Victorian Midnight

Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, once again, based a collection on Dolls, this time set in the Victorian era for their Pre-Fall 2012 Collection in Paris ...

The collection was also inspired by Freud, who famously described the sexual life of an adult woman as "a dark continent." It was precisely that secretive quality that roused the designers. Buttoned-up, Victorian and most certainly gothic, the collection was also delicate and feminine, featuring sheer layers of lace, dangling neck-ties and cascading ruffles.

From a creative angle, it gave the designers carte blanche to engage in one of their favorite  pursuits: toying with silhouettes. "There's such a lack of mystery in fashion now," said Snoeren. "This is our reaction to vulgarity. We imagined a modern Victorian woman, discreet, moody, rich, and luxurious."