Wanderlust on the Runways of Fashion Week

Designers clearly had travel on their minds creating this year's fashion week collections all over the world. From Karl Lagerfeld's first class show of Chanel Airlines to Dolce & Gabbana's destination decked pieces, the spirit of travel was oozing off the runways.

Travel has always been a major influence in fashion. Whether it be a recent vacation or a longing for their homeland, designers are inspired by the very same things that capture our own hearts when we travel. Gorgeous landscapes, vibrant colors, unique architecture and mostly the people of distant lands captivate us and designers alike.

I am personally OBSESSED with the air travel Chanel inspired collection for Spring 2016. Pastels mixed with neutral shades and the ever iconic Chanel tweed textures. My personal favorites from the collection were the accessories. Statement bags in bold shapes and prints. I want, I need, I must have something from this line. Oh, please let's bring back the days of glamorous travel!

CHANEL SP16 - PFW (Photos from WWD)

“Karl’s quite the fantasist — he can dream up a world in which air travel is glamorous.”

— WWD

Dolce & Gabbana - Milan Fashion Week (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

I adore how they are able to translate this feeling and share the beauty of travelling the world. Being mindful of the fine line between inspiration and cultural appropriation, collections like this spark the same wonder in its audience that the designer felt during their travels. Hopefully leaving them wanting to learn more about the origins of its inspiration.

“Their inspiration boards were pasted with printouts of vintage posters advertising the attractions of Capri, Venice, Rome, and Florence; movie stills of Italian stars; and pictures of all kinds of handmade, homemade souvenir embroideries. This summer, the designers have moved on from exploring Sicilian history to seeing Italy’s glories through the eyes of the foreign tourists who began to flood into the country after World War II. “This is where the first boutiques came from,” explained Gabbana. “We think it was the beginning of Italian fashion. And it was because foreigners saw it and liked it! “”

— Vogue.com

The runways at fashion week were screaming travel inspiration.

Anna Sui's Spring line was inspired by a 50's vintage take on her visions of a Tahiti/French Polynesia, while Ralph Lauren's collection shows the glamour of the French Riviera.

Naeem Kahn's collection was inspired by Frida Khalo's Mexico and Mediterranean florals, while Reem Acra drew from her Lebanese roots and highlighted the beauty of Middle Eastern details.

After a devastating earthquake earlier this year, in addition to raising awareness and donations for his homeland of Nepal, Prabal Gurung used Nepal as his muse for his RTW collection.

Naeem Kahn SP16 NYFW- Inspired by Mexico and the Mediterranean (Photos from WWD)

Ralph Lauren SP16 - NYFW - Inspired by the French Riviera (Photos from WWD)

Anna Sui SP16- NYFW -Inspired by Tahiti & French Polynesia (Photos from WWD)

Reem Acra SP16 - NYFW - Inspired by Lebanon & the Middle East (Photos from WWD)

Prabal Gurung SP16 - Inspired by Nepal (Photos from Vogue.com)

Whether it be a particular destination or the glamour of The Art of Travel itself, the collections this year couldn't have better summed up my love for where fashion and travel intersect.

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Style Profile: Michelle de Matheu

"I show that clothes are a vehicle, a SECRET LANGUAGE. It expresses your personality, thoughts and feelings. "

Style Icons - Streets of India by Christel Gellidon

Photos by Christel Gellidon

Traveling to India was truly an inspiration overload. I could not stop clicking my camera. Everywhere I turned was a moment to capture. Vibrant colors, captivating emotions. A culture shock, and a great one. While the poverty was indeed saddening, I was moved by the overpowering kind and warm spirit of the Indian people.

Here are a few inspirations from the streets of India.

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China: Through the Looking Glass

This Spring the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute brings us CHINA: Through the Looking Glass, a unique look at traditional Chinese fashion and art.

The collection will feature over 130 fashion pieces drawn from the Chinese culture' inspiration. The tone of the collection is accompanied by film clips depicting the influence of Chinese culture on the cinema industry.

“NEW YORK — Combining fashion and film, the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute will be “China: Through the Looking Glass.””

— www.washingtonpost.com

Anna Wintour visited Beijing early this month to promote the upcoming collection., meeting with local designers from the country.

A major landmark at the intersection between fashion and travel, collections such as these not only emphasize the artistic design of the garments but more importantly celebrates the culture that inspires such masterpieces.

As wearable art, fashion draws inspiration from all corners of life. One of the most genuine of those is drawing from one's own cultural roots and reinventing the ideas as their own.

“We have a good tradition of going to the appropriate cities to launch these events…it’s a gesture of support and respect for whatever the subject matter of the exhibition might be,”

- Anna Wintour for WWD

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Golden Globe Favorites 2015

Here are my top 3 favorites from this year's Golden Globe Awards. I mean really the single look I'm obsessed with is Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad. One of the most talked about looks yet, JLO is always on the top of my fave list. I love that she is never afraid to go after that wow factor. She embodies the idea of a movie star/ rockstar. Okay, yes fine I've had a girl crush on her since Selena but who wouldn't! She's gorgeous and always keeps the red carpet interesting.

Overall the color palette varied quite a bit. Everything from neutrals, to pastels, metallics to clean black on black. There was a a lit of sparkle detail and also several opted for the nude and blush tones. The mermaid train is one of my all time favorites so happy to see tons of it this year.

Jennifer Lopez, in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture

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Stelavie

The runways at fashion week were screaming travel inspiration.

Whether it be a particular destination or the glamour of The Art of Travel itself, the collections this year couldn't have better summed up my love for where fashion and travel intersect.

“We have a good tradition of going to the appropriate cities to launch these events…it’s a gesture of support and respect for whatever the subject matter of the exhibition might be,”