In a real sense, fashion is evolution without destination. -Agnes Brooks Young
Month: January 2011
What’s your AMMO?: E.P. Cutler
“My fashion bookshelf.”
From Worn By’s Usual Suspects Collection, the 50’s Eccentric t-shirt once worn by John Oates of Hall & Oates.
Worn By | $45
Coachella-Inspired Campaign by A|X
With the much-awaited announcement of the 2011 lineup, A|X Armani Exchange’s “Style Festival” campaign is all too appropriate. Styled by the famed Kate Lanphear, the advert features tanned babes, flowing, highlighted locks, short shorts and plenty of animal print that have us counting the days (currently, 74) until opening day.
Music is a huge part of Armani Exchange’s DNA, and Lanphear made sure that her styling reflected the soul of the brand. The campaign’s message explodes with the attitude of youthful optimism and glamorous defiance, and its style reflects the modern influence of season-less, festival-chic dressing.
AMMO Icons: Eartha Kitt
Eartha was the original man-eater. The epitome of a powerful woman, she knew how to not only use her sexuality, but how to capitalize upon it. The self-proclaimed “Original Material Girl” was a beautiful paradox. She was a Southern belle (thanks to her South Carolina roots) who could effortlessly portray big city glamour. Eartha’s style had the kind of depth that expressed her climb from living on a southern plantation, to inside the New York City subways, to the high life afforded by Broadway and a hit singing career. Eartha was a wild card. She was the South and she was New York City. She knew hard times and she knew success. She was a tomboy and she was a sex kitten. And, Eartha could give you anything on the spectrum between these extremes with one look.
-Ashley P. Williams
Valentino
This season’s Valentino couture collection only solidified a new era with the brand. The classic fantasy that was celebrated each season by Valentino Garavani is all but gone. You can still see small traces in flounced organza pieces, but they are only partly classic and are much more edgy than anything else. Plainer colors and nudes with splashes of red garments through the collection brought a differing perspective to the Valentino audience. In fact, ever since Garvarani’s departure, the Valentino couture offerings haven’t been consistent – After this collection, it looks as if that is going to change.
– James R. Sanders
Elie Saab I think the long dress is having its Cinderella moment once again – or at least this was the sentiment at Elie Saab’s 2011 Couture collection in Paris. Floral embroidery took center stage with a mixture of different decades that were reminiscent of a lot of different eras. This brand always celebrates classic styling and influence with each collection – and this season was no different. Though, I will say that the collection incorporated more colors than in past seasons.
– James R. Sanders
Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld is a genius – and his Chanel couture collections surpass themselves each season. Many designers try to blend their perspective together with their company’s namesake, but the result is not always ideal. Lagerfeld continues to be an ideal heir to the empire and perspective that Coco Chanel built from that small hat shop in her apartment in France. This season’s offerings were the epitome of couture – 10 million beads were used in the entire collection. Jackets and glittery leggings catered to a younger Chanel girl this season with edge and workability – something that Coco herself was called in her day. Lagerfeld concentrated on separates this season which will make purchasing wardrobe pieces more conventional. Chanel is always essential to any wardrobe – and anything from this collection would be a fine addition.
– James R. Sanders
Street Style Roundup: Ladylike Winter Skirting
Courtesy Garance Doré, The Sartorialist, Street Peeper Paris, Hanneli Mustaparta and Tommy Ton.
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