Simple, stunning, and sexy are just a few ways to describe Stella McCartney’s show. The show began with subtle, neutral colored pieces, but then progressed to bright colors by the end. The simplicity of the outfits showed off a woman’s silhouette in the most flattering fashion, and a clear vision of McCartney’s understanding of creating beautiful, effortless pieces without all of the extra nonsense. The collection embodied outfits that could be worn by women on and off the runway, even if the runway may be the aisle of a grocery store. Straying from her usual inspiration from the boys, McCartney took a softer more feminine approach. Great prints mixed with eye-popping color and fitted jackets were the evening’s main looks. From structured tops paired with relaxed silk pants, to dresses overflowing with ruffles, not a single aspect of summer was left out of the collection. (Photos By: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
The 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana was a study in storytelling. The show opened with an androgynous suit, that consisted of exaggerated jodhpurs and a short fitted jacket, both heavily inspired by the types of clothing that South American cowboys were known to wear. Immediately following this masculine look was a cinch waist black lace dress, with a high slit and a fluttery hemline, evoking an image of a sultry flamenco dancer.
These two opening looks set the audience off on a trip through South American symbols, with a Sicilian touch. The designers’ use of lace and fringe only pushed this imagery more. Entire column dresses made out of chunky lace were neither excessively matronly, nor overly provocative. The fringe sewn onto hemlines, bust lines, and every other place imaginable shimmied and bounced as the models walked down the brightly lit runway. The muted palette that dominated most of the show allowed the sheen of the satins and the intricate cut of the dresses to take center stage. The designers ventured into some color, using bright floral patterns and the occasional animal print, as well as some denim. While these pieces were individually beautiful they didn’t fit in with the rest of the collection, disrupting the otherwise flawless procession Dolce and Gabbana had created.
The designers were at their best when they focused on their South American story. The expected, upswept hair and bold red lips, and the unexpected, flat riding boots and sheer ankle socks gave the audience something that was both classic and refreshing. (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
I’d like to start my premiere “Letter from the Editor” with a very warm welcome on behalf of the Student Apparel Design Association. We are working hard as a team this year to make SADA the best year yet, and are thrilled to accommodate your needs, wishes, and hopes for your future in the fashion industry.
Our Social Media Chair, Nicholas Verburgt started this blog as an outlet to everything style, locally and globally. It is my pleasure to sit as editor-in-chief, and bring to you monthly the observations I make and topics I wish to touch on.
As a senior this year, walking through campus on my way to and from classes has never seemed so odd. It’s as if each day is my last day doing the simple routine of getting up in the morning to go to classes, and begrudgingly walking the twenty five minutes it takes to get there. As the leaves slowly turn the beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange as I walk past the Beaumont Tower I can’t help but think, “this is my last fall as an MSU student.” When these thoughts start going through your head you realize just how important it is to seize each moment of your life as it is. Just today, Carol Beard, the SADA advisor and highly respected professor of the Apparel and Textile Design program stated,
“if I can offer any advice, it is to stop wishing yourself out of your present circumstances into new circumstances, and miss what is beautiful and good in the present.”
It is professors like Carol that have really pushed us as students to think beyond what is right in front of us, and to really find meaning in what is our lives today. With that said this month I decided in the name of all things academic, it would be interesting to feature a few of our own professors on campus that show an impeccable amount of style, and to see what drives them towards the clothing racks.
I started my research with a new face to the Apparel and Textile Design staff this year, Rebecca Clark. Rebecca spends part of her time in East Lansing and the other part in New York City working as a specialist with high profile design firms such as Vera Wang. It seemed that coming from a very fashion conscious city such as Manhattan, one would see a dramatic change in people’s sense of style. Au contraire. According to Rebecca it is easy to see that at MSU there is definitely a lot of diversity, but that it is much easier to stand out because not everyone makes his or her personal appearance a priority as opposed to New York where “if you don’t dress the part, you don’t get the part.”
When asked about her own personal style and where she draws inspiration Rebecca listed Rick Owens, Prada and Marni, to name a few, of the designers she looks to every season for fresh ideas. “Be your own stylist, mix cheap and expensive, have one statement piece and keep the rest classic. Make it look effortless, like you just threw it on.”
Another Apparel and Textile Design professor, known for her great shoes, is Rebecca Schuiling. Rebecca has experience in the industry designing menswear for Dillard’s Department Store and also designing women’s knitwear for Chris Triola. To know Rebecca is to know her many pairs of shoes. The first time I met Rebecca three years ago, my immediate thought was, “this lady has very simple, classic style, but those shoes! Not so simple.” So of course given the chance I had to pick her brain about why she chooses to emphasize her ensembles with shoes. “I like classic clothing, basic colors. But I love bold accessories, big jewelry, architectural shoes. I’m also obsessed with wedges because they’re so comfortable!” I asked her the same question I asked Rebecca Clark, where and how she draws inspiration for her own personal style. “I grew up at a camp, and saw many cultures and learned that it’s okay to try new things. My mom also had classic style and I think I got a lot of that from her.” In closing, Rebecca noted that maturity had a lot to do with the things we choose to purchase, in short, “spend less on trends.”
It’s amazing what valuable knowledge is available to us on a daily basis, if we just ask for it. Now, vivre dans l’instant! Seize the day! Until next time, au revoir.
Donna Karan shows an elegant wearable collection for this upcoming spring 2010. The collection flares with the power of the elements- earth, air, water and fire. The color palette sticks mostly to nudes, grays, whites and other neutral tones, adding unexpected splashes of red.
The garments portray an airy, refreshed style that can be worn on a everyday basis. Pieces such as draped dresses, sheer and chiffon pencil skirts, one shoulder tunics, nude straps, two piece classic suits, and ruffle hats are perfectly fitted to an urban contemporary atmosphere.
The spring for 2010 will bring a soft-edged combination of pieces with unique feminine touches. The high waist ribbon in pastel tones and Karan’s signature draped jersey in neutral tones bring both femininity and sophistication to the look. The ruffled hats and flowing cut of her pieces complete the coquette look for the season. (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
This 2010 summer, Lagerfeld indulges you with a delicate, light, yet chic collection. Hemlines stay short. Ruffles and bubble skirts replace clinging styles. The palette of colors chosen is light with exceptions made, like the bold orange notably seen in the mini dress.
Short sheer ruffled skirts are paired with chiffon peasant and round-neck tops sometimes letting the undergarments been exposed. However, the contrast between sheer and opaque tones keeps the look feminine. Ruffles are constantly teasing the collection with an air of subtle seduction.
The structured cropped jacket instantly makes a statement without being too aggressive. Cropped becomes more modest. Peek-a-boo wrapped and knotted stilettos mastered the scene bringing the perfect dose of fieriness into a delicate ambiance. The colors stay neutral.
The handbag collection continues to exhibit the big popular models with leather and exotic prints. Fendi’s signature baguette bag is also shown in a smaller version with wooden-handle models. (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection was inspired by a classic American sport: football. Wang’s sporty twist in his collection consisted of everything from pairing together a corset and sweatshirt, to his own sexy version of “tighty whities” and leopard print peep-toes. An infusion of browns, blacks, and heather grays created the basic look for Wang’s grunge-tastic style.
The show started off with a more casual look but soon evolved to all black outfits consisting of mesh and frilly cropped jackets. The runway transformed from being a regular walkway, to an entrance way for the most fabulous football players around. Donning pigskin in ways it has not been used before (at least in football), the headbands down to the laced up shorts took football fashion to a different league.
Inspired by shoulder pads in football uniforms, transparent sleeves emerged from a cropped black sweater and high-waisted track pants finished off the look. Sweatshirts and tighty whities have never looked better. (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
In true Erdem fashion, Erdem Moralioglu’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection was filled with brilliant colors and ravishing flower patterns. Honing his skills in delicate lace and romantic accents, there wasn’t a single piece in the collection where Erdem’s ingenuity was not beautifully displayed. For 2010, Erdem was inspired by Japanese influences of women from the 20’s who refused to wear kimonos but instead followed Western fashion. With the combination of colors to the intricate work in each flower pedal, his vision was clear. Erdem was sure to incorporate his beloved floral along with gossamer lace detailing and 3-D petals emerging from the fabric. Form-fitting dresses filled the runway alongside high-waisted skirts and garden party inspired styles. Who knew so much could be done with flowers? (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)
There will a lot of great information here. If you have ever wanted to look for job opportunities in the Fashion World, there will be a lot of great speakers to answer your questions!!
