Don't Be A Haider

Ah those Belgains, they really know fashion.  Though technically Haider Ackermann is not Belgian (as he was born in Colombia), he studied his craft at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts.  Ackermann stole my heart with his Fall 2007 collection and I've been a fan ever since.  His Spring 2011 line just graced the runway in Paris yesterday and Ackermann did not disappoint.

The look was relaxed, refined, glamorous, sexy and edgy all wrapped up in one.  It was kind of like Rick Owens meets Ann Demeulemeester meets .... Donna Karan...meets YSL... if you can imagine that!  And Ackermann used quite a bit of color this season -- more than ever before.  He kept black as a staple, but livened it up with bright yellow, teal, red and cobalt.  It was the most color Ackermann has ever used in a collection.  And stripes!  He incorporated stripes in such a fresh and luxurious way, it makes me want to pull out my silk pajamas and walk down the street... but that wouldn't be so odd in NYC!

So, what do you think of Ackermann's Spring show?  Are you a lover or Haider?

All photos: Firstview (Style.com)