Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Apocalyptic Chanel Has Me Salivating!


I don't know how, season after season, Karl Lagerfeld continues to inspire me and produce shows that keep women of all ages wanting more! This particular collection for me was spot on! Exit after exit, from head to toe I wanted it all! I felt inspired to show the entire production... collection, staging and music. The underlying theme of lightness coming from the dark scorched earth said it all...





The house of Nina Ricci was founded in 1932. Born Maria Nielli in Italy, she moved to Paris at the age of 12 where she learned the art of dressmaking. Maria opened her atelier at the age of 49. She designed, while her son handled the business affairs. She was successful in reviving haute couture in the years following WWII. She did not retire until the 1950's. Family members ran the house until some years ago when a young Olivier Theyskens came along. After Theyskens departure 2 years ago, Peter Copping was named head designer. Peter was another fine graduate from both Central St. Martin's School and the Royal College of Art. He worked for the likes of Christian Lacroix, Sonia Rykiel, and assisted Marc Jacobs designing at Louis Vuitton for 12 years... a perfect candidate in my book! After 2 years at the helm, he is really coming into his own. Inspiration for F/W 2011 came from Sargent's portrait of Madame X and Cecil Beaton's 1948 shot of Charles James's gowns in British Vogue. The color palette is rich and Nina Ricci has always stood for simple elegance. That definitely came through in my opinion! Having a dear friend that worked for Nina Ricci in Paris during Theyskens time, I thought that his departure would be the kiss of death! Au contraire! I can now breathe a sigh of relief as I have a renewed enthusiasm thanks to Mr. Copping.

Saturday, March 5, 2011