Twinkle by Wenlan showed a dramatic, moving gallery for Spring 2010, incorporating Yoko Ono’s independent spirit with Blondie’s incredible spunk. Signature prints draw me back to the days of studio art lessons, from scrambled Peeled Paint, dreamy Oil and Water swirls and splotches, to razor-sharp graphics in Paradise Etched.
Raw emotions are conveyed with intense pop art hues of coral red and glam hot pink – perfect in all-over solid statement pieces – while subtle yellow blots and watery blue fill the spaces in between. Black & white is still a hit whether in the form of loose fine gauge viscose cardigans or cool silk tucked into cuffed shorts.
The collection’s soft and hard elements make for a “colorful conversation”. Fluid lines and a sweet attitude played well with the “mash up” of acid wash, chunky choker-style necklaces and loud leggings. Billowy tops flow over sleek patterned skinny pants and “thunderbolts” of cutting edge neon charms outline smooth contours in bubble dresses, ruffles and open, exaggerated sleeves. BIG unruly hair, parted sharply down the middle, topped off each look.
– Tiffany Chang
Photos © Sandra Rosales 2009
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The Iodice Spring/Summer 2010 Collection was presented at an intimate setting in a fabulous penthouse suite of the Morgans Hotel. Complimentary champagne, gorgeous models and outdoor garden terraces overlooking the New York skyline were the perfect setting for this sensual and feminine collection. The glamorous and sexy silhouettes personified luxury at first glance. This season was inspired by all things beautiful by the sea like pearls, shells, the movement of sand and seaweed. Maybe you wouldn’t think of seaweed as beautiful, but Iodice made it sexy, (actually, it looked more like snakeskin print. Like I always say, when in doubt throw in some animal print and call it a day). Beautiful high quality embellishments with precious detail added a classy glitz to the monochromatic collection along with statement necklaces and chunky bracelets made of pastel pearls and metallic flowers. The yummy skyscraper high suede shoes were also created by the designer. Creams, and nudes were the dominant color scheme, save for a small mini collection of dresses in navy and red georgette that showcased Iodice’s elegant and fluid drapery technique. Other rich fabrics used included silk jersey and a lightweight lamb suede that almost melted to the touch like butter. This collection was a beautiful harmony between warm, earthy tones accented with cool, breezy, adornments and delicate embellishments. A sexy day at the beach, or if we were in Brazil, everyday. Valdemar Iodice who hails from Sao Paolo has a specific woman in mind. “The Iodice woman”, he says, “is a sophisticated jet-setter, a confident cosmopolitan woman who fuses passion for life with a sense of style”. This family run business started in 1987 and is a well-know brand in his country. Iodice captures the essence of the Brazilian woman, and wouldn’t we all love to be Brazilian? (Adriana Lima, Giselle Bunchen, Alessandra Ambrosio…’nuff said).
Is the recession making us all a bit more maudlin and nostalgic? Not that that is a bad thing; looking back is always a good way to reference a feeling one might find relevant now. And looking at Diesel’s Fall 2009 line made me recall just that: my days in Seattle, however post grunge, still lingering in my visual memory: Messy cardigans, torn deconstructed tshirts, combat boots and the I-don’t-care-if-sequins-clash-with-floral attitude is here, but refined.
