Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2012

Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2012

So for some reason, it’s winter and yet I’ve been reviewing spring / summer collections almost exclusively. And this is horrible because there are so many wonderful things about fall / winter fashion, from endless layering to chic scarves and fantastic booties! One thing I absolutely love, however? Skirts and dresses in the winter. And Nina Ricci’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection is perfection. Although Nina is more of a well-established designer than an up-and-coming one, I simply couldn’t resist. I almost feel like her layered professional outfits would look otherwise matronly on anyone else, but Ricci accessorizes her models perfectly with sleek handbags, bright lips, and flawless skin. She doesn’t overuse the classic pencil skirt or little black dress, but in fact uses them just enough to demonstrate variation.

In regards to her collection as a whole, I positively adore the dark, shadowy hues contrasted by a bright fuscia trench coat or crimson evening gown. She has it all in her collection– edgy, chic, feminine, professional, sexy – but it works and it’s cohesive. A tactic that designers often use to make their garments more unified is to use the same color scheme or fabrics, but upon first glance, Nina Ricci uses everything, including velvet, chiffon, tweed, knits, and satins. I can’t even begin to explain how much a big sweater knit clashes with a classy power suit, but somehow Nina Ricci makes it clash better than ever. I just can’t get over how well she puts a spin on the classic, fitted silhouette and transforms it into a look that is refreshing and deserving of a second glance.

(Source: concreteswans)

(Source: thestorminateacup)

(Source: thestorminateacup)

As I was scrolling through some blogs on New Year’s for my daily fix of fashion, I came across snippets of a resort collection that caught my eye. With feminine touches, such as bows, peter pan collars, and billowy, beautiful fabrics, Erin Fetherston creates the perfect look for the modern, working woman. She demonstrates perspective and sophisticated taste, and never goes too over the top. Her Spring / Summer 2012 collection draws from all of the most perfect aspects of the ‘60s, and channels the decade’s it girl, Twiggy. The vibrant hippie colors and the androgynous mini-dresses are tell-tale signs of a modernized Hollywood glamour look.

Upon first glance of her Resort 2012 collection, the look book represents entirely too dolled-up outfits, feminine colors and plunging necklines. But to quote one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Rebecca from theclotheshorse, “… while our exterior can be used to express ourselves, choosing bows and headbands doesn’t mean abdicating from being treated like an adult or acting with maturity. It is just as likely that we choose pretty packaging to soften the bite of a sarcastic tongue…” A woman in Erin Fetherston mustn’t be taken lightly, for her impeccable taste in clothing is hardly a sign of superficiality, but rather superiority.