The Resort 2014 Bestseller Collections - Sexy, Chic, Casual, Rebellious

The South is probably the most conservative of all states to savor a good dose of fashion. As you may already know, most designers have presented their newest Resort 2014 collections that will be available in most stores some time not during the next two months. Around December or next year perhaps? 

I have come to the point of analyzing several collections most women here could come to an agreement with me that the following collections are perhaps a win for their closet. Having a great knowledge for fashion here is not necessarily needed as it would for a designer (runway) collection. The main goal of a resort collection is to really, short and simple, see what pieces sell the fastest, and what pieces stay on the floor the longest. It can become quite a stressful time, since most retailers want to see profit and clothes selling and selling. Most designers have to let go of their artistic (couture) abilities and turn on their marketing skills for resort. All customers want here is easy, luxurious, no drama pieces to wear any season or occasion. Yes, it can be quite challenging for some, but as long as most of their resort collection sell out, all is fine.

Below are just a few of the resort collection, who in my opinion, think have a potential of connecting with many customers, or simply sell out pretty good. 

Vibe: Sophisticated Geometric Prints.

Prabal Gurung has got a big win in this collection. This is what most women seek in a resort collection. Something that has the designers elements (prints for Prabal) in an outfit and feels appropriate to wear for any occasion. His talent for designing incredible works of art keeps growing as the seasons pass, making him a more recognizable international designer for many. Prabal Gurung is a must have for Resort 2014. A great piece to add to your next summer wardrobe is the printed leather trench coat for those chilly and rainy days. Simply hot.

Vibe: The College Chic.

Burberry has always been one of the go to brands for the sophisticated woman. Want to know how an English lady dresses? Burberry is the answer. For Resort 2014, Christopher Bailey sort of kept the route he had gone in his recent fall collection. Playful, fetish-y, and urban-ish. Something most young girls would familiarize with. A style you could emulate from this collection is a long sleeve polo shirt with a luxuriously embroidered, black leather skirt. Now if any may not be extremely sophisticated, it totally is luxurious. It is only a matter of getting close and intimate.The college wardrobe just got better.

Vibe: SEX-Y Sailor.

Stripes never looked bright and sexy as Versace's does. Donatella Versace can never disappoint her clients. Pink, orange, lime, and aqua stripes made the original navy and white sailor stripes look so boring. Her interpretations of white sailor pants - in Medusa-head sailor buttons - definitely had that sex appeal Versace is best at doing. Her colorful micro-pleated tulle dresses were as sexy as her stripes. Take this dresses to a cocktail or party and your bet to have all eyes turned at you. This is an ideal resort collection who seeks a short, outspoken, and sexy attitude.

Vibe: Romantic Lace and Relaxed.

Lace has always been a feminine design for many woman. Some may even feel disgusted by all the covered fabric. Joseph Altuzarra was probably one of the most surprising designers for many in his resort collection. He found the perfect way to mix lace into his suits in a very relaxed manner; made for the woman who wants comfortable luxury. What was more surprising here were Altuzarra's introduction of denim. His pants were cut perfectly and his suit combo made a stunning number with his cropped lace top. If you had not seen his fall 2013 collection - outstanding body hugging sex appeal looks - you would agree his resort collection went a different route than what were used to seeing him doing. Black pants in a very slouchier version also made a good intro for the Altuzarra woman. In general, most of you would agree to be very fond of this particular resort collection compared to his actual seasonal collections that come with a slightly more bit of drama which I prefer.

Vibe: Rebellious Safari Lady.

It may sound somewhat aggressive to say this, but Mrs. Ferretti seems to have a great amount of marketing skills compared to her actual runway collections. She definitely has some good runway pieces to fall in love with, but her pre-fall and resort collections seems to be favorited the most amongst women. Her Resort 2014 collection is a great example of how talented Alberta Ferretti is in keeping everything sophisticated with a rebellious twist. It appears more youthful to say the least, but with an edge to go from streetstyle to a meeting or evening celebration. The thought she took to in a specific white skirt and jacket ensemble with zebra linings made her resort presentation even more special. I feel either a young girl or mature woman could very well fall in love with the collection. It gives the young audience another option to take the route of the modern Renaissance Ferretti Lady. 

Vibe: Easy Luxurious Ensembles.

It would be no surprise Derek Lam has made a huge leap in women's fashion with his ideas of dressing women comfortably easy while still keeping the rich status. His Resort 2014 collection are easy on the eye, come with a great amount of texture effect, and have a terrific casual vibe that would be appealing to most women of certain age. There are various ladies in the South who already have that comfortable trend going, but a little Derek Lam upgrade will not only keep you feeling comfortable and trendy, but also look like a million dollar lady. Yes, it works for any occasion you have in mind as well.

Vibe: Trendiest Outgoing Lady.

Why else is Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) the president of the CFDA? Her most recent fall 2013 runway collection - Disco party - was one to have died for. Now, her Resort 2014 collection brought of mixture that will be of great taste to women of all ages. Her python print dresses have to be one of the best resort has brought. And let's talk about her play with stripes. Simply fabulous. First time I've ver used this word. There is nothing to dislike about the DVF woman. What she wears speaks for herself. She has a wonderful life to live, so enjoy it to the max. The best thing about Mrs. DVF is how generous she is with women of all ages and sizes. Any women who wears a size 8 or 10, and doesn't feel comfortable about her choice of designer clothes, then DVF is the solution to your answer. You're not only going to look striking beautiful, but you'll be the most stylish of the day. What more do you want? More DVF perhaps.

*As featured on IFB's Links à la mode and Ariele Loewe.

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.

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.