Pansies. Christopher Kane Resort’17

June 2, 2016June 2, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Christopher Kane is obsessed with pansies. To this extend that he dedicated his whole resort collection to these small, springish, cheerful flowers. “Pansies are a symbol of freethinking! I like that. I never want to follow trends. Pansies also look like they’ve got cheeky laughing faces. And they’re all these colors because they’re crossbred. And that’s what I’m doing now—crossbreeding my ideas.” Cute. Just like the petal-shaped shoulders of satin dresses, girlish gingham skirts signature, woollen cardigans (in case you want to keep your inner pansy warm during cold, March days). The collection, presented in Kane’s boutique in London, looks back at Chris’ best-selling pieces, his love for flora (which is emphasized nearly each season, from embroideries on biker jackets to neon-yellow lace) and blush baby-Lolita style (see this look with goth-like gloves and a slip-dress. Grunge, but of course drowning in pansy print!). Miranda Priestly used to be skeptical about flowers – but Chistopher Kane really makes florals look ground-breaking for spring.

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Miuccia’s Warm Days

May 31, 2016May 31, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

When it’s sweltering hot on the streets and you dream of a cold splash of water… then take a look at Miuccia Prada‘s spring-summer 2009 collection for her main-line. Thank me later for this breezy throwback…

Like taken out of a classical, Italian film, the shameless femininity in this collection, filled with crinkled fabrics, pencil skirts and seashell earrings, brings the musings of a warm, summer night. The poetry behind this beautiful collection is kept in the intriguing manner of the clothes – dress’ straps and short jackets looked as if they were about to fall down off the models’ bodies. “It’s primitive,” Prada said, “going back to what counts.” Surely, this collection has counts like no other in 2016. And definitely, it can be taken as a good tip this summer!

Résumé. Balenciaga Pre-Fall’16

May 24, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Balenciaga is another label which postpones its pre-collection release, taking Céline‘s and The Row‘s path. Moreover, there’s another reason why this pre-fall 2016 collection is a major highlight for the house. In fact, it was designed between the abrupt period of Alexander Wang’s departure from the maison, and styled during the first days of Demna Gvasalia‘s appearance. The press release informs that the collection wasn’t fully supervised by Demna, so the autumn-winter 2016 can be called his official debut – however, there are distinct twists coming from Balenciaga’s design studio, which will be surely approved by all Vetements fans. From over-sized hoodies to floral dresses, some of the looks could be easily understood as even pricier pieces coming straight from Vetements’ showroom. The next, much more sophisticated, all-black looks worn by Stella Tennant and Julia Nobis aren’t that simple, though, focusing on Cristobal Balenciaga’s famous body-sculpture play. The collection quietly nods to Nicolas Ghesquiere’s era, with this must-have aviator jacket with a shearling collar. Not surprisingly, Alexander Wang’s three-or-so year-long “legacy” is erased utterly, and hopefully, it will never come back.

The idea of photographing the models in a Balenciaga archive warehouse is brilliant, and it shapes an image of a brand, which wisely balances the past and the future. The very commercial, fur stoles with huge BALENCIAGA written all over them will sell immediately, I guess, just like Gvasalia’s vision for the house. Not that this collection is a masterpiece. But still, it builds strong foundation for Demna, makes a résumé of the past, and eventually, might become the season’s best-seller.

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Spring of Love. Rochas Resort’17

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

It’s a calm season for Alessandro Dell AcQua at Rochas. Known for his effortless chic, the lookbook is a feast for a spring wardrobe. From sensual, white dresses with exposed back to spaghetti strap tank-tops, the creative director delivers a fresh look on his well-known essentials. The never-failing socks affair turns beige, while the little details, like owl embroideries on striped jackets, steal the spotlight. As intended! Also, Dell AcQua nails it, if talking of gender-blurring silhouettes. A badass, leather jacket is surely shared from the boy, while the girlie, vichy-checked gown fetches romance. For those who love florals – this lush, silk shirt with a leafy French orangerie print is a ground-breaking choice, indeed.

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Love Cavalli

May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

I think it’s the first time I’m writing about Roberto Cavalli on my blog – ever! Not that I dislike Cavalli’s style – the thing is, the good old Roberto and his extremely Italian, slightly indie chic lost its right path somewhere in 2007, within the appearance of pre-collections and “hate” towards anything “kitsch” (talking of you, minimalism). Even though the designer was at helm of his studio till 2015, the collections didn’t differ much, while the brand wasn’t appealing to a younger clientele. In fact, Peter Dundas initially seemed to be a lost cause. Not only as Roberto’s personal decision, but after his, ironically, Cavalli-style-inspired collections for Emilio Pucci, which didn’t excite either. After the second season (I’m on fence with the critic-slammed spring-summer 2016 fluo glamorama), however, Dundas catches attention, but not only because of his predictable bling-bling. To a surprise, autumn-winter 2016 collection, for both men and women, was a great nod towards Robeto Cavalli and his bright, golden years – flares, python leather, music band t-shirts and a lot of denim revive from the dust, gracefully. With Jane Birkin’s 70s attitude and a sharp walk, anyone can make these killer, waisted pants look hotter than… hell!