Now that the summer is almost upon us, I'm missing the perennial blooms of spring already. Luckily, they're immortalized every year--in various forms of tank tops, skirts, slacks, and accessories. Of course, I'll never grow tired of floral fashions. And neither will the rest of the world.
The bright rose-shaped hair piece, mod print shirt, and fuschia heels are a delightful take on floral femininity.
Moschino's update of 1920s flapper fashions, complete with green plant-print hair ties and leaf-inspired dresses
Moschino ad campaign, 2004
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Vanessa Hudgens wearing what appears to be an orchid fascinator
Since my entry on Mondo Guerra's Project Runway collection, I've been thinking about the sort of pieces I would design if I had the ability to sew.
Pieces that reflect the transition from winter to spring stand out most in my mind. There's something obviously compelling about the idea of leaving winter and coming into the light of springtime.
Jasmine's Collection:
Consider my (imaginary) collection the way you would a pair of glow worms in the grass "shining unto no higher end"--that is, with no appeal to transcendence (or an overarching theme) but merely, existing as a celebration of warmth and sunshine.
Imagine, for example, wearing a long organdy dress in summertime or a necklace of neon-colored Neopets or a smoking jacket with pointed shoulders....
There are fresh flowers, rompers, and bakelite rings here. Braided cloth belts that wrap around your waist, strings of ribbons in your hair, light colors and muted shades.
I'm fond of both structure and elasticity, so my collection would consist of competing silhouettes. Rigidity for winter, obviously:
Leanne Marshall 2010
And as time passes, the clothes begin to loosen (like flower petals, perhaps) into defined, but relaxed shapes:
Harpar's Bazaar 2004
And then they brighten from quiet shades to not-quite-electric colors:
Finally, burning out into bareness:
Australian Vogue April 2010
The idea is to start with highly a constructed collection that sort of unravels itself...like the ends of a long dress that sweeps the dirt as you walk. It consists of floral prints reflecting a garden in some city, confusing mixes of shapes and colors, and flashes of brightness.....
When discussing fashion in relation to space, one may touch upon the location of a trend, the geographies of influence, or perhaps even the manner in which designs are constructed against the individual. Perspective, however, is probably most important of all.
Who is looking? And from where?
And why?
I guess I should think about these things myself before I dress for important events, instead of relying on jeans and t-shirts so often.
Last night on Project Runway, Michael Kors expressed his misgivings about "the circus” coming to town while critiquing pieces from Mondo Guerra’s Fashion Week collection.
I, meanwhile, am praying that Mondo pulls out all the theatrical stops! Before I go any further, though, I should announce right now that Mondo is, in fact, my style soul mate.
Aww, just look at that bow-tie
His aesthetic is a mix of all the ideological things that interest me in general. It's hedonism meets mod meets gothic-lite meets a plethora of other influences that I would draw upon if I had an ounce of designing ability in me.
I love the buoyant color of this top paired with the dark skirt, for example. And the surprising use of yellow around the skirt's waist, just stunning:
Admittedly, his pieces are able to stand alone, without all the accessories he usually uses (but at least they're all adorable accessories).
How his clothes make my heart feel
Gretchen Jones' minimalist, "granola" perspective also intrigues me. When she was describing the approach she took to her collection (a nod to "outdoors" cultures all over the world), I thought, "Oh geez, here we go with the animal prints." So far though, I haven't seen anything eye-roll worthy or obvious from her. I think she's on the verge of single-handedly reviving 70s flare pants.
A piece from her 2010 Fashion Week collection
Last night Kors complained that her work wasn't high end enough or "granola deluxe." I can't really imagine how "granola deluxe" is supposed to look (sounds like a nasty flavor of ice cream to me), but the green sackcloth dress she showed yesterday represents her point of view perfectly (if only she'd made a romper!).
I'm sure I know who will win, but I must say that I equally adore what I've seen of both designer's collections. Each is refreshing as well as derivative in the best of ways. I'm so excited for the finale!
Who are you rooting for this season? *I do not claim copyright ownership over any photograph published in this piece.
