Pre-fall 2012. collections review.

After I have seen every single piece of every single pre-fall collection (and that’s a whole lot of clothes ) I finally selected my absolute favorite designer pieces from pre-fall 2012 season, just in time for the new season coming up in just a couple of days.

So here we go… 

ZAC POSEN

Absolutely mesmerizing collection for me, a hopeless romantic and most definitely a princess in my past life...featuring smart waist diminishing anatomical seaming on a wool crepe sheath with designers current obsession being chinoiserie and the idea of creating European couture shapes out of Eastern fabrics. My very favorite was a form fitting olive color bustier dress with floral embroidery, a floor length velvet backless dress with drama-mama matching gloves as well as dramatic red and gentle lavender color red carpet gowns all modeled by gorgeously feminine Hilary Rhoda. All eye-candies indeed!

MCQUEEN

The love of my life brand - McQueen's pre-fall collection, now under the amazingly creative hand of Sarah Burton, featured a number of gorgeous high-necked Victorian gowns; some with embroidered torsos in floral prints, all in black mousseline, pleated smocked velvet dresses with tulips and cropped pants with men’s wear-like tailored jackets topped with white shirts - all absolutely sustained the legend of late Alexander McQueen’s heritage.

BALMAIN

Balmain’s well known fitted pants and jeans had the rips and wholes replaced with embroidery, pearls and crystals, or loose pajama pants paired with oversized men's proportion jackets – all in all, the collection feel was comfy but also sexy which is definitely what market calls for these days: omfort, practicality and multifunction.

PREEN

Amazing prints and comfy, sportswear and effortless chic feel, all in lovely bright colors: orange and aqua blue is what drew me to this collection. These memorable pieces can be worn together and separately, day to evening, which makes the collection quite sellable. Interesting prints stays on couture side while simple cuts and comfortable feel brings the collection to ready-to-wear customer.

ELIE SAAB

With a previous reputation of a red-carpet designer, this Elie Saab collection carried a bit different theam, more down to earth one, featuring some simple suits and dresses in monoton shades with graphic feel and with minimalist approach. Most of the suits and dresses had a modern, simple and elegant cut. I love the nude, body fitted dress for work! 

 SUITS - YSL, GUCCI AND CHLOE

With many designers I have noticed that collections were created with a modern business women in mind. Who I am guessing has money and interest in today’s economy to buy latest but also practical, comfortable and multiwear, classical pieces like these great suits by YSL, Chloe and Gucci. YSL collection had some interesting bow-neck blouses and matching blazers, bringing back the heel with a loafed from its 2005. Spring collection.

On the other hand, Chloe showed interesting pleated trousers with matching shrunken jackets and cropped sweaters, coats with wide rolled-up sleeves on top of skinny pants. Finally, Gucci decorated simple cuts with pansy print, which has replaced black and gold bugle beads.

DONNA KAREN

 Cropped styles came paired with silk tunics and wool jackets with emphasized shoulders. Mrs.Karen also showed coat-dresses, satin jersey with white jacket worn over a bustier-top jumpsuit, and a big black bow. My favorite was a black and white strapless piece, simple, but red carpet worthy on the right lady!

VALENTINO

„In this moment, when everything is so hard—especially in Italy—it's important to give a good dream“– designer Maria Grazia Chiuri said, referring to struggling economy in Italy. Red is always a good choice! The collection focus was immaculate tailoring. It featured small bows embroidered on the net bodice part of the minidress and gentle lace added to chevrons on the top of a long black velvet gown.

All photos source: www.style.com

Día dos: YSL Restrospective @ Madrid

I was thrilled to go and see Yves Saint Lauren Retrospective exhibition here at Madrid’s La Central yesterday! I felt like walking into fashion Narnia. There was about 20 minutes wait to get it although exhibition is open since the beginning of October, seems like the interest is vast. The entrance was free as the exhibition was sponsored by the Pierre Berge Yves Saint Lauren foundation.

Exhibition was shown on three floors and it was organized into 11 sections that display about 150 examples of haute couture and prêt-a-porter, shown together with various photographs and films and with about 81 sketches, 46 toiles and models for hats showing the work and life of this remarkable designer from his first creations in Dior in 1958 to his last collection presented at the Centre Pompidou in 2002.

Through this exhibition one can see many garments that revolutionized the traditional definition of the elegance with garments like: tuxedo and jumpsuit…. all still relevant today, which provoked scandals in their day. As they say, Coco Chanel has liberated women, but YSL has liberated fashion.

The other focus of the exhibition was the process of creation on its own, showing personal universe of YSL and places and things out of which he pulled his inspiration like Russia, Morocco and Spain.

As YSL’s partner Pierre Berge said about YSL:

“His work went far beyond that of mere fashion designer. It was created by an artist who revolutionized his own time.

It is true that his work is not sculptured in marble but it changed the life of women, empowered them and gave them confidence and self-esteem.”