Fendi Resort 2012

Chic and vaguely retro, the resort collection for Fendi seemed to draw on a myriad of inspirations- the beach, 60's London mod, 50's suburbian prim, even sleep wear. It was girly and all very innocent and proper, but didn't reach the giddy heights of their Fall 2011 collection.
Still, the bags and shoes were especially good; eyewear too should make a connection with consumers.

Top 10 Collections of Fall 2011!

Well, I have to say I was pretty impressed with this season's collections from New York right through to Paris, so to say it was hard coming up with this list, is pretty much an understatement. I loved so many collections, (Elie Saab, Emmanuel Ungaro, Miu Miu, Chanel, to name a few) alas, there can only be ten. So here goes; my ten fave collections for Fall 2010 RTW:

10. Haider Ackermann

Having produced my fave collection last season, I surely wasn't disappointed this go round. Sure, the mood was a little darker this time, but the aesthetic was generally the same- draping juxtaposed with new shapes, all seen through the prism of sexual tension.

9. Celine

To talk about the best that fashion has to offer today and not mention Phoebe Philo's work with the house of Celine is kinda not getting it. Her designs are cutting edge, completely modern (with just a slight whiff of vintage) and altogether very sharp and well-tailored. This collection was another excellent one. Oh, and those coats? Beautiful!

8. Alexander McQueen

I really hope they aren't planning to replace head of design Sarah Burton at McQueen any time soon, because if there were any doubts as to whether she can carry on the original designer's name, there should be none by now. Burton's aesthetic isn't as dark at McQueen's was, at his best, but you know what? It doesn't need to be- she approaches each subsequent collection with such reverence and purity, it's almost easy to imagine McQueen sketched these designs himself.

7. Emilio Pucci

Well, what can I say? Peter Dundas knows what celebrities want. And what they want is glamour and hot, hot sex. The colour palette this season was gorgeous, but it was the corseted figure and haute-edge that made this collection stand out for me.

6. Prada

It was a collection, for me, that was very 60's London-esque; but knowing how Miuccia Prada's brain works, I can assure you that the inspiration didn't stop there. So there was 20's-style coats, snakeskin, coat dresses and those really weird scale-like sequins. Some critics didn't like it, but who cares? This is Prada; bad press won't hurt her one bit.

5. Givenchy

So while rumours are still swirling as to whether Riccardo Tisci will be placed at the head of Dior now that Galliano has been sacked, the Fall collection for Givenchy couldn't have come at a better time. It's funny to note how critics and fashion people have come around to Tisci in recent years, considering his aesthetic has been one that they really didn't get at first. Sure, he's come a long way in terms of editing, but the fact remains that he constructs one-of-a-kind, wearable, beautiful clothes and accessories. Continuing with the theme of the Fall menswear collection, the show was more of an event, (with Kanye West, Florence Welch and Liv Tyler in the front row) evidence of how much impact Tisci has as a designer.

4. Marc Jacobs

Watching this collection via live stream, I was like Ooooooh! Aaaaaaaah! with each new look that came out. There were Dalmatian spots, latex, lace, fur; indeed, it was a wonderful juxtaposition of textures. The collection, touted to be influenced by sex shops and dominatrices, was soundtracked to Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People," and beautiful it was.

3. Dries Van Noten

Where do I even begin with this collection? Well...
There’s a sentiment about his collections I particularly appreciate. His vision of prints, mixed media, and easy draping is extremely likable for how effortlessly these fun looks can fit into everyday life.  His girl comes across lithe, well put-together, and somewhat quirky.  The mixing of fabrics is unique, the prints are delightfully fun, and the length and structure, for this collection, created a very relaxed silhouette.  Better yet, this entire show felt effortless; the clothes are beautifully cut while the fabrics give the impression of richly nuanced luxury.  What's mostly impressive though about his collections, and indeed this one, is how highly pragmatic Van Noten’s designs are; these are smart clothes for the smart woman made by a smart man.

2. Proenza Schouler

I'm surprised by how high this collection is on my list, but what can I say? It was excellent. Designers, baby-faced Jack and Lazaro are making me eat my words with each new collection, but when they're this good, that's fine. Every thing was beautiful and playful, and the pixelated prints were right on. More known for their accessories (shoes, bags) than their clothes, it's amazing how unlike their other collections, I was impressed by every piece that came out. 

1. Fendi

Here's an interesting tidbit- I didn't like this collection the first time I viewed it. Weird? I know. But the more I viewed it, the more I fell in love with it.

The collection best exemplifies Lagerfeld’s versatility and ability to make more than one line and to make them wearable and perfect, eclipsing even his work with Chanel. Teaming up with Fendi partner Silvia Venturini Fendi to create a wearable and wonderful collection, Lagerfeld presented colourful coats, all completely luxurious. The collection blended mink, chinchilla, sable and fox, creating some truly sumptuous and wonderful outerwear. Outside of the fur-work, there was plenty to love, too: the coloured stockings, the goggles, the bags and shoes- it was all a very quirky collection with so many stand-out, well-tailored pieces. Absolutely amazing!

Fendi Fall/Winter 2011

Karl Lagerfeld knows how to stick to a theme. Known more for his work with Chanel, the designer uses the Fendi label to present more wearable, utilitarian clothes. Nowhere was this more obvious than the Fendi Fall 2011 collection.
Think New York, think lady in her 30's, think Upper East Side, think colour, and chances are you'll get the collection. I have to admit I didn't particularly like it when I first viewed it two weeks ago. But you know what? The more I look at it, the less I can find a look I actually don't like.
It's a superb collection- the colours, the jackets, the furs, the skirts, the stockings, the goggles, the bags; everything is so well-tailored and -styled. Sure, this isn't a collection for the younger, more Downtown set, but I can easily see older, less trend-seeking ladies milling about, whether to the office or even a fashion show in some of these looks.
The mix of textures- fox, crocodile, shearling, mink, Persian lamb- was exquisite, but the most impressive thing about this collection was how chic, yet practical these clothes are. Bravo.

Jeneil and Karl!

Just when we thought Jeneil Williams couldn't possibly get any bigger, homegirl just did! Now on tour with fashion LEGEND Karl Lagerfeld, Jeneil was hand-picked by Mr. Lagerfeld to be shot for the annual Pirelli calendar.

Pirelli is an Italian tiremaker and every year, they unveil a calendar, which is basically a collector's item for the world's elite. This year, Karl Lagerfeld was tapped to create the 38th edition of the limited-edition calendar, and he opted to create a Greek-themed "Mythology" calendar with some 36 photos all depicting Greek gods, heroes and myths. Appearing are an international group of models: 15 women, five men and Academy-award nominated and actress Julianne Moore as Hera, the wife of god of gods Zeus.

Pirelli gives pretty much complete freedom to the artists it picks to create its calendars, and for 2011, Lagerfeld did all photos in black and white, making the figures look like Grecian sculptures. I'm ecstatic that Lagerfeld hand-picked Jeneil; as someone familiar with her, she's a gorgeous, down-to-earth, humble girl who deserves all the success she's been achieving lately. Other models chosen include, Erin Wasson, Freja Beha Erichsen, Anja Rubik, Daria Werbowy, and Lagerfeld muse, Baptiste Giabiconi. Writing on her Facebook wall that the press conference in Russia was amazing, it seems she's having the time of her life, too. Way to go Jeneil! Check out some more images from the calendar here and a behind-the-scenes look  of its making here.

Chanel Pre-Fall 2010

Blending Parisian and Shanghai elements, Karl Lagerfeld proved that the leggings aint dead. At least, not for this coming fall.
The fabrics were lush- deep lacquer-red embellishments, shaggy furs, silk linings- and the shoes, often thigh-high, were pretty eye-catching, too. The Asain comrade caps were a nice, tongue-in-cheek addition.