Pre-Fall 2015 In Review

It is mid-winter and the fashion world is already two seasons ahead with the recent release of the Pre-Fall  2015 collections. On the bright side, these items can still provide us with further inspiration on our current looks, while ensuring that we remain ahead of the trend. Pre-Fall is one of my favourite times of year because during those rough and tedious winter months, it gives us some fashion to feed our frozen souls. There may be no fashion week until the spring, but there are still new collections to ogle at and aspire to purchase. After taking a closer look at every designer collection, I have selected five for review that caught my attention. As with each new fashion season, I have chosen the designer collections that were composed of a majority of looks that I am dying to wear. Without further ado, here are my top five.

JUST CAVALLI

While Roberto Cavalli collections are often too concentrated in animal prints, I found this one to be one of his best pre collections. Of course, prints still reigned supreme, but as a fan of pattern diversity, I could not resist the excellent styling skills that were executed in this particular collection. Baggy leather pants were a major favourite and if this collection is any indication, they will be a major emerging trend in 2015. Leather appeared in other forms as well such as oversized sweaters and classy cut dresses. Can there ever really be too much leather? As per usual, the leopard print made an appearance on several looks in a black and white hue, but it was not the dominant print. The colour palette consisted of burgundy, mustard yellow, and a surprise in the form of pastel pink. A few pant suits were a central point in this collection and some boho dresses that somehow kept Cavalli's edge intact. As for my favourite part? That would have to be the coloured fur a la Fendi. I'm hoping this trend will continue to grow and prosper in the new year. 

My rating? 8/10 for mixing prints like a pro.

LOOK I LOVE: Look 4

Very Cavalli, very edgy, and very contemporary.

PRABAL GURUNG

Every now and then, Prabal Gurung comes out with a collection for me to obsess over. This was one of them.  As with the Just Cavalli collection, this one swam in prints and bold fashion choices that resonated with me. Whether black and white or floral, no print was left uninvited to this party. At first, black and white seemed to be the dominant theme, keeping it monochromatic. As you dug deeper into the collection, an array of colours like red, yellow, and blue made an appearance. It was a lesson in artwork in the shape of dresses, skirts, and pants. Who says there can be such a thing as too many prints? Clearly, not Prabal. Based on this collection, wide leg pants will be the new dominant pant cut in 2015. Am I excited? I will be once someone shows petite girls how to wear it. Feminine dresses in A-line cuts were also a popular look as well as the oversized coat (of which I am a big fan). Some of these looks may even make the Red Carpet. I suppose we shall wait and see.

My rating? 7/10 for eye candy.

LOOK I LOVE: Look 35

The texture of that top needs to meet my hands.

ANTONIO BERARDI

I am a HUGE Antonio Berardi fan. If I could, I would have every piece from many of his collections in my wardrobe. This collection mimicked architecture with clean cut shapes and my personal favourite, asymmetry. Speaking of texture, there was an abundance of it featured in this collection. Whether in the form of beading or wool, this was definitely hand candy (if that were to exist). To all powerful women out there, this was THE collection for you. A mix of pantsuits with classy blazers and vests, each of these looks screamed independent woman. No female empowerment collection is complete without red and this collection showcased the colour with pride. Bold inserts of red permeated the collection in the form of skirts and dresses. Grey was another dominant presence, but it was anything but its usual sombre self. With plenty of shape and movement, this dark shade became a symbol of fluidity and strength. The collection ended with the contrasting white, reminding us all that we can and MUST wear white after labour day. Once again, fabric was manipulated in such a unique way, that we'll all be climbing those shelves for each elaborate piece.

My rating? 9/10 for shapulation (shape manipulation).

LOOK I LOVE: Look 11

This matching set has my name written all over it.

JOSH GOOT

At first I thought, "who is Josh Goot?" And then I thought, "Can we be friends?" This collection was so clean and yet so interesting with all its shapes and cuts. The mass of floral prints and knee length dresses oozed femininity and yet, I wasn't bored. There was a sense of pureness almost akin to the Garden of Eden in this collection. Perhaps it was in the flowers or maybe the simplicity of the model with pulled back wet hair. Once again, the asymmetry added intrigue to many of the looks whether on skirts or the backs dresses. There were some classy white looks that would be perfect for Spring and Fall (if you're a rule breaker like that). The dark forest met wonderland in a fairytale fantasy that I yearned to enter. While black and white dominated, some inserts of blues, yellows, and purples tickled the eye. Skirts were the focal point and in individual forms, they appealed to a variety of tastes. I'm expecting to see some of these looks at the next celebrity event. Let's hope Emma Watson or Diane Kruger concurs.

My Rating? 8/10 for mystique.

LOOK I LOVE: Look 21

This is so pretty, my eyes are melting.

FENDI

Somehow, Fendi always makes it as my favourite. I can't help it. I'm a Fendi girl. I know Karl is better known for Chanel, but Fendi beats it by a mile in my book. Shh. Don't tell anyone. Now, let's talk about this marvellous collection. I'd like to start off by saying that I adore Lindsey Wixson and this may have contributed to my bias. She looks so darn cute in Fendi furs that I'm girl crushing hard. This particular collection was all about coats, because Karl knows that your outerwear is everything at this time of year. Whether in a bold print or a colourful fur, each piece was playful and a statement in and of itself. Who cares what you're wearing underneath unless it's a beautiful Fendi mini skirt in turquoise or plum. These were the colours that dominated this collection. Unusual for Fall? I would say so. But alas, Karl is an innovator and if he can introduce these new hues for this chilly season, who are we to question it? The collection has everything I love and live for, whether fluff, mod dresses and skirts, or leather bits and pieces. The prints were abundant as well and made a statement in every possible way. If I were a six year old girl, I would adore this collection. As a 23 year old, I'm obsessed. What's not to love? Colourful mini dresses? Check. Graphic prints? Check. A sprinkle of whimsy? Check. Luxurious furry accessories? Check. SOLD to the lady at the left.

My rating? 10/10 because Karl is the fashion king.

LOOKS I LOVE: 16, 37, 39

Because you can't pick just one.

All image via Style.com.

Which was your favourite Pre-Fall collection? 

Ponder it.

XOXO,

Bella

What Is A Runway?

It is nor hand, nor foot, nor...just kidding. The runway is that which has been redefined by Sir Karl Lagerfeld in recent years as a space for models to enter a fantastical realm wearing intricate designs that pertain to their external environment. It's a space for creativity, wit, and the imagination. It's like reading a really good book with vivid images that makes you want to jump into the world of the characters and escape your own. It's pure magic. THAT is a runway. When people ask me how I sit through each runway show, that's what I tell them. Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT just a bunch of models walking in high heels and hoping not to fall. It's so much more than that. Every season, a select few designers opt for a more theatrical approach to their runway shows by choosing an elaborate backdrop (requiring an even more elaborate budget). We can always expect something spectacular at Chanel and I'll definitely miss the excitement before a Jean Paul Gaultier RTW show and Marc Jacobs' exceptional Louis Vuitton presentations. As a lover of fashion and theatre, I always appreciate when a show has a theme. In fact, I find myself wishing that they all had a theme. Wouldn't it make the whole experience that much more exciting? In honour of those who have embraced the theme concept, let's take a look at my top 10 best theatrical runway shows.

NUMBER 10
Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2005
Fashion is a game and we are the players. At least, according to Alexander McQueen. What started off as a simple runway show became a chessboard. The message? When making your next move, make sure you dress the part (or at least that's what I took from it).

via wwd.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 9
Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2012
Every time Marc Jacobs presented a show for Louis Vuitton, my heart began to race faster than this train. Yes, his models stepped off a train in exquisite pyjama suits. It was magical.

via www.hotelfashionland.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 8
Chanel Fall/Winter 2010
Only Karl can bring an iceberg to the runway. While most designers focus on fall fashion staples, Karl took us to Antarctica (or maybe Canada), directly into winter. Picture the Ice Queen in Narnia on her slay wearing Chanel. Now, that's what literature should look like.

via thesuitelifedesigns.wordpress.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 7
Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2014
Jean Paul Gaultier is known for doing things a little differently than the rest. As a theatrical man, he's inclined to make fashion a lot more fun with alienesque models in bizarre settings. This may be called ready-to-wear, but I don't think the world is ready to wear it. During this show, he took us onto an airplane and we flew all the way to the land of Gaultier, where the world is one big party.

via nowfashion.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 6

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2014
Gaultier loves to mix up his shows with segments. Envision your brother's bar mitzvah on crack. It may start with some nostalgic hits, but it soon becomes a conglomeration of party favourites including a Greece segment in which Coco Rocha is Danny Zuko. Enticing? Absolutely. Fun? The embodiment of it.

via zimbio.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 5

Chanel Spring/Summer 2014
Karl Lagerfeld is an artist in more ways than one. The designer recreated an art gallery to mimic his collection and it was a vision in colours that we've never seen before at Chanel.

via thesartorialist.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 4

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2013
Who knows where Marc gets his creativity? This show had models walk down elevators. Are elevators a runway? According to Marc Jacobs, they're even better. Featuring models paired in twos with matching outfits, the show was a retro twin sensation.

via museforfashion.files.wordpress.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 3

Chanel Spring/Summer 2015
Karl Lagerfeld loves to make a statement and this year's Spring/Summer 2015 show definitely did. Emphatically. With models walking down the runway as a group, Karl mimicked a protest featuring purses that said "Feministe mais Feminine" and signs with words like History is Her Story. Essentially, it was a shutout to women being awesome. I can vouch for that.

via www.self.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 2

Chanel Fall/Winter 2014
Once again, Chanel makes this list because Karl has a crazy imagination and an even crazier budget. The man transformed his runway into a supermarket featuring grocery items with Chanel's logo splattered all over them. From milk carton purses to cereal box accessories, it was a consumer fantasy.

via highsnobiety.com

Watch it here

NUMBER 1

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012
This was my favourite Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton show because the clothing was breathtaking and the merry-go-round took me back to my youth. Featuring models slowly walking down a merry-go-round in 50s skirts with beautiful high buns, it was a complete dream. The best part? Kate Moss closing the show.

via thesartorialist.com

Watch it here

So, if you don't have patience for the runway, watch one of these shows. Who knows? It may convert you to fashion.

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

How Do You Feel About Karl's Doll?

In case you hadn't yet heard, Karl Lagerfeld is getting his own Barbie. Isn't that freaking exciting?

Don't get too excited though. It will inevitably be limited edition. Sorry, five year olds.

If I look back to my five year old self, I probably wouldn't have known who Karl was and just picked it out because of that rockin ponytail. No matter. Imitation is the best form of flattery. Who cares if no child will play with it?

For those of you who know Karl, you may have noticed that he's really into his toys.

Exhibit A: The furry keychain

via mashalot.com

Exhibit B: The Karl Doll Cara carried down the runway.

via stijlmeisje.com

Exhibit C: TokiDoki

via www.fuersie.de

Now, let me ask you: does this make him vain or playful? On the one hand, he's clearly really into toys. On the other, they are all imitations of himself. Does he see himself as a godlike figure in the fashion industry? Is this justified? What would Coco have done? Or the real question: how much will this be worth in 50 years?

Take a look at the Barbie Karl designed by Mattel and let me know what you think. Would you pay 1,685$ for this?

via www.independent.ie

Ponder that.

Bella

Cara and Karl: A Love Story

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Karl Lagerfeld. A creative soul, he spent his youth exploring his love for women's fashion and rose to the top as creative director of fashion houses, Fendi and Chanel. One day, he met fresh British face, Cara Delevingne. It was love at first sight. Her infectious laugh and rambunctious personality drew him in and ever since, they've been Ernie and Bert, Thelma and Louise, Bonnie and Clyde. An inseparable pair. 

This season, Cara expressed her mutual love for Karl by ending his Fendi Fall 2014 runway show carrying a furry doll mimicking his appearance. He returned the favour by holding her hand at the end of his Chanel supermarket extravaganza. 

via Zimbio

Following these shows, Karl compared Cara to a young Kate Moss, super model queen, and Charlie Chaplin, the expressive actor with elaborate facial expressions from the early 20th century. Have you ever heard of such comparisons? The only person Karl adores more than his precious Choupette is Cara. Don't believe me? These photos are further proof of the love shared between this inseparable duo!

via br.eoline.com

via bohomoth.com

mod-tv

via PopSugar

Is this a story of alliterative names or merely a shared interest in fashion? How do you feel about this dynamic fashion duo?

Much Love,

Bella

Can I Get A Karl Doll At Toys R' Us?

Something very strange happened on the Fendi runway this season at Milan Fashion Week (which sadly ends tomorrow). As Cara Delevingne strutted her stuff down the runway in a classic black coat with a fur trimmed hood, there was something dangling from her white-gloved fingers. As she approached the crowd, a furry mini Karl Lagerfeld materialized. At the end of the show, she did a little whirl and appeared with the real Karl AND his doll self in hand. What this means is yet to be discovered.


As we all know, Karl loves to make a statement, whether at Chanel or Fendi (or both). We also know that this man happens to be an avid fan of la fourrure. But the question eating at our souls is: what was the purpose of this doll?

Was it to expose his genius in miniature form? Was it a proclamation of his vanity? Does he just love Cara so much that he wants her to have a mini version of himself on her mantle? Is a Cara doll in the making? OR maybe it's just Karl's peculiar sense of humour surfacing. Affirmative.

Though I was always the girl who loved to play with her dolls, this was more like a dog's chew toy. Or a cat's. Perhaps Choupette's. But, I also have a sick fascination with it (hence this post). It makes me wonder what is going on in that creative mind of his (as per usual). MAYBE IT'S A GIANT METAPHOR. Or maybe I'm looking too far into this.

Either way, I secretly want one. Don't tell anyone though.

What did you think of this Karl puppet doll ball of fluff? Super cute? Fashion's new fave accessory? Will we soon be holding fluffy key-chains of all our favourite designers to attach on our Fendi baguettes? Is Marc next? Or maybe Donatella? Or maybe it's just plain weird.

Let's just clear the air and say that the Fendi show was fabulous, all dolls aside. Also, who's excited for Chanel? Maybe furry Karl will make an appearance there as well. Who's placing bets?

Have a lovely evening,

Bella