How appropriate that Off-White‘s Founder and Creative Director, Virgil Abloh, will be making a special personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago on Thursday, October 5th with his Fall 2017 Men’s and Women’s Collections. He has just shown his Spring 2018 Collection, an ode to Princess Diana, in Paris. Be among the first to shop the exclusive capsule collection, “SHOCK WAVES” and experience “LAST DANCE” the new visual installation designed by Virgil Abloh himself. This is the first-ever PA with Virgil Abloh among Saks Fifth Avenue’s fleet of locations. The event will be from 6 to 7 and is open to the public!!!! WOW!! Be sure this is on your calendar for a special go-to event.
Now let’s take a look at what Off-White looks like for Spring 2018.
Continuing a theme we are seeing. particularly in the Paris shows, the emphasis on the shoulder. And, of course, black and white.
More bold shoulder and denim, of course.
One of the colors for Spring 2018, bold pink paired with silvery tulle.
The glamour of black with two of the hot accessories we are seeing in all collections, gloves and interesting shoes….
Obviously black and white but more importantly another trend the romantic “prom dress”.
The Finale
Virgil Abloh with Naomi Campbell who ended the show.
Two designers who are always on the cutting edge of fashion….Rick Owens and John Galliano for Maison Margiela. Both always intrigue us with their vision and forward-thinking creativity. To me, it is like art you either like it or you don’t that is the challenge of interpreting fashion and the question, to my mind’s eye, remains do we need to demystify it at all! In my opinion, and that is the only one I can give you, is there are ideas to take away from each of the collections we see each season.
Rick Owens has a very special aesthetic, for Spring 2018 you will see a continuing of his manipulation of fabric to form the garments, truly ingenious.
In John Galliano’s hands, Maison Margiela has become even more modern and for spring 2018 he showed many variations on the trench coat along with other trends.
A fantastically creative collection with so much to inspire us.
The Kenzo look has evolved over the years but it hasn’t lost its Asian tradition.
Prints…always!
Kimono-inspired denim, love this!
Interesting article, The Design Companies Conquering New Ground, in last Sunday’s New York Times T Magazine. One of the furniture companies featured was Roche Bobois, and the founder of Kenzo, Kenzo Takada, is designing a new collection for this established French line. When he left his namesake company (and yes, I did work with him back in the day, actually I did a nenasnotes post on that experience) he became a super fine artist, his paintings are fabulous. The next step for him was to do fabrics to cover some of the companies iconic furniture pieces. He, of course, looked to the kimono for inspiration for the fabrics and a selection of pottery.
Kenzo Takada in his Paris apartment T Magazine photo by Bea De Giacomo
Balmain Spring 2018 by Olivier Rousteing, the stage for the show at the baroque Opera Garnier.
A few of the 82-look collection worn by Rousteing’s supermodel friends and not a Kardashian or Jenner in sight!
All photos from Pinterest credits unknown unless otherwise noted.
We have come to our final destination for our Spring 2018 Fashion Weeks….Paris and so far it hasn’t disappointed! Lots of trends, lots of new venues and designers with established Houses. Let’s take a look at several of the Brands I always follow, no new ones here but the current designers are looking to the originators for their inspiration…
The catwalk and seating, amazing!
One of the trends that has been in almost all collections from New York to Paris, the broad shoulder influenced by the 1980’s and to think Dynasty is being given a new life in a new TV series….interesting. This looks very YSL with the twist of the feather boot. I quite like them.
Two more looks straight out of the Saint Laurent archives, the deep plunge neckline and tight accented waist and the bold pink “ruffle” bodice with black…note the shoe and the boot, as I have mentioned in the last 6 posts, footwear is what is happening, without question…lots and lots of new looks to add to our wardrobes.
The Saint Laurent version of the LBD!
The Saint Laurent finale.
Stripes, denim, messages on tees. First Exit!
Denim with wool fringe, love this look, fresh, on trend.
Black and white leather with color accents with a tulle skirt, of course, to be worn with a lining but I really like the juxtaposition of hard chic with the tulle skirt.
The 2018 version of the Bar jacket topping another tulle skirt with Niki’s art applique.
One of the colors for Spring 2018, red here in leather and knits, two more of the trends we have seen in all the markets.
Chrome and stripes.
Pink spangles.
This, to me, is very Christian Dior, classic yet modern, a forever dress and making it even more “now” worn with flats!
Lanvin show at the Grand Palais the first collection by Artistic Director Olivier Lapidus who has plans to turn the oldest continuing House into “a French Michael Kors”. The House has been in decline since the departure of the talented Elber Albaz.
One of the colors of the Spring 2018 season.
And red….again note the footwear.
Stripes one of my major trends for Spring 2018 along with chrome yellow.
The LBD Dries style.
Milan proved to be a mix of straightforward elegance and dramatic presentations such as the Fellini inspired spectacular of Antonio Marras, shown above!
Stripes, shine, pink, orange and black and white.
Stripes, knit…be sure to notice the handbags and shoes…more socks!
Denim, leather, pattern.
Leather bomber jacket, layers.
The power suit in pink….a color seen in all collections so far.
The black dress, sexy, a must have, again seen in all collections….a major classic looking new, note the colored textured leg.
Stage
Pink tutu with black leather very Katy Perry
Floral finale
Stripes, leather and I know you all hate the socks with sandals, but they are most certainly a trend!
Love the silk trench over the embroidered gown.
The scale of the finale.
Stripes and pink.
Looks more like fall to me but animal print always a good thing no matter the season!
Look familiar…very Versace but Fendi…a trend in the making!!!??? Let’s watch it!
Petal pink
Denim and Versace signature prints with a touch of lace…love these!
THE FINALE TO END ALL FINALES!!!!
House of Cards set, a show produced for and attended by Millenials…interesting concept, and we know all the Millenials like to wear tiaras or flowers in their hair…they have come to the right place!
Print mix always a D&G signature…
Stripes…yes…
Blush pink, okay….
Black check….
And mass model finale, double check!
Each definitely has a story to tell. I particularly like the gentleman who is looking directly at us…what is he saying with his very blue eyes and jaunty mustache!!!! Love all of them. Melissa, thanks so much for sharing.
Isn’t she a charmer with the pearls and magnificent hat.
Really, really old but I really, really like her gaze and the primitiveness of it (is that a word!!!!)
I believe a Chagall…
My photo at RSM, frames all ready for your art!
Just a few suggestions on how to display your collection.
A pastel done by an American in Paris at Le Montmartre.
A portrait of Kevin at 13 from a show in San Antonio, no art could be more than $10, it was called the Starving Artists Show, no wonder!
Kevin done a couple of weeks ago at the Lakeview Festival of Art.
She is my favorite find on Pinterest…I have become addicted to the site. I have always be a “clipper” it is in my DNA both my Mother and Father were clippers and I am proud to carry on in the family tradition…I must admit I still pull things out of magazines and newspapers but with all the ways you can save on the Internet I am in pig heaven!
Gareth Pugh, the avant-garde designer joined forces with photographer, Nick Knight for a 16-minute film which features these out of the future (is the future now!!!???) metallic garments…meant to be worn, I’ll leave that to you.
Hussein Chalayan, to my mind’s eye, is one of the most imaginative innovators out there, he never disappoints with his creativity. Alongside very wearable pieces, he showed a group of gowns with headpieces of rectangular frames with Swarovski crystals, while the flowing gowns were almost Grecian in feeling, complete with rough sandals.
Another futuristic piece from Chalayan.
The opening piece in the Chalayan presentation, some of the models wore headscarves and sunglasses over their faces, the designer said this was “a nod to chic but peculiar mood”.
Christopher Kane, bold splashy print, it does seem that London is all about the shoes….
Black shine with very feminine touches of white lace…hard chic made romantic.
Add to our floral trend mood board.
Refreshing white with two accessories to watch…long gloves and fascinating, to say the least, shoes!
As I have mentioned in past posts, designers have chosen to show their collections in cities other than their own….who could be more American than Tommy Hilfiger and here he presents his totally American collection to close out London Fashion Week!
A close-up of hair and make-up as well as the detail on the jacket.
Boho-inspired floral float with tights and shoe booties….interesting for a Spring collection.
Another favorite and one I reviewed in nenasnotes….Oscar de la Renta plays a starring role.
I enjoyed both of these about Mlle. Chanel.
Another take on Mademoiselle.
Both about stores…. James Patterson has also done a book called The Store which was published in August….haven’t read it as yet….comments if you have!
Both new on my TBR list reviews forthcoming.
One I can’t wait to read, to be published October 24th, the fictionalized story of the Sutherland sisters who became the incredible designer, Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon, and the infamous author, Elinor Glyn. I will, most certainly, do a review on it as soon as it is published!
Looks like Kaia Gerber crossed the Pond as well…
Another well-established name is Giorgio Armani who showed his Emporio Armani collection in London…it is interesting to see which International fashion stars are showing in cities and countries other than their home base. American brands Rodarte, Monique Lhuillier, and Proenza Schouler showed Spring 2018 just before the Paris Couture Collection in July.
I’ve become enamored with fashion quotes and adore this one….it says it all, don’t you agree!
Michael Kors finale….a bit too tropical for my taste but great color and silhouette. I like to suggest you add print to your already established wardrobe, the prints change so much season to season.
I do like print combinations and am very pleased that we aren’t seeing mix-matched patterns and colors for Spring 2018…I much prefer mixing the same tones…here we see a palm print with one of my trends….stripes. Note the shoes, we will discuss a bit later in this post.
So very Kors….the casual look of the shirt with ombré sequin pants and in blue, another color we have seen on many runways.
I believe this is first time we have seen a grey garment in the Spring 2018 collections, it is a stunner and combined with luggage tan. perfection. Note the grey wood planks for the runway…new, fresh, clean and a bit beachy!
Had to feature a LBD, this one I’m mad for….of course, I would need the top longer or the waist of the skirt higher, probably will ship that way. Flip flops with sequins…why but then again why not. I’m not a fan of them but they make an interesting statement here! Kors was another of the many designers who used diverse sizes in his presentation.
All three of the designers I am featuring today have fragrances, actually each has more than one to keep their brand available to those who can’t afford the ready-to-wear. I chose these from Kors because I think they represent the Spring 2018 line perfectly, Sport, Sexy, Glam!
Marc Jacobs has always pushed the buttons from his days at Perry Ellis (that is when I worked with him) to Paris Couture…he is still doing that. Here three examples of his interpretation for Spring 2018…bold neon colors, splashy dotted prints, oversize coats, jackets and dresses and fascinating accessories. Love the gloves and creative shoes.
Color combinations and layering. Head wraps throughout the collection.
More color, I haven’t featured much pink in my reviews, but pink, in all shades, it most certainly a trend. One bag is good, two even better. I do like the full pant, perhaps pulled in a bit!
A stunner, I would have either put the sash lower or cinch the waist, but then I’m not Marc Jacobs. I’ve shown you Chrome yellow in all my reviews and like it paired with black, brown or navy….I think a thong shoe here….
Just a few from Marc’s fragrance collection….many, many more!
The finale and the end of week two of New York Fashion Spring 2018….don’t go away I’m going to show you a few pieces from Marchesa along with a special event invitation.
The Marchesa fragrance. The name Marchesa honors the eccentric Marchesa Casati, if you haven’t read the biography on her, Infinite Variety, please do so, her life was beyond belief, a super read!
Glamour personified!
Adore the floral bodice, the skirt not so much.
Beautiful and in a magnificent green crepe combined with petal pink…the entire gown looks like a flower…stunning.
We have seen black and white in most collections, always refreshing in any season.
If I get to choose…this would be the gown, perhaps a bit less décolleté, absolutely adore it!
One of the colors of the Spring 2018 season….chrome yellow. What we are also seeing is a play of contrasting colors in the accessories….a trend in many of the collections.
Great tailored jacket in a pastel pink styled with a bold red top and bag and worn with a slim denim, another trend, jean.
Love the cut of this top it makes the arm appear longer and is very flattering. Of course, the color combination is refreshing.
Brandon ended his show with a bride….truly a work of art for that special day.
Fenty x Puma by Rihanna. Obviously a sporty collection with lots and lots of color, interesting shoes (I’m a Puma gal!) and bags. The staging is fascinating done in the round with mounds of pink sand!!??
Rihanna closes the show as she rides in on a motorcycle, blowing kisses to the audience. Reminiscent of Donna Karan riding into the Barney’s New York opening in Chicago many years ago. The celebrity designer phenomenon just keeps growing. Let’s watch this trend and see where it takes us. Some collections feature super things some not so much.
One of the looks I liked best in the Derek Lam collection. I always find leather to be a year round “fabric” and would like to see more of it in Spring collections.
In my opinion one of the best Creatures of the Wind collections. Having started in Chicago and being discovered and mentored by Ikram (no better endorsement than that!!!) Shane Gabier and Chris Peters have gone on to become talents to reckon with.
Monse presentation on a private basketball court. Three trends…stripes, red and denim. The designers, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, also are the creators behind the Oscar de la Renta label. Here a couple of looks from the Oscar collection.
The designer’s ode to Oscar with his signature logo used on many print garments, here on a coat with paint splashed denim crop and pant. The models made their entrances and exits on an escalator. I have done this technique in a couple of shows…a bit tricky when you get to full ball gowns, but fun to do!
Combining the script with a print in this easy chemise.
Our friend chrome yellow with a sequin dress. It reminds me of Bill Blass combining fabrics…one of my favorite looks.
Stripes in an oversize jacket teamed with a sheer net dress…the juxtaposition of casual with formal….I like this trend!
Of course, lots of ball gowns what would an Oscar de la Renta show be without them!!!! I think just another show…….
One of our all time favorite designers, Carolina Herrera, chose the Museum of Modern Art for her show. Bold color and stripes for two exquisite gowns that she does so well.
I am so excited to share the news that the Jason Wu fragrance is exclusive at Saks Fifth Avenue and I was given a bottle to add to the Nena Ivon Archives at Columbia College Chicago. The bottle is based on his iconic handbag…see image below of both the bag and the fragrance….that is my fragrance and it’s box in my photo. Not only sleek stunning packaging and bottle but a delicious scent!
From the sublime to the whimsical….an around the world fashion adventure with the creativity of Desigual. Reminds me a bit of the Kenzo of years ago. Lots of color, pattern and ethnic touches. A case in point, that Fashion doesn’t need to be classic all the time!
Watch for very bright almost neon colors in many of the collections. Love the Doc Martens with this look.
Will denim always be with us….yes, yes and yes, in one form or another. Before you go crazy, you don’t have to do a mini skirt the look can be adapted.
Philipp Plein began his show with a performance by Dita Von Teese, the stage had “strippers” gyrating throughout the presentation….interesting to say the least. He showed both women’s and men’s garments some including leather as details. These two pictures are showing two of the trends in the early collections, pastels, and denim.
Does she look famiiar….it is Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford’s daughter…she opened the show. Her first catwalk was in Raf Simons Calvin Klein show.
No need to introduce this young lady to you. A fabulous little black dress.
Shades of lilac but with depth in the color.
Great layering and color combining.
And another LBD, fabulous with lilac pumps. By the way, she has gone back into the jean scene. Her first foray was when I worked with her.
Continuing my theory of stripes as a trend.
