Flat Shoes, Funnel Necks and Fanny Packs? A Look At Chanel's 2014 Haute Couture Collection.

It was a bold move by Karl Lagerfeld and CHANEL to put all their runway models in flat tennis shoes for their 2014 Spring Summer Haute Couture show, but it was a bad move.



Attempting to play up the 'sporty' aspect of the largely sparkly haute couture collection for Spring/Summer 2014, many of the models look like those dreadful commuter women who carry their heels in a bag while they take public transportation to work.



And, you know that if a 5'10" stick skinny model on the runway looks dumpy, any other woman who attempts to wear it will look god-awful.

To top it off, the sneakers are ugly (lace or sequin covered with gossamer shoelaces) and not unlike what you see overweight sweat-suit clad mothers wearing in Palm Springs.

Some of the sneakers on the runway:


I've never been a fan of funnel necks and fanny packs and this collection was full of them.

Funnel necks and flats:



That said, many of the pieces in the large collection are beautiful - especially the floor length gowns- and all have the expert craftmanship expected of CHANEL. Mixing textures and patterns, the collection includes everything from structured dresses and rompers to harem pants and glittering sheer suits.

Some of the beautiful gowns:




In terms of the styling, the models sported hair pieces and crystals applied under their eyes, both of which were interesting:


But I had a lot of trouble getting beyond the fanny packs, knee pads and elbow pads on some of the models (I've already bagged on the ugly shoes). I don't care if it's CHANEL, it's a friggen fanny pack, for god's sake. And unless you are going down on a Rap artist or taking part in a luxury roller derby, no one should wear embellished elbow and knee pads.

Fanny packs with matching elbow and knee pads:





And this? WTF is this?:


I like the large emphasis on the waist in many of the silhouettes and the take on their classic CHANEL jacket in this collection. But, given how much I usually admire CHANEL couture, the unflattering bubble skirts, old-lady sneakers and silly accessories ruined the collection -which does have some amazing pieces in it - for me.

Take a look and decide for yourself.

The Entire Collection:






















Close-up images of some of the prettiest and ugliest details:








A video of the entire runway show:


CHANEL

Actress Tilda Swinton Kills It In These Fabulous Fashions Shots by Craig McDean

above: Tilda Swinton in Mark Fast

She may look a bit alien, but Scottish actress and artist Tilda Swinton knows how to strike a pose.  The muse for many fashion designers, you can see why in these stunning photos. AnOther Magazine has a flashback section in which they show the best bits from their archives and these images stopped me in my tracks. They are from the magazine's S/S09 issue's cover shoot, in which Tilda was photographed by Craig McDean and styled by Panos Yiapanis wearing some of that season's most exciting new designers and looking like a million bucks. May be a few years old, but Tilda, the photography and even the fashions hold up nicely.


above: Tilda Swinton in Craig Lawrence


above: Tilda Swinton in Peachoo + Krejberg


above: Tilda Swinton in Mary Katrantzou


above: Tilda Swinton in Louise Goldin


above: Tilda Swinton in Peter Pilotto

Read the article and interview with Tilda in AnOther Magazine here.

Dressing In Delft. Valentino's New Women's Dresses Take Cues From The Netherland's Classic Blue & White Pattern.

Italian fashion House Valentino recently unveiled his 2013-2014 Fall Winter Collection of RTW Womenswear. A stunning line, the new collection includes some gorgeous dresses and gowns whose patterns take their cue from the traditional blue and white patterns seen on ceramics and earthenware from Holland.




Using textiles whose imagery is similar to Delft (and a bit of China's Willow) patterns commonly seen on vases, ginger jars and dinnerware, the dresses made of brocades, silks, organzas and cotton are wearable objets d'art.




















The entire collection has been inspired by Flemish paintings, I have just shared with you the blue and white pieces. Be sure to see the entire beautiful collection at Valentino.com