Fall/Winter 2012
Trend Report
The fall and winter seasons signal the replacement of the
whimsical flower-child with a much more sophisticated and luxurious girl. One
who discards her diaphanous pastel sundresses, oversized sunnies and
gem-encrusted sandals for sumptuous (p)leather, rich oxblood and glamorous
brocade. This season is all about indulgence and requires the adoption of a
lifestyle, not a closet.
Some designers opted for a tougher look this season, trading
extravagant baroque influences for something much more dangerous. These
designers armed their models with thick glossy leathers carefully laced to lend
an air of seduction, embossed to assume the characteristics of freshly-skinned
alligator, or laden with zippers to craft a quality of mystery.
Most designers, however, took their audiences back to
simpler times – or at least for European Royalty – where all things were
baroque and extremely lavish. For design houses such as Balmain, this meant
creating skin-tight skirts, dresses and pant suits embellished with thousands
of miniscule pearls and jewels in order to replicate the intricate geometric
patterns found in palaces.
Oscar de la Renta showed the
world that he could make Anna Dello Russo’s (you should know who she is) dreams
come true by defining fashion as opulence
and making flashy accessories inseperable from the garment. Oscar proved that costume
and fake jewelry are equally deserving of envy as the real stuff!
