September 24, 2009

Spring Collections 2010, Ready to Wear, New York

Narcisco Rodriguez lets loose. His signature tightly constructed dress takes on a relaxed volume for Spring 2010. Jackets come in shapes like that of an Apollo command capsule and I am particularly covetous of the longer leather coat. So light, with a perfect shoulder and plenty of deep V. Dresses with shear structuring and pink moth-like pattern cutouts move so sexy. But the real knockouts of the collection are the evening dresses whose hems are cut short in the front and billow to floor length in the back. They demand a grand staircase and film crew to follow.

The fabrics at the Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein gave the collection an immediate appeal. The big time minimalist line felt positively embellished with the addition of expressive ruched crunched “needle punching” fabrics. I particularly like the way he experimented with the shape of the sleeve, whether it be an extended cap which turned a would be nurses’ outfit into something naughty, or an extra long knuckle skimming sleeve that really toys with the proportion of the jacket and dress. While neutrals dominated the color palette, when a lemon dress with the most perfect pushed up over the elbow sleeve did appear it was so welcomed that you wanted to grab the dress right off the model and wear it now.

The Donna Karan collection was an exciting mix of lean sophisticated city strut and ocean urchin. Lots of action at the waistline where the draping sometimes feigned oyster shells that hover over slim pencil skirts or simple ties that give focus to breezy leggy dresses. One particular ensemble was crafted out the the most brilliant modern red that, in this vampire crazed entertainment frenzy, it just might be the ticket. And while I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to makeup at these shows, Pat McGrath’s eye treatment set off the look so successfully that I’m tempted to run out and try some white liner myself.

And one last collection that still lingers and gives me cause to shop. Here are a few from Zero +Maria Cornejo. I just love what happens when the black strap slashes through this silk and the ying yang sandals.

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March 9, 2009

Milan, Ready to Wear, Fall 2009

I spent some time really looking at last weeks fashion shows in Milan. I usually just flip through the first couple of outfits and move along as most of the time, well I just get over it quickly. But now that I have this platform from which to speak, I decided to put some backbone into it. 

So here you have a fashion flight. But before you dig into these clips, here are some words you just need to block out, because none of it rings true. Investment Dressing, Investment Pieces, and, the worst, Value Added. I think Hamish Bowles says it best, “Its all about creating desire in this climate”…. creating the illusion of timelessness.

Bottega Veneta, designer Tomas Maier, delivers a cool collection with butter leathers and easy to wear gowns, but what is he doing with breasts? I love the first white coat and can anyone really get enough of Bottega bags and shoes…I think not.

Next up is Burberry, designed by Christopher Bailey. I covet most of this collection. I could wear it all. Easy to put on. Love the fur collar, love the wool collars. Love the full skirted floral dress. True to the Burberry name, all thing trench can get a bit wearisome, but that is coming from a place (Los Angeles) where weather wise a trench is rarely appropriate dressing fodder. I do run around San Francisco cinching my waist and turning up my collar. But here, alas, most of the time they sit in my closet unaware of any real purpose they have beyond hanging. See the great piece on Bailey in T Magazine — Men’s Fashion Spring 2009.  http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2009/03/08/style/t/index.html#pageName=08collage

Roberto Cavali is usually all floral and animal prints and way too much of it for the most part. Not so this year…this is the stuff glam rock dreams are made of. By far the sexiest stuff of the season. The boots are leggings and the skirts are knife folded napkins made of chain mail. These girls are not just having all the fun they are making all the fun. Short furs, short jackets, short skirts and the long leg silhoutte. The energy seems pitch perfect here. Lots of forward motion, lots of working it attitude. My favorite show by far of Milan.

I want to like this Marni show by Consuelo Castiglioni. I keep looking and think, “I always want something Marni”, but I just cannot seem to embrace the Marni credo of this time. I don’t like the palette, I hate the pants and the whole thing feels heavy. It tries too hard and can’t get out of its own way. That being said, the furs are fabulous and the gloves are right. Well, maybe I do want that one slim suit with the beaded jacket. OK, that feels better.

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