While I’m not a huge proponent of mid-week nighttime outings, every once in a while an event comes up that begs for a later-than-normal curfew and is easily worth the groggy next day at work.
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
The San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala was one such event. I adore the ballet AND dressing up – So it promised to be an amazing evening. Add gold sequins and stunning vintage jewelry and believe me when I say that you’re got yourself a night to remember!
Do you like to get dressed up? Does a formal evening sound like fun to you or does even the mention of a gown stress you out?
Welcome to post numéro deux from the tents at New York Fashion Week, you can see the first post here and catch up on what you missed – The big names like Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, and BCBG Max Azria.
Today we’ll be focusing on the secondary lines created by tried and true designers as well as the shows for brands which most of us real people outside of the fabulous fashion industry actually buy and wear and lust after. {Please note that the word “affordable” is being used in a relative context here, we are talking about NYFW not the mall, so take that into consideration.}
Rachel Zoe:
Let’s get this started with one of my favorite collections – the highly styled collection of fabulous 70’s inspired pieces shown by Miss Rachel Zoe. Some accused it of being overstyled, but I enjoyed it for that very reason, it showed you various ways you could wear her pieces – From the handbags, jewelry, hats, belts, shoes, and sunglasses.
Pants and pantsuits were highly featured – From slouchy leather to wide leg trousers to knit jumpsuits. Lots of great outerwear was also featured – leather bombers, blazers, double-breasted satin coats – as well as 70’s staples like tunics, shift dresses, ankle boots, maxi dresses, tuxedo pants, and bohemian shirt dresses and sequins sequins sequins.
J.Crew:
When you’re discussing the wearability of the lines at NYFW, J.Crew is one of the first brands that comes to mind. They always put together a fun, chic, wearable collection. Season after season the clothes are contemporary and on-target, with price tags that us real gals can actually consider.
This season was no different and the separates, suits, and dresses were colorful and covered in great prints. I can already see where multiple pieces will fit into my outfits for Spring – The separates seriously stole my heart. I want all the blazers and all of the cropped, fitted pants in fabulous prints.
10 Crosby Derek Lam:
Derek Lam was so determined to prove that this line was full of real clothes for real girls that he cast a beauty blogger as his model for the Lookbook. These separates and suits are killer and the new line of handbags were showcased to perfection against the ‘too cool for school’ pieces.
Cobalt blue, mixing & matching prints, skins, and leather are clearly the tips to take away from this collection. Oh, and separates separates separates. These shots make me want to run to my closet and practice pairing fun pieces together in interesting new ways.
Rachel Roy:
Easy, wearable separates in breezy silhouettes, bright colors, and fun, whimsical prints. Fitted pantsuits, midi length silk shirt dresses, printed shorts, wide leg 70’s inspired jumpsuits, tailored shorts, and all over prints were all present and accounted for – And all with a hint of pink.
What I adore about Rachel Roy is how each collection has its own distinct feel, but stays in line with her aesthetic and style. Her pieces are always chic and on-trend, but still classic enough to keep in your wardrobe season after season.
Rebecca Minkoff:
Lots of white, florals, and soft colors – A very sweet, Springy collection perfect for the cool California girl. Great denim, floaty, flattering silhouettes, and a mixture of hip shirts, day dresses and separates.
My favorite part of this collection were the variety of chic trousers – They came in slim white, vertical stripes, all-over prints, classic denim, and even white washed overalls.
Milly:
The Milly show almost seemed to be a clash of the Spice Girls – Sports Spice meets Posh Spice. The pieces were made from second skin fabrics and had a fluid, athletic quality to them while the silhouettes were sleek and body conscious.
All-over prints, leather sleeves, lame touches, black mesh, reflective materials, double halter necklines, and clear plastic all gave this collection a bit of an edge that wasn’t there last season. Definitely not for the timid! This show also featured pieces the relatively new handbag line – Specifically the zipper-adorned envelope and oversized day clutches.
Betsey Johnson:
“Girls Just Want To Have Fun!”
Nothing like a ton of 80’s glitz, glamour, and attitude to take the stage while Cindy Lauper belts out one of her most famous hits – All to celebrate the great Betsey Johnson’s 70th birthday. And believe me, that girl still knows how to have fun!
The clothes were just as loud & bright as the musical stylings and were all one-of-a-kind with a fun vintage twist and loads of layering and accessories – Basically the sartorial equivalent of Katy Perry. Just what we’ve come to expect from this unique designer.
Alice+Olivia:
Alice+Olivia is always bright, fun, and a little wild. They’re the clothes the cool girl with a great sense of humor wears because she can always find something that suits her mood and attitude. Eyelet & lace, drop waists, animal prints, sheathes, rompers, shorts suits, mix n’ match separates, and gowns – All with a little retro flare.
Not only did Miss Bendet produce yet another collection where I’d like to get my hands on each and every piece, she’s also created her first handbag line. Like the too cute shoes, they came in every color and style, one to match any outfit you could put together – From totes to oversized shoppers to mini duffles.
3.1 Phillip Lim:
This collection was all about mixing & matching and prints prints prints! Plaid, demure animal prints, stripes, and vibrant florals were mixed effortlessly with colorblocking, patchwork, denim, black leather, and sheer paneling.
The looks were all slouchy and laid-back but still fun and ecclectic through and through – Just what Phillip Lim does best.
Kate Spade:
Bright colors, retro-inspired silhouettes, and fun but ladylike separates and dresses are what the Kate Spade client expects – And this collection for Spring delivered just that.
Mod colorblocking in pastels, bold black & white checkered pieces, bowling bags, retro shades, sweet prints, oversized bows, stripes & florals, ankle strap heels, suits, and great outerwear rounded things out. While all of the pieces paired together in each look may have been fun for the show, you’d probably deconstruct these outfits to find the pieces that you wanted to add to your personal wardrobe.
Tory Burch:
This collection was all about being a world traveler – Someone who picks things up around the world, travels to exotic places, and wants her sense of style to reflect her world experiences. This was picked up not only in the handbags, jewelry, and accessories, but also in the prints, colors, and fabrics.
Sweet prints from nature, eyelet & thick lace, heavy fringe, embroidery, Native American & African beaded accents, leather working, and a plethora of florals, stripes, tie dye, and plaids. It was a unique collection but the fun embellishments and accents made it unique rather than kitchy. I can’t wait to get my hands on the mix n’ match shorts & cropped jacket combinations.
Victoria by Victoria Beckham:
This dress collection was composed primarily of structured shift dresses, knee-length sheaths, and shirt dresses in a variety of prints, colors, and materials – She experimented with delicate lace & eyelet, metallic leather, and whimsical floral and oversized dot prints.
She paired with wide strap sandals and peep-toe tennis shoes, both in a high platform that made them both sporty and Posh. These dresses – minis and knee-length – are breezy, wearable pieces, they could easily be styled with heels or flats and I’d pile on the jewelry to make the look your own.
Z Spoke by Zac Posen:
Zac Posen is all about drama – Whether its showstopping gowns ready for the Oscars red carpet from his main line or chic separates from his secondary line Z Spoke – There’s always a sense of occasion and a melodramatic undertone. And this collection is no different with the aptly themes – Coco Goes To Hollywood.
These clothes are chic, fun, and wearable. They have a cinematic quality that suits both Coco Rocha and the theme – They look like they’re made to be looked at or photographed. And luckily for us his gorgeous Z Spoke handbag line pairs perfectly with these looks. I was a big fan of the textured prints in bold colors, the styling was great too, I would wear some of these looks head-to-toe!
DKNY:
Sleek and sport may not be the first words that come to mind when you think about DKNY, but this collection was pure DKNY – Sexy, confident NYC ladies with places to go and butts to kick, stylishly of course. The collection was all black, grey, and white with the occasional canary yellow or denim piece.
One of the things that I always love about DKNY is how I can picture the pieces in my own life – The sheer blouses could be paired with a blazer and pencil skirt for a flirty work look or worn with shorts on the weekends, while the fitted, cropped pants that come in prints, solids, and stripes – which I would wear constantly – would easily go from day to night and from work to weekends. A great DKNY piece fits into your wardrobe, it goes with your existing wardrobe and helps take your looks up a notch.
Lacoste:
The Lacoste show was part traditional and part fun and new. There were basic whites and styles that the brand has shown consistently over the years, but there were also bold colors, fun graphic patterns, and the use of interesting new fabrics like mesh, clear plastic, and sheer pieces.
I especially liked the blue abstract print sweater dress, pajama dressing for men, and the sexy alligator stamped navy leather mini dress – They were all very Lacoste, but with a modern twist.
See by Chloe:
Digital Fashion Shows are becoming quite the thing and See by Chloe showed their second – a light, breezy, easy collection perfect for Spring.
Slouchy, primary colored separates, pantsuits with chic wrapped jackets, multicolored knits, drawstring pants & dresses, all paired with pointy toed low-heeled pumps and See by Chloe oversized clutches and duffle bags.
Tibi:
I can always tell a Tibi dress or blouse when I’m scrolling through the Bloomingdale’s website – Wearable clothing that’s sleek but always has some fun, feminine details that make it unique and perfect for pairing with other pieces already in your wardrobe.
The Spring 2013 collection showcased great leather pieces, some digital-inspired florals, denim, and lots of black and white. I loved the flirty separates, A-line mini skirts, wide belts, and killer ankle strap heels.
Nicole Miller:
Feminine but with an edge – That’s usually the best way to describe Nicole Miller’s always wearable collections. The pieces are always fun and flirty, but she always paires the sweet with fabrics, textures, and cuts with an edge.
This season the dark, moody florals were paired with body-con silhouettes, caged platform sandals, and touches of S&M-inspired leather and harnesses. I absolutely adored the shrunken jackets, both the zipper-adorned motorcycle jackets and the great floral blazers.
Are these “more affordable” collections the ones that you look forward to during New York Fashion Week? Can you see yourself buying these pieces from brands like J.Crew, Kate Spade, or Tibi?
Every season I’m at a loss as to how I should approach the fashion show reviews. There are so many that I don’t know where to start, how many I should try to review, or how to justify which shows I choose over others. It’s oddly stressful considering I’m sitting in front of my laptop in San Francisco and NOT running around the cobblestone streets of New York City in stilettos with a 50 lbs handbag.
So this season I have come up with a plan of attack. I’m going to publish four separate pieces for New York Fashion Week:
The NYFW Institutions – i.e. Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg & Carolina Herrera
The more reasonably priced or secondary designer lines – i.e. J.Crew, MARC by Marc Jacobs & Alice+Olivia
New up & coming brands that I’m just discovering or which are new to the tents – i.e. Z Spole by Zac Posen, Thakoon Addition & Victoria by Victoria Beckham
And finally the street style & front row fashion of the NYFW attendees
So without further ado – Welcome to the fabulous runway fashion of the New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear shows:
BCBG Max Azria:
This collection was an interesting juxtaposition of hard against soft. The dresses all had a harness-like construction on the bodice, evoking a tough, bad-girl vibe that contrasted with the softer colors and flowing silhouettes.
Black, white, grey, and coral were the colors de jour and all the looks were paired with a wide ankle strap adorned heel in black or white. The fitted, midi and maxi-length skirts were equipped with high slits in the thin, wispy floral, lace, and paisley prints, making them utterly perfect for hot summer nights.
Peter Som:
This sweet collection was filled with great prints, bright colors and pastels, florals, flowy silhouettes and just a touch of lace. It was structured and well put together, but relaxed and fun – New York City girl meets boho chic.
The prints were chic and I loved the cropped pants – of course – and the hippie vibe throughout. I don’t think that I can say it any better than The Man Repeller: “Peter Som is punk rock tea party infused with tigers and ponies.”
Derek Lam:
I heard the phrase “sporty luxury” to describe Derek Lam and couldn’t get it out of my head – That’s the perfect description for this master of chic sportswear and exquisite tailoring. These clothes were modern and chic, I can easily picture them on streets all over the world.
Interesting fabrics and textures, bold prints, and slouchy silhouettes were the hallmarks here. Knee-length skirts and sheath dresses in brightly colored leather, all-over geometric prints, separates, and the retro-inspired midriff baring tops that were all over the runways in New York all made an appearance.
Calvin Klein:
The collection that Francisco Costa presented may have been primarily black and white but it was a far cry from boring. And a far cry from the slinky pastel numbers favored by Hollywood starlets on the red carpet last season.
These looks were sleek, body conscious, and strikingly sexy with dramatic cuts and a variety of reach-out-and-touch-them fabrics and textures including lace, satin, mesh, and leather. No florals or pastels for the Calvin Klein girl this coming Spring, she’ll be breaking out killer heels and wowing everyone with her confidence and daring.
Ralph Lauren:
The Ralph Lauren show was a combination of make-believe and reality. There were costume-like pieces inspired by Spain and Latin America – fringe, matador jackets, and ponchos – and there were chic, wearable pieces that I’m sure we’ll be seeing soon on the red carpets and sidewalks of Hollywood.
I absolutely loved the flowing, ruffle-adorned maxi dresses and skirts in stripes and bright florals, as well as the vaguely Parisian looking prim A-line skirts paired with fitted jackets, and the double-breasted, oversized suits with dramatic shoulders.
Ole!
Thakoon:
If I had to pick a single word to describe the Spring 2013 collection presented by Thakoon it would be beautiful. The cuts & silhouettes were flattering, the fabric & textures were interesting, and the prints & details were nothing short of divine.
From pretty, colorful, whimsical prints for daytime outings to daring but still utterly chic lace, eyelet, and sheer fabrics for nighttime.
A collection like this one really illustrates the difference between a designer like Thakoon and one like Lee McQueen – While I’d call them both artists the wearability of a collection like this one is unparalleled. I wait with bated breathe for the McQueen shows and gasp at the artistry and showmanship, but I can picture every single piece of this collection in my wardrobe, not something most of us mere mortals can say about McQueen.
Diane Von Furstenberg:
Who knew being a techie could be so darn stylish? DVF went geek chic this season and sent her girls down the runway in brilliant colors, prints, and flowing caftans paired with the brand new Google Glasses.
Glasses aside this collection had a classic DVF feel – Great 70’s styles & prints, flowing silhouettes that would be right at home in Saint Tropez or Marrakech, and eye-catching accessories like oversized earrings, brightly colored sunglasses, and matchy-matchy handbags. The whole collection had a delicious retro vibe that made me nostalgic for the heyday of Miss Diane herself.
Victoria Beckham:
I always look forward to the Victoria Beckham show, I adore her personal style and that chic, timeless style always shows up in her collections. And while I love – and would die to own – all of her sexy, second skin sheath dresses, I was thrilled by the amount of separates and slightly less body conscious pieces that she sent down the runway for Spring.
Everything was still sleek and sexy, with little color or prints per her usual aesthetic, but somewhat more relatable for the non-Hollywood set. I especially liked the A-line skirts and high-necklines, and the black, white, and the brilliant orange color scheme suited the austerity of the designs.
Well done!
Tommy Hilfiger:
Stripes! Stripes! Stripes! But we’re not talking about your basic, boring stripes for Spring, these are chic, retro stripes adorning flowing suits, maxi dresses, and separates in red, white, and navy.
The devil was in the details of this collection – The drama of a double-breasted, oversized suit jacket, delicate chevron prints, bright piping on a two-toned blazer, contrasting denim on denim pockets, thick weave cable knit sweaters, gold rope detailing, and flowy silk shirt-dresses. You’ve got to admit, nothing says All-American quite like Tommy Hilfiger.
Jason Wu:
Jason Wu may be best know for dressing Michelle Obama, but when a runway show starts with Carolyn Murphy strutting her stuff in a black leather mini dress you know the collection is heading in a different direction than usual.
While the primarily black & white collection was filled with leather & lace, his red lipped models also wore some killer separates and pieces with exquisite tailoring. But even the prim looks amped up the sexiness with mesh, sheer panels, studs and animal prints.
Donna Karan:
City girl Donna Karan presented an unusually soft and sweet collection pulling inspiration from the ballet which gave the pieces ethereal undertones that were further emphasized by the pale color palette.
The soft, gauzy looking fabrics, flattering drapping, sweater-sets, and pastel satins were sugary sweet and picture perfect for good-girl actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Greene, or Nicole Kidman. Among the draping and flowing fabrics were two numbers that caught my eye though – A sharp white sheath dress with a matching cropped jacket and a sexy sheer panelled navy gown perfect for a siren like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley during her next red carpet appearance.
Zac Posen:
Calling all supermodels!
The Zac Posen show was the place to be when the audience was surprised by Naomi Campbell, Angela Lindvall, Karolina Kurkova, and Coco Rocha all hitting the catwalk in his gorgeous, retro-inspired designs.
The dresses were phenomenal – From floral fifties inspired day dresses with sweetheart necklines to second-skin suits with his trademark dramatic bodice cuts, to sleek gowns in satins, florals, and chiffons. I could picture the likes of Eva Mendes and Emma Stone wearing the chic, but prim daydresses, and I guarantee that the rest of these gowns will be all over the red carpets come awards season.
Marc Jacobs:
There’s a reason that no one could stop talking about the Marc Jacobs show – It was amazing. Fabulously retro and evocative of the stylish Warhol girls of the 60’s, without appearing costumy or over the top, the kind of clothes you can really picture yourself wearing.
Loads of stripes – from thick to thin & horizontal to vertical – interesting lengths, cute separates, matching handbags, low-heeled shoes, and chic outerwear. I loved the long jackets with the high collars, the tiny shifts that us non-supermodels would need to wear slim trousers under, and the adorable pointy toed kitten heels.
Michael Kors:
Another show that emphasized stripes and had a Mod feeling to it was Michael Kors, which was brightly colored, bold, and very sporty. While it may not have been innovative, this collection showed piece after piece of very wearable clothing – For both men and women.
Stripes, colorblocking, contrasting collars, flats, wide low-slung belts, matching suits, tank & shift dresses, and separates all made lovely appearances. I may not be able to live without the green tunic & matching shorts set, it’s one of my favorite looks so far from the NYFW collections.
The menswear was fabulous – Full of color, great silhouettes, and classics styles. The men also got the stripes treatment and he showed great suits, white boat shoes, separates in the form of slacks, shorts & sweaters, and killer outerwear.
Carolina Herrera:
This light airy collection was filled with pale hues – from peach and aqua to olive-green and daffodil yellow – All perfectly ready for Spring. There were shorts, midi length skirts, trench coats, maxi dresses, gowns, and some sweet separates.
As gorgeous as CH’s gowns always are, the separates and short coats were what really caught my eye. They were chic and well-tailored, but more approachable than her collections have been in the past. The wide strap heeled sandals worn by all came in every color imaginable and thin belts cinched all of the waists. And interestingly enough, not a piece of jewelry could be seen!
Oscar de la Renta:
What I love about ODLR is his consistency – Each show will inevitably cater to a handful of crowds, from high-powered businesswomen & ladies who lunch to the fashionable young things & “It” girls that compose the celebutant set.
The splashes of colors in this collection were shocking yellow, pink, and teal – An interesting choice that worked surprisingly well. The collection was vibrant and fun with lots of beautiful textures and fabrics, and a great separates that I can imagine a few fashionistas in. Personally I’d be first in line for the thin striped dress paired with the black & white plaid coat and the sequin encrusted retro tunic & slim cropped pants – Tres chic!
Jill Stuart:
I’m always excited for a collection that pulls from Kim Basinger’s Veronica Lake look-a-like character in LA Confidential as it’s inspiration – The old school, golden age of Hollywood was such an extravagant and glamorous period fashion-wise.
You could really see that in the boudoir-feeling of the silks and slinky satins, and in the sequins, lame, and metallic brocades. While this wasn’t a “real woman” collection, there were beautiful dresses, gowns, and a few separates that will cater perfectly to a certain set.
Alexander Wang:
Wow.
Cut outs, netting, mesh, beading, lucite, sheer fabrics, leather, and garments that glowed in the dark when the lights went down. Cool club kids of the world unite! The pieces were minimalist and simultaneously dramatic and eye-catching, a feat few designers can manage.
Architectural and structured, but still fun and irreverent, all of the looks were paired seamlessly with strappy sandal-boot hybrids in black, white, or clear lucite. Definitely not looks for the average woman to wear walking down the street, but something that the cool girls that love Wang dearly can wear for a night out on the town.
What’s your favorite collection that I’ve reviewed so far? If you could go to New York City for Fashion Week what would the number one show on your list to see in person be?
Let’s spice things up today and rather than our usual Looks of the Week post, let’s try out something a little different. Here are some gorgeous shots of jewelry, bags, hats, shoes, and other glorious accessories to lust after.
Rock n’ roll goddess! This is such a ‘reach out & touch it’ texture fest – The crocheted top, the studded leather collar, and that phenomenal silver & gold necklace.
This safety-pin bag is pretty much the cutest thing I’ve seen lately. It’s an adorable piece to add to a basic black & white outfit like The Glamourai so expertly did.
Wow. She’s taking the splash of color trend to a whole new level – Can you imagine anything more mouth-watering than that gorgeous cherry red Celine bag? Want!
How adorable are there H&M earrings from Style Scrapbook? They’d be great at night or even during the day!
Alexander Wang. Nuff said!
A great pair of flats are a must have. What’s your perfect pair? I love ones like this DVF pair that have a little something special to make them unique.
I love classic and I love feminine, but I also love dramatic and avant garde. How fabulous is this ring?
This cuff is to DIE for. Leave it to Hermes!
Colorful. Fun. Irreverent. All words I like to use to describe accessories!
LOVE. Want it all.
These are so cute! A great neutral sandal that you can wear with virtually anything.
Holy high fashion Batman! Not only do I adore her black & gold jewelry, I’ve been dreaming of this Givenchy handbag for MONTHS. This is actually the gift that I’m planning to get myself for the big 3-0! 🙂
Doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, everyone loves arm candy!
A nude heel doesn’t have to be boring. Finding a great pair of pumps with interesting and one-of-a-kind detailing is the way to go!
Tres chic! Not sure about mixing gold & silver jewelry? Wendy makes it work.
Just stunning. I absolutely adore David Yurman, and the campaigns, and these are three fabulous examples of his chic, fun, timeless jewelry.
Audrey from Be Frassy always has killer accessories and these are no exception. I adore the classic black mixed with chic punk-inspired spikes.
Those are all words that I could easily use to describe the Fall 2012 Couture collections that were shown in Paris this past week. The locations ranged from the Grand Palais to the Ritz Hotel to the Musée Bourdelle, and the themes ran the gamut from old school glamour to futuristic to Game of Thrones.
Yes. Game of Thrones.
The big story this season was Raf Simons’s inaugural collection for the house of Christian Dior after leaving Jil Sander at the end of last season. The show began with classic Dior colors and silhouettes, elegant suits, ladylike dresses, and then ball gowns that I can guarantee will feature heavily on the red carpet in the coming year’s award season.
The collection was anything but boring though with metallic belts, gorgeous embroidery, dramatic peplums, oversized pockets, opera-length gloves, bold collars, tie dyed pieces, tweeds, and reach-out-and-touch-them textures. It was soft and elegant and oh-so-Dior, but with a dramatic, extravagant edge.
Divine!
I’m not sure if I can put it any better than the fabulous Mr Blasberg who proclaimed: “In the last 13 minutes, Raf Simons just single-handedly altered the contemporary haute couture landscape.” Curious how the phenomenal flower-strewn setting was created for this show? This video gives you a fabulous backstage peek at the process of creation.
New Vintage was the theme for Karl Lagerfeld’s ChanelFall 2012 Couture collection – “Vintage is depressing, but ‘new vintage’ is something to come. It’s preparation for something that could last.”
Bold plaid & checkered patterns, metal-tipped pumps, traditional tweeds, metallic silver tights, chunky knits, shimmery separates, slouchy sequined caps, oversized outerwear, maxi skirts and full pants, velvet coats, pussy bow blouses, Peter Pan collars, and dresses adorned with feathers, chiffon, tulle, and sequins all had a sassy retro feel with modern and sometimes futuristic-feeling details.
Givenchy‘s Riccardo Tisci is nothing if not detail oriented. His collections are traditionally small in size and he and his design teams & seamstresses really focus on making each look unique, one-of-a-kind, and highly intricate. His Fall 2012 collection focused on beading, heavy embroidery and brocades, leather working, fringe, and even sequins.
The restrained extravagance of this collection perfectly complemented the earthy, folksy theme that was somewhere between Little Red Riding Hood and Maid Marian. And I couldn’t have envisioned a more appropriate background than the lush green forest that these looks were photographed against.
While there was some of the famous Valentino red at the end of this show, the colors de jour were navy and creamy pink. The thick brocades and heavy embroideries in cream, peach, and pink played perfectly against the sequins, sheer panels, and flowing silks in varying shades of moody blues.
The details in these pieces were phenomenal, from delicate accordion pleats and metallic-laced brocades to dramatic floral cutouts and sheer chiffon ruffles. Chiuri and Piccioli have been getting their footing over the last few seasons and this couture collection seems to be the coming out party for the new Valentino – An opulent, dramatic twist on the old school glamour and romance that Valentino is known for.
In the world of couture Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2012 Armani Prive collection offered up something wholly different. Wearability. Given that couture is considered an art form and that pieces in these collections can range anywhere from $20,000 to $2,000,000, wearability is hardly the word de jour. But with the full, flattering cuts, cool, pale silks, and touchable, midnight dark velvets, wearable was just what he presented.
These looks were all about textures – Soft, sleek, touchable fabrics that you could almost feel against your skin. The jeweled and beaded veils were one of my favorite parts of this collection, they added serious drama and brought out a mysterious quality in the clothes that took you to another time and place.
The Versace show at the Ritz Hotel was wild and fun – Xena Warrior Princess meets Couture Barbie. The Versace woman is strong, fierce, and fearless, she embraces her sexuality and loves to show some skin. These clothes are not for the faint of heart, they were all about dramatic peek-a-boos, slashes, and slits.
Wide, tooled belts, multi-strap & buckle adorned heels, sheer cloth, sequined netting details, and spiderweb thin mesh gave this show unabashed shimmer, shine, and sex appeal.
The Versace girl is bold, uninhibited and in these clothes, she’s ready to party!
I always look forward toGiambattista Valli‘s collections – His esthetic is divine and I love how he always adds a little edge to his classic, ladylike silhouettes. And his second couture collection made me say to myself for a second time, Valli was made for couture.
And here in this dreamy place far away the moody reds and greens, organic prints, and flowing cuts & ruffles were all borrowed from nature; all-over muted floral patterns, applique and embroidered plant life, ruffles, flares, folds, and thick lace were all born of the outdoors. And with jewelry, accessories, and hairpieces evoking bugs, butterflies, and leaves, the theme was complete throughout the collection.
Rather than a fairy princess vibe the earthy tones and themes brought to mind wood nymphs and dryads – Woodland creatures who personified the various aspects of the natural world that they watched over; strong and eternal.
If you’re curious to see what these designers have shown on the couture catwalk in seasons past here are a few links to try – Spring 2012 Couture and Fall 2011 Couture.
