Marc Jacobs is under fire from media around the world for not delivering on a promise – made two years ago – to make a plus-size line. Now it’s 2012, and people are getting impatient…
Marc Jacobs is earning some ire from the fashion community this week.
Two years ago, in 2010, Robert Duffy – who’s CEO of Marc Jacobs – promised that they were ‘developing’ a plus-size line, in response to criticisms and pleas from ladies who weren’t a size zero.
It’s 2012, and there’s no sign of it – and fashion bloggers have become impatient.
Nicolette Mason, writer of ‘Big Girl In A Skinny World’ for Marie Claire and author of a fabulous Youtube blog, is so indignant she went public to shame Duffy for not delivering on his promises.
“I’d be your customer and you know it,” she told him in a video she posted online.
High-fashion lines are notorious for ignoring customers above an Australian size 10. And considering that the average woman is now about a 12-14, that’s ignoring a big chunk of their client base.
Increasingly fashion magazines are heeding the public demand for women who aren’t minute, with Robyn Lawley, Crystal Renn and Candice Huffine among the most sought-after plus-size models worldwide.
However, they can’t model what hasn’t been made yet.
Marc Jacobs has yet to respond – we wonder if they’ll promise it will arrive in another two years…
Image: Marc Jacobs.
Want the most up-to-date wedding of the year? Keep your eyes on the Bridal Fashion Week.
And the biggest player, obviously, is always the Vera Wang show. It’s what will be knocked off, drawn from and seen walking down countless aisles a year from now, so be ahead of the curve.
After two years of non-traditional colouring – red and black – Wang is back on the ivory and white bandwagon. However, she’s gone at it with a twist.
This year Wang’s collection picked up on the catwalk trend of visible corsetry boning, with many bridal gowns exhibiting very up-to-date bodices with openly visible lines. It’s flattering and more modern than the traditional lace or satin – we like.
Her other main trend? Asymmetrical volume. Many of the Wang gowns were resplendent with diagonal tulle-tiered skirts – a much more fashion-forward play on the meringue look.
The gowns looked sea-inspired, with interesting volumes and shapes created from bundles of carelessly arranged chiffon.
It was a sharp contrast to the other shows, Badgley Mishka and Marchesa among them, who stuck close to last season’s safe ground of straight white silhouettes and plenty of jewels.
So if you want to be ahead of the curve, keep her in mind – and throw a black tuxedo jacket over the gown afterwards, for dancing!
Image: Vera Wang 2013.
The full Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Lookbook has been released, after a few leaked images raised the hype to fever pitch.
The look? Heavy drapings, the occasional form-fitting dress, killer coats and cutting-edge accessories.
It’s angled at the Northern Hemisphere, so the pieces are generally winter-oriented. There’s a gigantic, beautifully sloppy white sweater which would hang on every frame, a double-breasted coat so voluminous it could fit three, and a more puzzling monk-like grey wool shift.
Plus the footwear is largely boot-ish, with a Nepal-like pointed toe.
However, there’s also plenty of material in there for our own seasons. A glam Haider Ackermann-like take on the tuxedo is included, with voluminous pants and an asymmetrical, sloppily cut jacket – for casual wear to the most cutting-edge restaurant in town, presumably.
And our favourite piece by far is a Chinese-inspired, long-sleeved silk dress in a variety of clashing, quiet patterns, tied at the waist.
It’s insanely chic without being high-maintenance.
There are also a few hints of the 90s, with silk slip-like dresses, Courtney Love-style, finding their place under coats with high heels.
We’re not sure about the mirror-ball leggings, the skin-coloured top with a bra printed on it, or the sheer volume of some of the dresses – which might make most of us look like tree-trunks.
However, we’re putting in an order for the gorgeous brown leather boots with clear plastic wedge heels. Yes please – even if we do have to wait eight months to wear them…
Image: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M.
She used to be known as ‘Beyonce’s little sister’, but now Solange Knowles has more cutting-edge fashion cred than Alexa Chung.
The reason? Her fearless combination of patterns – and that gorgeous hair.
Solange’s been everywhere with her signature look lately, including on the cover of Elle South Africa. Her key look? Intelligently clashing prints in rich colours – ochre, red, emerald and deep sea blue.
She’s also a big fan of classic tailoring and pantsuits – this is a woman who rarely finds a trouser she can’t rock. Take her lead and step away from the safety of skirts for shorts and beautiful lightweight trousers this summer.
The key to a Solange-style look? A good eye for colour and the confidence to pull off a show-stopping look – it’s not so much look-at-me as simple, key pieces in great patterns.
Pull together classic blouses, Miu-Miu style patterns on tuxedos, and brilliant combinations of colours. Look for Art Deco jewellery and pops of colour on your toes and lips.
She’s on record as loving Kenzo, Opening Ceremony, Diane Von Furstenberg and Madewell.
And don’t be afraid to pull a showstopper. Solange’s smooth yellow gown at this year’s Met Ball was a unanimous favourite among fashion critics, and it made her skin glow.
Want some extra fashion inspiration? Check out her latest music video Losing You, which is shot in South Africa featuring some truly spectacular style.
Image: Solange Knowles on the cover of Elle South Africa.
