Spring 2010...A Look Ahead By: Diane Paik

 Oh Karl, you did it again. Right when you think you’ve seen the craziest, most bizarre runway show, Chanel wowed the audience with an “old country barnyard meets high-fashion” inspired theme. Models emerged from a giant haystack dressed in neutrals and soft pink and blue colored knits, see through floor-length skirts, and the ever so appropriate, clogs. Chanel, known for textured knits, added a rougher twist on the classic look. Whether the models were dressed in full-bodied skirts or barely anything covering their legs, nude-colored tights with dangling chains or laced ribbon patterns were added to the mixture. There was a rustic air to the show, but little did anyone know about the naughty rendezvous that would occur at the end featuring Lagerfeld’s right-hand man Baptiste Giabiconi, Freja Beha Erichsen, and Lara Stone. As the gorgeous three started to roll around in the hay, Lagerfeld took his bow to a standing ovation.

Goosebumps and a slight shiver run down your spine when you take sight of a troop of models fiercely strutting down what seems to be an endless runway of Lanvin’s Spring/Summer 2010 show. Dim lights and a dark audience helped bring the illusion Alber Elbaz was trying to create inside the transformed warehouse. With minimal decorations, and a long runway, the clothes were sure to get all of the attention. Elbaz’s trademark of one –-shoulder ensembles made more than just one appearance at this year’s show. He took a fresher approach to the one-shoulder look by elaborately draping two big ruched sleeves. The color pallet consisted of bold pinks and reds, luxurious pewter, rich black, bright green, and blue. Not only did the fabric itself make a statement, but the detailing of the gold sequins and assortments of jewelry showered the garments. Lanvin’s look of class, sex appeal, and boldness was still relevant at this year’s show, and heads will definitely turn when seeing a piece of Elbaz’s masterpiece.

Feminine Approach By: Diane Paik

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)

Final Cut By: Julie Stamos

     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)

Effortless Luxe By: Paulina Villa

 

     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)

Sheer Exposure By: Paulina Villa

     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)

1st & 10 By: Diane Paik

     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)

Flower Power By: Diane Paik

     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)