The Fashion BenchMarc

I once read in an article that says Marc Jacobs IS fashion. Now, I'm not too sure that we could say that without people trying to smother us in Prada and Burberry jackets, but he certainly is a very important part of the industry. I have great respect for someone who can produce three collections every season. The spectacle at LouisVuitton often distracts us from his other work: this week I fell in love with his eponymous label all over again when I had another look at the AW 11 show (the trends of which is now hitting the Cape Town shore now).

So here is a closer look at the three latest Marc Jacobs collections. Oh, the places they'll take you...

Autumn/Winter 2011

Spot the trend here, it's not so hard to do. This collection had a decidedly futuristic feel about it, contrasted by those Edwardian collars. The rock and roll soundtrack upped the cool factor even more, getting us extra amped for the fall season. South African fashion lovers take note: this is the new mood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring/Summer 2012

If I had to list the trends and inspirations in this show you'd probably get a bit confuzzeled. So let's stick to the flapper at the cabaret with Amy Winehouse. How could this not be fun?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn/Winter 2012

The ultimate escape to a magical land of mad mad hatters, cocoon silhouettes, and shoes you'd only need to tap once to be transported back into a Marc Jacobs store to add another precious item to your collection. A triumph. The reason we love fashion... And Marc.

 

 

 

No, Marc Jacobs is not fashion. Is he?

Images: americanvogue.com and vogue.it

Ready To Stare

The Spring 2012 Haute Couture collections are your trump card in the ‘fashion is art’ argument. Some fabulously over the top, some beautifully understated, each piece will make you feel like one in a million.  



The high-flying fun at Chanel will leave you on cloud nine.



If you like it then you should have put a bow on it. Christian Dior is it.



Giorgio Armani Privé. Cue purr of approval.



Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Score.



Jean Paul Gaultier takes us back to black.



All tied up at Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal.



Valentino writes a Victorian fairytale.



Cutting edge Versace.



Images: vogue.it

Fashion Editors ♥ Prada

As proud as we are of the Prada SS12 campaign here in South Africa because of local model Katryn Kruger, Prada’s advertising is proving to be almost unnecessary. The February covers FOUR major fashion magazines all feature ladies in wonderful Prada ensembles.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me. If you look at each one of these covers you’ll see the clothes make a strong impression and often bring out the personality of the cover star. I look forward to seeing more of these.

(It’ll no doubt be very interesting to see which designer dominates the March fashion issues. Stay tuned.)

Images: designscene.net; elle.co.za; fashioncopious.typepad.com; ticktockvintage.com



How To Make The Trends Work For You

It’s something I hear and read about all too often. It’s never made completely obvious, never the subject of the conversation, but usually tucked away in between marvellous other concepts that make you forget (or forgive) the fact that it was mentioned. It’s the subtle disregard of that which we fashion magazine readers know as a trend.

The usual life cycle of a trend goes as follows: it is splashed across the pages of your favourite fashion magazine – pieces which support the trend are made out to be ‘key pieces.’ Then, when you’re shopping for the trend, you try to buy things that evoke it but still have a timeless feel to them. In the end the trend dies, you realise those shoes you bought are definitely not timeless (and just look weird) and they end up decomposing in your closet as you pray for the trend to return.

This vicious cycle will continue until you’re either dirt poor or no longer have a passion for fashion – both of which are incredibly sad. So then it really does make sense that people have such a love/secret hate relationship with trends: it almost never ends well.

Take my advice. A hot trend (like SS12 Pyjamas) that you’re gonna love this season and feel embarrassed about wearing the next should be purchased in the form of inexpensive separates and accessories that will go well with what’s already in your closet. That way, you’re wearing what you love (for now) and you’re not breaking the bank. Only spend big on the usual must owns: the White Shirt, the LBD, the Tote… you get the picture.

Of course there is one exception. Sometimes an article of clothing will emerge from a trend that really really speaks to you. Something that goes beyond the trend. Something that brings out your personality and that will continue to do so for seasons to come. When you find this item, no matter what the price tag, buy it. Do beware, you may think there is such an item every time you see a new trend. Don’t get blinded by the hype of a new season. Look at the pieces completely objectively and then decide.

And, just like that, you’ve become a master of the trends.

Oh, none of the above applies to rich people.

For a visual element, I’ve added a little montage of Prada shows over the past few seasons. It’s really amazing how, with every show, Miuccia seems to showcase one of the key fashion trends of the season. Look at the older pieces and ask yourself: would I still love to own this now?

From left: AW10: the 50’s girl, SS11: girl in the stripes,

AW11 the 60’s mod girl, SS12: the va va vroom girl.

Images: vogue.it

Forever Print

This season designers got creative (and really cute) with their use of print. Steering away from the usual patterns and digital kaleidoscopes we so often see, they scattered their clothing with living and inanimate objects in a way that should get your credit card swiping. Here are my favourites.

 Carolina Herrera does a crisp, very refreshing take on a summer dress with her swallow print. These little birds make the girl in the dress look effortlessly lightweight –as if she might just fly away.

At Dolce & Gabbana, The Boys took the kind of food I don’t eat and put them on a skirt. Genius. The show had a very Italian feel with loads of attitude to give the vegetable patch clothes some extra kick. The smartest way to wear these pieces (as shown in the runway image) is to pair them with something floral.

ERDEM gets my vote when it comes to florals this season. I am no fan of floral print in spring, my favourite Miranda Priestly quote form The Devil Wears Prada being “Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” However, I do think that Erdem has given new life to the life-long trend by putting the poppies among a variety of other garden characters. That fact that it’s all in a purple shade (with the exception of one or two) is lovely, feminine, and very SS12.

Mary Katrantzou (you can spell it, but can you say it?) threw fish into her mix of super print for spring. She is the goddess of print. Her clothes are a constant reminder that fashion is art. That’s all.

Miuccia Prada steals the show with her mid-century modern cars. This collection gives a little structure and umph to the soft romantic dream that is ss12. Still, the cars are utterly playful and youthful. So, you wanna show your car salesman/mechanic boyfriend that you’re interested in his hobby? Don’t get greasy, get Prada.

Victoria, Victoria Beckham goes beyond what I like for this season and touches down on what I believe to be great timeless clothing. The cat print dress has a great sense of humour and (judging by the cat's facial expressions) authority. Sure, you can’t wear it to the boardroom – but give it a spin anywhere else, it’s sure to turn heads.

Lastly, Victoria takes us to the moon in a wonderfully whimsical moon print dress. There is something magical about this piece that reminds me of my childhood books about building a rocket ship and taking it to the milkyway. The dress gets two thumbs up (actually, make that three if you can) for being unique and is sure to evoke a different feel of escapism for everyone who sees it.

Images: vogue.it

First Header

The header on this blog, like fashion, will change very often. Each header will showcase a trend or mood in fashion which I am currently attracted to. This one is from the January 2012 issue of US ELLE. The article is all about the fashion powerhouse that is Victoria Beckham (take 40 mins of your free time to re-watch season 2 episode 7 of Ugly Betty in which V guest starred – she’s hilarious) who seems to design what every girl wants. Her new more affordable line, ‘Victoria, Victoria Beckham’ is selling faster than you can say cat print, so I’m sure we can expect to see much more from her.

What I love about Viccy B is how she doesn’t take things too seriously. The dresses are playful, cooky, and very wearable. This line also features some of my favourite prints of the new season.

From left: Cotton dress $515, crepe de chine dress, $645, printed cotton dress, $515, printed viscose dress, $750, all Victoria, Victoria Beckham, collection at net-a-porter.com. Sunglasses, all Cutler & Gross, $460 each pair. Maryjanes, all Charlotte Olympia for Victoria Beckham.