Lindon Chen
Assistant Photo Editor
From the sleek minimalism of Calvin Klein, to the lively nostalgic knits of Marc by Marc Jacobs, this season’s collections were astounding. Fortunately the fashion industry did not get swept from the face of the earth by the economic hurricane. In turn, none of the collections were recession-themed and thus we see designers pumping out their best in terms of materials, inspirations and presentation. In reality industry is thriving, judging by the fact that there were hundreds of shoppers lined up around the block for Fashion’s Night Out, a haven for cosmopolitan clothing purchasers.
The season’s variety of colors is far from the stereotypical spring fuchsia and bright Kelly green. With serenity and minimalism of the varied shades of grey, Francisco Costa, designer of Calvin Klein this season, has sewn form-fitting dresses organic shapes accentuate a woman’s body. It is very natural, simple, and it seems like it takes the human race back to its foundations. The dresses flow along with the human movements.
Winning the prize for the best use of patterns is Marc by Marc Jacobs, which successfully infused the cultures of the Aztec and the Scottish into one pattern, a lurid Fair Isle (a pattern from the island of Fair Isle). Most noticeable, was his ability to mix patterns that you would think would not go well together. This can be achieved if you take two bold patterns and try to mix and match – you never know how these two patterns will work together, unless you try putting them together. His collection was simply the liveliest of all; it was playful, yet mature.
Another line that perfects a sense of ethnics is Rodarte, who tattooed the models’ arms in a tribal fashion. The draping and wrapping in the collection is futuristic and ferociously imaginative. They took contrasting fabrics that seemed that they were ripped from shirts from opposite ends of the world, and wrapped around a model. All the fabric seems like it’s coming the center of the torso for a cool effect. Be sure to check out Rodarte’s collaboration with Target on December 22.
Oscar de la Renta’s collection was incredibly classy. His collection is very wearable; there was nothing avant-garde, but there was definitely clothing you could buy directly from a store. It was the quintessential “Ready-to-Wear” collection. He combined vivid colors, tailored silhouettes and floppy hats, which is beautiful on a woman.
An essential line to shop this season is Christopher Kane for Topshop. The collection is very reasonably priced, and the looks are very edgy, and innovative. The leggings, the shoes, and the dresses feature eyelets, and the print shirts are crocodile-themed. Be sure to go on Topshop.com to see the collection and shop it too!
However, there was an overlying theme for this season’s collection. The designers’ collections all showed a sense of escapism. It may just be the eye of the economic hurricane, but everyone just wants to get out of the entire storm. And with the party dresses, everybody really wants to party, regardless of how harsh the storm is outside.
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