Balance at Bottega Veneta… Gone are the days when this house was known purely for their uber expensive handbags, Bottega Veneta is now firmly on the fashion map with their clothes as sought after as their accessories.
Fall 2010 for this fashion house provided a constant juxtaposition of power and movement, masculinity and femininity, sombre tones and vibrant colours.
Double breasted leather pant suits were followed by draped and pleated tulle dresses. Structured tops with defined shoulders led to free-flowing fluid skirts. Inky blues, charcoal, chocolate and moss coloured designs were soon followed by outfits with shimmering metallic flecks and designs in vibrant reds and pinks.
Military Max at Max Mara
In these uncertain political times, we never know when a war may break out and that perhaps was the point Max Mara was trying to get across by utilising a strong military theme for their fall 2010 collection.
Military coats were tailored, structured and powerful. In monochromatic combinations as well as navy, khaki, grey and beige, the fabrics were luxurious camel hair and cashmere as well as velvet and cord, complete with stand up collars, gold buttons suited to blistering cold Russian and Easter European winters.
There was still a sense of romance in the masculine Marine style coats. Feminine form was alluded to by belting and cinching these jackets in at the waist and then combining them with softer knee-length skirts.
The lines of the collection were elegant and long with wide-leg trousers being tucked in to knee-high boots, lean skirts that still allowed movement and serious gold lame cocktail and floor length dresses.
The wife shakes things up at Giorgio Armani
Armani is synonymous with elegance and the type of clothing that a serious gentleman’s wife attends her serious gala dinners and charity meetings in. She leaves the more flashy and interesting labels for his mistress to flit about in.
When this collection began with luxurious cashmere lining on velvet jackets, grey and ivory fur coats, brooch like buttons, fluid A-line skirts and classic sophisticated dresses, we knew just where we were and just who would be wearing these clothes.
But then the collection shifted. Perhaps the lady is sick of her husband’s antics and ready to shake things up a little. The colour palette moved from neutrals and insipid grays to acidic bright orange and red. Classic dresses became eccentric with asymmetrical hems and futuristic collars. Jackets were no longer symmetrical and orange tops were even combined with neon orange fur pom pom wraps.
We can’t wait to see what how the mistress changes her wardrobe in reaction.
Midnight Cowgirl at Moschino
A little shaken and stirred, it was time for the rodeo at Moschino, where tight bustiers, ruffled floor length skirts and leather gloves were combined with mysterious dark sunglasses and black cowboy hats.
Chunky gold earrings were all the rage and worn with everything from cheeky skirt suits to leopard printed shifts that were worn on top of turtlenecks, orange blazers that were combined with fuchsia corsets and gold sequined dresses.
Pair the combinations down, grab your pony and giddy up.
Glamour at Gucci
If we found anything but slick lines and glamour at Gucci, it would be a strange day. It was a relief then to see some of classic Gucci trademarks like peek-a-boo slits in tops, low slung trousers, sleek clean lines and clothes that were tailored but not too structured.
Coats were well crafted and appeared in icy whites, grays, black and brown coloured luxurious suede, leather and fur. Cocktail dresses were attention grabbing and embellished with sequins, cut away lace and ostrich feathers. There were even trousers covered in these feathers.
Replacing the usual printed fabrics though were colour matched shoes, tights and dresses and interestingly for Gucci matching shoes and handbags creating a more conservative feel.
More sexy than psychedelic at Pucci
Armani may be getting a little racy, but Pucci seems to be going in the other direction. Gone from sexy St Tropez to grown-up Hollywood, the new Pucci look is more suited to the red carpet and its stars like Kate Hudson and Heidi Klum who have been favouring the label of late, than it is to young deck candy or grand dame Ivana Trump.
Rather than swirling candy prints, dresses were decorated in shimmering sequins and beads in block colours of gold, nude or black.
Don’t get us wrong, the look is still pure sex appeal with long sleeved micro mini dresses, cut away necklines and the use of crocodile jackets and ostrich feather pants. Even the 70s feel look of flared trousers and blazers seemed sexy with the draped Pucci scarves wrapped around the nape of the neck.
The collection did have some designs in typical Pucci print, but even these were more conservative purple swirling patterns, creating dresses that looked as though they are more suited to rocking the Kasbah in Marrakech than they are to dancing poolside at Byblos.
Image credits: Snapper Media
