More girlie-girl stuff

OK - I'm not the ruffles and bows type - have never been; will never be...that's just me.  Although I realize some of my clients drink this stuff up and that's fine.

But I do love a sashay factor that goes off the meter.  Maybe cause I've done so much formal wear, one of the things I like to do the most is watch the girls move in their dresses...the swish and movement of the dress, even if it's in the stiffest zibeline needs to have a swish to it.

That's why I'm so excited to see so much sashay in the newer clothes.  And I have to wonder if all the spring London designers are gearing up for try-outs for Kate Middleton! 

Who cares...they look lovely - here's another London Designer, Julien Macdonald - I thought his descriptions were a little off, cause the fashions were really "ooo-la-la"!

My favorite one is the very first one (although they are all pretty dresses)

Yeah - I know it's not a very good picture...but keep you're eyes out at the first of the video - I thought it was fabulous (but then it's in my color too!)

I have to say that when I see things like this, it's not exactly what I'm looking for, but there's enough that it's worth a good study.  Why?  Cause it's got movement, creativity and the designer has worked out all the problems of locating the embellishments where they should be.  I'm not going to wear this nude (I know - no rare comments out there about visual barragement - even if they are true!), and I wouldn't wear it this tight to my body...but imagine doing something like this for a wonderful top over a fabulous camisole or teddy...it really makes the mind spin...or a skirt with all these streams of ruffles added to make it swish so beautifully.

Here's what I'm talking about.... (click this photo for a larger view)

I know the first thing you want to say is:

1. I would NEVER wear my dress that high
2. I would NEVER be seen in anything that lo cut.
3. I would never wear chiffon without underwear (and in my case - a lot of it to hide all the wrinkles!)

But there's a lot more to this dress than that.  And you sort of do have to look for it, but it's there. 

1. Look at the layers of chiffon...the over layer and the under layer
2. Look at the beautiful lace detail on the under layer piece
3. Look at the way the over layer piece splits in front
4. Look at the ruffled edge on the over layer center front split.
5. Look at how close he is to the body on the waist, midriff area
6. Look at how it flares out from the waist in a feminine flouncy, sashay type way.
7. Notice the print - not too big, not too tiny, and how it's space on the background.  It's soft, not intimidating and yet very feminine.

Those are some of the features that make this dress, and the designer has solved a lot of problems here...look how he's made that dress close at the waist and yet full below the waist, giving us the illusion of being thin - doing something featuring this over layer over another layer of chiffon (with the lace type trim at the top and a more modest bust line), under a darling classic teddy, would be really fun for spring/summer in a really wonderful updated way.

If you wanted to do a skirt...take the same line...I'd keep it contained at the waist (notice how the designer has featured the upper bodice, bust/waist area as contained?...that's his focus area - the skirt would need to have a "contained" area so it's not flying all about).  And then do two layers of chiffon over a rayon or silk under slip, with the over layer of chiffon split at the waist, ruffles down the split and sashaying all the way to heaven!!!!

I will be honest, for the first time in decades everything I'm seeing and maybe it's just me, is turning up more feminine and more beautiful and just plain pretty.  I love, love, love fashion like this and would adore doing something like this up for myself...it really inspires the heck out of me.

That's why good design and good designers are so worth our time and attention. For more of Julien Macdonald's collection click here.

Anyway, I enjoyed it and find it very refreshing.

 

 

Comments

[Bunny]

We never outgrow what little girls call the "twirl factor", do we?