Resort 2013 – European Invasion Part 2

Riccardo Tisci was thinking gypsy for Givenchy’s pre-collection with scarf prints being the collection’s dominant motif. Once again the opening dress is etched in my mind and not likely to leave anytime soon, a “scarf” print belted evening dress with long sleeves slit all the way to the shoulders. This capelike look repeated itself throughout, showing up on shirts and outerwear with much aplomb. This concept along with the extended tail coat details and eye-popping prints (paisley patchworked with geometric shapes in solid tones—scarlet, black, white) made for a dramatic and impressive collection.

“Resort,” Alber Elbaz said over the cello accompanying his presentation this morning, “is about solutions.” And sure enough, this collection which was comprised with two modes of thought had something for everybody. The color palette was bold - ultramarine, grass-green, poppy red, and for every loose-fitting silhouette, there was another body-conscious one. Take the black and white striped mini dress – mod and seductive at the same time – it’s another example of a show opening show stopper. And the electric blue pant ensemble which is easy enough for day but dressy enough for evening was dreamy enough indeed!

“Beach to night and the seventies” were Peter Copping’s starting points for Resort, making for one of his sexiest collections yet – petal pink camisole and slip combos, peekaboo raspberry lace dresses and a long tiered black lace dress. Some of the lace came with stretch built-in, which created a relaxed, almost sporty vibe.

One of Peter’s talents is knowing when to dress up a look or not to, giving it just the right amount of Parisian insouciance. As style.com reported, ” Along those lines, for the first time this season Copping played with sportswear touches. Lean, lightweight suits were intricately tailored, a tuck here, a pleat there, while never looking fussy. It all created a mood of confident femininity that followed through on fall’s promise of strength in delicacy, and a wardrobe that proves a whisper can be as powerful as a shout.”

First group of photos – Givenchy Resort 2013  Second group – Lanvin Resort 2013  Third group – Nina Ricci Resort 2013.

Paris Fall/Winter 2012 Collections

For this year’s Alexander McQueen spring collection Sarah Burton gave us colors of the sea – beautiful blues and corals. For Fall 2012 Burton takes us far into the sea and gives us various anemones disguised as fashion. Sarah’s visions for fall were encased with thoughts of ” a beautiful future, positivity and optimism”. Like an under water dream, designs made from organza, marabou feathers and layers upon layer of tulle floated down the runway.

The beginning consisted of “pods”, short shaped skirts, with decoration embedded in the fabric which turned into “doilies” of laser-cut ponyskin mounted on leather, and finally fur pompoms. Then the pods exploded, like puffballs, into extravagantly shaggy shapes in goat fur, ostrich feather, or Mongolian lamb. Referring to a show that didn’t delineate a rational working wardrobe for fall, Burton said, “I think it’s the icing on the cake of what we do, you want something magical”. Magical it was.

But Burton is not one to leave any stone unturned. She delivered, at the temporary Paris atelier, racks of the practical, wearable commercial collection which reflected the ideas that glided down the runway — everything from jeans to floral knitted sheath dresses, pastel tailoring, and curvaceous coats and jackets.

Besides McQueen, Haider Ackerman is a designer that has always delivered for me and his fall 2012 collection was no exception. More body conscious than spring — note the wide, molded leather belts that cinched in the waist — the collection was dominated by full-bodied Melton wools, Mikado shantung, satins and rough-textured leather which Ackerman molded into very sexy and modern ensembles. The master of draping and color didn’t disappoint, there was a paprika satin blouse and mustard peplum worn with a berry-brown wool jacket and skirt that was divine, and an eggplant shantung 7/8 coat with smoke-gray satin pants and a chestnut blouse flourished with a bois-de-rose scarf to die for. His folds and drapes were those that could only be made by a master technician, they seem so natural and easy as if that was how nature would have them fall.

Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri have come into their own at Valentino this fall.  The overall concept for their fall collection, according to the designers, was “folk, but in a modern, faceted way.” They have been modernizing their sweetly feminine silhouettes — black leather gave the duo’s by-now familiar dresses and jumpsuits a new edge — and are designing for a more natural less perscriptive kind of beauty. I look forward to their future envisions for the Valentino woman.

The following are a few of my other favorite looks from Paris.

First group of 4 photos – ALexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2012. Second group of 4 photos – Haider Ackermann Fall/Winter 2012. Third group of 4 photos – Valentino Fall/Winter 2012.

Second Group – clockwise from top left: Lanvin, Lanvin, Balmain, Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, Veronique Leroy, Chanel, Balmain — all from Fall/Winter 2012.

Style Starlet: Emma Stone

Watch out Hollywood! There’s a new style starlet in town and she’s creative, unpredictable and completely courageous with her fashion-which is anything but blauzay. Emma Stone has been acting for years now, however, just recently we’ve noticed she’s joined the big leagues in the fashion world.

Emma Stone was seen donning the red carpet at the W magazine pre-Golden Globes bash in a long-sleeved, color-blocked cocktail dress by Lanvin Spring 2012. The banded tri-colour nude, black and rose stretch silk dress with embroidered crystal snake motif wrapped around her neck was an unconventional choice with a dash of edge that highlighted her emerging stronger sense of style.

Looking cheerful in an emerald Gucci band jacket, stud-adorned smoking trousers, chain link T-straps and Tiffany & Co. jewels,The Help star acquires the award for favorite movie actress at the People’s Choice Awards.

With her film The Help nominated for best motion picture (drama), the redhead wore a plunging eggplant gown with contrasting red accents, a dramatic belt and crystal-studded heels – all by Lanvin – topped off with a Cartier clutch to the Golden Globe Awards.

Emma Stone made an appearance at the World Wide Orphans Foundation in New York, looking like a sophisticated woman in her Calvin Klein Collection black silk-crepe blouse and gold satin jacquard pleat skirt.

From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By Kristin

  Favorite Resort 2012 Looks

It’s a new year and a time to look forward towards new beginnings, and what better to start us on our journey than the prelude to spring – Resort 2012. These our my 21 favorite looks from the Resort 2012 collections, the ones I would die to add to my wardrobe (hopefully a few of them will). But even the ones that don’t make it into my closet will make for great inspiration while I am planning my spring wardrobe and updating my style.

I recommend going over to Style.com and perusing the Resort and Spring 2012 collections to get your inspiration. It’s a wealth of imagery that will inspire many ideas. Which designer is your favorite? Whose collection resonates with you? Do you see a style that “says you” or maybe there’s a designer whose “look” you’ve been wanting to try?

Whether you want to fine tune your style or do a total overhaul – a fresh, new beginning – this is a great time to start! Let me know who inspires you this season.

Happy Shopping!!

Clockwise from top left: 3.1 Phillip Lim, A.L.C, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Helmet Lang, Gucci, Givenchy, Balmain and Celine – all Resort 2012.

Group 2 – Clockwise from top left: Jenni Kayne, Johnathan Saunders, Lanvin, Peter Pilotto, Theyskens’ Theory, Zac Posen, Vionnet, Valentino,Preen, Matthew Williamson, Nina Ricci, Rachel Zoe – All Resort 2012

Paris Fashion Week–Spring/Summer 2012 RTW

Another fashion week has proven successful and Paris may be one of the last cities…but it certainly has proven to be one of the best.

Nina Ricci’s designer Peter Copping named his Spring collection Zina after the artist Zina de Plagny, who collaborated with Nina Ricci in the 1930′s, designing prints. According to Style.com, “Zina’s florals had a second life on Copping’s runway, cut into a sexy sheath with a scooped-out back, a printed top and matching high-waisted shorts, and most interestingly, a coat that was sandwiched between two layers of gray chiffon quilted with silver thread.”

Models donned dressy stretch satin skirtsuits, delicate and lacy slipdresses,and even lingerie–not a big surprise coming from a design house known for a refined, romantic, always feminine feeling.

Lanvin’s designer, Alber Elbaz, described his initial vision for the Spring/Summer 2012 collection as “an angel in hell”, but as he drew and drew, the angel returned to earth. You could imagine that the snakes coiled in appliqué across a dress or in a print down a pant leg were prime examples of that vision coming to life. The shoulders that gave the collection its epic silhouette could be the vestiges of wings.

Lanvin has traditionally been all about “The Dress”, but this time, Elbaz tackled tops and bottoms in a new light by mingling day wear with evening wear.  Models also paraded down the run-way in sheer tulle dresses that conveyed a nothing-to-hide vulnerability.

Get The Look For Less – Emmanuelle Alt Voque Paris Editor-In-Cheif

Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt attended her first New York Fashion Week since assuming her new role with the magazine back in early February. She looked stunningly awesome in her signature rock and roll style that she describes as “British high street”… “My jeans are Topshop – I love Topshop. When I go to London my first thing to do is I put my stuff in the hotel and I run to Topshop – they have the best jeans!”

Alt became obsessed with the world of fashion after seeing her first catwalk show at the age of 19. Alt recalled that time saying, “My first fashion show was a Jean Paul Gaultier show when he was at Porte de la Vilette and it was crazy outside. I loved it! I was like ‘Oh wow, this is really funny!’”

Before becoming Editor of Vogue, Alt climbed her way up in the fashion world holding prestigious positions with the magazines Mixte and French ELLE. The business of fashion runs in the family as her mother, Françoise, was a Lanvin and Nina Ricci model in the ’60s and ’70s and her husband, also in the fashion business, is Franck Durand, the artistic director of Isabel Marant.

Pictured here (the paparazzi went crazy for her) at New York fashion week, she donned an Isabele Marant chambray shirt, Joes Jeans and Givenchy ankle booties. Don’t have the funds for Emanuelle’s tres chic look? No worries, we’ve come up with a selection of great finds to get Emanuelle’s look for less.

Ann Taylor Refined Chambray Shirt $74.99 www.anntaylor.com, Free People Skinny Cropped Jean Orig. $68.00 on sale for $39.99 www.freepeople.com, Avon Lace Bootie $44.99 www.avon.com, Zara Belt with Contrast $19.99 www.zara.com.

Get The Look For Less – Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes embodies effortless summer chic in her belted Calvin Klein Collection crepe de chine dress, Lanvin pumps and favorite Jennifer Meyer necklace at a Tiffany & Co. dinner in Beverly Hills to celebrate the line’s collaboration with architect Frank Gehry.

It’s an old school rule that you shouldn’t wear white after labor day, but a dress like Katie’s is a classic piece that can be incorporated into a year-round look (think winter white). Adding a blazer or leather jacket would be a perfect way to transition this look into the cooler months ahead. The right shade of winter white looks stunning on almost anyone and this is a great look to pull together instead of the predictable LBD.  Blending timeless pieces, Katie’s crafted a functional look that transitions easily from Summer to Fall, day to night.

Here are our picks to curate Katie’s elegant look for less:

From Left to right: Narciso Rodriguez Bow – Belt V-Neck Dress $413.00 www.polyvore.com, Another Line Updated Skinny Belt $28.00 www.nordstrom.com, Pelle Moda Heat T-Strap Pump $144.95 www.nordstrom.com.

Paris Fashion Week-Christian Dior and Lanvin

The show must go on and Friday it did with the famed French fashion house, Christian Dior, showing to a subdued crowd of attendees. Though we abhor Galliano’s remarks which caused his dismissal last week from the fashion house-as a designer, he is a genius. Another brilliant collection came down the runway, presenting floor sweeping coats and capes, tailored jackets and decadent furs paired with knickers, jacquard shorts and lush velvet trousers and skirts. Colors such as teal, burgundy, olive and plums were spirited and strong and there was a wonderful mixing of tweeds and soft prints that lent a whimsical air to the collection. As vibrant as the colors were for the first half, the evening and ruffles dresses were shown in muted pastel-hues that evoked a soft ethereal feel. The flip side of that coin were the see through black evening dresses paired with jackets or alone.

“Everyone needs a tree”, said a low-key Albar Elbaz, explaining the foundation of Lanvin’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection. ” Branches, roots. We’re getting right back to the roots of tradition.” At first, Elbaz opted for simple, austere, paired down wool coats and capes over skirts and dresses, all  in darker hues. Worn with flat shoes, lady-like bags and wide-brimmed hats, they spoke of a different, understated, kind of glamour. Texture was introduced with luscious leathers, silks and lace, with a hint of color creeping in, all while maintaining a simple silouette-we especially liked the cream silk one shouldered caftan. The pairing of knit sheaths with poufs of mousseline made for a perfect segway  into the masterfully draped and pleated gazur dresses. The show culminated with those perfect confections coming down the runway in bursts of red, fuchsia, mustard and caramel, almost as if they were flower buds on Mr.Elbaz’s tree.

The first collection of pictures are from Christian Dior’s Fall/Winter 2011 Collection and the second set are from Lanvin’s Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

 

 

 

 

The Modern Espadrille

Once footwear for peasants, the espadrille has evolved into a spring-time staple.  They were present most everywhere at the Spring/Summer 2011 runways, and you can be sure they will be gracing the streets come the ides of March, making this a shoe to invest in.

The signature jute sole is not only eco-friendly but amazingly comfortable because the braided cotton rope acts as the ultimate shock absorber.

The espadrille became famous in the US in the 1940s when Lauren Bacall’s character in the film “Key Largo” wore them laced up around her ankle.  Since then, the style has been revived at least once a decade…yet here at Curator’s of Style we are mesmerized with the sophistication for the upcoming season.

Dolce Vita Jollen Espadrille $125.00, Chelsea Brentwood (310)471-4770

Christian Louboutin Pepi Peep-Toe Espadrille,$425.00 www.saks.com

Valentino Patent Leather Slingback Espadrille, $475.00 www.valentino.com

Lanvin Espadrille Wedge, $595.00, www.lanvin.com