Romantic darkness FW 2012.

Photo source: http://www.allvoices.com

Fall 2012. Collectionsoverall announced quite a serious season, darkly romantic. The common theme was harder age look, a lot of layering as if layers were there to build up to a protective shield, defending women from hard and unpredictable economic times coming up. Renaissance inspired romantic darkness was contrasted with excessive, escapist urge of more couture pieces showed – creative double reality for women, the one we live and the luxury, dreamy one we strive for.

CAVALLI swapped last season mink with crocodile, there were a lot of amazing 70’s inspired pants shown and lovely animal print sweaters. Overall, he created rather rich, powerful, excessive and sexy collection.

PRADA presented virtual princesses army, girls looked powerful and otherworldly, a bit like robotic avatars. Pieces were decorated waste upwards, skirts were styled over pants, focus was on structure, ornament and print but romanticism was still coming out as PRADA’s signature.

FENDI designed collection with modern amazons in mind. I really loved the iPad bags, wild orchid motive, spring bulk power women suits – truly fashion for digital age career women.

VERSACE. Donatella was facing her demons as she said with this collection. For me, collection was very much “girl with a dragon tattoo like”, prime motive was byzantine cross, very Goth, rock & roll feel. My very favorite pieces were chain dresses.

BOTTEGA VENETA’s Tomas Maier has showed the dark side of fashion. Collection is quite shaped; peplum bottoms were added to soften up tailored pieces with the goal to enhance the body.

MARNI showed structured perfectly tailored pieces, some great shoes and overall quite linear collection.

MISSONI sang ode to mother nature with amazing natural color shade and with its signature knits by fusing different fabrications adding innovative crystals, metallic, marble stone, latex, leather, suede and knits in layers of colors and textures.

D&G’s collection was inspired by romantic baroque with respect to Italian tradition and celebration of Italy featuring embroidery over lace, beautiful floral prints, and marzipan like shoes in a spirit of shameless earthiness. This is a “money in the bank” collection for sure.

ARMANI reinvented his style with gorgeous evening wear shorts and girlish looks in forcefully strong colors.

PUCCI designed strong women dresses showing less skin, classic and sexy with graphics expressed through fabrics and lovely pajama print suits.

All photo source: http://www.style.com

What will you remember FW 2012. Runway season by lovelies?

The future of fashion is 6 months!

Chanel

As Karl Lagerfeld said during one of his interviews, and I also trully believe so: " the future of fashion nis six months", which is more than obvious with ever growing market for resort and other mid season collections.

I have selected couple of signature pieces from my most liked Pre-Fall 2011. collections for you bellow.

Chanel show inspired by the lost culture of Byzantium is definitely targeting emerging markets of middle east, India and China as well as the royalties of mother Russia and United Kingdom. 

I love,love,love the filigree headbands, gorgeous embroidery and Chanel's staple - quilted handbags.

Fendi

Emerald and sapphire jewel tones, exquisit detailing and hand picked luxurious fabircation were staples of this La Dolce Vita inspired Fendi collection. I loved the knee lenght skirts, beautiful warm color tones and the transitional character of every single piece. Day to night wear indeed.

Diane von Furstenberg

        Diane was inspired by glamurous american 70's sportswear creating another working women collection, simplified with geometric print and pieces that match with each other easily creating fast, clasic and chic daily outfits. My favorite are knee high thick heel boots worn with matching or bright turqoise socks, warm transitional colors reaching from brown to emerald green, mustard and tuquoise. I also enjoyed the almost horse riding look alike hats, very cool.

Donna Karan

I must admit, when I saw the first photos of Donna Karan's Pre-Fall 2011. collection first thing I said was - hello Ralph! But than I continued to click and noticed more and more layering and said - Ok, Donna is back ;) The warm urban color pallet of military green and  grays) country side chic (made of luxury fabrics - satin, shearling and cashmere) indeed reminded me on classic Ralph Lauren look. 

My favorites were oversized shirt, hanging belt jumpsuit and satin gown at the end of the show.

Elie Tahari

Elie Tahari has showed a red carpet worthy collection with touches of fur to spice us the tailored look. I was most impressed with his dressy jumpsuits, simple but dressy skirtsuits and party ready accessories.

BCBG Max Azria

Max and Lubov Azria put together a collection inspired by "the blazing colors of Guy Bourdin's photographyof" (style.com's - Matthew Schneier) mostly long, loose dresses, all in very bright gem tones. I love the long semi sheer dresses as well as the asymetrical knee high ones all touches with spring's bright color lines.

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera is always one of my favorites as it most coresponds with my personal style, so I daubt I can ever be objective in comments. She kept it simple indeed, working with comfy jersey, silk organza and satin all in frency gray with random pop's of color - my favorites were long red dress, box jacket with fur color worn with almost a sweat pants comfy wool pants, gorgeous flop detailing pencil skirt and trench gown. Love it!

Source: style.com

How many lives did your dress saved?

Today's post I dedicate to my late grandma and grandpa, my dad a survivor and a very brave and fabulous women I know who won one battle and is right now fighting a second one against cancer.

This is to support a great cause, very close to my heart, where fashion is used as an inspiration and a motivation to help raise funds needed to find a cure for cancer and help save lives by selling 22 unique little black dresses by world most renowned fashion designers like: Giorgio Armani Prive, Donna Karan, Vivienne Westwood, Alberta Ferretti, Azzaro, Diane von Furnsternberg, Fendi, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino and many others.

                                                                        Philipp Lim

Thakoon

Diane von Furnsternberg

Fendi

Lanvin by Alber Elbaz

Martin Grant

Marios Schwab

Donna Karan New York

Valentino

Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

Jean Paul Gaultier

All photos

by

Scheltens & Abbenes

for 

Swarowski Elements

For me, the sparkling Swarowski crystals on each of the dresses represent the sparks of hope and determination to fight in each person, while classic, elegant and universal status of the little black dress warns that cancer can happen to each of us in any period of our lives. 
     This is why, every new research started, every single cent donated, every Swarowski book and each of 22 Swarowski crystal embellished designer dresses sold on this auction counts!
Use the oportunity to see these fabulous dresses exibited at Phillips de Pury.


100% of the proceeds are going to the American Cancer Society and la Ligue nationale contre le cancer in France.


What? 22 designer dresses auctioned off
Who? Swarowski Elements
Where?New York gallery of Phillps de Pury & Company, at 450 West 15th Street
When? September 20th 2010


Let's make life a priority! Please support!


Xoxo,