Posts for September 13th 2011
Vera Wang Spring 2012
>> Vera Wang has been known to work some dark references into her ready-to-wear collections, and Spring 2012 was no exception.
>> Vera Wang has been known to work some dark references into her ready-to-wear collections, and Spring 2012 was no exception. Citing Alice in Wonderland, the designer's show notes riffed on the idea of "tailoring and transparency" — and there was plenty of both. A series of all-white looks opened the show, cutting a sharp silhouette in perforated piqué, organza, and tulle. Waists were nipped with drawstrings or boning, and juxtaposed by full-flared peplums galore. Softness came in the form of whisper-weight chiffon; in graduated-hem skirts it was drawn up high in the front and left to billow smoke-like behind. While most of the collection flowed from one monochromatic look to another, Wang did give us one print: a psychedelic take on 18th-century wallpaper that swirled ethereally in grey, violet, and jolts of pink. The effect was trippy and intense — and at times even beautiful.
Karen Walker Spring 2012
>> For Spring 2012, Karen Walker riffed on the idea of "The American Girl", citing two polar-opposites in particular: buttoned-up Betsy and street-wise Iris from the 1976 movie Taxi Driver.
>> For Spring 2012, Karen Walker riffed on the idea of "The American Girl", citing two polar-opposites in particular: buttoned-up Betsy and street-wise Iris from the 1976 movie Taxi Driver. And so out came the straight skirts, prim blouses, and secretary dresses for Betsy; jaunty jumpsuits, mixed-up prints, and mini-skirts for Iris. But fans of Walker know the designer doesn't like to play her references too straight, and thus these '70s girls got a bit of a 1940s twist — pants were cropped and pleated, blazers were shoulder-padded and twee, and peplums flared over many a hip.
Chris Benz Spring 2012
>> In a season of bold prints and colors, Chris Benz — who has held both near and dear to his design repertoire from the start — really went for it in his new collection: "It's Andy Warhol's superstars go to Coney Island, with a nod to candy kids."
>> In a season of bold prints and colors, Chris Benz — who has held both near and dear to his design repertoire from the start — really went for it in his new collection: "It's Andy Warhol's superstars go to Coney Island, with a nod to candy kids." Optic black-and-white circles, blown-up graphic prints in an assortment of brights, and checkerboards of color were mixed throughout. Benz also collaborated with Alejandro Ingelmo on shoes once again — this time high-top sneakers or wedges with a floral motif on the heel.
J.Crew Spring 2012
>> For Spring 2012, Jenna Lyons and Marissa Webb stuck to what they do best — that is, churning out a well-edited selection of everyday staples and show-stoppers.
>> For Spring 2012, Jenna Lyons and Marissa Webb stuck to what they do best — that is, churning out a well-edited selection of everyday staples and show-stoppers. There was a lot of buzz surrounding J.Crew's debut on the fashion calendar this week — and the collection, shown Tuesday to an amped-up Lincoln Center crowd, lived up to the hype. Eye candy in the form of cheery colors and prep prints — styled in that just-so Lyons way — was aplenty. Standouts included '50s-tinged cropped-pants in daffodil yellow; tent-sweaters in cerulean and citron; a floral-printed pants-set complete with peplum; and too many trim-cut shorts to count.
Kanye West Reportedly Gets a Designer Mentor, Sets a Show Date
>> Kanye West has been noticeably MIA from New York Fashion Week, reportedly because he's prepping for his own womenswear launch during Paris Fashion Week next month.
>> Kanye West has been noticeably MIA from New York Fashion Week, reportedly because he's prepping for his own womenswear launch during Paris Fashion Week next month. Harper's Bazaar Australia, whose own Christine Centenera is said to be collaborating with West on the collection, reports that he will show as part of the official Paris Fashion Week calendar (which has not yet been released), at 9.30 pm on Oct. 1, directly after Jean Paul Gaultier and Loewe — instead of doing a presentation-style format for key editors only.
Riccardo Tisci, who designed the artwork for West's new album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne, is reportedly mentoring West on the collection.
