When I first started looking at the images from the Chanel spring 09 haute couture show, although impressed with Japanese hairdresser Katsuya Kamo’s incredible paper rose, camellia, and feather paper headdress masterpieces (which, according to WWD, were made in three weeks with seven helpers and two packets of 11×17 printing paper), I was a little underwhelmed. Sure, I understood Lagerfeld’s theme of juxtaposing the darkness of the current economic meltdown with an all-white collection, but I was looking for something fabulous and decadent to feast my eyes upon and I just didn’t see it. Of course, when it comes to couture, the magic is often in the details, so when I switched over to Style.com’s detail shots, that is where I found it.

The exquisite lace, delicate beading, and flowers in weightless, cut-out, 3-D montages of organza and cellophane are a feast for the eyes. And paired with Kamo’s creations, even better when viewed close-up, the collection certainly wows. Thank you Lagerfeld, for giving me the pristine, spring-dreaming, pick-me-up I was looking for.

Not surprisingly, I suddenly have the urge to accessorize with a white cocktail hat, anyone else?