Used in Japan since the eighth century to cover valuable items and accessories, fish skin had its heyday in France in the eighteenth century due to the Marquise de Pompadour. It then gradually falls into disuse before being revived two hundred years later by the Art Deco designs of Paul Iribe, then in the mid-80s, where it caused a sensation in the furniture and leather goods areas.

Unable to impose itself as a lasting trend, fish skin is soon replaced by designers in favor of more “carnivores” types of leather, such as crocodile, alligator and more recently python. In 2012, the tide is turning: the texture of the stingray, the iridescence of the eel or the large scales of the pole suddenly become the new testing ground for fashion designers.

Thus, the Italian Riccardo Tisci conceives the Givenchy jackets in shark skin and adornes the mermaid dress with eel scales, while the Cambodian-American Phillip Lim’s shoes come with a seasonal both raw and refined aspect because he refrains himelf from tanning the exotic fish skins he uses. The American designer Alexander Wang brings a new density to his future “it”-sandals using these skins dyed in burgundy, pure white or turquoise shades.

Whether its via patterns, pigmentation or texture, fish skin provides fashion creations with an attractive aura. Nothing more efficient than relying on a somehow forgotten design element to restore the vitality of a men’s blazer or to a classic pair of shoes.

One of the best outfits that came out on the red carpet has to be the white Versace gown with red accents worn by Angelina Jolie. Such a fashion item really brings out the best parts in a woman’s body and it also maintains a classic look. The lines are simply perfect and they flow across the dress leaving little room for error. The red accent on the top and on one of the shoulders added just the right amount of color which was perfectly matched with a small red handbag. The opening in the front let us see her leg and the classic white heels she had on and everything was great about this look.

The 2012 Golden Globes showed us once again what to wear this season and what celebrities follow the latest fashion trends. There are also other outfits to consider, some good, other bad, but this white gown is the perfect example of fashion at its best.