Let’s close out January on a high note, shall we? Here’s what I have been itching to share + fun things from around the web:

+ During a time where many things are bleak as all heck, fashion gave us a much needed reprieve with the couture shows in Paris. They were glorious. Magical. A reminder of what fashion can be when fashion is at its best. Look no further than the Giambattista Valli show. Every single look is a dream. See the complete collection here and lots of backstage photos here. And Valentino. Good grief, Valentino. I don’t think I have seen anything like it in a very long time. This is what high fashion looks like. I enjoyed this Vogue article about the work of human hands.

+ Givenchy is back in such a major way. I was always trying to get my hands on Givenchy a few years ago—see this sweatshirt, still a favorite years later. I also have sandals and boots with the shark tooth clasp. These are collector’s items as far as I’m concerned. Ricardo Tisci’s goth looks are fashion history. I never felt anything close to this for Chloe. I liked some of the bags—I wear the two I own (this and this) a lot but that’s as far as my Chloe girl went. I love feminine looks but they need a little edge, a dark twist, to get my heart racing. And it looks like that’s exactly what’s to come from Givenchy with former Chloe creative director Claire Waight Keller at the helm. She has given Tisci’s goth looks a little polish and everything looks modern and right. See the entire collection here.

+ Have you noticed most of the major looks are coming out of the pre-fall collections? Now that yet another designer (Alexander Wang) is leaving NYFW, I wonder if more designers will shift to pre-fall and resort. Valli’s pre-fall looks were almost as dreamy the couture. This look sums it all up. And Isabel Marant—Isabel Marant rocked it for pre-fall. Just look at this.

+ The size of these clutches shown at Armani Privé should get you smiling this week.

+ Back down to planet Earth, Ashley’s epic NYC Travel Guide will will whisk you away for a bit—and have you craving matcha sundaes and oyster shooters.

+ Need to put together a media kit (I do)? Not Dressed as Lamb compiled this handy guide.

+ The Cult Gaia bags are lost on me, but the jewelry: Wow, wow, wow.

+ I have this jacket and I love it (I wore it on my recent trip to Napa). It was sold out but one is back in a size 12.

+ This darling hat my daughter has been wearing all winter is on sale for less than $10. Score.

+ I launched a new column this week! Each day I’ll be featuring one must-see deal. The first one is this cute leopard jacket. Check it out!

Have a great week!

xo

Photo credits: all from Vogue.com stories linked above.