Rag & Bone’s fall 2012 collection shown at New York Fashion Week gave me mixed feelings. A lot of the prints seemed almost ugly, but others kinda ugly in a good way, such as the tapestry print. My real interest here were all the layers, the spat leggings, and all the structured asymmetrical detailing.
Betsey Johnson’s fall 2012 collection shown at New York Fashion Week didn’t seem as cohesive or impressive as her fall 2011 collection. It seems this collection is drawing on many influences and ended up including many elements… mod, herringbone, 90s, florals, skulls and bones, and party dresses.
Zac Posen’s fall 2012 collection shown at New York Fashion Week threw Japanese influences into the mix, obi belts, rich jewel tones, and jacquard prints. Nothing out of his mold, but gorgeous and glamorous non-the-less.
Anna Sui’s fall 2012 collection shown at New York Fashion Week ventured into bohemian, folkish, bright patterns and prints perhaps a bit farther than my comfort zone. There were details I really enjoyed such as the round glasses, peter pan and yoke collars, and the hint of cosplay in the owl knit hats. I think the best approach to this collection is to edit, pick select pieces and draw inspiration from select aspects.
Marc Jacob’s 2012 spring collection shown at New York fashion week is cohesive and polished. Plastic skirts are paired with button ups and cropped jackets to make an odd mix-match that seems to come together so well. Things to take from this collection: layering, try mixing styles and pieces you wouldn’t think would pair together (such as a latex or pvc piece with cotton, satin, linen, or a sweater), and a beautiful grey muted color palette with iridescents and shine.
The kitschy, youthful dresses of Rodarte’s 2012 spring collection shown at New York fashion week were part prom dress, part fairy princess, with van Gogh thrown in. There were a handful of dresses that would make great statement dresses, that would make you the instant center of attention when you walked into a party. There are some cues to be taken from this collection. I enjoyed the styling, simple hair and pretty simple makeup (great eyes, love the shape of the black shadow) that really let the dresses do the talking, and being so loud, I think it’s the only way to pull them off.
The first thing I thought when I saw Rag & Bone’s spring 2012 collection which was shown at New York fashion week was 90s raver fashion is back! Then I began to wonder if I liked this collection, it seemed a bit ugly at times, but then something caught my eye… so many pieces reminding me of old Illig styles! Then I was excited. Ruched skirts, netting sweaters, and that white crisscrossing strap skirt! I think with some careful selection these pieces and 90s raver, streetwear cyber could be incorporated into your spring and summer 2012 wardrobe. Follow the cues of this collection to bring the style up to date, lots of layers, a sharp color palette, adding floral prints, and retro plastic sunglasses worn like cyber goggles. I’m digging those old Illig favorites I couldn’t stand to part with out of my closet and seeing what I can do!
For Anna Sui’s spring 2012 collection shown at New York fashion week, she drew inspiration from Paris nightclubs of the 70s, particularly Club Sept which she visited in her youth. I love her source of inspiration for this collection. Isn’t that what we all love to do? Draw on the club experiences of our youth, when we were awe-struck and fell in love with alternative culture. A growing trend right now is the revival of batcave (both a London and NYC club) style.
Anna Sui is able to find the perfect aesthetic in a sea of busyness, retro, and patterns. Sui does the bohemian print just right, by making is dark and sultry but at the same time youthful and avant-garde. I must find a way to incorporate bodysuites, jumpers, more pattern, and wide-brimmed hats into my 2012 spring and summer wardrobe. Sui’s collections make me want to push the boundaries of my personal style and sport things I never thought I liked.
The inspiration for Betsey Johnson’s spring 2012 collection shown at New York fashion week was burlesque. And while this might seem to say the show was about sexiness, aside from the peeking out push-ups bras throughout the collection to me it was nothing more sexy than norm for Johnson. All of these pieces could be a bit more discreet when taken off the runway, with bra and breasts a bit more hidden (or who cares show them off!, I loved the look). But my viewpoint might be that a bit of lingerie and burlesque influence doesn’t mean overtly sexy to me, and my focus was fully on the great pieces, bold colors, and fun looks. I loved the mixing of 80s with the hair a fashion-conscious update of the side ponytail and glam rock lightening bolt earrings, with Victorian-esque styles, and some punk rock with studs, spikes, and skulls.
Rodarte showed their fall 2011 collection at NY fashion week. You have to love the length, I have been waiting for the opportunity to dress like a Jane Austen novel heroine for years and finally my time has come. The cool thing about this modern Victorian peasant look is the clean updates to long dresses, skirts, and jackets. Rodarte uses beautiful modern geometric fabric lines, and ditsy prints broken up by beautiful neutrals and contrasting fabrics like chiffon and heavy wools.
