September 24th, 2009
I Heart… Malandrino (Spring 2010 RTW)
I really struggled with deciding which designer I should feature for the last spot in my ‘Top 5 of New York Fashion Week’. (Though technically, this isn’t the last spot; I saved my favourite for last.) I was torn between showcasing something I adored and that really meshed with my personal style, but was similar to another collection I’d posted earlier this week, versus sharing a collection that I wouldn’t necessarily wear, but that I thought was very unique and interesting. In the end, I went with the later. While I do like the more aesthetically pleasing things in life, I’m also a really big advocate of things that have purpose, a deeper meaning, or an individual story. (And I truly hope that shows through here on my blog; I do try very hard to write about things that I fall in love with both because they’re visually stimulating, and also because they’re inspirational in one way or another.)
But alas, I digress. So without further adue, onto the 4th stop of the week… Malandrino.
I’m not usually one for all over patterning (I find it can quickly become overpowering), but for some reason, I’m very drawn to this pattern. Even though it used such highly contrasting colours, it’s still very delicate in the way the shapes and forms move across the fabric.
Not feeling the fringed shoes, but the rest of this look is fantastic. I love how textured the top is both with the fabric itself and with the ruched sleeves.
This is a really bold look. It’s almost tribal. In a way, I’m reminded of Tiger Lily (an Indian princess) in the Peter Pan stories.
This teal colour is so lovely. And it adds a very aquatic quality to the dress.
I really love the shape of this dress. It’s very elegant and sophisticated. I suppose it will come as no surprise either that I’m a huge fan of that massive necklace too.
I really want one of those floral headbands. How cute are they? Super cute! They’re like playing dress up!
Necklace love! And drapey top love!
More teal and headband love! And drapey fabric love! And ruffley love! Basically, just all around love.
I think this dress is a little awkward around the ankles, but from the knees up, this is so lovely. Every ounce of fabric in this entire collection has such a delicate draping effect like little ripples on the surface of a pond.
Big fan of this very bold pop of deep purple.
There’s so much pattern and texture going on here, but it all works. The geometric pattern of the dress complements the necklace and contrasts against the cut-outs of the red cape/shawl.
I don’t think it comes as any surprise that this collection is inspired by travel, and is titled “Nomads”. Designer Catherine Malandrino is quoted as saying her inspiration came from four different cultures from four completely different parts of the globe: “the Nuba of Sudan, the Berbers of North America, the Cashibo of Peru, and the Samoans of Polynesia”i. For drawing inspiration from such diverse locations, I think this collection is surprisingly cohesive. You’d almost expect something that pulled from so many different sources to be a mumble-jumbled mish-mash of nothings that failed to blend together in any way, shape or form. I really don’t think that’s the case here. Yes, there’s a lot going on in this collection. But I think each piece really holds its own individually and when considered with the rest of the line as a whole. It’s unique, it’s exotic, it’s eclectic, and at the end of the day, I think this collection is just plain eye-catching. I can’t tear my eyes away.
(Images via Style.com)
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Alice » 25 September 2009
I don’t particularly like it, but I do like how the designer went all over the globe for inspiration. Sometimes it feels like some designers take it a bit too easy, but then designers like these really go out there for inspiration.
(Alice’s last blog post: Pause the sensation for lack of motivation)
(reply to this comment)
Krissy replied on 25 September 2009...
That’s what I like about it. It’s different and a bit unexpected. (Or as different and unexpected as you can be in the fashion world. :P)
(reply to this comment)