If the fashion world held a popularity contest for the most sought after-up-and-coming designer, Haider Ackermann would take the winning prize. Not only has he been named one of the main contenders to replace John Galliano at Dior, but Karl Lagerfeld has said that Ackermann should be the one to replace him as Creative Director for Chanel when the Kaiser throws in the towel. That being said, all eyes were on Haider Ackermann as he presented his Fall 2011 Ready-To-Wear Collection for Paris Fashion Week.

While last season he forayed into bold color, Ackermann began his Fall 2011 show with pure black-satin coats that is. Soon enough, ivory hued trousers entered the picture, followed by a gorgeous combination of metallic jeweled tones. But Ackermann’s well-deserved popularity doesn’t just stem from his choice of brilliant color pairings-his artistic craftsmanship and ability to drape, twist, tuck and tailor leather, satin, silk and suede into beautiful coats, jackets and dresses makes Ackermann’s style unique and almost unprecedented.

Similar to his previous collection, Ackermann focused on the details that made each look undeniably his-cinching waists with wide belts, rolling sleeves past elbows, albeit this time with a more masculine attitude. The designer backstage said regarding the Ackermann girl, “Last season, she was letting herself go. Now she wants to be more reserved.” Reserved but not unnoticed, as Ackermann’s “girl” strutted around confidently in second-skin knits, which revealed a lot of leg , as well as cut-out jackets worn with metallic sapphire trousers-not a look for the typical wallflower.

And while Galliano’s departure may still be fresh and recent in some minds, because  fashion is the industry that never sleeps, insiders that have already been taking bets as to Ackermann being Galliano’s replacement, will only be more confident in their decision after viewing such an impressive collection.

For more information on Haider Ackermann: http://www.haiderackermann.be/

*Images provided by Style.com