If you’re the sort of person who prefers to wear an ordered, more sober ensemble in your day-to-day life, rest assured that the Spring shows were not just a maze of clashing brights, headache-inducing prints and complicated shapes: the order of the day, at some houses, was minimalism, minimalism and minimalism. MaxMara, available at Harrods, was strong in presenting the label’s clean aesthetic through restrained pieces, the best of which included flattering jackets and simple dresses.
MaxMara, RTW SS12
MaxMara, RTW SS12
Another label which one can rely upon to produce sincere, subdued clothing that is still both beautiful and timeless is Chloé. In Claire Waight Keller’s first collection for the label, the house showed attractive pieces that were utterly sublime: the calm palette of whites, creams and dusty pinks- as well as pops of colour along the way- hosted clothes that were both breezy and enviable. The best pieces were those that were embroidered with flowers- an interesting choice for Chloé, whose designs usually stick to minimal embellishment. Buy at Net-a-Porter or at Selfridges.
Chloé, RTW SS12
Chloé, RTW SS12
A veritable tornado swept across London, Paris, Milan and New York at the Spring shows, bringing with it winds of animal print, multi-coloured stripes and dizzying florals. Every house from Acne to Wang was blustered with motif, and this particular writer, for one, is pleased! Wearing a print is one way of making an outfit more outrageous, or more refined- the possibilities are endless. Here are a few of the best from the international collections, and scroll down to see where you can get your hands on some of these pattern-perfect garments!
Jil Sander RTW SS12
Proenza Schouler RTW SS12
Prada RTW SS12
Uma Thurman wears Louis Vuitton RTW SS12
Burberry Prorsum RTW SS12
Shop the printed delights of Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent at the one-stop shop for luxury retail online, Net-a-Porter. On the high-street, Topshop is having fun with Hawaiian florals, and Forever 21 are taking a leaf out of Mondrian’s book. Experiment!
Over the next few months, more and more people will embrace the changing season and resort to their trusty leather jackets for chic protection from the varying weather. They are ideal in periods of transition, and can be the perfect option when it’s still too cold to venture out in just a blazer, and too bright for your already-hibernating winter coat. Luckily, there are some stylish choices from the international collections to choose from—
D&G RTW SS12 at Harrods, £975
Muubaa RTW SS12 at Liberty, £285
Mulberry RTW SS12 at Selfridges, £595
Alexander McQueen RTW SS12 at Net-a-Porter, £2,795
One might feel a chill when one peruses Helmut Lang’s latest presentation for Pre-Fall. The Colovos design duo has crafted a collection that, while in tune with the house’s trademarks of both simplicity and quality, darkens the label’s aesthetic a little. Spider webs were, after all, the inspiration that led the couple in their inspirations while forming the collection, and one doesn’t have to look too far to see how.
From severe-yet-sensuous trouser suits to complex, multi-texture draping, the show encompassed much of what Helmut Lang was about: the black leather and the strong jackets were a key component of the collection, and the stonewash in some of the fabrics—as well as the use of sheer— brought an apocalyptic air to the show. This felt right, though, and several different coloured prints and a splash of popping pales helped to draw the whole thing together.
Can’t wait to inject some of this moody atmosphere into your wardrobe? Why not try BDG at Urban Outfitters, who have created a great pair of died denim jeans. Also appropriate would be this leather jacket, by Rick Owens. Helmut Lang is stocked, however, at Liberty.
Cara Delevingne, a Bedales-educated Londoner, has shot to fashion fame as the supermodel that faces up the new Burberry campaign. Leggy, blonde and beautiful, the girl has a head-turningly interesting look, and she wears Burberry Prorsum’s Pre-Fall 2012 perfectly.
Christopher Bailey has, once again, come up with an accomplished collection, which comprises the inevitable— and yet, utterly desirable— overcoats and trench-coats, the best of which featured a grey spiral print. A fur-collared, grey tweed coat also stole the show, and the presentation also featured a smattering of new leather bags, shoes and accessories. The autumnal colours were sublime, and seemed to translate to the shapes which Bailey had sculpted.
Velvet and chiffon also opened up another dimension within the collection, inviting clients to experiment with tougher and softer elements in their outfits. The long evening dresses spoke of an age past, but also told us to choose pale colours for the evening. The Spring/Summer 2012 collection has just reached Net-a-Porter, so why don’t you have a look! I’ll be waiting with baited breath for Pre-Fall to arrive!
