As with most of Haute Couture this season, this collection is a bit lackluster. There are a few interesting pieces, and a couple very conceptual pieces, however, overall it looks too young, and teetering on uninspired. I don't want to echo the sentiments of many others who would wager that this could easily be a RTW collection, and lacks that spark that sets it apart, but I will say that it seems the designers behind the Valentino name have gotten a bit lazy. You be the judge.
It has recently been announced that Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge is currently working on 30 new episodes of the 90s cult cartoon for MTV. No dates or concrete plans have been confirmed, but it is a sure thing that Judge is hard at work. And to the skeptics, Judge assures that the show will retain it's original ghetto-tech aesthetic, right down to the faded color palatte (via Reviewniverse). Enjoy this episode from the series; in case you forgot how funny they were.
Good job JPG, there are some solid looks here; even the zany ones are visually captivating. This collection makes me want to go to a speak-easy so bad, lolol.
All together now, on the count of three, one collective yawn; 1... 2... 3...
I'm more interested in the accessories than the actual collection; what's going on over there at Armani? This may sound contradictory, but I'm anxious to see what these pieces look like in editorials; I feel they will shine more with a story attached, than simply on a catwalk.
Complete collection stills after the jump...
[sidenote: In Rome, I got so excited because Armani's HQ is right next to the airport, lol]
Not much to say here, Elie Saab turned out an impressive collection. It didn't wow me or anything, but it didn't disappoint me either, so I guess it's safe to say ES isn't losing his touch. Let me know what you think, because as you can see, I haven't actually formed an opinion, lol.
I wish I had a time machine to go back in time, and re-live the insanity that was Coachella 2010; until then, I'll find solace in photos and videos like this one from Yvan Rodick... Enjoy!
[sidenote: I was rolling SO HARD during Muse under the glow of that oragami swan, lol]
Full album streaming now... go check it out... it's different, that's for sure... this is definitely a club album; it helps to be drunk while listening to it... is that a bad thing? Yeah, I didn't think so either.
[eta: Okay, maybe that was a premature judgement... this is a "beer-and-weed" album, lol]
Stephane Rolland got this season's couture right in every possible way. The exposed zippers, the dying, the sillouettes, the cuts, the draping, the leather play, the embellished tights, the ruching, I am just in love with it all. This wasn't the best show of the season, that goes to Chanel as I stated yesterday, but this is indeed my favorite collection of the season. This is what I imagine when I think of Haute Couture; expensive fabrics, expensive cuts, expensive attitude. I haven't paid any notice to Stephane Rolland in the past, I'm a virgin to this label, but I think I will be paying a bit more attention in the future.
Let me start off by saying, Chanel put on an impressive show, each piece is so on-brand, and it was interesting from start to finish. With that said, a lot of what I'm reading/hearing about this collection is that it isn't true couture; it looks too much like Ready-to-Wear. While this may be true (it looking like RTW), the quality of the fabrics, and the attention to detail, and the complex craftsmanship placed into each piece sets it apart from anything else out there (making it couture). Karl Lagerfeld is one of the only remaining couturiers in the industry, and if anyone would know, Uncle Karl would; to suggest this collection is anything but, at a staggering 63 looks, is just disrespectful. Now though this wasn't my favorite of the season, that honor goes to Stephane Rolland (post is on its way), this was the best of the season so far. A+ job Uncle Karl; excited to see backstage and detail photos.
Complete collection stills after the jump...
[sidenote: for those wondering, Karl's Butt Boy Baptiste Giabiconi is the one in the lion head]
While many have found issues with the footwear featured in Miu Miu's f/w 2010 collection, mainly because of the odd placement of bows and the use of velcro; I happened to love the quirkiness and whimsy of it all. This pair is by far my favorite, and I'm glad to have found a clear picture of them. As soon as a photo of someone in these beauties surfaces, you had better believe I'll be posting it up.
John Galliano envoked the spirit of Dior's 90s aesthetic, an improvement from what he's been doing with the label as of late... however, this collection still looks incredibly tacky in my opinion. I will admit that the hair & make-up is on point and the concept is interesting, the models as bouquets of flowers; but the taste level is seriously lacking here. Once again, I'll let you be the judge.
Yet another short film from my friend D'arby Rose; this film is, in her own words: "Blowing sh-t up in East Oakland & at The Dinos"... I hope everyone had a great Independence Day.
Click here to check out her other film inspired by one of her many summer smoke sessions.
[sidenote: to see D'arby Rose's other films, click here to check out her youtube channel]
Apparently, the rounder model was "too feminine" and thus needed to be updated in order to appeal to a larger consumer base; because femininity is stigmatized after all. I'll refrain from commenting further on that, and simply say, I'm really digging the new look; reminds me of the Mini Cooper.
Despite Riccardo Tisci's decision to not stage a catwalk presentation, and his decision to cut this season's number down to only 10 looks as opposed to the 25+ looks we're used to seeing, the collection hasn't lost any of that signature Givenchy class and sophistication. The craftsmanship of each individual piece truly shows the time and attention placed into the collection; my favorite is by far the beaded, nude gown with the feathered bottom that Natasha Poly is wearing. I'm slightly confused by the final look; lace bell bottoms are NAGL.
