Alber Elbaz seems to be taking Lanvin in a new direction: Gone are the quilted bags, the charms and the grosgrain ribbon details as Elbaz takes the more structured and serious route for Spring/Summer 2011.

The Verdict: Tortoiseshell details on Boxy and hard-cased clutches (that convert into sling crossbody bags) and sturdier, more structured flap bags came down the Lanvin runway at Paris Fashion Week. Perhaps Elbaz got sick of Kate Spade designs that are becoming more and more Lanvin-esque these past few seasons; or maybe Elbaz thought that the brand should take a slightly more mature turn. Whatever the reason, this collection is slightly too minimalistic for my taste – yes with all the whites on the runways for S/S 2011, I’m aware that minimalist chic could be back in a BIG way – I preferred the charm details, quilted flap bags and of course, the grosgrain bow details.