Safra Ducreay

Posts Tagged ‘Mary Katrantzou’

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Musing: Michael Angel

In Fashion, Fashion Heat, Good Look, RTW, designer, dress on January 26, 2010 at 5:09 pm

When I look at Australian-born, New York-based fashion designer Michael Angel’s collection, I can’t help but see the uncanny similarities between him and Mary Katrantzou. Obviously not every living detail, but the overall concept seems to derive from the core of  similar mindsets.
Michael Angel’s power – when not playing with trompe l’oeil – is in how he contrasts fiery digital print with monochrome, minimalist designs. It’s hard out there right now, no doubt. But with a coming soon stockist (according to his website), yet constant mentions in all the last fashion magazines, when can I expect to walk into a fashion store and see some stock?

We all know that digital print is having an explosive moment in the fashion world, but can it be over played? One has to wonder. While Ms. Katrantzou’s the ‘it princess’, Angel’s been chugging along; he’s got a stacked press section on his site, and he’s even launched an e-online shop. I still don’t – for some reason – feel that he’s really got the true recognition he deserves. But I digress.
Lets see what’ll happen.

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Trend Reports: Betsey Johnson, Basso & Brooke and more!

In Fashion, Fashion Heat, Good Look, Trend, Trend Report, designer on December 1, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2010

ASHISH Acid Green,Sequined one-shoulder body con dress in colourful animal print.

Animal skin is having a moment – for the gazillionth time – but the emphasis is more on traditional brown leopard or black-and-white zebra prints. Colourful animal prints were an obvious theme for more edgy designers in their collections, but I didn’t really find it embraced by the masses. I can’t really guess why, except maybe it was too eccentric – too `80s retro.  And you know, that’s okay, but colourful animal print, when you really look at it, is a timeless fashion insignia. You can throw on a black blazer to give it a more contemporary feel, or if you’re rock/punk influenced (like me) you can accentuate it with a leather biker jacket for that extra glam. There’s so much you can do with it, you just have to let your imagination run wild.

Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2010

Paul & Joe Sister‘s Tiffany Aqua Alba silk-chiffon dress with empire-line

Every woman is going to be wearing Tiffany aqua for spring/summer 2010. Especially if it’s a frilly, floaty chiffon dress with drapings and ruches. Tiffany aqua has traditionally been used for bridesmaid dresses – particularly outdoor weddings, as the accents in the sky and trees compliment it’s placid flavour. Anyone can pull it off, but the colour is genuinely flattering on darker skin with golden undertones, and it’s wise to keep accessories and add ons to a minimum.

Basso & Brooke Spring/Summer 2010

JONATHAN SAUNDERS Benwell, multicoloured graphic printed dress.

Contrary to Mr. Tim Blanks review on Style.com, Basso & Brooke’s s/s 2010 collection was most definitely a highlight of all shows. Maybe I’m biased; I’ve been a fan of the line since their muse, Namalee Bolle, introduced me to it two years ago. Not only that, it’s obvious (to me at least) that they’ve thrust the very British new rave movement into the mainstream through fashion. And its been adapted by designers who have either toned the concept down (Jonathan Saunders), or intensified it (Mary Katrantzou).  It may be a bit too much for some, but if you’ve followed new rave (or NU-rave as it’s also known) at some point, then you get what B&B were trying to convey through their graphic digital print. But maybe that’s why Mr. Blanks didn’t get it, he’s not in touch with this bombilate, colourful era.

Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2010

HALSTON Citron yellow Silk-blend batwing dress

Yellow doesn’t have to just be worn in spring or summer. According to the site crystal-cure.com, wearing yellow “adds clarity to decision-making, sharper concentration skills and protection from lethargy and depression during dull weather.” Maybe it’s a good idea to wear it during harsh winter months and gloomy days to keep your spirits up. Yellow is clean and crisp. Safer than white or cream, yet more serious than pink, the colour yellow represents wisdom; particularly when worn in dusty or citrus hues with a minimal concept structure (pictured).

Images courtesy of:

Net-A-Porter.com

Elle.com

Style.com

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One to Watch: ROSALIND KEEP, London, UK

In Fashion, London, One to Watch, Trend, designer on November 24, 2009 at 3:53 am


Those lucky enough to be in or around the London area December 7th will have priority access to Rosalind Keep‘s Trompe L’Oeil collection.

The new designer’s collection is a collaboration with high-street retailer Oasis and its gorgeous minimalist concept is already a rising trend on the catwalk: designer Mary Katrantzou infamously spear-headed the trend for both her A/W 2009/2010 and S/S 2010 collection.

While I’m not sure if Ms. Keep plans to make this statement her trademark, she’s having fun with the concept for meantime and it looks like a jackpot.

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One to Watch: Mary Katrantzou

In Fashion, One to Watch, RTW, designer, dress on November 9, 2009 at 11:50 pm

Greek-born, London-based fashion designer Mary Katrantzou is not the first to capitalize on the new wave/futuristism concept, but she is one of the few that’s helping to trailblaze it from graphic-print tee design to full-fledged fashion elegance.

Debuting in London Fashion Week for the fall 2009 segment,  her design concept consisted of perfume bottle images that adopted the outline of a woman’s body. As you can imagine, the collection created quite a buzz amongst fashion insiders. But spring/summer 2010 was an intensified version of the trompe l’oeil patterns with flagrant references of Egypt – maybe not intentionally on her part -  you can certainly see the Nemes crown design worn by Pharaohs and the red sea. Other fabulous emphasis in Katrantzou’s design was placed on  abstract digitalism, a UK designers tendency to incorporate futurism, new wave and explosions of colour.