Style Currents; Dior

Recently, celebrities have been popping up in Dior, everywhere from Cannes to China to Culver City. The French label's designs are a classic go-to for any red carpet event. Lace, chiffon, lame, and bustiers have all been featured. At Christian Dior's haute couture fashion show in Paris, Jessica Alba wore Dior head to toe. A beautiful chiffon floral dress synched with a belt was matched with stunning white Dior heels. The look was so effortlessly chic and fresh and in my opinion, that's what Dior is about. Another look i love is Natalie Potman's ensemble she wore to the 38th Annual AFI Life Achievement Awards. Portman hit the bulls-eye, in my opinion, in a strapless pink lace frock and pink shoes to match. The dress she wore was from the Resort 2011 collection which I profiled in an earlier post. An actress I love, Blake Lively wore a beautiful white cocktail style dress by Dior at the haute couture fashion show. The dress is strapless with a high neckline creating an Audrey Hepburn-esqe style. Trimmed with scalloped fringe, the dress is perfectly innocent yet still sophisticated. On a more dark yet still feminine side, Marion Cotillard of The Inception, wowed in a black lace bustier dress by Dior in Paris. The dress envisions the darker Art Deco side of Paris that often is doused. Also stars such as Eva Mendes, Camilla Belle, Kristin Davis, Charlize Theron, and Nicole Richie have recently been spotted looking stunning in Dior. I, along with many others look forward to Dior's Winter 2010, and Resort 2011 collection.

Feature Designer: Collette Dinnigin

We all have heard the names, Chanel, Dior, Marchesa, Gucci, Prada. Those are the designers whose merchandise are produced into cheap knock offs and sold in the streets of Rome and Paris. They are bought by inocent women trying to feel that they, themselves are part of a revolving universe of its own. Well, in truth, it is often the designers that remain modest who come out on top. When shuffling through designers names you dont often find Collette Dinnigin. Collette Dinnigin, a New York designer has recently released her Resort 2011 collection. Her lower-range prices have caused a stir, do to the beautiful quality and 60s inspired clothing line. With lots of shorrt dresses, and vibrant and frilly babydoll dresses, Dinnigin has pulled off a line that transforms from a girly girl by day, to a chic club girl at night. All of her smocks retail for under $350. Collette said it is more about easy dressing.The line is abounding with corsetted dresses and very full skirts. One highight was a pink cotton version stitched with white raffia at the neckline. On a more versatile note, Dinnigin stirred up lace and studs to contrast the optimistic look of the girly dresses. Collette started her carreer in 1995, releasing a ready-to-wear clothing line in Paris. Dinnigin is from Australia and has been designing since 1990. Collette Dinnigin continues to design and is believed to one day become as big as some of the names listed above.

Fashion Week: Women's Wear '10

An extremely ambitious topic to tangle, Fashion Week. The week every designer has been waiting for. This year hundreds of designers are featured including the latest additions such as Hermes, Miu Miu, Ceruti Interview, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Chloe, and Alexander Mcqueen. It would take Simply hours to dissect each and every so here are two. Blumarine will be featured in this year's MIlan fashion week. They have a simple and girly aesthetic. Ruched bodices in soft greys, light pinks, and long flowy gowns are a signature style of Blumarine. References to Grecian icons were contrasted with harsh gold leather jackets. Anna Molinari continued with the soft, pale colors but found a way to refine and reinvent. Also, lots of snakeskin is featured.
Another esteemed designer featured at Fashion week is Hermes!! Hermes is a personal favorite. Recently, I returned from Rome. While i was there I had my first experience walking into an Hermes store. I was simply overwhelmed by the colors, smells. and designs of the bags, scarves, wallets, and home decor. I was even more pleased to learn that there was a clothing line. Jean Paul Gaultier showcased leather while maintaining its classic style. Through the runway the black softened up into shades of beige and taupe. This was mostly outerwear. It almost has an air of Victoriana, with tailored lapels,and long skirts. it is quite stunning. Obviously, Hermes would never disappoint.

The World of Fashion: Christian Dior Resort 2011

5.15.10.


Christian Dior


Shanghai, China, May 13 2010 Christian Dior releases his resort 2011 collection for next year. Deeply inspired by the "French Wave" being a nautical theme Christian, like Alice + Olivia went for a 60's inspired route. John Galliano made sure that this was not going to be a dose of Chinese Dior, being this is Dior's third visit there since 2002. Quoted to be a "Savvy blend of couture and ready-to-wear," the line did not have much Chinese influence. Marine stripes, gamine trenches, and fedoras, paired with tailored pants, inspired a boy-ish look. To balance out the masculane, feminine spectrum, girly dresses were adorned with candy colored bows.

The World of Fashion: Alice + Olivia Resort 2011

6.23.10


Alice + Olivia

Stacey Bendet, the head designer for Alice + Olivia just released her Resort 2011 collection this June. She seems to stand in a separate crowd than the rest of today's designers. When everyone is doing red hats, she's doing blue. With her risky yet whimsical outlook on this line, Stacey took chances that, in turn, were worth it. Alice + Olivia is all about fun garments. It is quoted to be very "Jackie O" inspired. With excessive, yet not overpowering 60's influences, Stacey and the Alice + Olivia team have created a futuristic twist on an old theme.