jil sander fall 2012

Big news for one of my favorite designers - Raf Simons will be leaving Jil Sander.  The fascinating part is that Jil Sander herself will be taking his place.

With that, I leave you with my favorite detail from his last Jil Sander show.  Interestingly, this favorite detail is not minimalistic at all - but I am still predictable, because it is neon pink and knitted.

 Style.com

obsession : jil sander floral gown

I know, I posted earlier about my obsession with micro florals.  Maybe I should just say I love florals in general.  But prints are really important this season.  And macro florals look amazing in super saturated tones, unlike the more neutral tones found in many micros.  On that note, I haven't been able to stop thinking about this dress from the Jil Sander Spring 2011 RTW show ... I even tried to watercolor the print today.

Photo by Garance Doré

 

Never realized this dress was one-shouldered, or had such an amazing sleeve (though I still want to see more views of it!) - also, isn't that lipstick perfect?

A tank version of the dress (perhaps what is under the jacket?  Though the one-shoulder version wasn't on the runway) is sold for $2,885.  The outer fabric and lining are both silk.  A shorter version sells for $2,445.  A single fold in the front of the two tank versions "cuts" the floral and adds an interesting vertical interruption; a pleat details the back.

The colors are beyond amazing - saturated, bright, a little surreal.  Placements of photorealistic flowers are truly interesting - notice how some flowers are "half" another, or stop down the middle and become a different color.  

"The Dress" in Vogue Paris March 2011

From WSJ March 2011

Another swatch of the fabric - I just love the slash of real and surreal

On the cover of Elle Czech May 2011

Helen Seamons' shoot for the Observer on Sunday

Marie Claire France

Can you tell I'm obsessed?  Now, why do I think this dress is so great, you may ask?  Because it is impeccable in every aspect - the silhouette is minimal, the length is dramatic and new, each iteration is as exciting as the next (sleeves, no sleeves, long, short), and the fabric really seals the deal.  Nothing is more precious than a designer's custom print - and nothing is more meant to fill a blank canvas of a simple gown than one like this.

If anyone would like to buy me this dress, it would be greatly appreciated.  Or even the envelope clutch.  Haha but who am I kidding - way beyond anyone's price range.  I am on the hunt already for a fabric somewhat like this - doubtful I'll find one perfect enough, but I do know of a website that allows you to print your own ... good use for those swatches, huh?

Getting tired of it yet?  I'm not.

jil sander spring 2011 rtw

Minimalism, maximalism, and "couture gigantism" are all things that can describe what may be the show of the year. Taking couture extremes but doing them in a minimal way is really, really hard, and the color pairing Raf Simons used for his show is genius. I absolutely love the proportions and that one floral print! And I love nothing more than clean, sharp lines in a beautiful, rich palette.

There is something so breathtaking and unfussy about this collection. It's finally a colorful minimalistic collection, just what this season was lacking. The separates are all smart and new feeling, and there's something to say about an evening gown that simple - it seems to speak volumes over other more complicated dresses. Well done, Simons.