What I'm loving from New York Fashion Week. Well you know, so far...
So London lost Alice Temperley to New York this season - well, kind of. I would say it was our loss, but she presented via video, anyway, so perhaps the location is unimportant. Origami pleats, military styles, bold prints, kimono silks: the elements were varied, but the new, harder style remained consistent and actually, I think it's her best collection yet. Love this look, head to toe!
I got invited on Facebook the other day to join a rather charming group called "F**k the Recession, Let's have a f**kin session!!!!!!" and while I would have put it a little more eloquently than that, I do enjoy the sentiment. And, in a way, that's exactly what Marc Jacobs was doing. His 80s a go-go dresses are fun, feminine and fantastic. Isn't that exactly what we need in times of woe? Like the man himself said: "Is all-black going to help the economy?"
You can say what you like about La Beckham, but like it or not, she kind of is turning into someone, well, credible. Perhaps the rumours are true and Roland Mouret really did design this collection - I admit that some are rather a little too like his tailored dress designs - but I'm liking it none the less.
Yesterday in the london paper, Joe Public was busy dissing her designs for being too formal, boring, old-fashion and built for stick-insects, but I'm going to make a stand and say that I think they're lovely - and classic, rather than old-fashioned. Show-stoppers, in fact!
Unashamedly pretty at Jill Stuart - and whats wrong with that? Her black and white collection was inspired by "iconic women of music" but that doesn't mean that there's not room for some incredibly girlie frills and fripperies. (Love how it's on Meghan Collison - goth chick extrodinare! - too).
It's not rocket science, but the draping and simple dresses by Joseph Altuzarra for his debut presentation really worked. It's sexy in a less in your face way than some of the more erotically charged designers (I'm looking at you, Wang) and it works. Definitely one to watch!
Erin Fetherston's collection reminded me of Luella Bartley's A/W 2008 especially for the similar styling, but I found it hard to get excited by this collection in the way that I always do for LuelIa. As a plus, it was less twee than usual... definitely a good thing. Sometimes Fetherston's sugary sweetness can get a little cloying.
Do love this sheer/polka dot/pleat/everything at once black dress, though. It's my inner goth in me, sorry!
Sophie Theallet in a word: urgh. Her innate Frenchness versus the Native American inspiration of her tribal float-y pleat-y - and boring - dresses came together for a peculiar - but still boring - mix. Hate the styling, hate the clothes, HATE those shoes. This whole show was a miss for me of epic proportions. (But the dress below isn't too bad, right?!)
Assymetric layers, cut-out shapes, hip embellishments, futuristics sheens and sheers, half-black and half-white, crystals everywhere and all with a healthy dollop of sci-fi: I'm in love with Threeasfour for A/W.
Alberta Ferretti dropped rather a lot of her softness for a harder-pedged show. There was still enough girly-ness to not alienate her fanbase, but there were still some bold moves for a lady known better for her beautiful gowns than her rock and roll spirit. It definitely seems to me that rather than play it safe for an unsteady climate, a lot of deisngers are pushing their own boundaries and creating some exciting pieces instead.
I look forward to Preen's duo of Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi collection every season and this year, they did not dissapoint. I'm still thinking about sheer in a big way and this dress ticks a lot of my bozes (well, to look at... not for me to wear!) Influenced by Quadrophenia and Blade Runner, the show was full of body con and cut-outs, which are both posed to be massive trends for Autumn/Winter.
okay, that asymmetrical dress has me drooling. even though my fat arse would never fit into it! it's so beautiful! and if the purple dress were in black, i'd totally wear it. i know nothing of fashion but you're sure giving me a lesson! :D they can raid old dress houses here now for the 80's dresses and wear them in the streets of NY and London now! sweet.
Posted by: Jennzah | 18 February 2009 at 22:31
preen. <3
Posted by: R | 20 February 2009 at 15:20
The bottom one is a DEFINITIVE DRESS WIN.
Posted by: BRNLV | 21 February 2009 at 15:32
I LOVE the FERRETTI gown but I'd probably loose the leggings. The Temperley at the top is gorge as well. Great picks!
H xx
Posted by: If Wishes Were Clothes Horses | 23 February 2009 at 18:07
Jennzah: Haha, I aim to please! Hope you're enjoying the education.
R & BRNLV: Yess, it totally is amazing. 100%.
H: Thanks, my lovely!
Posted by: Amy | 23 February 2009 at 19:21