Prevailing rule for Fall 2017 is Diversity! Diversity is also spurred by a political climate: travel bans, intolerance; all these are enforcing diversity in Fashion, promoting tolerance & acceptance. This in turn qualifies the mix of all trends: return to the 80's, ultra modern shiny/puffy rocket launching outfits, fuzzy to cuddle up, Japonica meets countryside, Romance from Berlin in the 40's, from Athleisure to the Color Block mechanical doll, Prints, from Romantic flowers to Retro graphics & calligraphy of ancient scriptures. This sounds confusing but it just seems that each designer finds her/his niche. This brings a Cross-Generation appeal, diffusing age differences & where once a "missy look" was kept for the mature woman only, my granddaughter, at 17 wants...
When Rei Kawakubo established her Fashion brand, Comme des Garcons & Yoji Yamamoto, she exposed her avant-guard styles and everybody raised a brow. These were the 1980's and the fashion world was not ready for the big revolution that was already spilling out of Japan into the West. The creative adult is the child who survived (Ursule le Guin). This is always what comes to my mind when I watch new collections that we receive from Japan. The Japanese design changed dramatically the relation between Fashion & Body. No more exact fitting & tailoring. No more garments that look perfect on the hanger. Yes to garments with beauty that is enhanced by movement & perfect tailoring. Outfits that are enhanced...
1. Volume!
2. Color & more Color.
3. Guilded Marie Antoinette w. her ladies.
4. Sheer & transparent looks are here with us to stay!
5. Velvet improvisations - from laser cut to ombre'.
6. Knits all over - full of novelty & pizzazz.
7. New Color Blocks.
8. Fuzzy Poodles.
9. Innovative Prints.
10. Accessorizing with Fun Socks!
Don't ask what clothes can do for you - ask what they tell the world about you! Lately, the Canadian MP Justin Trudo, set the media on fire when he showed up for a meeting with Ireland's MP, in a severe suit & tie, while the twist in the narrative were his socks. Star War socks in mis-matching colors! This had nothing to do with chance. This was a well thought out styling message. According to Maslow's Pyramid of Needs, socks would be at the bottom of the pyramid & used as a necessity against the Canadian weather conditions. At the very top of this pyramid, these socks are symbols of success, self expression, & creativity. When Lady Gaga chose...
The worst nightmare for any designer is to have a merchandiser pointing at a beautiful item from their collection and saying: "This can go with any pair of Denim..." I read recently that top celebrity actresses and socialites, appeared to be doing this last season. Designer shows had models wearing denim pants, as a very casual look. This phenomena brought on some deeper thoughts on the meaning of Festivity, Appreciation & Fashion. FAF. If I am late to a meeting where various people are already waiting for me, without meaning to do so, I definitely will send out a message alerting my lateness out of respect. Why are lawyers showing up to court always in a certain dress code, sometimes...
