top hats and whips ::

John Galliano brought his A game to Paris for the presentation of the Christian Dior Spring 2010 Couture collection presentation.

:: click on images to view larger.

a mix of equestrian chic and royalty worthy ballgowns, the master was influenced by a visit to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum where he viewed Charles James' gowns being made for this spring's exhibition American Woman.

"I was reading that, actually, it was Charles James who influenced Monsieur Dior to come up with the New Look," he said. "And then I was looking at a photo of Charles James doing a fitting—and on the wall behind him was a picture of women riding sidesaddle. And that was it!"

the collection included satin top cats, cinched waits blazers, riding length skirts, black crocheted hair nets, the modern take on buttoned booties, satin black gloves and whips.

the gowns came out at the end, and are sure to be snapped up quickly by celebrity fans and stylists. Galiliano brought out a mix of red and purple that not many can pull off, but was perfection. i can see the black chiffon tuxedo gown on many editorials.

the lips were deep red, the eyes were outlined with a deep black eyeliner and the skin was porcelain white. Galliano truly told a story and followed through with it with every detail. the tear shaped earrings, necklaces, rings and especially the caged tear shaped bracelet were perfect- note to self, i need the bracelet. love.

:: John Galliano. images via style.com.