ROBERTO CAVALLI RESORT 2016

ROBERTO CAVALLI RESORT 2016

Roberto Cavalli's Resort 2016 collection embodied retro , rock n roll poise. Newly appointed Creative Director, Peter Dundas served up a design acumen untrammelled by convention. Artisanal sass dominated throughout as Dundas worked his masterful way onto signature Cavalli garments splashed with urban jungle prints hallmark to the houses' DNA.

New-Jersey born model, Jamie Bochert starred in the resort range and opened the collection in a silk, poetic blouse festooned with bird life and fauna. Details included deep keyhole, gathered neckline, drop shoulder and bishop sleeve. The blouse was teamed to futurist, hip hugging, lace up, lasered gold leather trousers complete with gold fringing on the outer leg seam. The matching shrunken leather jacket was married to striped cigarette trousers and a statement making chrome, white and obsidian belt with circular discs adding a flamboyant edge.The bird life / fauna print continued to flourish on a silk twill narrow tuxedo suit, perfect for the modern day rock siren. The suit was paired to a lace up, semi sheer pencil pleat blouse adorned with gold leaf ties adding ostentation to the characterful number.

Red carpet alert! The transparent ebony embellished floor sweeping gown was a piquant addition. Lavish, hand beaded paillette applique encompassed the dress and swathed Bochert's torso ever so elegantly.

Bohemian vibes reigned supreme on a peony pink ruffled shirt complete with free spirited bell sleeves. The shirt was worn unbuttoned, plunging to the navel and tucked into mid wash denim flares of 7/8 length. The jeans were emblazoned with oversized bird-of-paradise motifs in shades of turquoise, tangerine, lemon and teal.

A diaphanous, psychedelic maxi starred in hues of coral, jade, rose, azure and cobalt. The abstract scarf print offered generous draping with billowy sleeves, v-neck and attenuated waist concluding the silhouette.

An enlivened metallic rose gold bomber jacket featured gold snakeskin trimmings including an oversized collar. A heavenly neo romantic, white, ruffle blouse was married to a candy apple red, a-line, suede mini skirt. Python panelling and silver circular discs punctuated the skirt which brimmed of sixties mod squad undertones.

A muted salmon and ebony fauna romper appeared in micro proportions. A boxing belt toughened the dainty garment. A cropped matador inspired jacket accompanied the playsuit. White lace up boots resembling ice skates were the footwear of choice.

An ethereal emerald green and royal blue ignited a whimsical petticoat dress. Fauna applique panelling made an appearance throughout the torso and on the high-low hem of the dress.A delicate addition for the deluxe jet setter.

A halter neck, flamingo pink, floor grazing gown was highlighted by black undulating fauna on the chest. A narrow lace insert plunged from the neckline to the drop waist. A tiered peplum fell romantically on the hip surging through to reveal a voluminous skirt.

Monochromatic notes were evident on a peak shoulder, crepe, tuxedo jacket complete with graphic print. A basic deep cut cami was coupled to highwaisted, thigh skimming culottes, a sleek addition. A black panther dangled from a gold ringed choker necklace adding the exotic edge that is embedded into Cavalli heritage.

By Courtney Jones.

 

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER FALL COUTURE 2015

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER FALL COUTURE 2015

Illustrious French designer, Alexandre Vauthier delivered an enticing collection for the self assured woman. Pulsating energy echoed throughout, injecting seductive charm with Native American connotations teamed to a distinct rocker mood.

Texan model Vanessa Moody opened the collection in a butter soft, obsidian, leather, cross over bust micro dress. Overblown, cuffed sleeves and colossal fringed leather sash graced the waist and cascaded freely from the left lapel. Footwear comprised of multi strap heels which crept up the lower calf, finalised with gold hardware and dainty feather centrepiece, a dose of Navajo thrown into the mix.

Valery Kaufman modelled a gossamer lace bodysuit complete with raw , unfinished neckline. The body skimming transparent tank showcased a reptilian pattern which flowed seamlessly into a fuchsia, duchesse satin, bubble mini skirt. An oversized, elongated, masculine blazer hardened the arabesque. Ysaunny Brito modelled a one shoulder, asymmetric bodysuit version which was married to a satin fuchsia ruffled, tiered, asymmetric floor sweeping statement making skirt which brimmed of romanticism, decadence reigning supreme.

High voltage rebellion came in the form of a cropped boxy patent leather moto jacket teamed to a black plunging bodysuit and fearless second skin leggings in matching patent leather which featured spliced detail and looked as though Edward Scissorhands had tended to them.

Lindsey Wixon rocked a sizzling satanic red python leather motorcycle dress. Details included an industrial asymmetric zipper, ruching and oversized cocoon shoulders creating a gridiron effect. A suede, tasselled sash attenuated the waist, adding a nomadic edge to the amplified number. Caged vermilion booties concluded the eighties inspired look.

A sumptuous Coyote chubby in shades of alabaster, honey and pearl grey was paired to a hip hugging suede scarlet mini. The hemline comprised of gold plated tubes interwoven with lengthy strips of suede floor grazing tassels, a sensual addition.
An architectural, deep decolletage noir mini dress was cut with the utmost precision. Sharp shoulders, 3/4 sleeves and a step hem enhanced the minimalistic dress. A constricting waist cincher featured in suede, iridescent gold and python highlighting the silhouette.

Maartje Verhoef modelled a slinky one shoulder, chiffon, fringed dress in ebony and burnished gold. The dress comprised of asymmetric chiffon panels held together by gold plated tubes which engulfed the torso. A raw, waxed leather hem finalised the suggestive creation.

The collection closed with a scintillating, effervescent, plunging, wraparound mini dress. The emboldened lustrous gold creation was festooned with embellishment resembling a reptilian and required 1600 hours of craftsmanship.

Kohl rimmed smoky eyes, nude lips and undone tresses added a devil may care attitude.

By Courtney Jones.

 

ATELIER VERSACE COUTURE FALL 2015

ATELIER VERSACE COUTURE

Donatella Versace took us on an excursion to the enchanted garden for her Fall 2015 Couture collection.Sylph like, ethereal beauties took to the runway in breathtaking spells of chiffon brimming with grandeur.

Lara Stone opened the collection in a plunging, chiffon, lilac deconstructed evening dress featuring bell sleeves, frayed edges and chainmail trimmings complete with torso cut-out detail. A delicate flower crown adorned her undone tousled tresses. Footwear comprised of patent, platform, lavender Gogo boots.

A pistachio peplum blouse featured dainty floral embroidered panelling. Industrial silver sutures hardened the billowy blouse which was attenuated by a slimline oversized patent belt. Narrow trousers were spliced to reveal window panes of flesh and fauna applique graced the upper thigh.

A pineapple hued, v-neck, embellished chainmail gown starred cascading applique, rouleau straps and a singular sleeve of chiffon finalised with a raw edge. Canary yellow boots added a kitsch element to the impeccably glamorous dress.

Mica Arganaraz modelled a magenta and azure velvet hand painted, floral fil coupe, floor sweeping gown. A draped asymmetrical panel swathed the torso which flowed freely into a mahogany caged corset. A triangle bralet highlighted the right hand side of the garment. An open back added a suggestive element. Rosie Huntington Whiteley wore this sumptuous creation to the recent amfAR event in Paris.

A bold saturated fuchsia chiffon punctuated a deep decolletage evening dress. A chiffon bib cascaded over the bust to reveal crimson floral embellishment and bias cut skirt complete with thigh high split. Black platform patent sandals featured multi strap, silver suture detail. Ostentatious hippie best describes this diaphanous look.

Gossamer lace corsetry defined by velvet amethyst boning graced a body con mini dress. An open floor sweeping maxi skirt gathered around the waist to reveal ornate iridescent blossoms in shades of cotton candy, ice blue, flame, cerise and Persian rose.

Anna Ewers modelled an oyster grey racer front, gauzy, hand beaded asymmetrical micro mini dress. A rouleau strap, chiffon overlay offered freedom of movement, descending flounces oozed with allurement.

Dark gothic glam dominated on an emerald, sugilite and ebony cocktail dress worn by Maartje Verhoef. A crinkled chiffon scarf graced the neck which proceeded to decorate the bust. Floral, ebony and transparent panelling highlighted the suggestive number. Take note, amazonian prowess required. For the ultimate in showgirl appeal don the topaz marabou corset gown. Plumage engulfed the voluminous dress which consisted of chiffon accordion pleat frayed pieces interwoven with heavenly feathers, a frothy delight. Undulating diamantes formed botanical patterns. A titillating thigh split added the Versace va va voom factor. I'm confident Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue will be coveting this number for her upcoming performances.

A spectacular couture collection with all the hallmarks Versace is famed for.

By Courtney Jones.

Zuhair Murad Resort 2015

Zuhair Murad Resort 2015

Zuhair Murad's Resort 2015 Collection was a culmination of everyday staples through to dramatic, scintillating, high voltage eveningwear fit for the red carpet. Safari and colonial influences were prevalent. A bourgeois and tailored update to the fatigues found in army surplus stores across the globe.

The collection opened with a pistachio hued safari inspired mini dress. Details included funnel neck, black mesh armhole inserts, gold button closure, zippers exposing subtle box pleats and a waist cincher belt creating a sleek, streamlined silhouette. Bondage style, peep toe stiletto sandals were a vampy addition. Look two comprised of ebony, cigarette leg  trousers with flared ankle detail. A modern, contemporary, textural delight came in the form of an aerated black mesh blouse featuring pistachio placket, pockets, cuffs and peplum. Imagery conjured up edgy athleticism.

Safari inspired garments continued to dominate and included a lace up, utilitarian, cuffed short sleeve shirt reminiscent of the famed YSL dress modelled by supermodel Veruschka. Locally look to Australian designers Bec and Bridge and One Teaspoon for garments fit for an African expedition. Sensual lace made an appearance on a body con, cap sleeve, knee length dress. A khaki obi created a robust arabesque drawing in the waist adding feminine allure. Bohemian, gypsy overtones were prevalent on a diaphanous, floor sweeping maxi. A tiered skirt featured intricate embroidery and billowy sleeves.

Sumptuous eveningwear featured fluid drapery caressing every curve of the models' physiques. A lady bug red and ebony gown consisted of v-neck plunge neckline in silk with tooled leather waist cincher. A fanciful accession brimming of finesse. A burst of scorching tamale starred on a sweetheart, a-line mini dress. The full skirt screamed of pulchritude. Flesh toned sleeves and decolletage, which Murad is famed for, were evident and created the illusion of tattooed inner sleeves with the red fabric cascading down the entire arm. A sultry, sophisticated cocktail number came complete with scoop cowl neck back and tattoo brocade detail. A slimline, pencil skirt concluded the look.

Ikat print played a vital role on a peak shoulder, plunge tuxedo jacket. Embellishment in shades of tomato, burnished gold, white and black made for an electric combination. Look to Sass and Bide for a similar aesthetic. Streamlined, cropped trousers  in ebony completed the look. A floating tile shift dress in stark white and black was a monochromatic addition. Perfect office attire with a sassy twist. Emilio Pucci and Roberto Cavalli-esque garments were evident in the form of a pellucid, cobalt , lace up kaftan in a gossamer delicate fabric. Labour intensive, floral, applique embroidery adorned the kaftan. Covet worthy attire for the Cote d'Azur. A square neck, beaded bodice graced a floor sweeping evening dress. A sheer transparent skirt injected plenty of glamour.

For the modish bride, a boatneck, 3/4 sleeve, ivory, fishtail gown featuring tooled lace and beading teamed to a skinny leather belt with bow detail drawing in the waist. The collection concluded with a high neck, cutaway, drop waist, milky white full skirted gown. Aztec and zig zag embellishment added grandeur and vivacity.

By Courtney Jones.