection) when riding in the family carriage.
What stopped everyone in their tracks (literally) was the Equestrian side of fashion at Dior. Derby Day Hats, Top Hats and large race-day hats with chiffon were part of this racy fashion. Although these hats (by Stephen Jones) were exaggerated versions of what is actually seen at the races, these styles are still hat worthy for 2010.  | John Galliano for Christian Dior, spring/summer 2010 couture
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Galliano held onto this horsy mood with velvet collar riding jackets, long pleated skirts and opulent accents such as pearls on everything from shoes to hats.
Colors ranged from ethereal sky blue and beige to pink and silver; mud brown with gold; olive, cherry red and mauve.
If all this runway madness sounds a bit over the top, it was. But from a practical and feminist perspective it was sheer romantic fantasy – and who doesn’t love that.
The men’s runway shows were equally as dramatic (which demands attention) and hats were once again making great stride. Derby’s, top hats, stingy brim fedoras and knit caps were seen at some of the most impressive shows.
 | |  | Paul Smith
| Junya Watanabe
| Issey Miyake
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