Classics. Salvatore Ferragamo SS19

September 23, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

It’s the second season at Salvatore Ferragamo for Paul Andrew (who does womenswear) and Guillaume Meilland (menswear), and it seems that the two are a perfect match for this Italian, heritage house that specialises in leather goods. The designers, who gracefully coordinate their roles in order to create a harmonious image of the brand, prove their integrity with this grown-up, well-considered line-up. From the casting (Stella Tennant opening the show, Carolyn Murphy closing) to the colour palette (neutrals, like sun-kissed beige and khaki, contrasted with bright turquoise or orange), it’s all about classics. There’s shirting; there’s gorgoeus outerwear; there’s evening wear that stuns with craftsmanship. Menswear is equally good – we’ve got absolute essentials like trench coats and elegant pants, all refined and kept in a loose fit. The footwear and bags (the stuff that Ferragamo sells the most) are as well refreshed. Somehow, after all these years, you want to enter the brand’s store and take hold of their goods. Paul and Guillaume, bravo!

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

A Decade. Victoria Beckham SS19

September 18, 2018September 18, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Here we’ve got the other anniversary collection from London. Unlike Mary Katrantzou, Victoria Beckham didn’t revisit her archives literally for the collection that celebrates her 10 years in fashion. And, other than the appearance on the London fashion week schedule, major media fuss and the appearance of model greats on the runway (like Stella Tennant, who opened the show, Małgosia Bela, Grace Bol, Tasha Tilberg and Liya Kebede), that was a very regular, Victoria Beckham collection. Chic, slouchy tailoring, super-slim crepe trousers that are here to be worn underneath every second dress you’ve got, satin tank-tops with lace inserts, minimal eveningwear, over-sized shirts. Wardrobe essentials, elevated with a refreshing colour palette and minimal-feminine sensitivity. Soul II Soul’s Back To Life played in the background, reminding the soundtrack from Phoebe Philo’s remarkable spring-summer 2014 collection. This triggered the inner finding of parallels between Philo’s work, and Beckham’s brand codes the designer repeats and refines every season. But then, I can somehow forgive Victoria for doing that. Look at her now, 10 years later. That body-con dress and killer stilettos are buried deep, deep in the fashion history. Let’s see what the next decade brings for this iconic, ever-changing woman.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki, featuring Euan Uglow’s painting.

Men’s / Seducing. Berluti AW18

January 23, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Let’s start from a very abstract concept. If Phoebe Philo decided on menswear (something Hedi Slimane has done a few days ago – read the news, if you still haven’t…) during her tenure at Céline, she would have chosen Haider Ackermann to do it – that’s for sure, looking at his latest offering for Berluti. It’s heavenly. It’s precisely what seduces me in menswear. Those soft cuts, colours. Not speaking of the jaw-dropping materials used. Just take a glance at the butter-y leather cognac coat or the pastel blue (!) pants. Or that luxe shearling. I really don’t need anything else in life. The ‘borrowed from men’ women’s line also has lots to love about it – from Stella Tennant walking down the pale pink runway to that one grey suit that is pure perfection. This might be my ultimate favourite of the men’s autumn-winter 2018 season.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

TBT: Dolce & Gabbana AW04

July 27, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Today, looking at a Dolce & Gabbana show hurts. The brand’s recent strategy to lure rich millenials through casting Instagram stars for their runway is, politely saying, ridiculous. Also, I don’t feel like writing much about Domenico and Stefano‘s pride in dressing America’s First Lady, or the latter’s drive for dramas and beefs on social media. But, even though it’s hard to believe it in 2017, Dolce & Gabbana used to do fashion. And really good fashion. Autumn-winter 2004 season is a great example of that. Inspired with Helmut Newton’s photographs and muses, the designer’s collection was about a hedonistic, ultra-chic, dramatic, yet powerful woman. Lots of sheerness, romantic lace, sassy fur, seductive satin – that was extremely Dee-Gee at the beginning of the millennium. The models – from Stella Tennant and Mariacarla Boscono to Nadja Auermann and Karen Elson – killed the audience with their walks.

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Men’s / Low-Key Luxe. Berluti SS18

June 27, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

‘Understated luxury’ is quite the term to describe Haider Ackermann‘s fashion at Berluti. It’s the designer’s second season at LVMH’s menswear-only house, and although it seems that his bad-boy aesthetic might not fittingly root in at Berluti, Ackermann finds the right balance. Haider’s low-key chic for very rich men (only they can afford the brand, in fact) oozes in those hand-crafted leather jackets, incredibly tailored coats and deluxe sweatpants. Even though Berluti isn’t planning to open a womenswear line, models (from icons Stella Tennant and Liya Kebede to runway regulars Mica Arganaraz and Kiki De Willems) appeared in masculine silhouettes. “Well, it’s always amusing to have women around. And they all borrow men’s clothes. It’s a healthy thing, a sexy thing,” Ackermann concluded post-show.