Delicacy. Victoria Beckham SS18

September 11, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Not that I don’t like pastels – but it feels like it’s a current plague in fashion, even though Victoria Beckham‘s usage of baby pink and pistachio green was far above the average. Although the first hints of Beckham’s spring-summer 2018 collection said ‘pastels’ out loud, there was much more to it. Beckham is getting even more and more into ‘slouchy’, abandoning her body-con dress past. Fluid skirts and over-sized shirts; big blazers and big pants. The most striking look was the most sophisticated one and it involved wearing a pencil skirt under a transparent kilt. “Delicacy can be strong,” she said before the show to her press. According to Beckham, delicacy is something more complex than just plain pastels – it’s the softness of the texture and the comfortable, everyday fit.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

In the Osservatorio. Prada Resort’18

May 8, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Time is understood differently, but the fashion industry has the most abstract sense of it. Although Miuccia Prada doesn’t put her newest collection into a specific season, let’s face it: we’re heading towards resort 2018, a summer pre-collection, that will hit the stores just before Christmas.

(And it’s May. A very breezy May. Spring-summer 2017 collections are hitting the stores, like, right now.)

Ironic, yes. But the collection is remarkable. Prada chose Galleria Vittorio Emanuele’s attic-like Osservatorio space, which is just above the brand’s historical flagship boutique. With an enchanting view at Milan in the background, the models walked the runway wearing every pastel colour possible. From soft pink to light lilac, Miuccia revisited her signatures in springish tones: intricately embellished sheer sheaths, femme-fatale coat-dresses, nylon tousers, feather headbands. All the components, that make the sophisticated and modern Prada woman become reality, not just a designer fantasy. Miuccia invited James Jean – the same artist who did the iconic fairy prints for the brand in 2008 – to work on accessories and mini-dresses, injecting this already cute collection with rabbit illustrations. But was this collection that cute, though? Not really – nerdish knee-lenght socks and pointy shoes reminded everybody, that Prada is about ugly chic, after all.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Nanan

April 29, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Just a few steps from Wrocław’s Old Market, the sweetest patisserie tempts the locals. With it’s pastel-pink velvet walls and brass details, Nanan is a heaven for lovers of unconventional dessert tastes. No way you can miss it, while the town!

Kotlarska 32 / Wrocław

Female Nomad. No21 SS17

September 23, 2016September 23, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Alessandro Dell’AcQua isn’t resigning from his signature touches this season, like the ethernally chic macramé lace skirts or feather-trimmed tops. Simultaneously, he’s ready for introducing new attitude to his label: No21 has never been so athleisure-wise as it’s now for spring-summer 2017. Breaking down the first looks, it’s easy to spot the designer’s obsession with modernistic mesh, as it appeared everywhere, from the hems on loose dresses to sporty t-shirts. Hoodies are wherever you turn this season, but Dell’AcQua didn’t feel discouraged with that fact. His version, in lace and with a pastel-green zip, is über-cool. But it’s not only about the current street-wise mood at No21. Multi-printed, patchwork skirts and dresses suggested the look of a modern-day nomad who’s prepared for every day’s adventures. Care-free and optimistic, she wears her awakening tassels, opulent embellishments and gypsy-esque florals with grace. Also, I loved the way how Alessandro played with footwear: his kitten-heels were taped with fluorescent bows and, as usual in case of Dell’AcQua, were styled with beige socks. Pastel-pink loving No21 girl for spring dramatically differs from the sharp, grunge roxette we’ve seen for autumn. Oh, and the sunglasses line was a pretty new addition, too! Made in collaboration with the one and only, Linda Farrow.

Ironic Glamour. Area AW16

February 12, 2016February 12, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Area is one of the most exciting, fresh brands coming from New York. The duo of Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk are known for their modern take on vanity with the signature Braille-like pattern, already quite favoured in the city, where everything shines bright. But if talking of a shine, the new collection was all about it – the fluidic silhouettes were dazzling thanks to embellished, fluroscent stones, and the minimal dresses were poshed-up with fur stoles, fur bras and fur jackets. However, the pastel-coloured look-book had a sense of irony, as the season represented neo-glamour with a humorous edge. The young designers behind Area know their codes very well, and they are aware that they need to revisit their creative vision each season to make their fan-base grow – but what really makes this eponymous brand so unqiue is the designer’s not-so-serious attitude towards fashion.