New York, Milan, Paris. Fashion weeks, in that order, have recently passed us by and so has our very own Fashion Week in Toronto (shared presentation time with L.A.; it was their Fashion Week, too!). Instead of reviewing each collection day by day as they're presented, I prefer to wait until the city's week has finished and I can scour and eat up all the collections at once. How could I possibly declare Rochas as my favourite when Lanvin has yet to present? While I try my very best to keep Toronto's talent a secret until the week is up, I have eagerly devoured photos, reviews and pieces from last week's fashion week in Paris. Personally, this is the week I anticipate most. French designers hold a special place in my designer-crazed heart and all of my favourite collections come from the most charming city in the world. Here's a roundup of my top choices.

Balenciaga
Innovative, futuristic without being too spacey and cutting-edge collections have always been what Balenciaga is all about. This season, long-time designer Nicolas Ghesquière kept true to the house's ability to always look forward. Exaggerated silhouettes and proportions were a major part of the collection, as were stiff, rigid sweaters and tops with wider sleeves that topped white, black and creamy mustard above-theknee skirts with a slight tulip silhouette, or mid-cut, lightweight trousers with a thick metallic detail at the top. Colour blocked skirts and digital leopard print tops and dresses rounded out the collection. Accessories like slick gloves and lower strappy heels and booties brought the collection back down to earth, and in good time, on the streets and on editors and fashion lovers alike.

Balmain
Balmain is like the ‘It model,' except its status never fades away. Perennially balancing sexy, tough and cool, this season's collection had no lack of amazing pieces that were as intricate as they were wearable. Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's incredible jewelry collection, the pieces were translated into jewel-toned pieces with lots of embellishment with the use of beading, intricate detailing, etched velvet, quilting and superb tailoring in long-sleeved mini-dresses beaded with stunning, elaborate beading balanced boxy jackets and skinny leg pants. Cream, beige and black neutralized the rich, deep colours and metallics to create the perfect mish-mash of gorgeous pieces any girl worth her ‘It' is lusting after.

Yves Saint Laurent
Sexy, sophisticated and severe, YSL's fall collection demands attention. Leather took shape in black cherry and deep forest green long-sleeved tops, to-the-knee skirts, on the lapels of the alwayspopular tuxedo jacket (a nod, of course, to the original Le Smoking of classic Saint Laurent designs) and was used for minimalist, inchwide black waist-cinching belts. Thick, black fur stoles and bodyhugging chain mail dresses looked strong yet still slinky enough to evoke an air of femininity. Bold, daring, deep-cut silhouettes balanced other high-neck sleeveless looks, with special attention to detail such as contrast metals around the neck and sleeves. Although it is sadly Stefano Pilati's final collection after a 10- year run with the fashion house, we can surely expect great things from the house of YSL for seasons to come.