Runway Recap: BCBG Max Azria Spring 2012
Inspiration: The Azrias do what they do best for Spring 2012 and that’s release a collection boasting a ton of gorgeous, silky dresses. This time around BCBG shows off gorgeous color-blocked pieces that look like they were inspired by geometric, tribal shapes but in refreshing way. These frocks kind of look like something a fashion-forward girl in the Seventies would wear.
Top Trends: Color and lots of it meshed with more neutral shades. Assymetrical hemlines as well as high-slits, pleats and sheer panels. No body-con pieces this time around instead were greeted with gorgeous, relaxed-fitting, light-weight dresses.
Accessories: Though kept to a minimum, the accessories at BCBG Max Azria included wooden, sandal platforms that definitely took on a tribal vibe and simple metallic clutches. The clothes did the talking.
Favorite Looks: Where do I begin? This entire collection is one of those you wish resided in your closet because you would never have an “I don’t have anything to wear to this event” moment. The pieces are so relaxed, don’t need to be accessorized and are glamorous without trying hard. The sheer, sporty jacket is a really cool ode to the Nineties and the floor-length gowns, especially the geometric one with sheer panels near the hem, is stunning.
Thoughts: We can definitely expect to see a newer take on tribal and geometric shapes for Spring as well as chiffon pleats. The Azria’s really nailed it, providing us with a gorgeous, easy-to-wear collection for the warmer months.
Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2011-12: Christian Dior, Elie Saab & Chanel
Bill Gaytten stepped in as Creative Director of the Fall-Winter 2011-12 Dior Couture collection making it the first sans John Galliano and of course, John’s presence was missed. Rumor is Gaytten channeled sad clowns as his inspiration and fashion critics have been probing this collection since it hit the runway. What do you think? Is it a total fashion fail? Check out the Spring 2011 couture collection by Galliano and judge the difference yourself. Does Dior need to rehire it’s fallen designer? SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION
Lebanese designer Elie Saab unveils another couture collection for the fashion-obssessed to fawn over. For his latest collection Saab created more figure-flattering, embellished gowns which absolutely solidify his title as Hollywood’s dress king. While some take jabs at him because he’s super consistent, we think he knows what he’s doing. Saab is almost too talented at what he does, so why would he need to take risks? We like the classic shape he utilizes and in all honesty it’s nice that he doesn’t have to put a multicolored bubble dress on a model wearing flatforms to get buzz. SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION
If we were inside Karl Lagerfeld‘s head, we’d presume he was inspired by a ton of old Film Noir movies for this Fall-Winter 2011-12 Chanel couture collection. The Coco-inspired tweed suits were a staple in this collection per usual but some were executed differently with a bell silhouette and show-stoppers included the magenta pieces and sheer floor-length gowns. SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION
Runway Recap: Gucci Resort 2012
- INSPIRATION
Frida Giannini, the current creative director for the popular design house, is known for her love of fashion interpretation and her ability to take past Gucci looks and re-create them in modern, fresh ways. Giannini also strives to make Gucci clothes more wearable for wide range of women in order to escape from the “party girl” image that the label previously attained. In fact, she noted that she wants “to understand an intelligent glamour, everyday luxury-things a woman can wear with sensuality, not just to show off here tits.”
- TOP TRENDS
For Gucci’s Resort 2012 collection, Giannini proved to believe in the same philosophy as many designers when considering the “in-between season”- drive sales by creating easy-to-wear separates. She delivered a collection that included color-blocking with strong solid colors such as gold and bronze metallics, neon yellow, purple, orange, deep taupes, and several variations on red as well as the standard staples-black and white. Giannini also utilized prints in a number of her looks, particularly Hawaiian-themed designs as well as both nautical and zebra-inspired stripes. As far as textures go, the Gucci Resort collection seemed to play with the contrast and interaction between pleated and crisp fabrics.
- ACCESSORIES
To tie her looks together, Giannini called on here accessories experience, she was formerly the label’s creative director of accessories, and smartly decided to use skinny belts, gold broaches, sky-high heels- both strappy wedges and closed-toe printed pumps, and a mix of oversize totes and minimalist clutches.
- FAVORITE LOOK
Giannini’s pleated metallic skirt look takes office-chic to a whole new level. From the top up, the model appears to be ready for a business meeting. When taken in as a whole outfit, however, the skirt makes the ensemble become something really special.
- THOUGHTS
While her experience with accessories is obvious, Giannini really shines as a womenswear designer through this collection. Her style is simple, yet she puts an emphasis on the details that really make a difference.
Runway Recap: Prabal Gurung Resort 2012
- INSPIRATION
As the recent winner of the Swarovski Award for Womenswear at the CFDAs, Prabal Gurung is certainly a credible designer. For his Resort 2012 collection, Gurung “wanted to do something not just commercial but also covetable.” With this in mind, Gurung did as it seems all designers do when preparing a resort collection-focus on pieces that can be worn as beautifully separately as if worn with other items from the collection.
- TOP TRENDS
Gurung’s Resort 2012 collection encompassed many of the same features we have seen in other designer’s collections, but done in different ways. For instance, he utilizes the Hawaiian-inspired prints that are popping up everywhere, but combines them with polka dots, something a lot of designers have not done. Additionally, unlike the other designers who have played with a wide range of colors this “season,” Gurung had a distinct attraction to black and white and only inserted a few pops of yellow, green and pink.
- ACCESSORIES
Gurung kept the accessories simple, with almost all of the models rocking the exact same pair of black and white strappy heels and a few of the girls sporting skinny belts.
- FAVORITE LOOK
Gurung’s black pantsuit with a printed crop jacket is fantastic. However, it’s the pop from the neon pink belt that makes the outfit really stand out.
- THOUGHTS
Gurung’s versatility is clear through his variation on classic staples. He achieves unique perspectives on suits, dresses, skirts, jackets, and shorts-not an easy feat for such a new designer.
Runway Recap: Stella McCartney Resort 2012
As the resort collection is a time for designers to produce and present ready-to-wear clothing between the twice-yearly seasonal collections, the majority of resort looks are driven by a push to increase sales during the fashion “off season.” Accordingly, many designers create each piece with the mindset that it can be just as special standing alone as it would be if incorporated into the full head-to-toe runway look. Stella McCartney obviously kept this in mind when working on her Resort 2012 collection. McCartney focused on mixing prints in a way that created unique looks yet was still comprised of pieces that were accessible to a wide range of women.
INSPIRATION:
McCartney addressed the collection by saying “There’s a lot of versatility; that’s what’s nice about a [Resort] collection. You don’t have to be so controlled. You can give a lot of different people a lot of different things and not be afraid to do that.” With this mantra in mind, McCartney introduced pieces that can stand alone from the rest of the collection and still look great instead of items that only work in one particular way.
TOP TRENDS:
McCartney’s Resort 2012 collection was largely comprised of menswear staples, the majority of which were oversized. While she played on the Spring 2011 trend of color blocking by using subdued colors like grey and black instead of the jewel tones we saw earlier this year, McCartney also incorporated deep blues and citrus hues. Additionally, McCartney introduced a number of printed pieces, with looks including houndstooth and Hawaiian inspiration.
ACCESSORIES:
To complete her ensembles, McCartney turned to oxford-inspired deck shoes as well as minimal clutches and gold broaches.
Runway Recap: Jason Wu Resort 2012
INSPIRATION
Jason Wu had a clear vision for his resort 2012 collection. The looks shown played on the juxtaposition of masculine cuts and silhouettes with distinctly feminine fabrics and prints. A modern interpretation of classic ladylike chic.
TOP TRENDS
The dominant trend of the collection is undoubtedly that of tailored sophistication. Pieces come in colours which are as to be expected, such as black and off-white, as well as those which provide a fresh element to the palette, see the introduction of coral and lime green. As well as block colour Wu also made use of print in his designs, with a Liberty style floral motif which adorned dresses and separates.
ACCESSORIES
Candy coloured wristlets, clutches and long strapped day bags were used to accessorise and complement each look. Additional accessories, which perfect the holidaying in Saint Tropez vibe, include cats eye sunglasses, strappy sandals, skinny belts and frayed raffia sun hats.
FAVOURITE LOOKS
Sometimes the looks which seem to ooze simplicity are the very ones which stand out most. One of the most lust-worthy looks is Wu’s feminine take on the classic tuxedo. A fitted navy blazer is teamed with black shorts, a pleated white shirt and black bow-tie, a look which exudes an Alexa Chung, androgynous vibe.
THOUGHTS
Even though tailored, preppy looks have been explored in many a resort collection in the past, Wu has achieved a thoroughly unique take with his block colour/printed vision. A subtle use of neon colour ensures a youthful vibe throughout, whilst the silhouettes hint at classic sophistication. Taking into account Wu’s use of scuba style contouring, which has already proved to be a hugely popular, yet surprising trend, this collection has all the ingredients to make it one of the most successful, easy to wear collections out there.
Runway: Marc by Marc Jacobs Resort 2012
Gorgeous reds! Animal Print! Polka Dots! Sequins! OMG this might be our favorite Marc by Marc Jacobs collection to date.
CHECK OUT THE COLLECTION HERE!
Runway: Kevork Kiledjian Resort 2012
Mesh panels and jewel tones make cameos in the Resort 2012 collection by the buzz-worthy Kevork Kiledjian.
CHECK OUT THE COLLECTION HERE!
Runway Recap: Michael Kors Resort 2012
Inspiration:
Michael Kors looked to the sun soaked destination of Sydney, Australia for inspiration when it came to his Resort 2012 collection. Who would have thought fluorescents and zebra print could be worn with ladylike boucle jackets to provide such a wearable day look?
Top Trends:
Fuchsia pink and lime green are juxtaposed with black accents and jackets and tailored trousers come in soft golds. Silhouettes are reminiscent of scuba-diving wetsuits which have been given a glamorous yet sporty reinterpretation for 2012.
Accessories:
Flat, multi-strapped sandals, large framed sunglasses and thick, black belts complete with utility pouches accompanied the sporty looks of the collection.
Favourite Looks:
Kors definitely went with the mantra “save the best for last” with this collection, leaving the most impressive look until the end of the show, which came in the form of an exquisite, floor length fuchsia gown, complete with a thigh-high side split. Another noteworthy look was the simple lime and black scuba-style shift dress, which could easily be dressed up or down.
Thoughts:
Michael Kors has successfully made scuba-diving inspired gear look good, which, as to be expected, is quite a feat. The neon pieces work particularly well, either as stand-alone looks or when mixed up with zebra print. The gold looks however seem a little incoherent, especially when considering the rest of the collection and would perhaps seem more at home in amongst similar pieces. Sportswear will no doubt explode in 2012 and fashion fanatics need look no further than Kors’ resort collection for inspiration on the best way to dip their toe into the popular trend.
Runway: Yves Saint Laurent Resort 2012 Collection
Stefano Pilati channels old-school, nautical style in his 2012 Resort collection for Yves Saint Laurent.
Will you be sporting anchors and stripes in 2012?
Check out the collection here!
New from #PFW: Chanel, Alexander Mcqueen, Louis Vuitton + Miu Miu
Alexander McQueen
Here are some the most recent collections shown at Paris Fashion Week. Click away for the galleries.
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