You may have noticed many of my posts for Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 fashion pay particular attention to luxurious pieces and luxe fabrics.
This season is definitely a celebration of all things majestic-it's almost as if designers are making a poignant point saying that the recession is over and extravagance is now once more acceptable in fashion.
Salvatore Ferragamo, Armani Prive, Chanel, Etro, Jason Wu, Balmain, Alexander Wang, 3.1 Philip Lim and Emilio Pucci are just some of the big names who dressed models in opulent gold and metallic, historically inspired pieces. Balmain's strong-shouldered, long flowing gold gown has been a big hit (as seen on Cameron Diaz for the front cover of the September 2010 edition of Harper's Bazaar Arabia).
Designs were adorned with gold leaves, baroque prints and jewelled embellishments and came in luxurious fabrics like velvet and brocade, puffing and draping in all places.
But it was Alexander McQueen's last collection which stole the show with his royal pieces which many say were inspired by the theme of angels and the after-life...perhaps a scary foreshadow of what was to come.
Where to look for inspiration? Think royalty, Queen Elizabeth (I and II), Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Tsarist Russia, baroque and rococo art, Indian maharajas, Ottoman sultans, Medieval Venice, thrones, crowns, faberge eggs, royal jewels and Venetian masks!
This is the one trend where OTT is acceptable. Pile on the gold bangles, adorn every finger in cocktail rings and invest in a jewel embellished, gold coloured clutch.
Because of the high glam factor, this trend is strictly for evening wear. Abaya wearers pull of this trend under your abaya by teaming a red velvet or gold dress with matching velvet or gold leggings and embellished gold heels, or pare down the look by opting for a brocade or baroque-print top with dark wash jeans and fancy shoes, or vice-versa with a brocade skirt and plain top.
Must-buy for this trend? Definitely a pair of Alexander McQueen's angel wing shoes (shown below).
My Picks
Designs were adorned with gold leaves, baroque prints and jewelled embellishments and came in luxurious fabrics like velvet and brocade, puffing and draping in all places.
But it was Alexander McQueen's last collection which stole the show with his royal pieces which many say were inspired by the theme of angels and the after-life...perhaps a scary foreshadow of what was to come.
Where to look for inspiration? Think royalty, Queen Elizabeth (I and II), Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Tsarist Russia, baroque and rococo art, Indian maharajas, Ottoman sultans, Medieval Venice, thrones, crowns, faberge eggs, royal jewels and Venetian masks!
This is the one trend where OTT is acceptable. Pile on the gold bangles, adorn every finger in cocktail rings and invest in a jewel embellished, gold coloured clutch.
Because of the high glam factor, this trend is strictly for evening wear. Abaya wearers pull of this trend under your abaya by teaming a red velvet or gold dress with matching velvet or gold leggings and embellished gold heels, or pare down the look by opting for a brocade or baroque-print top with dark wash jeans and fancy shoes, or vice-versa with a brocade skirt and plain top.
Must-buy for this trend? Definitely a pair of Alexander McQueen's angel wing shoes (shown below).
My Picks
