As summer fades to fall here in the Classic City of Athens, GA, it’s a fresh spring day over in City that Never Sleeps. The 2014 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC commenced September 4, 2014, officially kicking off the big four fashion weeks. We’ll start in NY, hop across the pond to London, journey over to Milan, and come to a climatic end in the City of Love — Paris, France. While we can impatiently wait for the upscale Parisian show or the edgy London show, there is a certain amount of pride to be felt for these American designers.
Here’s an overview of some of my favorite looks of the Spring/Summer ’15 shows. These pieces also capture the overall themes of the seasons, 70’s inspiration, bright colors, exquisite prints, and bold/menswear-inspired silhouettes.
Jordan Warmflash unconventionally ties together bold prints, colors, and vintage silhouettes in her Spring/Summer collection. She tells Style.com that she was inspired by the Pop Art movement, particularly pieces from Tim Wesselmen. She declared at her spring show, “I liked how he would take ordinary objects and make something special out of them.” Warmflash was quickly moved to create her own Pop Art.
My favorite look of the collection wasn’t the simple evening gowns or white leather bib tops, but this sick romper. The bold citrus print, bright colors, and carefully crafted garment quality are a symphony to my eyeballs and truly a work of art.
*photo courtesy of Novis
Prabal Gurung held our hand and led us to complete the journey we started in his Fall ’14 collection. Using lighter fabrics and colors, he steered us through spring in the Himalayas. In this look, we see the bright colors and a cleaner silhouette than in some of his knitted looks.
It’s easy to love this dress due to its textural intricacies and slimming color blocking. Are you in love? I am.
*photo courtesy of Kim Weston Arnold and Style.com
Alexander Wang. I couldn’t leave him/one of his looks off the list, because he’s as much a part of pop culture right now as his celebrity party guests. His show was awesome and has a lot of scandal surrounding the shenanigans that took place before and after (see Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj). However, Wang took inspiration from menswear and—believe it or not—tennis shoes. No, this wasn’t a challenge from Project Runway, he simply re-imagined the materials of the athletic shoe.
This black and white suit is chic, classic, and fresh all at once. I personally love the high waisted black trouser that serves to lengthen the leg and slim the waist, but maybe my inner vintage queen is showing.
*Photo courtesy of Yannis Vlamos.
Kaelen Haworth is doing something right. She found the balance between masculine and feminine, boxy and shapely, sexy and cute, earthly and ethereal. I’ll have what she’s having. This macro-botanical print, boxy silhouette, and mix of bold colors make for a perfect storm.
*photo curtesy of Kaelen and Style.com
With the New York shows wrapped we can wait in anticipation for the next shows form our old favorites and new comers that will happen in February for Fall 2015. Until then it will suffice to say, Spring/Summer 2015 will be everything we never imagined and more. With athletic materials and comfort taking importance over traditional silhouettes and fabrics how can we not love the giant floral, short shifts, boxy maxis, and bright, bold prints? Spring is just around the corner…or is that a pumpkin spiced latte I smell?
Two things ring true consistently throughout Lara’s life: the first is that she can find the perfect song lyrics for any/every situation. The second is that she never leaves home without a Sharpie or Chapstick. Music is the heartbeat of her life, and laughter is the soundtrack. She lives for fashion and language (a weird combo, she’s aware). French was her first love, but Italian is a close second. She is a walking contradiction. Edgy yet sweet. Outgoing yet introverted. Classic rock yet hip hop. She’s a Southern Belle with big city dreams. The list goes on and on.