Pre-Fall 2010 Runway Review
Lanvin
New York – January 11, 2010
There really aren’t many other words one can use to describe this collection other than chic and luxurious. However, considering that this is a runway review, we shall discuss just how chic and luxurious this Lanvin Pre-Fall 2010 collection really is.
Alber Elbaz wanted to “introduce some dream into daytime.” Elbaz’s main inspiration was a real Frenchwoman that he and his companions often see in Paris that they named the “Leopard Lady.” This Leopard Lady is never without her signature leopard coat, and, reportedly, she even dons one in the high heat of summer months. Taking this woman as his inspiration, Elbaz filled this collection with piles upon piles of mix-and-match animal prints alongside various jeweled and embellished clothing and furs.
From asymmetrical metallic dresses to full-length leopard coats to adorned and enriched pencil skirts, this collection is lavishly opulent. The accessories of this collection were just as luscious, including painted-on looking lace stockings, bright fur earmuffs, and of course knee-high leopard print boots.
There is no doubt that this collection is pure fantasy and definitely dream-like, however one might say that it is not necessarily realistic for everyday life. I beg to differ. Just as Elbaz took inspiration from that quaint Leopard Lady in Paris, we too can chip away at this collection to find key pieces that will spruce up our closets with more fantasy. In a recent chain e-mail entitled The Handbook of 2010, rule number 16 stated, “Dream more while you are awake.” One can accomplish this by simply putting on anything from Lanvin Pre-Fall 2010.
Givenchy
New York – January 12, 2010
Riccardo Tisci receives credit for drawing new attention to the Givenchy label ever since his debut as creative director in 2005, and for Pre-Fall 2010, he did not disappoint. Tisci slightly changed things up for this pre-season. “I’m going back to Givenchy’s roots, looking at late-sixties and early-seventies French Style.” Tisci also noted that the results of this collection are “much more clean,” and that is exactly what this collection is, utterly clean and purely sophisticated.
Tisci’s obsession with Gothic ingredients also rang through in this collection, including a mix of masculine and feminine elements. Tisci also mentioned the film Emmanuelle of 1974, which explained the hints of eroticism throughout the collection. For example, a sheer ruffled cardigan and many pieces complimented with black lace and corset-like lace-up detailing.
There were many statement jackets as well, which almost all designers included in this year’s Pre-Fall collections. In addition, revisiting the masculine/feminine and 60s/70s French style, there was a soft white lace blouse with a bow at the neck, paired with high-waisted leather shorts, which made for an elegant, yet tough look.
Fans of the very popular Nightingale bag will also be thrilled that they can now jet set in style as the bag now comes as a handy trolley carry-on.
Overall, this collection reeked of absolute sophistication and chic elegance. Not to mention the girly frills that Tisci is known for, which encompassed the ostrich feather mini-skirt that was completely darling.
Matthew Williamson
New York – January 13, 2010
Famously known for his amazing psychedelic prints and boho garb, Matthew Williamson cleaned up his act, so to speak, with his Pre-Fall 2010 collection. He traded billowy caftans for more chicly structured options, such as military-style buttons on short, little jackets and high-waisted metallic skirts.
Eveningwear shined through in brightly colored hues, such as royal purple and a full-length gown done fully in sequins, with colors that included blue, gold, and stunning black. For the most part, however, Williamson kept things short with adorable draped, tiered, and on-trend, one-shouldered little chiffon dresses.
Williamson also introduced some comfort into this high-fashion collection with coats and sweaters embellished with fur. Among my favorites: a grey and colored fair isle sweater with a fur collar and a fur vest that was belted under the ribs, which made for an ultra-chic, yet relaxed look.
I am sure the designer, however, kept his loyalists happy, and did not stray too far away from his famous prints. His lineup also included a pink polka dot ruffled top, a lilac and light green printed long-sleeve blouse, a ruched, kaleidoscopic mini-dress, and a digital-looking animal print one-shouldered floor-length number.
