Alexander McQueen features kimonos
Giant white 3D flowers met guests at Alexander McQueen’s spring show, based on designer Sarah Burton’s dizzying collection of antique Kimonos.
Despite these potentially eccentric propositions, what met guests was one of the most “ready to wear” shows Burton has produced since the house founder died in 2010.
Black face masks added the obligatory edgy feel, but simple Asian silhouettes in black and white with spliced sections in the skirt, circular sleeves and simple Oriental floral motifs, made it feel like the British designer has gone down a gear.
Still, there were some more playful ideas—especially toward the end—like pink ruffled dresses with a torn up texture, and a fierce laser-cut leather harness with a billowing, organza flower skirt. (AP)
Giambattista Valli gets busy
With his usual mantra light, white and feminine, Valli produced an archetypally spring show.
In plentiful supply was his signature A-line, short skirt aesthetic with sporty shoulders.
The USP for this collection was to be found in its emphasis on floral and organic prints, flashes of blue, and its channeling of the on-trend Balkan jacket and tunic styles.
There were even oversize round Grecian pendants, thick ruffled fabric details on skirts and two-tier fringed dresses.
The busy detailing, like thick stripes up just one pant leg, gave this collection a more heavy-handed feel than is normally associated with the diaphanous designer.
