Balenciaga Resort 2014 - Alexander Wang is Becoming a Young Couture Designer

Alexander Wang became quite a shocker when he was announced as creative director for Balenciaga just a couple of months ago. His own fall 2013 collection appeared to have somewhat of a couture volume to several of the designs that made you think twice if he could have been the chosen one for such a supreme luxury brand. Then a few weeks later, his debut for Balenciaga’s Fall 2013 Collection showcased his talent for couture exquisitely, executing a very pleasing collection even tough fashion critic, Cathy Horyn, was very fond of. 

Mr. Cristobal Balenciaga was very famous for his high volume of architectural couture in many of his works, which is something Wang himself seemed to be fascinated about, bringing back some of the archive moments (codes) of the house. It feels with no doubt like a new Balenciaga, toned down gracefully enough to appreciate every detail of work in each piece. Yes, Nicholas Ghesquiere brought the strong vibrant futuristic designs to the house, but Alexander Wang has also kept it injected in the brand. At such a young age, he seems to learning a lot in just a short period of time.

His resort 2014 collection is a living proof that the designs do appeal quite classically futuristic, such as a black cropped top with exaggerated epaulets, or the white cropped top cut with a voluminous back (Balenciaga DNA). Dresses also have somewhat of an effect in various elements – drape, print, fabric technique – that make each dress special for the modern Balenciaga customer. Sure, it may not be of an appeal to the very young street fanatic who wears Balenciaga all the time, but it certainly is to the client who takes detail and craftsmanship seriously.  One that could be a favorite amongst several is a beautiful white dress over the shoulder that adds a fine couture quality. 

One very important key design that deserves to be talked about is Alexander Wang’s suits; perfect for the brand. He only presented one specific suit number in a very rich light gray color with cropped tailored trousers that were well worth it. His other black cropped numbers brought a nice touch to the overall looks. 

Accessories are the only aspects that should be taken into consideration putting more effort in. The clothes itself send a great message coming from Alexander Wang, but accessories are what could change your mind towards the collection. It is the same thing that happened with his fall 2013 debut. He sent great pieces of clothes to the runway, but there was something lacking when it came to analyzing accessories alone. I’d give him some time for at least appearing to giving an effort to pull out those fringe (sequin?) hats and shoes. What do you think? We’ll have to wait and see in September if he has elevated his ideas on accessories, and if we might at least see him play with some color, considering it’ll be an official (real) spring/summer 2014 collection.

Dior's Cruise 2014 Sensual Freedom

Raf Simons seems to really be making a dramatic triumph at Christian Dior. His couture collections have been selling like pancakes – take in mind one couture dress can cost you more than $80,000 – and his two most recent ready-to-wear collections have been another huge success. I believe most of this had to do with his decision to reinvent the House of Dior by taking Monsieur Christian Dior’s past work and interpreting it in today’s modern world. John Galliano did a great job with his Edwardian inspired looks Christian Dior himself was very fond of in his designs. But in today’s society, everyone moves fast, leaving the past as a simple memory. We want to be shocked. And this is exactly what Raf Simons is doing – taking the past to a whole new era of minimalistic beauty, and surprising us each season with more designs we don’t know if we should rewind or forward.

Simons’ talent is no doubt a designer with special attributes. There are only few designers in history who have changed the phase of a brand. Tom Ford became a well-respected designer for making Gucci into an international luxury beast anyone wants a piece of today. I picture Raf Simons molding Dior into a much larger empire than it already is now. There are people who criticize the new Dior as dead and ugly. And that is the point Simons seems to pull us in to. Analyze something thoroughly before giving your humble opinion.

For Dior’s Resort 2014 Collection, Monaco gave Simons the honor of presenting his first Cruise collection for the brand. What did I think about the new cruise collection? A total shocker. Simons brought out a more sensual side to the Dior woman. He understands what a special cruise collection should be about – freedom, femininity, luxury, and seduction. All was available here.

His interpretation of various sheer dresses had somewhat an architectural form as I like to refer to. These dresses were simply made for the luxury customers who appreciate detail in the best of ways. It is those small brushes of details that make a treasure much more valuable. And I loved the effect of a little see-thru moment; heats things up.

If anything you should be familiar with Dior, it should be its famous bar jackets – smaller at the waist, wider at the hips – that make any women love her curves.  He added vivid colors – blue and red – and prints, which modernized the original suit silhouette with slimmer versions of pants. 

Another surprise I got from Simons was his unique taste for lace. He made sure his cropped lace tops looked tough sporty without appearing too girlish as one is used to seeing. The material felt tougher with luxury. 

I wonder what kind of woman wouldn’t mind wearing Dior’s cropped tops. You could tell right away these silk tops screamed luxury. But more than luxury, they felt couture. The colorblock, couture effect, and embroidered tops could become the next big trend to wear soon………couture cropped tops. 

By far, Simons’ most sensual designs were his double zipper dresses. But more than the silk bras and undies model wore, these dresses were the most erotic part of Dior. The flow of the silk fabric made everything move with much more freedom, and it is up to the woman who wears them to decide how much closure she wants to go for. Simons only made the beginning of a summer relationship more intense. How far would you be willing to go?

With the construction and patchwork of these vibrant colored dresses, the question is which will Jennifer Lawrence soon be wearing? This is what has made Simons’ dresses more demanded by many celebrities. His choice of colors he designs with transmits a serenity, classic, and modern femininity to the Dior Lady. In short terms, they're the colors of luxury and minimalism. 

*This post is one of the winners of IFB's Links à la Mode*

Chanel Cruise 2014: Punk and Pearls

Chanel's Cruise 2014 collection had a little bit for everyone - punk and pearls.

Karl Lagerfeld presented this week Chanel's cruise 2014 collection in Singapore; what a trip. This is what most cruise shows are all about - creating a laid-back, and comfortable collection most clients can connect to for their summer vacation looks. When it comes to Chanel's show, such as this one, clothes may appear relaxed, but details are what execute a perfect cruise collection fit for a luxury customer. It is no doubt that Chanel is the best of the best in turning something simple into the most detailed and luxurious garment you've ever seen.

Chanel's Cruise 2014 wide-leg trousers were one of the best made trousers.

There were quite a variety of punk elements mixed into this collection - faux hawks, chokers, eyeliners, latex, leather gloves - that brought me a curiosity as if Mr. Lagerfeld still had some inspiration left from the recent Met Gala's Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibition. And while punk seemed to be the "it" accessories, pearls came in the way as well - almost bathed in them. Who would've though pearls and punk faux hawks would look so good? Chanel demonstrated just how hot pearls can get along with any personality so well it could become the next must have accessory for any woman.

Besides the semi punk theme look, Lagerfeld emphasized other aspects of its founder Coco Chanel some wouldn't think of. Modern interpretations of Chanel's wide-leg trousers - crisp white, cream, and denim - brought the rebellious side of Coco from the 20s paired with oversize t-shirts - created luxuriously well compared to your so thought gangster shirt. Tweed jackets were not surprisingly another main iconic piece, which were upgraded. All these elements made the plot of the sailor story more enjoyable.

Lace and knitwear were very pleasing at Chanel's Cruise 2014 collection.

What was surprising here, were Karl's lace numbers - fresh, young, and full of life. I never think of Chanel as a lace type of brand, but these were one good selection of treasures that are sure to sell out. It's crochet pieces were another to take a closer look at. One to have died for was the short knitted dress - in leather? colors - that would look great for your beachwear attire.

Overall, it is only Karl Lagerfeld who can make an 80 piece collection seem non-boring. In fact, you'd wish there were more pieces available together with the rest of the collection ready to be bought fresh out of the runway. He always manages to keep the flow of the brand with just a little twist here and there without hesitation. And we (I) love him for that.