A lot of my friends in fashion are unimpressed by the lack of what we like to call the "wow" factor in next season's collections. There seem to be a lot of blatant decade references and very little innovation showing through in many collections. I have to say, though, that there is one fashion house that almost had me in tears when I saw their shows - both men and women!
Gucci takes men's dress from the 60's and strips it of its haphazard colouring and garish patterns. Instead, they are replaced with handsome earthy tones and sleek finishing on every garment. "It's as if the clothes were poured onto the models!" I find myself musing as I watch the runway and see the turtle-neck sweaters and flared trousers float down the runway.
The mens' collection merges metrosexuality with strong and simple masculine lines. I was pleased to see large bags and "the man purse" as I like to call it on the runway as I feel that accessories such as these help a man maintain the clean lines of his outfit and make him (in my opinion) look more pristine. regardless of what 'type' of man you are, you cannot refute the fact that at one time or another, you thought of getting yourself a bag (and no, not a rucksack) to hold your things so you're not scattered throughout four or more pockets! The mixture of feminine and masculine energies in the mens collection definitely makes it an accessible one and though there are some pieces that only the Fashion Brave could pull off, this collection is one that any man could wear and more so, feel like a supermodel when wearing the clothes!
Sleek lines that remind us of the 60s and a man-purse to kill!
Beautiful fusion of masculine and feminine energies
The mixture of energies continues into the womens' collection. Following on from a very strong spring/summer collection, the womens' collection has definitely found its footing and has taken to casting beautiful and strong silhouettes on the women who wear them. I understand that this may be a contentious issue for many but I am truly happy to see fur on the runway!
The jackets - cinched at the waist and accentuating shoulders in a less dramatic and more femme fatale of the 1930's manner. The hats in the collection, teamed with sports-car-red lips only make the seductresses skulking sexily down the runway so much more appealing! There is not a thing I could say against these collections as they flow perfectly from the S/S collections and stamp the Gucci image clearly in the minds of all!
A true femme fatale! - Gucci successfully marries strength and femininity
Iconic, is the word. I can just imagine the studio in which the initial illustrations of the collections were planned out. The strong lines, assertive poses and the radiance of a grandeur that could only be emanated by a fashion house that knows what they are doing and where they are going.
Thank you Gucci for making my season already!
Be sure to take a look at the runway on youtube or shop the looks on www.gucci.com, and remember, The Clique is only a click away!
Ciao Belissimi!
