A peacock is still a peacock even without her feathers. Kate Bosworth looks simply elegant in Calvin Klein at NYC Fashion Week parties.source: style.com
Helmut Lang
The collection from Nicol and Michael Colovos for spring is a beautiful, fluid motion from beginning to end. The fabrics fall so easily into the shapes of jackets, pants, and dresses that I find a certain serenity in the clothes. There is no reliance on gimmicks or essays on trends - this collection simply works, and works because it is simple. Luxury does not rely merely on craft or material, but the inclusion of those with a feeling of ease the garments allow you. Luxury is not luxurious unless you feel so, and it is much easier to feel so if you are not constrained or overexposed by a garment.
The organic shapes of the pieces speak to the ease with which you can wear them, and the subtle architectural construction gives just the right amount of structure needed so you don’t get too lost in them.
The range in this collection is quietly surprising. The marble-like printed t-shirt and a vest jumpsuit on one side to a basic dress and office casual ensemble on the other free the collection from the limits of appealing to one demographic.
The organic shapes of the pieces speak to the ease with which you can wear them, and the subtle architectural construction gives just the right amount of structure needed so you don’t get too lost in them.
The range in this collection is quietly surprising. The marble-like printed t-shirt and a vest jumpsuit on one side to a basic dress and office casual ensemble on the other free the collection from the limits of appealing to one demographic.
Comme des Garçons
Rei Kawakubo's Comme des Garçons spring line was quite the fantastical 18th century bubble bath of those aristocrats who forgot to take off their elaborate hair additions after a ball.
Zac Posen
Zac Posen's line this spring hits all the right notes. For one, the Lykke Li soundtrack was perfect. He brings us floaty tops, a well cut blazer, leopard, ruffles, and the return of the midriff. When a lot of the fashions are leaning on greys and blacks, there are always those who defy the normalcy of a season. Posen's choice of colour is not ingenious for spring, but it is the refreshing break amongst all the other darker inspirations. His mix of the rock n roll bouffant, although styled to its death over the past few years, is dramatized with chandelier earrings but toned down with the lady-like colours and demure shoes. My favorite part of his look are the metallic purple lips. Trés Peacock.
The exposed upper abdomen is making a healthy comeback this coming spring, and I have to admit that I am more excited for this look than for those low-rider jeans that everyone had a fling with. Not only is this look much more comfortable with regards to how it sits on the waist, but it is exponentially more discretely appealing as the chance for exposing your inner plumber is avoided. It leaves nothing hanging out and the juiciest tid-bits to the imagination - the way sexy should be.
Suede is a material traditionally reserved for the fall/winter collections, but Posen brings it into spring quite successfully. I enjoy the colour choices and how the matte is juxtaposed with the sheen of the shirt and dress respectively. The shoulder shape of the citron shirt is a beautiful update of the power shoulders from the 80s. This lady-like rock n roll look works very well here.
These two leopard looks are simply divine. On the one side there we have something very workable for the upper east side girl with a wild side, on the other we have the downright wild child in a plastic, leather-look interpretation. The silhouettes are right on point - these ensembles are just two sides to the same coin. I can just see the black one paired with long gloves to bring it into fall 09.
The ruffles are yet another point of interest that Posen brings into his line. The cuffed pantsuit with the daintily incorporated ruffle V neck blouse us just the right kind of effortless chique for spring. Conversely, the drama of the three quarter dress is so refreshing for more formal events. There is the same playfulness as the first look in the length and movement of it, yet the intensity of the black brings in the rock n roll look that we have seen throughout the collection.His collection exposes the perfect girly-girl gone bad.
source: zac posen spring 09 at style.com
The exposed upper abdomen is making a healthy comeback this coming spring, and I have to admit that I am more excited for this look than for those low-rider jeans that everyone had a fling with. Not only is this look much more comfortable with regards to how it sits on the waist, but it is exponentially more discretely appealing as the chance for exposing your inner plumber is avoided. It leaves nothing hanging out and the juiciest tid-bits to the imagination - the way sexy should be.
Suede is a material traditionally reserved for the fall/winter collections, but Posen brings it into spring quite successfully. I enjoy the colour choices and how the matte is juxtaposed with the sheen of the shirt and dress respectively. The shoulder shape of the citron shirt is a beautiful update of the power shoulders from the 80s. This lady-like rock n roll look works very well here.
These two leopard looks are simply divine. On the one side there we have something very workable for the upper east side girl with a wild side, on the other we have the downright wild child in a plastic, leather-look interpretation. The silhouettes are right on point - these ensembles are just two sides to the same coin. I can just see the black one paired with long gloves to bring it into fall 09.
The ruffles are yet another point of interest that Posen brings into his line. The cuffed pantsuit with the daintily incorporated ruffle V neck blouse us just the right kind of effortless chique for spring. Conversely, the drama of the three quarter dress is so refreshing for more formal events. There is the same playfulness as the first look in the length and movement of it, yet the intensity of the black brings in the rock n roll look that we have seen throughout the collection.His collection exposes the perfect girly-girl gone bad.
source: zac posen spring 09 at style.com
Ann Demeulemeester
The black and white at Demeulemeester always caught my eye, but this time around I was even more intrigued by the glitter aspect of the show. The hint of sheen in the womens shirt livens up the classic pant suit and the glossy black sandals for men are so much fun that I wish they made them for women! I love how her shirt is draped. It speaks of a woman with luxurious bedding and the most creative inclinations, the result of rolling out of bed with a fabulous shirt.
These black ensemble would speak for themselves, but the beaded accessories ensure that they do not go unheard! Although the shoes are not my favorite (those straps look incredibly uncomfortable, and the soles look like they were part of rubber boots in their past lives), the beaded turtleneck necklaces are right up my alley.
Adding a little fringe to the beads was the next logical step, of course, and the result is no less appealing. The menswear in this collection is a nice little break, and the buttoning here is a great twist of imagination. The little white tutu brings in the bedlinen draping that I enjoyed so much of this collection, while the final dress and blazer ensemble takes the idea to the next level. The chandelier necklace is so dainty that it just looks penciled onto the shirt. How wonderfully simplistic and decadent at the same time! Now if only I could 'pencil in' a chandelier necklace into my wardrobe...source: ann demeulmeester spring 2009 at style.com
A.F. Vandevorst
Written off as almost unwearable by Nicol Phelps over at style.com because of the 'kink factor,' An and Filip presented a most delicious collection right out of the boudoirs of Paris. Regardless of the critics, I happened to enjoy this collection very much - although I do agree that a fair portion of it will have to be reinterpreted by the more conservative of us. The rouge pout and mane-like hair offers just the right amount of wildness to the otherwise monochromatic and streamlined look this spring. I love how the proportion of leg to torso remains constant throughout the show, and those leggings are going to start a DIY frenzy amongst some of my fellow bloggers... and I just might have to join them!
source: af vandevorst spring 2009 at style.com
Ralph Lauren
I adored most of what Lauren came up with for the spring and summer seasons. Although Morocco has been a place of inspiration for many, Lauren catches the spirit of the place in his clothes rather than simply transposing the silhouettes into something American. It was an luxurious, elegant, and carefree collection, and the setting heightened how his pieces glimmered like stars in the night sky.
These first few ensembles are translatable for both the young and mature wearer - a testament to Lauren's ability for timelessness. The beauty of the rightmost piece is that the silk blouse is backless - an absolute indulgence for peacocks everywhere. For me, a bare back is the ultimate. I am also quite enamoured with the gold genie pants. They are just so comfortable and glamorous at the same time. Could a girl ask for anything more?
The beauty of these dresses are lost in the still photos. Their movement and shimmer is irresistible. I love walking in a full length gown, enjoying the movement of the fabric around my ankles. There is just something about it that can really elevate your mood.
And finally, these black stunners rounded up the show with such elegance. The details absolutely sparkled away and their fluidity totally evoked the feel at an event on a warm Moroccan night.
I find that the strengths of his collections are in the movement of the pieces and the perfectly crafted accessories that truly did bring Morocco to Paris for this show.
source: ralph lauren spring 2009 at style.com
These first few ensembles are translatable for both the young and mature wearer - a testament to Lauren's ability for timelessness. The beauty of the rightmost piece is that the silk blouse is backless - an absolute indulgence for peacocks everywhere. For me, a bare back is the ultimate. I am also quite enamoured with the gold genie pants. They are just so comfortable and glamorous at the same time. Could a girl ask for anything more?
The beauty of these dresses are lost in the still photos. Their movement and shimmer is irresistible. I love walking in a full length gown, enjoying the movement of the fabric around my ankles. There is just something about it that can really elevate your mood.
And finally, these black stunners rounded up the show with such elegance. The details absolutely sparkled away and their fluidity totally evoked the feel at an event on a warm Moroccan night.
I find that the strengths of his collections are in the movement of the pieces and the perfectly crafted accessories that truly did bring Morocco to Paris for this show.
source: ralph lauren spring 2009 at style.com
Balenciaga
Nicolas Ghesquière brings us quite the eye-catching collection, to say the least. A quick little snippet of menswear engulfed by brilliant dresses and suits. The whole collection felt very much like a uniform to me, as he covered as much of each model as possible - almost negating their individuality by disguising their skin tone with tights and long fitted gloves. By creating this neutral backdrop, the garments really stand apart from the wearer, allowing yet another imaginative twist for the buyer to incorporate into their wardrobe.
These little numbers remind me of school girl tunics that we all had to wear, and find a way to look somewhat deifferent from the girl beside us in English class.
By far my favorites are these jackets. Forget about designing for one season, here Ghesquière presents a take on each season without skipping a beat. It could even be a jacket to really reflect the mood of your fancy. And he has no reservation to simply show one, but strut them out one after the other with no mind to editing his show. Bravo! I love to see everything a designer has to offer, even a mere pallet change.
His menswear is perfectly odd, with stooping shoulders an collarless creations. The pants are great and the tailoring imaginative.
These little numbers remind me of school girl tunics that we all had to wear, and find a way to look somewhat deifferent from the girl beside us in English class.
By far my favorites are these jackets. Forget about designing for one season, here Ghesquière presents a take on each season without skipping a beat. It could even be a jacket to really reflect the mood of your fancy. And he has no reservation to simply show one, but strut them out one after the other with no mind to editing his show. Bravo! I love to see everything a designer has to offer, even a mere pallet change.
His menswear is perfectly odd, with stooping shoulders an collarless creations. The pants are great and the tailoring imaginative.
Matthew Williamson: Polished Perfection
It's barely fall and already spring is in the air. Matthew Williamson's collection is one to look forward to as there is something for everyone in this collection. His jeweled suits take fall's blazer trend forward with the bubble sleeves and streamline collars. The iridescent shorts and skirts add interest to any outfit, and will look positively glam when work out at night with light, airy cottons.
His use of nudes creates a more accessible interpretation of his otherwise bold line. For those who are looking for a more useful garment, his leftmost looks are right on the money - but for those looking for a little more punch, his rightmost looks bring the same needs to a bolder level.
This little piece of bohemian chique is, for me, what really caught my eye in his collection. The silhouette is leaner, and yet he still captures a care-free spirit with the prints. The clean, polished, thick straight hair is an immaculate alternative to the tussled waves and allows these looks to transition between city and beach life effortlessly. The white pants and top paired with the printed bolero and beads creates the perfect inspiration for those of us who are experimenting with the boho look, but favour the clean lines of a more classic silhouette. Using the Carrie belt here showcases a new way to incorporate the now, dare I say, iconic belt in yet other ways: one to edge out a casual look, the other to fall in line with it. This lineup has just enough structure to it for a modern buyer, yet does not loose the flavour of the carefree summer.
His evening looks have that rocker vibe with enough play so as to avoid an overly harsh tone. Again, the Carrie belt makes an appearance is a more predictable interpretation, and the cropped shrug keeps it from getting too hard core. The maxi dress is stunning with the patent waistline, cuffs, and collar to create the requisite edge to bring this dress from standard printed floor length to devil-may-care show stopper. The leather jacket is a great staple piece, while the crazy plastic mini, paired with killer heels, will give any girl extra fire on her nights out.
Kate Moss for Topshop
The new Kate Moss line for Topshop debuts today. This time around I am delighted to see that she did not dumb as many pieces down as in past collections. The fringe jacket, feather chiffon blouse, and the fur vests simply hit the nail on the head. Although my search for the perfect white fur vest still continues, I am more than happy to see that other people will be able to check that item off their list with Kate's creations. Her wet-look jeans and leopard trousers add the element that is undeniably Kate - something that I found missing in her previous attempts. The rocker dress with studs, the strappy fringe number, and the scalloped frock are welcomed departures from the cookie-cutter girly look that has saturated the racks over the past seasons. While she still caters to a general esthetic with the jersey materials and easy to integrate cardigans, this collection brings more to the table in the way of a Kate Moss look than ever before.
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