iceberg fall 2011 rtw

Don't you love stumbling across a show you didn't see before?

 

The texture on that coat is beautiful - and does that print remind you of anything?

 

 

In love with all the pops of orange!

 Intricate, ethnic-feeling beading in high contrast tones.

I am so ready for fall clothing!

Also, it is day 4 of voting!  You can vote every day for my t-shirt design here.

obsession : matthew williamson fall 2011 rtw

I have a new favorite designer, because of this collection.

Inspired by Russian artist Francisco Infante-Arana, Williamson combined geometric prints with beads, lamb, ombre, and patchwork wool to create a vibrant and fresh fall collection.  I love everything about those prints, and how wearable (and cozy) some of the separates look.  Recently I've been loving those Pendleton-type wool blankets with the native geometric squares and triangles in bright colors. 

I am trying to gather inspiration for tailoring - I will go fabric shopping this weekend.  I intend to do some serious bead work on my coat (I know, I know) and I also want to design the outfit to be worn with the coat, so it goes down the runway as a complete look.  I'll give you a sneak hint: the stingray as inspiration.

Though if I find some native print wool, that may replace it.

christopher kane fall 2011 rtw

Christopher Kane is one of my favorite designers.  Why?  Nude lace and spandex with neon zippers and galaxy prints, to start.  However this just skyrockets him even further up my favorites list.

 Ladies and gentleman, those are granny squares.

Reminiscent of rainbow-patchwork acrylic blankets of the 1970s, these looks are anything but.  The models look chic and modern, and the smart use of color and symmetry keeps the crocheted squares (and printed leather) from looking kitschy.  (May I also add those zig-zags on the last dress are those plastic squishy tunnels filled with sparkly liquid that you play with?  Check out the rest of the collection to really see them better.)

This is a hard thing to make look cool.  I might, might just pick up my old crochet hook now that's sitting in my room beneath a pile of the more popular knitting needles I use.

obsession : carven

My friend Elyse brought my attention to this line - having started in 1945, it is amazing I've never noticed it before.  Inspired by Switzerland for the resort 2012 collection, the pieces feature photo and map prints that I can't get enough of (and this seems to be their "thing" - these details show up in past collections as well).

 From their latest campaign, at carven.fr

 Resort 2012 collection

 Fall 2011 collection

 Spring 2011 collection

The signature is lovely - unusual cuts on jackets, shades of navy and orange with khaki, photo-realistic printing, lace applique, triangular midriff cut-outs.  Beautiful tailoring.

 Source: Style.com

couture fall 2011 : other notable favorites

There weren't a lot of shows that impressed me in their majority this season - maybe because couture is a strange and unusual thing, and it either isn't crazy enough or it goes too far and doesn't make sense.  But here are some other favorites from shows that I still would like to post!

Bouchra Jarrar

 Chanel

 Elie Saab - more intrigued by his shorter dresses this year

Jean Paul Gaultier - usually not a Gaultier person, but this dress was too interesting to me!

 Giambattista Valli

 Givenchy - I really loved these.  The setting was perfect, and the dresses look like they've grown into the models to appear somewhat god-like and inhumanly beautiful.

Valentino