Paris Couture Fashion Week Fall/Winter '08. She's No Lady. Armani Prive's New Woman. Second City Style Fashion Blog

05rarmani250
Suzy Menkes was very kind to Armani in her IHT review. I mean, at the end of the day who doesn’t like Armani? Classic lines, flawless tailoring and who else makes a woman feel powerful and sexy at the same time without going Dolce? That being said, I have to say that I am a bit suspicious and even a little sad when I read how Armani described his vision for the “new woman” he’s designing his rocked out pink frocks for…”I thought about the women of today – a lot has changed in the world
even for the wealthy. And women who may be old still want to dress
young. I am designing for a woman who wants to be assertive.”
So are couture designers (couture mind you, not the RTW designers) really going to start catering to the Granny Jezebels of the world? Armani Prive? And then he calls the look “assertive.” Well, I can assert myself without snafu without looking like an 80-year old with a late-life crisis thank you very much.
But commentary aside, here is Menkes’ scoop on the collection:
“The general feeling was that Armani was testing himself, trying to
break out of his own shell, rather than seeing the 65-piece collection
as a wild departure from his signature style. Often the funky pieces
were accessories: a single fingerless, studded glove; an egg-shaped
clutch bag in vivid pink; glitter bootees; and those multicolored
shawls that the designer has tinkered with in ready-to-wear.”
” a lot looked forced (think pink – and more pink) the show had an energy and dynamism”
“crinoline rock.” That was a strapless dress with an egg-shaped skirt,
split to one side to show off boots and recalling some of Gianni
Versace’s wilder creations.”
“For those who wanted impeccable evening wear, silver came up as the new
neutral shade and the line was slender, nipped in at the waist.”
–Amy Ko, Senior Editor
 

Read more

Paris Fashion Week Fall '07. Nina Ricci: Birds of a Feather Flock Together. Second City Style Fashion Blog

What a difference a year makes. The highly anticipated freshman line by new Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens (designer for recently shuttered Rochas) was different than last year’s collection by Lars Nilsson to say the least. Instead of the ultra feminine glam we have come to expect from the house, Theyskens pushed the boundaries of …

Read more

Milan Fashion Week '07. Cleopatra meets Veronica Lake at Roberto Cavalli. Second City Style Fashion Blog.

Subtlety is not exactly Roberto Cavalli’s forte.  After all, his signature style includes leopard prints, bold colors, luscious furs, velvets, and satins, and of course, tons of sparkle.  Metallic gold was a major feature of this collection – from fully gilded evening gowns to artfully draped tops, the Cavalli woman is going to shine this …

Read more