Electric Feathers Spring 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion week. See images from the collection in the slideshow below
Rebecca Taylor described her muse for Spring/Summer 2012 as “contemporary, ethereal, and fresh” and the pearl and sequin embellishments, eyelet lace dresses, and alabaster shades suggested images of dancing in the moonlight. The shimmering palette of nudes and optic whites was punched up with playful asymmetrical hems, racer back and tank dresses, digital prints, and the occasional statement hue in bold citrus. What started off light (with a perpetual, delicate twinkle) took a decidedly darker turn in the second half with gunmetal dresses, denim silk, and the lovely black “storm wild roses” print making their rounds. Taylor worked variations on several thematic prints and fabrics – cycling black and white eyelet, alabaster snake leather, and the cloud-like Cobalt shibori print through various appearances on tops, bottoms, and dresses. Creative, whimsical aspects like cut-out backs on leather apron tops lent an edge of unexpected sexiness to understated pieces.
The muted palette, delicate peach-hued rose print, and pointelle fabrics appear modern, with romantic and nostalgic nuances. These elements evoke the haunting and ethereal vibe of The Virgin Suicides, the beautifully-rendered 1999 film by Sofia Coppola (based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides set in 1970s suburbia). Both the moonlight silk and the darker, metallic elements of this Spring/Summer collection called the Lisbon sisters to my mind in their enigmatic, unforgettable mystique. I can picture a modern –day, glamorous version of the foxy Lux Lisbon blurring the fine line between girlhood and womanhood in the gauzy, simple chiffon t-shirt dress as she glides across the lawn one evening at a summer party. Rebecca Taylor’s ethereal touches and spirited, wholesome designs seem to evoke the charm and melancholy of an end-of-summer party, or perhaps of the lingering, moonlit memories of certain summer nights.
– Jessica J. Tsai
See images from the collection in the slideshow below
Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn
Eva Minge Spring 2012 Collection
Good Units at the Hudson Hotel featured Polish designer Eva Minge as she presented her Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection. Minge says, Spring/Summer 2012 will be a season full of clear graphic prints and exquisite designs.
High quality fabrics, modern zippers and a palate of cream and black colors with golden nuances were the key trends on the runway. Minge designed her line of accessories with bright summer colors, as well as her own jewelry and luxury eyewear designs.
Photos provided by Getty Images.
For Spring/Summer 2012, Custo Barcelona has served up matching gender crossing ensembles for both you and your boyfriend, prints, prints, oh…and more prints. Did I mention the 3-D prints? They come with glasses too.
It was a fun collection to behold, so bright and full of life. The prints were all over the place being graphic, organic, watery soft, floral, ethnic, striped, reptile, patchworked; yet all cohesively mixed and matched in designer Custo Dalmau’s kaleidoscope universe.
Just in case that isn’t enough statement-making, you can choose from a plethora of shimmer, including richly bejeweled hot pants, embellished cutout swimwear, and sequin encrusted sleeves and bodices. Key garments were shorts, blazers, dresses and knitwear made with natural raw materials such as linen, cotton and silk, and synthetic fabrics such as nylon and Lurex. It was a very energetic collection meant to “transport us to a new dimension”. We wouldn’t expect anything less from Custo Barcelona.
– Maria Giannakakis
– Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn and David Alexander
From The Press Release: CUSTO BARCELONA presents their new collection – ‘GABONGA’ – a word coined to describe something new: a collection beginning with graphic fabrics and flowing garments, and ending with more body-conscious pieces that enhance the figure; with superimposed and contrasting lengths to highlight femininity. The final product is a corporeal look, which experiments with spatial volumes.
Most of the loose-fitting looks include dresses and tunics, with free-flowing silk chiffon, nylon and silk organza. There are also skirts and shorts matched with voluminous blouses. The sleeves on the blouses include metal stud embellishments that match the graphics. They also include small zigzag elements that have been cut out individually, creating fantastic, delicate volumes.
The body-con garments primarily include very tight graphic patchwork dresses – one of Custo Barcelona’s most distinctive designs. This part of the collection also includes shorts and trousers with chain-mail embellishments, matched with cropped bomber jackets and masculine waistcoats, over semi-transparent chain-mail openwork shirts.
Lastly, the collection will feature new items such as trench coats and swimwear – all of them in typical Custo graphics. The former are made of printed nylon, while the latter are designed with small kaleidoscopic elements and patches.
The colour palette is fresh and bright; it explores new horizons. Colours range from apple green, orangey-pink, beige, nude and coral pink, to aquamarine and tropical khaki. Metal tones with shiny Lurex are also displayed; and include yellow gold, copper, gunmetal, white gold and violet.
The fabrics are translucent and free-flowing – chiffon, silk sating, ultrafine nylon and dentelle, and prints adorned with metal studs. Metallic tricot takes on a fluid and smooth appearance. The oneiric graphic design combines different kinds of patchwork to create an illusion of collage that evokes images of imperfect beauty. These kaleidoscopic patchworks mix conflicting fabrics of different weights, textures and sheen, forming a unique and genuine Custo universe.
A new dimension by Custo, inviting you to be transported, to feel and to enjoy.
“We try to create a universe based on sensations, mixing colors, graphics and materials, exploring the smallest details to the maximum.” – Custo Dalmau