My mom use to dress me in animal print, I came to hate it later on, then began to love it a few years ago, and got sick of it lately. With Anna Molinari’s Blumarine collection for S/S 2011 however, I was presented with an entirely new image of animal print. The pastel brights and neutral browns are so subtle and girly, prowling on everything from fitted mini-dresses and tunics belted over flared pants to super-voluminous caftans. To enhance the look, models wore a combination of enamel bracelets, rings, and pendant necklaces featuring zodiac symbols and beastly creatures. Leather jackets in coral or lilac were paired atop the dresses to give a little rough edge to the soft, feminine look.
Dolce & Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana celebrated the 25th anniversary of their business this year; so what better way to move into their next big turning point, than having an almost all-white collection? White often resembles hope and purity, and with such a big point in their career, the designers explained backstage that the collection was ‘a hope chest’, which are known to be the new and handed down things a bride might pack before she sets off on the next chapter of her life. The collection showcased everything romantic from rompers, baby-doll dresses, sexy skirtsuits, and a few jaw-dropping corsets. The garments looked antique with beautiful crochets, velvet florals, lace and clear crystals to give a sparkling evening look. The show clearly showed the designer’s strength and dedication into their work.
Emilio Pucci
Peter Dundas’ seventies-influenced Spring collection is mostly long but has many sultry pieces all over it. The show had a remarkable Mediterranean and Bohemian vibe, with sea blues and spicy colors. The collection included unique takes on the traditional Greek shirt, jersey T-shirt gowns, and embroidered lace frocks. Although we’ve seen several designers have a heavy influence from the seventies for their collections, Pucci’s handcrafted details were spectacular and made him shine.
Gianfranco Ferre
Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi started out with a paper-thin python spliced into narrow strips and braided into a streamlined coat worn over a matching slim skirt by Karolina Kurkova. It was a modern, inventive way to treat such a precious skin. The designers went on to use artisan weaving and macramé techniques on a black leather dress and a camel-colored bandage dress. Backstage, the duo said a book in Ferré’s library with a photo of Louis Armstrong’s trumpet got them thinking about jazz, and that the “instinctual music” led them in a “hotter, more sensual” direction. Their focus was on dresses, but we still saw a couple of well-cut, sexy suits with jackets tailored with double lapels.
Gucci
This collection was absolutely stunning; anyone who expected a simple, classic collection of neutrals like Frida Giannini’s Fall show got a huge shock, as the first model walked out in a bold orange blazer, violet tube top, green pants, and gold python belt. Glamour is officially back at Gucci, with models sporting slicked back hair and bold red lips. The turquoise and black jumpsuits were a fantastic touch on chic sophistication, and the asymmetrical wrapped bodices of vibrant dresses exposes flashes of sexy bare midriff and rib. Leathers were densely laced and dotted with gold hardware or fringes; and jewel-tone embellishments, metals, feathers, and beads adorned dresses with extreme movement and shimmer.
Les Copains
Moschino
Rosella Jardini’s collection for Moschino for the S/S 2011 season featured red and blue polka dots, stripes, turban scarves, retro hats, doorknocker earrings and gold mirrored shades. Some models looked like Wild West saloon girls from the 80s; and although the show had less over-the-top moments (I don’t like a red-white-blue combination …), the retro and quirky tailoring was fun and flirty.
Roberto Cavalli
What do you think? I thought these collections were absolutely stunning – they were so complex, filled with beautiful hand-crafted details, and although some were from similar inspirations or concepts, each designer was able to pull off their own unique style and taste.
Leave your thoughts below!
Until next time,
Danah (:
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