Fashion Ease

Can fashion be uncomplicated and stylish? A thought while contemplating the Mediterranean at Alexandria.

- AP

Alta Moda/The Red Master: Valentino

Gentle Reader -

What ever happened to haute couture from Rome? Indeed, it is as if alta moda never happened. Today, most people (rightly so) associate Italian fashion with Milan.

For those with access to the archives of fashion past, a quick look through the pages of Italian Vogue are enough to inspire both frustration and admiration. The oft-times lack of originality gives rise to the former; the display of technical skill, the latter.

Valentino [Garavani] used to be associated with the alta moda of the 60s-80s, but the Red Master is in a category all to himself. There is throughout his work - from suits to elaborate gowns - not only a sensuousness, but more to the point, a sinewy finesse that is the marriage of silhouette and skill. Thus, his work places him conceptually closer to Paris.

For those firmly in the alta moda camp:

Roberto Capucci
Renato Balestra
Fausto Sarli
Mila Schön
Irene Galitzine
Furstenburg (Egon, not Diane)

The alta moda, however, is not dead, just in need of new life, new creators, new visions of what high fashion can be.

- AP

Thinking Pink, Again

It seems that trends in fashion seem to last less and repeat more often. The key "color of the season" may go down this path as well. Why do you suddenly want incorporate eggplant purple into your wardrobe? Or conversely, why is that lime/avocado item suddenly the one to put into storage?

Which colors are you - no matter what the fashion editors tell you?

For fall, creamy gray with Belgian chocolate brown seems to feel just right.

- AP

Sphinx: Masters to Collect

A sampling of areas of focus for this Tuesday:

Claude Montana for Lanvin
Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé
Mid-1980s Ferre Couture
First collections: Donna Karan, Prada
Last collections: YSL
Givenchy: 1970's Nouvelle Boutique

For some, these are pieces to collect. For others, these are designers to study further.

- AP

Coastal Fashion/Pre-Resort 2010

 

While France has already experienced la rentrée, those in the United States are soon to experience Labor Day - or better known as the End of Summer.


Instead of the usual fantastic voyages by yacht that seem to inspire resort collections, how about a collection that reminds wearers about the sand, sun and the ocean - without the boat?

Think khaki, not gold or silver metallics.


A thought for the next time you see a fashion layout that screams "Resort" but uses same fashion elements of the past 10 years.

- AP

DIY Vintage/Paris Originals - Nina Ricci

Gentle Reader -

There was a time when fashion came from Paris; everything else was a copy from Paris. That time is long past, but there is nothing to stop one from recreating those Paris Originals.

Here is a Vogue Pattern from Nina Ricci. The lines of the dress still work today: simple and chic.

- AP

La Rentrée - Anew

Gentle reader -


Are Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter the only kinds of major collections fashion can have? For instance, why hasn't French RTW come up with a small collection just for la rentrée - that time of year when the summer vacations have ended and the nation seems to 'get back to work.' Of course it isn't quite that simple. The law in France is a very powerful thing.

Perhaps the more cynical reader would prefer a collection timed just for strikes in the French capital...



In any case, it's time once again for a new season at the Paris Copy - including a new look.

Enjoy!

- AP