Seasonal Wrap-Up:S/S 2009

Yes, It's really over, but I thought before we continued with our normal posting I'd share some of my thoughts on the season overall. For starters, in a very broad sense it was far from great. A lot of the routine favorites underperformed this season. Blame it on the economy if you want, but I was bored by a lot of it. Save for Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, and (in my opinion) Prada, the greats weren't in true form this season. But I'm not being a pessimist here, because I kind of thought it was a good thing! It made room for other designers to steal the spotlight. My favorite collections were, in no particular order: Stella McCartney, Emanuel Ungaro, Dries van Noten, Givenchy, Gucci, Pollini, Prada, Blumarine, Etro, Karen Walker, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Gianfranco Ferre, Armand Basi One, Lanvin, Ann Demuelemeester, Veronique Branquinho, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Blugirl, Topshop Unique, Luella, Todd Lynn, Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, and Jason Wu, although I have a feeling I'm forgetting some from New York. All that aside, I loved these collections, and very few of them were one of the really "big" ones.
The main theme that I noticed this season was continuity.Designers embraced an "if it's not broken, don't fix it" mentality and decided to forgo drastic changes and instead modify their greatest hits. Sometimes it worked (see Lanvin) but other times it tasted a little sour the second time around (see Balmain.) Overall, I'm hoping the designers will take the hint next season and use Fall as a launching pad for new ideas.
On the model front, things weren't as diverse as they were promised to be. Other than the predictable (Jourdan, Arlenis, Sessilee, and Lakshmi) there wasn't a real influx of color. But I am glad to see that at least we started to see something new. There weren't a ton of breakouts, but Imogen Morris-Clarke and Katie Fogarty were two who I plan to look out for in the future.
Now that this season is officially behind us, Meg and I will be returning to our previous, more diverse and sporadic posting. After doing this for almost a month I feel refreshed and I'm hoping to reinforce the fact that this is more than just a fashion blog, although fashion is obviously my topic of choice. I hope that anyone who started reading this for fashion week updates will keep coming back, and at the very least know that I am definitely planning to do this again with the Fall shows. See you around!


Read more!

Today in Fashion Week:September 25th

Oh mio! There's a lot to get through today, so please be patient with poor old Joey!
DSquared

I was pleasantly surprised by DSquared this season! It's normally one of the shows I write off, but I got a very cool 70's bond girl vibe from it.

To see the rest,including Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, click on the post title!

Max Mara

Max Mara went all minimalistic on us, with takes on the white shirt and gingham. It's another one of the highlights this season. Exactly what a Spring show should be.

Emilio Pucci

Those famously funky love them or hate them patterns took a turn for the geometric this season. It's refreshing to see brands try something new.


Luisa Beccaria

Last season it was Erin Fetherston who tried to emulate Juliet Capulet, but I think it's Luisa Beccaria who emulates her best. The classic, romantic, and girly look is timeless.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana established themselves as the latest proponent of the pajama look with their latest collection. But these aren't your comfy jammys. These are silk versions that wouldn't look out of place strolling down Fifth Avenue.

Fendi

Ah, Karl Lagerfeld. It's difficult to critique your shows without knowing that you're secretly reading every word in a private jet while an assistant serves you diet coke in a diamond encrusted goblet. But of course you deserve it, because you seem to be completely incapable of a bad collection. Who knows what will happen come Chanel time, but Fendi was good enough on its own.

Versace

Gianni Versace allegedly once said "I dress sluts," regarding his sexed-up designs. Donatella is continuing the legacy, judging by the crocodile miniskirts, but this season her slut is looking for love. She adorned the clothes with elementary-style hearts, giving a sweet touch to the seductive style.
That's it for today (and Milan), but come back on Saturday for the first day of Paris! Read more!

Today in Fashion Week:September 24th

If you don't mind we're gonna skip the formalities today and condense this a little.

Gucci

Frida Gianinni found her footing last season with a sort of downtown girl on a mission look. I'm glad to see it continued this season. Although she did stumble at some parts (beach goddess just doesn't work for her.)

To see the rest, including Marni and Roberto Cavalli, click

Marni

Marni was interesting with their choice of clashing textures and patterns, but I have a lot of problems with the show.

Roberto Cavalli

I was getting ready to write off Roberto Cavalli this season, but then I saw that he did some pretty cool stuff for evening.

Iceberg

Iceberg went a little bit body-con this season. I spy the same fringe spotted at Alberta Ferretti and Jil Sander. Is this the new thing?

Pollini

In a world gone rough, Pollini makes the case for the hopelessly frilly romantic. This is my favorite show in Milan so far.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua was super-luxe this season. And there was more fringe! I think I'm about ready to declare it the major trend.

Derercuny

Derercuny had a really sleek look this season. I think it would've worked better in Fall.
Read more!

Today in Fashion Week:September 23rd

Today's the day, folks! It's Prada time at last. Let's just get to it!
Prada

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you Miuccia, every season you get more and more brilliant! After last season's hyper-conservative look, she loosened up a little...ok a lot (think exposed navels and bra tops) with a collection that is artfully chaotic. The phrase "method to the madness" comes to mind. There were shorts that turned in to skirts on one side (it makes more sense when you see it) and tops that loosely hung off the bottom in that perfect messy-chic way. It's sort of what Marc Jacobs did last Spring in a far less kitschy way. After fairies and nuns, Miuccia turned to fish this season, decorating the runway with them and emblazoning them on select garments. The crinkled fabric? Sure to be imitated next fall. Prada is one of the true innovators and trend setters in the industry.

To see the rest, including Moschino, Blumarine, and Bottega Veneta, click
Moschino

Moschino began by bring back the harlequin diamond patter of seasons past, continued with a 60's twist complete with dame edna glasses, and finished off with couture ruffles on ready to wear shapes. Sound exhausting? It was. But in a good way! It was flashy and bold, with bows and flowers as big as the sky. Well done!


Blumarine

Whenever I see a Blumarine collection, my mind instantly goes to Charlotte York from Sex and the City. It's proudly classic and conservative in a way that's also bold and different. My favorite was definitely the headpieces. They reminded me of the palms passed out on Palm Sunday, but in a "I saw this in an art gallery" sort of way.

Salvatore Ferragamo

I don't really have much to say about this. It was that loose feel we're definitely going for this Spring.

Etro

Fun fact:I'm head over heels in love with the pajama thing. Another fact: Etro did it big time. Pajamas as daywear were mixed in to the Etro staples and it definitely made an impression on me. It's sort of working towards that relaxed 80's working woman look, completed with loose rolled blazers with sharp shoulders.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta began its show with a slew of leatha. Howeva, I don't love leatha in the spring and summa weatha. (yup, YUP!!) That sort of put a damper on the rest of the collection, but I was impressed by a lot of it. Just please, for the love of god, leave leatha out of this.

Jil Sander

According to Cathy Horyn, the pictures from Jil Sander don't do the show justice. I can sort of see what she means, as there are hidden intricacies from delicate fringe to hidden drapes and experimentation with fit. To the untrained eye, this collection was dull, but in reality it was expertly crafted.
Read more!

Today in Fashion Week:September 21st

Helloooo! Fashion week has moved to those distinctive Milano cookies in Italy, (Prada!) where things are gonna start getting serious. There are heavy hitters every day, and I can't wait to cover it all!

Blugirl

Should we nominate this for fiercest interpretation of Little House on the Prairie ever? Blugirl rarely gets the recognition deserved, but hopefully it will this time!

To see the rest, including Gianfranco Ferre and Moschino Cheap & Chic, click
Just Cavalli

Just Cavalli is, well, tacky. This season was, well, tacky. Cavalli loves him some cheetah print, so good for him!

Emporio Armani

Armani is more of a clothesmaker than a tastemaker. His collections are never bold enough to be revered, but are wearable enough to attract a dedicated customer. This season I saw some hints of new ideas, from the ever present harem pants to the now standard sheer fabric.

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Moschino Cheap & Chic, despite the ironic name (I mean COME ON people we're in a recession! Panic!!), is just as fabulous as it's mama bear/brand Moschino. I'm not sure what the rainbow printed silk was all about, so we'll just chalk this up to an off year.

Gianfranco Ferré

Gianfranco Ferre was the main event today now that it's been revamped by the designers behind 6267. Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano showed a brilliant, architectural, sculptural collection that promises big things for the future of Ferre.

Wowww this time difference is confusing me. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be posting Missoni, Jil Sander, Costume National, Burberry, and more!



Read more!

Today In Fashion Week:September 19th

There's only one show to cover today, so I thought I'd double stuff this post (yes, Billy, like oreos.) I found London pretty dull this season so I don't have much to say about the shows. But this isn't strictly a bad news bears post, because fashion "week" is far from over. Milan starts on Sunday, and with it comes PRADA!!! I'm so excited, I'm so excited, I'm so...scared. Actually I'm not scared at all because Miuccia always turns it out, but you get the point. And then the 27th is Paris, and there's too many exciting shows to list. Model-wise there are a lot of exciting prospects for Europe. Natalia Chabanenko, Sessilee Lopez, Lakshmi Menon, Anna Gushina, and Imogen Morris-Clarke were all standouts in New York in my mind. Sessilee and Lakshmi are sure to book more big shows, along with their fellow new ethnic-friendly girls Jourdan Dunn and Arlenis Sosa-Pena. The whole diverse runway thing didn't exactly work out in New York, but I have a feeling it'll show up more in Milan and Paris. Ok, I feel like I'm rambling a little now. On to the..show!

Josh Goot

Josh Goot is one of the breakout British designers, and this season he went a little subdued. It was all very minimalistic, with floaty chiffon in graphic prints. Big surprise: I didn't love it. Oh well, here comes PRADA

Read more!

Fashion Week Update

I lost my internet connection and briefly the will to live so I've decided that I'm gonna do things a little differently for the duration of fashion week(s). I'll decide what exactly that's going to be a little later. I still haven't seen Marc Jacobs!
Read more!