This will be my first in-depth analysis of the current fashion lines. I hope you will view the houses on your own and comment below.
So right now, Fendi’s tops are ill-fitting, with odd angles that cause discomfort. Their “butterfly” work is eye-catching but causes the bust to expand without actually accentuation curves. Inappropriate. Their frocks aren’t for parties, the office, or casual exactly. They are hard to place. A vertically lined trench in their pre-fall collection really stands out as a good take on French 1960s a la Audrey Hepburn. Vuitton’s “luggage” bags are the ever-seen ‘50s-‘60s throwbacks, as are their dress suits with the unmistakable cut and eyelet collars. This leaves one thinking, “overdone?” Gucci is going all out 1970s high end with its plunging pantsuit recalling a young Jerry Hall or Ron Jeremy, take your pick. Their skirts are hemmed with fake Christmas tree-like fringe that I can’t decide if I like or not. They are also adding in the zebra stripes that fall in with the current jungle trend. Dior has snake and leather raised chain purses and what appears to be misshapen black outfits that are impossible to describe. Overall the collection’s late ‘80s flare might bring power to the wearer. Prada’s hideous accordion dress has nothing in common with the equally hideous Mexican vest with car-print shirts except for repulsion. The leather on their bags and purses is the kind that marks up and dirties easily. Hate that! Their flared sunglasses are very well done and equally well-colored and flattering. Their clay rosette anklets are interesting but their Cadillac Convertible 1959 fin heels with tail lights really puzzle. I cannot tell if they are good or not. I would venture to say “not” because they would take all of the attention away from the wearer. They were just invented for their own sake. Gap is, like always, selling their models, not their clothing per se. They have some nice distressed buckle boots but their cute cuffed short-pants and button downs and slouchy striped sweaters are so over-done. Donna Karan’s African tribal print is very evocative of early ‘90s décor trends of beige, black, and white with teak elephants and such. A bit too bold and broad perhaps. D&G made a very unique and, dare I say, ingenious crepe black Spanish dress with plastic O-ring spaghetti straps and dropped shoulders. The netted shoes also prove laudable for their tops especially. They used chili pepper print on some of the skirts. Marc Jacobs sells the image so much that I think the clothes get lost. The white (cotton?) cap was very unique but may not look good on most people. The plastic strips on the shirts laid like down and had a very two-toned quality that I’ve never seen before. Miu Miu combined Greek, Aztec, and Native American in their cameos and put kimonos in as well! Very odd. Their dresses were exquisitely cut and framed. Veneta’s slouchy silk v-necked jerseys matched with fitted bottoms in an unusual texture did not seem to go well together but on second thought have a certain casual appeal. YSL had their textures all wrong, top shapes all wrong, and gave a new definition to bland except for the shoes, which were to die for. I cannot describe how beautiful they are. A King Louie of France rendition in modern chrome. Burberry used African tribal print in their ‘70s clutches. They had a “bridle bag” that really defied description it was so breath-taking. It was huge as well. They gave a 1910s safari, jungle, outback, master Sahib type to their line, with basket weave hats and a very well cut/formed trench dress. All of this together really can make your head spin. I don’t know if that is good. Kors surprisingly showed a ribbed, stretchy, tight, Old Navy shirt! But their animal skin textured bags were amazingly pleasing and exciting. Great texture! The forceful gold watches, new gladiator sandals, and Ivory tribal necklaces reminded me of my Safari Barbie, especially the outfits of animal print. Why the Old Navy sweater was in there I have no idea. DVF’s gold chain chunk bracelet wowed because it looked so rich. Her Grecian sheath dress looked like it stepped right out of Star Trek: The Original Series. Almost cheesy late ‘60s! Nine West always looks so cheap and they didn’t disappoint. I cannot get over the fact that ‘90s heels will always look like ‘90s heels, no matter how much you try to redo them with socks, etc…However…they had some 1920s glitter shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Swoon. Bally was PERFECTION!!!!!!!! Switzerland never looked so good. You have to see it for yourself. Die. Chanel’s mermaid fantasy is so overdone! They had a very stupid ad this month. The girl looked SO uncomfortable and those clothes are supposed to engender flowing comfort. Maybe they were going for the juxtaposition but I hated it. So awkward. They also have these weird new heels with branches as the heels and the rest of the collection is an ethereal mess. Max Mara used masculine button downs with late ‘90s business casual pants. Not so good. They had an eggshell maxidress made of stretchy micro-ribbed fabric matched with black pumps that really looked great. It would make any woman look nice, especially with the unique use of off center pleats. Louboutin made this pretty, pretty, pretty heel with a red sole, blue toe strap, fucia heel and ankle straps, and yellow heels. Plus, they were shiny. Erdem’s ‘60s fitted housewife komono was too busy. Spiga looks like Dillards. Oscar de la Renta had a new take on the flared puff ballgown. They matched it with a stiff cut out top. McQueen did something that I didn’t like at first, but then I got it. I saw the ad in Vogue, not the line, the dress is a phantom. Like an old-time nightmare or banshee, the diaphanous skirt had huge ruffles at the bottom, the bodice was covered in ruffles so as to hide the body’s shape and make the dress the shape. The capped cape was Puritan AND fairy. It would evoke an amazing response if worn out somewhere. R. Lauren did a perfect ‘20s nightclub gown redux. The gauze was a good touch for the lining. The material just misses being wallpaper or lampshade in pattern but it is utterly breathtaking because of its risk. The color wows. Escada, does a more feminine version of Gucci’s ‘70s suits and robes. Lanvin is mixing Rooney Mara with and ‘80s power entertaining society moll. Everything could have shoulder pads. The color lines are very good. Express does an exceptionally cute teen run. True Religion takes an unexpected turn with an all American light wash shorts overall with white tank. This reminds me of my clothes growing up in the country. Juicy does a hippie-California dress like everyone in Hollywood has (think Nicole Richie and Halle Berry). CK does a plainer remake of Gucci. Leon Max-in theory this much fabric would make one feel magical or mystical but on it would be a mess-one couldn’t even walk. Hilfiger did an L.L. Bean, Abercrombie, J. Crew, and Pac Sun combo. Odd. Salvatore Ferragamo was very early ‘90s Miami Beach. Stella McCartney’s moves, has a feminine-art edge, and is special. The one sleeve could only look well on thin arms. Perfect skirt lengths and nice width of hem round out her almost perfect pieces. Celine is like Tilda Swinton in space. Valentino! Very romantic! So pretty! Like 2012 Downton Abbey plus ’94 dress, plus German and Austrian Alice in Wonderland, plus Sound of Music kids all grown up and sexy. Amazing! I cannot explain the perfection of femininity! Chloe was also perfect, OMG. Evokes southern belle, 1890s day at the beach, boats, white with primary stripes. Wow! Like being young and rich in England in 1910. Vera Wang is at Khols! Her stuff was watercolor and butterflies. Very pretty and wearable tops, shorts, dresses, and summer cardigans. Nice. Fairy lady. Guess always has such beautiful slutty models and slutty clothes. It is Lolita clothing for that age group only. Lucky Brand has cute Western-y tops. The Limited has nice mix and match in nice colors for all completions. I love them. Cache has paisley jumpers! Herrera takes it back to feminine lace and long flowing skirts. Etro, as always, is all about print, shape, and movement-this time with fringe and tribal-esque (in keeping with the trend, ahhh!). Piero Guidi has a magic circus bag that I really want that is like a lullaby moon in the French countryside. Just a print. Jil Sander has pefect old movie costumes to wear daily with sinched wastes and hats! I want! Balmain was like an Las Vegas gambler lady who has smoked for fifty years and loves Elvis. Nina Ricci and Akris mix many eras and it can’t be explained but I think I like it. Prabal Gurung’s meteoric rise is well earned as he dressed Rooney Mara in a black cut out minidress with see through organdy trimming. All of his stuff’s made right here in the USA. Banana Republic has a Mad Men collection. Paul and Joe perfect Emmylou Harris’ style to a tee. Versace has some amazingly gawdy shoes right now with Lucite heels and odd cut out tops.
I just want to know-are we done with prints yet!!??!!
