Tuesday Inspiration: Brocade for the Holidays

Now that we've finished stuffing ourselves after Thanksgiving, it's time to start hunting for that perfect holiday dress. I'm not ready to commit to anything yet, and I have a relatively small budget to work in, but there's nothing wrong with a little window shopping is there?

In perusing the internet for ideas, I found that one of fall's RTW 2012 trends would make the perfect holiday outfit: brocade!

Tuesday Trendspotting: Fashion-gasm

Fashion-gasm is the only way I can appropriately describe this SS13 collection from Julien Macdonald. It's hard to not think ahead and stay focused on being excited about tweed and pumpkin spice lattes with New York fashion week just behind us. I have so many favorites, but I really hate jumping ahead so much when I've only just started shopping for fall. However, this collection really caught my eye. Something about the severity of the model's hair and make-up against the long flowy dresses instantly made me fall in love. I mean one of these dresses actually looks like it's on fire. How fun would that be on your next night out?

Sunday Moment of Zen: Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

I know I'm jumping the gun again in talking about fall and winter already, but you know as well as I that the store are starting to stack up on sweaters, blazers, and all things pre-fall already. So there's no use ignoring it, it's time to get excited! The question is, which collection to be most excited about seeing ripped off in store like H&M and Forever21? For me it's the Autumn/Winter Burberry collection. And it has been since it debuted in early spring of this year, so you know I'm in love. I just adore the full bodied shape of the coats and that this fall collection is bringing back the belted coat. The collection of belts is adorable as well - big statement bows and animal heads. My goal for the winter is to find a similar elastic belt with a big wolf head buckle like in the picture below. How awesome would that be (inner squeeeeeeeee)?

via Style.com

Photo Friday: Lanvin Fall 2012

If you haven't heard already, Lanvin's Fall/Winter 2012 ad campaign is exploding as big news in the fashion world. Why? Because they're not using models. Well, they ARE using models, just not professional models. Part of the Fall 2012 campaign feature real people - yup, you heard it, real people - to show you that photoshop can make anyone look gorgeous.

All of the people chosen for the campaign look gorgeous all dolled-up in Lanvin and shot professionally. There is no denying that. Paired with the over-crowded, dark, vintage-y backdrop, these models fit the scene perfectly. Honestly, had it not been pointed out to everyone in the fashion would that these were not profesional models, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it. Well played, Lanvin, well played.

Disaster of Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012

Yes, this year's Paris Fashion Week was all about boxy shapes and over-sized coats in the Fall/Winter collections. This is true, but at some point you have to say to yourself "Maybe this need just a little shape." This brings me to what I think was the disaster of Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012:

Comme Des Garçons

all images via Style.com

As much as I love this line's name, I have never actually been able to get behind the collections. So in full disclosure: No, I have never really been a fan of Comme Des Garçons, but the Fall/Winter 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week really struck a chord with me as atrocious.

I suppose there is something to be said about artistry in a fashion show - something that I do believe has been lost over the years - but isn't the artistry, craftsmanship, and fine detailing where the couture shows come in? The ready-to-wear runways is where we expect to find just that; clothes that are street style ready and easily mimicked by those of us unable to wield a $1,000 handbag. Of course, I'm just an uneducated noob when it comes to the world of fashion, so please correct me if I'm wrong. 

Either way, I just can't grapple with this collection. Everything about it hides the feminine, at some points entirely with fabric masks. Tim Blanks of Style.com discusses the collection as a statement about living in the flat one dimensional world of fashion since runway show photos are so easily accessible on the internet nowadays. Considering video is just as common, I find this observation to be a kind attempt at salvaging some artistic beauty from an otherwise heinous collection. If it is a statement on anything it is fashion itself. Making a mockery of styles, fits, and the fashion obsessed who would wear floral masks if they were trending. Is it an interesting display of art? Yes. Most definitely. Is it a fashion collection. No.

Would you wear anything from this fall/winter collection (excepting maybe the shoes)?

 

That said, here are some good very, very good things that came out of Paris Fashion Week. These are all more boxy and masculine collections that seemed to take over the runways in Paris, but done very, very well. I always think that boxy and menswear for women should still highlight the parts that make you feel sexy and like a women in the first place. Isn't that the whole point of wearing fantastic clothes - to feel good in them?

1.) The Chloé Fall/Winter 2012 collection mixes boxy with fitted and menswear with drape-y all in a wonderfully light pastel pallet with pops of deep red. All of these combined give the whole collection a feel of femininity even though some of the shapes are less than form flattering.

2.) Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2012 speaks to that 60s Madmen trend that we can't seem to shake. Deep reds and blues and rich tweeds give even some of the more plain shapes a hint of sophistication.

3.) Soaked in Yves Klein blue the Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2012 collection is absolutely elegant, feminine, and comfortable. McCartney created a collection that feels comfortable even with it's boxy shapes. It's a collection that women would want to wear to work, on a date, or out with friends everyday.

As you can clearly see, there are plenty of ways to do big, bold, and ill-fitting that still would make you feel comfortable wearing it down the street.

So what do you say kiddos? Comme des Garçons: take it or leave it?

Tuesday Trendspotting: New York Fashion Week Fall 2012

Normally I hate thinking about next Fall when still in the middle of this winter, especially when the days are just starting to warm up a little. However, when discussing fashion trends it's impossible to hold on to this season when the magical month of fashion has started. The fashion world just wrapped up New York Fashion Week and has moved forward to see what London's top designers have to offer for Fall 2012. I couldn't resist and had to put up some looks from fashion week for fall 2012 from 10 of my favorite designers.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Holy black and white. It's back to the essentials in the fall 2012 collection. I love the thin silhouettes that Phillip Lim creates by piecing together black and white. The straight lines and tailored pieces definitely give a strong menswear touch to this collection. Something else I noticed was the heavy use of metal collar necklaces in the outfits. Now I'm really glad that I made one for myself!
View the whole collection here.

Alexander Wang

Heavy uses of leather and once again a heavy hand in black and white, but this collection feels strong and dominant. Warrior and post-apocolytic are words that come to mind when watching this colleciton walk down the runway. Alexander Wang's fall 2012 collection is ocviously for a woman who is prepared for a fight.
See the entire collection here.

Alice+Olivia

Alice+Olivia's fall 2012 collection is extremely fun, girly, playful, and luxurious. Long lucious gowns pairs and fun party dresses give you lots to choose from if you're going to be shopping for holiday party dresses! I love every piece from this collection and it was extremely difficult to narrow it down to four. Let me just say that hot pink is also in the color pallet for this collection. I adore the way that Alice+Olivia manage to create a harmonious collection, but manage to mix causual, business, dressy. It's fantastic!
View the collection here.

Diane Von Furstenburg

Does Diane Von Furstenburg ever fail to disappoint? The correct answer is no. Each piece in the fall 2012 collection is fun, flirty, and feminine - exactly what you can count on from Von Furstenburg. I saw lots of jumpsuits, colors, and (of course) pattern play. A fun way to bring summer into fall without losing any of the playfulness.
View the entire collection here.

Erin Featherston

Long flowing gowns, sequins, and fun party dresses defined this season's collection. The girl wearing the fall 2012 Erin Featherston collection has too many holiday parties to attended, but more than enough outfits to show up at each on in style.
See the whole collection here.

Jason Wu

Pulling his inspiration from the orient, these pieces are strong with gorgeous embriodered details on lush fabrics. The first word that comes to mind for the Jason Wu collection is warrior. Even though I have never really been a fan of that Asian inspired fashion that was huge some time in the 90s, I would definitely mix and match a few pieces from this collection to add a little punch to my closet.
Find the collection here.

Rodarte

There is something oddly Katharine Hepburn about that first look. The fall 2012 Rodarte collection has straight, boxy shapes, yet is uniquely sweet and feminine at the same time. Something that I think is difficult to pull off. The fabrics, shapes, and hair make me think of updated war-era and I love every piece. I think Katharine would approve.
See the collection here.

Vera Wang

Vera Wang's fall 2012 collection is all about the neutrals, but she did some amazing things with pattern play and flowing fabrics that draw your eye without over powering it. What I wouldn't give just to be able to try on that last number. Doesn't it look amazingly light?
Find the collection here.

Philosphy

Another neutral heavy collection, it seems that the neon mania of 2011 is subsiding. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with the Philosophy collection, however I did enjoy the interplay of metallics with neutrals. The shapes were retro and classic, yet mixed with some heavy menswear influences. I could see pulling pieces out and mixing them, but as a whole it was a bit too bland for my tastes.
Find the collection here.

Rebecca Minkoff

Any time I see the first outfit in a collection and think "Are those sequin pants?", it is immediately a win. That's why I'm giving Rebecca Minkoff's fall 2012 collection three thumbs up! Granted, I'm completely biased because I have a huge girl crush on her at the moment, but take a look for yourself and tell me if you don't agree. I love the bright (not neon) colors mixed with bold prints. Everything about this collections is ready-to-wear. I could easily see girls walking through the streets of downtown Chicago wearing every one of these pieces.

Find the collection here.

So there you have it, some of my favorite deisgners from New York Fashion Week Fall 2012. What were some of your favorite looks?