MILAN–I can think of no better introduction to Milan Fashion Week than with Gucci’s show. Set at a storied building on the Piazza Oberdan, a 15 minute walk from my hotel, it was the perfect antidote to my case of jet lag.
Inside the venue guests were treated to flutes of champagne beneath a canopy of flowers. The catwalk’s floor was done up in a thick, plushy purple carpet and the walls were, of course, mirrored. The lighting was dim so that the whole vibe was more swank night club than runway show.
The carpet, it turns out, was a promise of what was to come–a moody purpley/maroon featured heavily in the collection as did plushy textures like fur, velvet, velvet and more velvet. Did we mention velvet? There was so much of the stuff, we couldn’t help but think how much George Costanza, who famously said he would drape himself in the fabric, would’ve loved the collection. Read more »
LONDON–The crowd at Meadham Kirchhoff looks a lot different than at your average fashion show. You see very few Chanel bags–and quite a few plastic dresses, rainbow hair, and thrifted shoes. This show was a great, ridiculous way to end London fashion week on a happy high note.
Upon walking into the space, it wasn’t difficult to figure out the theme: Disco. Two rainbow paneled floors were added to the runway, tinsel and glitter covered every surface, and a rainbow of lights bounced off every wall. So I wasn’t exactly expecting neutrals, not that you ever do at a Meadham Kirchhoff show. Read more »
LONDON–First of all, I would like to thank the seating fairies for granting me a perch on a front row bench for this show–if there is any collection you want to see up close, it is Mary Katrantzou‘s. I would also like to give a shout-out to whoever writes her show notes: I was riveted. Just this sentence killed me: “No sequin is left unturned.” From beginning to end this show was really an aesthetic pleasure to behold. (Forgive me if I sound hyperbolic–as I’m writing this, I’m very tired. But every word is true.) Read more »
LONDON–Upon walking into the lilac-carpeted space (this includes the walls) above a shopping mall where Christopher Kane showed his fall 2012 collection, I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed like such an upbeat, punchy shade, and his spring collection was full of color and sweetness and light and flowers.
Well, after a few looks went down the runway, I came to the realization that his fall muse was a lot darker and more sinister, and all the flowers had wilted. And it was completely thrilling.
No real show notes were provided apart from the credits, but Tim Blanks at Style.com wrote that Kane was influenced by 80s movie Cruising, which is about a serial killer who kills gay men. (Stay with me here.) Kane imagined what type of woman might go to the sex clubs depicted in the movie. He also used a moiré fabric because it reminded him of the inside of coffins. So this is where Kane’s head was for fall 2012.
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Photo: Getty
LONDON–The Burberry show, which is the jewel in the crown of London fashion week, was held at a huge tent in Kensington Gardens, a fitting place to showcase such a quintessentially British brand. It’s also the slickest show around, and draws an always-impressive group of A-listers.
Brand ambassadors Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Eddie Redmayne (sans Karlie–where is that girl??) were there, as was Mario Testino, who sat next to Kate Bosworth (we were very jealous of her fall 2012 owl sweater.) At the last second, Will.I.Am snuck in and sat next to Alexa Chung. Samantha Cameron and Clémence Poésy rounded out the mix. It’s also one of the few shows that can get big models, and Arizona Muse, Jourdan Dunn, and Cara Delevingne–another face of the brand–all walked.
For a brand that’s known for its outerwear, Christopher Bailey has to really rub his hands in glee before he designs for fall. Not surprisingly, this collection was all about the coats, and they came in every possible iteration: Read more »
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