Wednesday, October 29, 2008

C is for Color

Audacious, bright, complimentary, dramatic, there are many words to talk about color. Spring collections are full of the hues to keep the days bright (even for those of us in San Francisco). 

Aquascutum
Christopher Kane
A.F. Vandervorst
Luella

Emilio Pucci

B is for Barbaric

Rumpled fabrics, earthy tones, and refugee camp styling.


Working a season ahead means designers have to declare their version of the future, for better or worse. What happens when you see a bleak tomorrow? Design around it. Graffiti, loin cloths, bedraggled tops: the uniform for a dreary future? Let's hope they've got it wrong.

Vivienne Westwood
Prada

Miu Miu

J is for Jumpsuit

Luxe to utilitarian, this one piece wonder is seen draped and easy or structured and buckled. Traditional work garb, the jumpsuit agrees with the brave striding forward, ready to forge a new order.

Karl Lagerfeld
Halston
Diane Von Furstenberg
Chloé

Bottega Veneta

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

V is for Volume

Going against the norm of forming the fabric to the body these dresses use the body as a base to hang softly molded mounds of cloth upon. Look for puff sleeves and bubble skirts to float in this spring.

Oscar de la Renta
Comme des Garçons
Bottega Veneta

BCBG Max Azria

T is for Translucent

Exposing the dichotomy between bare and covered, these diaphanous looks will have second glances following you around the room.

Vivienne Westwood
Oscar de la Renta
Alexander McQueen
Christian Dior

Chanel

R is for Ruffle

More femininity please! These frills range from frothy to structured, giving volume to a Carolina Herrera dress or form to a Christian Dior bodice. 

Christian Dior
Nicole Miller
Carolina Herrera 

3.1 Phillip Lim

M is for Menswear

Splashes of masculine styling, a straw fedora topping a breezy sundress or a blazer keeping the chill off bare shoulders, help balance out feminine looks.


Christian Dior
Karl Lagerfeld
Carolina Herrera 
Anna Sui