Salvatore Ferragamo Menswear Fall 2011

There's something to be said for a collection whose colours seem to melt into each other. With each exit, the clothes evolve into something new, and yet silhouettes, fabrics and colours string them together. Massimiliano Giornetti's Menswear line for Italian house Salvatore Ferragamo offers just that. The show begins with bright whites and warm beiges, shift into saturated reds, rusts and burgundies before a segue into a rather delightfully unexpected sea of deep turquoises and blues. Giornetti, who has been with the company for over 10 years, was only appointed as creative director of both women and menswear in July 2010. This line shows promise for what is to come under his direction.

Posted by: Carla

Vivienne Westwood Menswear Fall 2011

Vivienne Westwood has said of her Menswear Fall 2011 line:


"When the lads who now model in our show came to the casting they looked so different from one another, different types different characters. Yet everyone of them as well as being clever and sweet seemed to be a perfect beauty. Our ‘MAN’ collection has plenty of choice. Do clothes bring out the personality? We just chose the clothes to suit them by intuition. They all look British, I can’t say why except to say it’s unavoidable – I’m British, that’s what happens. And because these lads are clever it happened that we style them as young intellectuals – student types. All ready for life + love + responsibility. With royal marriage in the air, who would you choose to be your bridegroom? Come on girls our catwalk is your chance to dream." 

While we often comment that womenswear is continually taking on masculine or even androgynous forms, the same can be said about Westwood's Menswear line. And why not? If fashion is art, why not push the boundaries both ways? Don't be surprised to see Westwood's offering of flamboyantly attired men with brightly coloured clothes and lipstick. Some of the prints are reminiscent of Prada's Spring 2010 womenswear, while others share the same saturated tones of Jil Sander's Menswear for 2011. Although the line offers such diverse pieces, it seems odd to call it a collection, what makes Westwood different is what brings these garments together. And it doesn't hurt that every guy I know would look great in a number of these looks or pieces. If clothes bring do indeed bring out personality, at least Westwood has nearly every personality in mind. 

Posted by: Carla

Jil Sander Mens Fall 2011

Showing in Milan today was Jil Sander's menswear for Fall 2011. Under the creative direction of Raf Simons, the German line offered rich wools and beautiful, saturated colours. However, the line also offers boxy tops with slim models resulting in a disproportionate silhouette.  As mentioned, the line is not without some beautiful pieces, although they would be better suited to less waif-like bodies.

The Good:

Some not so good:

Posted by: Carla

This Week's It Girl: Alexa Chung

Fashion, much like everything else in the world, is ridiculously subjective. It is one of the few ways that people are able to outwardly express themselves without having to say a word. Many believe that clothing--and the way you dress--helps you define who you are. You are a GOTH. You are BOHEMIAN. You are a PREP. But I say why be defined in just one way, when fashion lets you change who you are daily? What if I wanted to be a GOTHPREPBOHO goddess all in one go?! I have that option; fashion allows me to do that. (sidenote: mixing these three categories could end with dangerously disgusting results)

We have fashionistas that prescribe to one specific style (Dita Von Teese, MKO circa 2004, etc), we have characters that decide to be, well, just that...characters (Gaga, Katy Perry, etc), and then we have the girls and boys that want to be anything and everything in between.

I don't believe that Alexa Chung is one of those girls. Her style is easily definable, but that doesn't make it any less gorgeous. Chung focuses on a few main staples: 1) a love of vintage 2) menswear inspired trousers, blouses, hats and shoes 3) oversized cardigans and blazers 4) minis and 5) hipster flair. (And yes, Alexa Chung is a hipster if I ever saw one. Unkempt hair, pale skin, and baggy shirts from Goodwill mixed with 500 dollar jeans). I've got to hand it to the girl though, she rocks it out well.

It's yet to be seen whether she's a Sienna Miller-esque fad waiting to happen or whether she'll be wowing us for seasons to come. I've got faith in her though. I mean, she DID get Mulberry to name a bag after her. (and a gorgeous one at that)

Here are some Alexa goodies:

 

Posted by: Kiran

A Woman's Right to Shoes

Very little is more exciting than the dress-up opportunities available during the holidays. Christmas and New Years are both fancy dress occasions, and once that's become a little tired (not) we get to throw on some sweats and enjoy the fashion of the Golden Globes, Oscars and Grammys. What a wonderful time of year. To get in the sprit of things, here are some of the shoes I believe should make an appearance under my Christmas tree:

Balmain

Christian Dior

Diego Dolcini

Donna Karan

Emporio Armani

Jean Michel Cazabat

John Galliano

Nicholas Kirkwood

Posted by: Carla

Latest Loves: Ridiculous Rings

I bought an owl ring today. It makes me ridiculously happy. Statement rings are great pretty much all the time, because they don't often conflict with embellished clothing the way earrings and necklaces do. Also, there really is nothing more fun than rocking a crazy ring. Here are some of my other faves: 

David Yurman

Elizabeth and James (favorite!)

Konstantino

Stephen Dweck

Stephen Webster

Alexander McQueen

Posted by: Carla

For the Boys: Burberry Pre-Fall 2011

Yes, Burberry Prorsum's male models often look as waifish as the girls, but they're also incredibly well dressed. In fact, there is something about the male body that begs to be dressed. Too bad most boys I know would never let me deck them out in designer wear. At least male fashion allows me to dream. And honestly, we must trust the wise words of Cher Horowitz: "He dressed better than me. What would I bring to the relationship??" Alas, boys dressed this well are only to be dreamt about:

Posted by: Carla

Portrait of a Lady: Collette Dinnigan

Collette Dinnigan is the first and only Australian designer to show a full ready to wear show in Paris. Dinnigan also designs lingerie; her Wild Hearts Collection, and was sold at Target in 2008. She has since won honors for her work at home in Australia and around the world. What is amazing about Dinnigan is her ability to craft classic, ornate, ladylike pieces. 

Here are some standouts from her latest Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 collections: 

Spring

posted by: Carla

Louboutin Advent Calendar

Counting down the days until Christmas has been made even more fabulous by Mr. Christian Louboutin himself, with the Loubi Advent Calendar, which can be found on the Christian Louboutin website. Visit daily and you can reveal a different Louboutin design. This should keep all of us dreaming about what we'll find on Christmas morning (and in a more practical sense, what we'll be looking out for boxing day shopping!)

As if you needed any extra incentive, Louboutin's website also includes a countdown to the unveiling of his Spring 2011 collection. Christmas miracle? I think so.

Posted by: Carla