For Spring 2014, Vera Wang tackled active wear, and considering she’s Vera Wang, wedding dress designer extraordinaire, it’s less active and more silk gauze. The show started off with a lot of black, and even though it was sheer and soft, the opening numbers felt too somber. Fortunately the tide quickly turned back to the light, airy romanticism we associate with Vera. The sheer overlay dresses are incredibly beautiful, especially those with abstract paint stroke prints hiding boldly beneath the breezy fabric.
Naeem Khan’s collection is certainly gorgeous (imagine stunning lace, taffeta, and beading), but it does feel a bit like déjà vu. The exceptions are a couple of shocking prints – ‘80s style neon stripes and a rainforest explosion influenced by Khan’s Latin heritage. While I applaud him for playing with something new, both of the styles are incongruous with the rest of the collection. They weren’t the only surprises, though. The final look? A dazzling wedding gown – Naeem’s unveiling a bridal line in October!
Dennis Basso is the king of fur, yet this season, it’s all about the croc vests – an exotic update on the classic moto style – and cropped jackets for me. Oddly enough, the furs aren’t good. They don’t look luxury thanks to the excess of panels, and the bright colors, while amazing, just don’t belong on fur. The collection finished strong, though, with the last look – a floral black and white print gown fit for a princess!
Planning a spring vacation? Timo Weiland has your bags packed and ready! His collection is relaxed and completely wearable. Eyelets are the standout feature, and they decorate everything from dresses to pants (with shorts underneath) to the backbone of the collection – knitwear separates. Even the pumps are sensible, and I don’t mean that in a bad way! PVC trim ensures that they still have an element of intrigue to keep you feeling glam.
Mathieu Mirano may be just 22 years old, but he’s quickly making quite a name for himself. He’s the man responsible for Lady Gaga’s white paper bustier and jacket that she donned a few weeks back, and his Spring 2014 collection delivers similar lingerie-inspired styles. They’re simple pieces, yet in python and lace, they make striking statements. The silhouettes are pared down – fitted dresses, bustiers with straight skirts, and streamlined shorts. The first 12 looks were all white or white with platinum metallic trim – a nice way to tone down the sexiness of the designs. However, there were a few completely sheer looks, perfect for showcasing just how exquisite his detailing is. Sadly they’re totally unwearable (undergarments would distract). That is, unless you’re Lady Gaga…
Photo Credits: Style.com