- By Alicia Arruda

Giambattista Valli##Q##s Fall/Winter 2012 runway show was whimsical, fantasy-like, and dramatic, dramatic, dramatic ( did we mention that it was dramatic?). Rich but brightly coloured fabrics (predominately in a rosy palette but with splashes of navy blue and deep emerald green), luxurious floral prints, (Fall florals are a refreshing way to keep your wardrobe fresh and cheerful), origami-like ruffles, rich but subtly incorporated adornments (feathers, embroidery, floral appliques; you name it, this collection had it) and the exaggerated proportions of the silhouettes all helped to create an air of dramatic luxury. Each and every one of these garments was a show-stopper.

With work and/or school just around the corner, it##Q##s time for us all to get ready to (tearfully) put away out summer garb and get back to reality. I suggest that while one is out shopping for their Fall wardrobe that they incorporate some of Giambattista Valli##Q##s Fall/Winter 2012 flair. Of course, for those of us who can##Q##t pay the hefty price tag for a true couture piece, I have suggested five ways that you can achieve a similar air of striking glamour whatever your budget is.

1.) Don##Q##t shy away from floral fabrics or even prints that could be worn in spring or summer. Fall should not be synonymous with dreary colours, heavy looking fabrics, and subdued prints. Fashion trends should be viewed as suggestions or guidelines for inspiration, not as rules. A vivid floral dress could be accessorized with a cozy cardigan, a faux-fur shrug (for a touch of decadence) or a leather jacket. Florals##Q## versatility is underrated (they##Q##ll take you from Fall to Spring time and they always look fresh). Try a rich rose pattern for some very Giambattisa Valli-like drama, or a softer print (say lilacs or lavender) for something more low-key but still luxurious.

2.) Dramatic silhouettes. This does not mean that you need to look so out of proportion that you stop traffic. Defined, padded shoulders can create a strong, sculptural statement all by itself. Playing with proportion could mean wearing a really baggy, sack-like shirt with a bubble-skirt, or having strongly-defined shoulders with really slim-hips. Get creative, and don##Q##t be afraid to put pieces together that you normally wouldn##Q##t.

3.) Luxurious looking fabrics such as satin, silk, lace, cashmere and fabrics in a rich oriental print would all cultivate the glamorous feel of Giambattisa Valli##Q##s Fall collection. Although pieces made in these fabrics can be expensive, if they are of high and enduring quality, they could end up as investment pieces that will last you for years to come. Also, a treasure-hunt loving fashionista could comb through thrift-stores and vintage stores for truly unique and inexpensive pieces. It##Q##s amazing what one can find when taking the time to look (there always seems to be an abundance of silk scarves when I go thrift-store shopping). It##Q##s a good way to find incredible and inexpensive fashion while recycling. I don##Q##t know that it get##Q##s much better.

4) Accessories with rich accents such as feathers, fur, beading, or embroidery (a vintage-esque fascinator from Vancouver-based designer Pilar Rodriguez for an air of mystery perhaps?) will create striking drama in a flash. Shoes, scarves, hats, jewellery are all outlets for one to subtly try a trend or to incorporate a look into their own style.

5) Choose pieces that are ultra-feminine with ruffles, pleats, and peplums (it seems that the peplum will live on into the Fall season). Neck-lines should be higher as the look of the collection was glamorous but very modest.