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Calla, the fashion label created by designer Calla Haynes was full of mesmerising prints and colour when it made its splash on to the New York fashion scene, showcasing the Fall 2012 collection on February 10th. The whole collection was a feast for the eyes which featured digital prints of magnified and blown-up images marble in pink and purple strewn across classically designed pieces with body-conscious silhouettes. It's hard to believe that the Fall 2012 collection is the second of Calla considering there is maturity about the way the collection was presented and also a strong presence for fashion identity and referring back to the inspiration of the collection. The Fall 2012 collection from Calla takes inspiration from an imaginary woman who works as an interior designer which led to the key prints of the collection originating from wood grain and granite digitally altered and magnified which results in fantastically imaginative prints. As of late I have been utterly obsessed with digital prints and wonderful eccentric colours so I was immediately drawn to the towards the Calla collection like a bookworm to an ancient library.
Calla seems to have refined her tailoring techniques and for the Fall collection created a dense tweed with French house Malhia Kent which has given rise to some stunning patterned coats and matching bottoms. It's the ability to create warm and comfortable clothing in preparation for chillier weather without having compromised the core principles and aesthetic designs of the collection that has me most impressed. Some Autumn/ Winter collections focus on the design of their pieces and fail to deliver something that is pleasing to look at, but the Calla collection is absolutely brimming with eye-popping prints that will warm up even the most critical hearts of fashion bloggers.
Always the sucker for amazing and eccentric printed pants and matching jackets, it's ensembles like this that make me passionate to write about and shamelessly promote up and coming fashion labels. The flecks of black on a white background remind me so much of a finely sprinkled coat of a harlequin Great Dane and it's this process of digitally printing patterns on to clothes that makes me so thankful to be young in the twenty-first century. It gives me great pleasure and joy in watching all these developments with the printing and materials in the fashion world. The striking black and white printed coats and their matching pants and shorts are cleverly contrasted with different shades of blue from the collar and cuffs of the blouse underneath as well as the sweet rounded toe ballet shoes of the Calla collection. I suppose it's that sweetness that earned this young brand the title of "the Lindsey Wixson of up-and-coming designer brands: Cute as a button and sweet as pie, but check out that body."
Geometric patterns and clever chic designs have never been combined with as much artistic flair as they have for this Calla collection. This coat is something special when worn with the coloured and marble patterned dress in purple and the look of thick black lines is only heightened by the bangs of the model- something I hope was a conscious decision in order to bring out the best of this coat. The print is something more rare and eccentric than houndstooth but still uses the classic contrast of white and black, this clever coat in dense tweed is just another wardrobe staple you'll be clamouring to own in Winter and something that may even become your new best friend to make a fashionable statement.
Boldly structured pieces are largely reserved for Haute Couture fashion shows, so it's only natural that Ready-to-Wear combines the best of relaxed and casual design but with spectacular patterns and colours. Take this relaxed button shirt dress with gathered waist as a classic example of the playful nature of contemporary designers taking advantage of photographic prints. The dress shown above is a predominant peach colour, originally taken from digitally altered granite with flecks of blue strewn across it but the theatrical nature of the dress is really brought out with a good pair of matching tights. Such a small aspect of the presentation for this entire collection is the hosiery worn with each dress and the different moods they create from changing the overall look of the dress. I have a feeling that eclectic fashion bloggers that love to layer up in an eccentric fashion will adore the Calla 2012 Fall collection.
Classic silhouette design as well as a imaginative print all of its own making; it's dresses like this that warm my heart and make me glad the fashion industry is as competitive as it is diverse. I'm most comfortable in dresses of this structure with a relaxed sleeves and a cinched waist; they can be easily accommodate an evening coat and look amazing when dressed up with suitable evening accessories. I haven't yet tried to track down any prices for the dresses but I already know I won't be in the market for an evening dress for a while, not while there's a travel opportunity on the horizon. It's a shame really, there's many promising designs and wild dresses I would love to metaphorically sink my teeth into.
As more and more designers crop up on the New York fashion scene it's no wonder some of the frock designs are evolving and becoming more edgy. I have high praise for the sharp lines of this dress as well as the two speckled patterns used; the bodice and unusual tulip skirt have a sweeter and more light-hearted pink and blue tinge amongst the effect of tie-dye black bursts but the grey sleeves and high neck firmly emphasise this dress is a part of an Autumn/ Winter collection. The dress above has the vague structure of a ballerina's dress but also elements of a dark and chequered past as well as mystery evoked by the dishevelled look of the model. Perhaps it's a little too daring for someone as meek as myself to wear but I must admit that I do like the theatrics of the parted tulip skirt, the black insert in between as well as the two different lengths of hemline for this darling dress.
As of late I have been trawling through the department store racks for good duffel coats and coats for the Winter season but there hasn't been anything as wonderfully stylish as this Calla coat in dark blue. The different shades created by the speckled effect is something that I automatically respond to since that's partly why I want to colour a part of my hair a wild colour- the shadow and light bouncing off it makes it interesting. Fortunately this lovely coat already includes many different shades in the blue spectrum for someone to admire and when worn with simple grey tights I think the overall effect is quite powerful. Maybe since I'm in the market to add a little more blue to my wardrobe I should be scanning Net-a-Porter for any interesting developments...
My appetite and lust for printed patterns has been insatiable, but the Fall 2012 collections appear to be my salvation and have answered every prayer about patterned pants and chic blouses in imaginative and dream-like patterns. Although a poor student like me would never be able to afford an entire outfit from Balmain, I could aspire towards one of their cheaper pants and mix and match it with basic department store quality tops and blazers. I imagine the story behind this ensemble would be a successful and fashion forward business woman swanking into a bar and ordering the most gorgeous looking martini imaginable. Now I may not dream of that success but I could certainly try to fill the shoes of the fashion blogger at a runway festival event of collections and wearing clumsy thick glasses and amazing new collection pieces.
The entire 2012 Fall collection seems to regal and classy, the backdrop of a woman's boudoir in white really was a great choice since it shows off the colour of each ensemble so well.The vivid and intricate patterns of this particular outfit of the dress reminds me a lot of baroque period paintings and matches the band of the ornamental belt in gold. The whole ensemble is then finished nicely with a clean cut and over sized boyfriend jacket draped over the shoulders. While the material of the dress looks snug and form-fitting, the hemline which ends at mid-calf creates a unique structure that I quite like as well as modest charm. The dress isn't something I would be keen to incorporate into my own wardrobe but I do appreciate the artistic aesthetic of the dress and it's strong sculptural lines.
The most beautiful outfit of the collection in my humble opinion is this gorgeous blouse which features gold scrolling motifs and even more baroque/ artistic design. There's even a sweet rose framed at the centre of the piece just over the bust of the model to really enhance the romanticism of this statement blouse. I would usually have some sort of moral issue with a top worn as a dress, but would you just look at those gorgeous legs! They seem to go on and on for miles until they finally end at the most gorgeous pair of black ankle boots with generous gold thread. Something this wonderful and imaginative is sure to be a big hit amongst fashion editorialists and will probably make its way to a spread of about two pages at least among powered wigs and false moles.
I'm a sucker for statement pants, plain and simple. Where one person is content to have a good pair of denim jeans I'm looking for something that is playful as well as classy and eye-catching. I;m normally not a fan of wide-legged pants but I must admit they are growing on me and with the lattice print in black and white for these chic pants and their elegant scrolling it seems almost necessary to include extra fabric. What seems most important is having a strong stance to really show them off and also a minimalist jumper or top not to detract from the lovely silk bottoms. They're gorgeous and elegant and something I would maybe wear to a red carpet event (not that I readily get invited to many) but I still am searching for cheap vintage bargains on a few online stores and should really wean myself off these fashion house names for the time being until I save enough money for my holiday next year.
Although Christian Cota is a brand I have not previously covered, I instantly fell in love with his Fall collection of 2012 for combining the elements of luxurious and decadent fur in amazing colours as well as ethnic patterns. It's a shame I'm a season late to applaud the European designer and his collection but since things in the Southern Hemisphere are cooling down maybe I could find an online stockist to shroud myself in fur shawls and keep myself warm for Winter? I love this melding of Aztec styles and Western structure as well as the exuberant style of boiler suits, dresses and tops in earthy tones as well as the sharp contrast of teal and turquoise.
There's a wonderful playfulness when using materials in these gorgeous patterns as well as the chic sophistication of the models. I love the middle parts as well as red lipstick which seems to compliment the colours of any of the collections pieces. The eclectic patterns as well as soft billowy structure lends itself well to the drapery and folded manner that fashion bloggers will so readily find a use for and patterns are my current muse at the moment.Whether the patterned tops are worn with glorious fur coats or simple black jeans, they both look absolutely fantastic and I would love to be able to feel the materials and admire them first hand for this collection.
Christian Cota has a lot to offer the fashion world in terms of surprising structure and quirk; it's not often you see an open panel at the back of a blouse as well as the melding of three different but equally fantastic and whimsical patterns all together. Those sea green pants are also something to die for- one sure fire way to win my over is with a great pair of statement pants in a fantastic colour. I love the elegant but sassy black heel boots with loose fitting material surrounding the ankles used throughout the presentation of the collection too- it's very Tomb Raider meets Peter Pan in a fantastic marriage of two beings exploring the wild and wilderness.
What's really lured me in with this Fall collection is the luxurious fur coats in so many wild and wonderful colours- I've been eagerly searching for these types of coats you see on a vintage online store but they always sell out due to their massive demand and popularity with other fashion hungry girls. I have some fantasy in mind that with the holiday escape to Canada next year I'm going to need a wonderful coat/ cape to chase away the cold so I'm already mildly preparing for such an event to rear its ugly head. There's also the small longing I've squashed deep down in my gut to own fur whether it be fake or real in order to play dress ups and enjoy myself as an eccentric teenage blogger.
Although fashion activists may readily argue such iconic slogans as 'Fur is Murder', I can't help but feel readily conflicted and confronted as a consumer and fashion lover when I see wonderful fur coats such as this striped piece, part of the Christian Cota Fall 2012 collection. The two contrasting hues of brown fur and the ferocious treacle and light brown tones and textures created by the two furs parallel to one another is a thing of beauty. It's like the wonderful and much loved Prada S/S11 collection all over again which featured fur stoles in striped pastel hues- except without the colour of a Willy Wonky nightmare there is instead a wonderful natural tone about the fur combined with these ethnic prints in warm colours echoing the soft falling leaves of Autumn. 
It should be acknowledged that within this wonderful collection there are many beautiful and ingenuitive pieces of clothing but of all the outfits I think this may be one of my favourites for the bohemian chic and elegance achieved through tapestry like material as well as a spiralling fur cowl. Having educated myself about the wonderful scarves and accessories from the Etsy store of Yokoo Gibraan, I can appreciate the warmth a cowl can lend on a cold Winter's day and the floral motif for both jumper and pants is simply wonderful. Although my young and juvenile style has yet to be rooted in a particular trend or movement, on the days I do feel like a flower child I would like nothing more than to readily done a wonderful tapestry jumper with roses and the burnt red and flowing vine motifs of these pants from the Christian Cota. It is continuously wonderful to have my eyes opened to new aesthetic experiences as far as the clashing of two similar prints is concerned and to see different colours work so well together in a chic but grounded ensemble.
I can't contain myself from commenting on the wonderful fur pieces of the Christian Cota collection- there's just something so wonderfully reassuring about snuggling into fur and feeling the soft fibres brush against your skin while swanking around a store's floor or pushing past crowded racks at your local second hand shop. I love the contrast between the pumpkin coloured dress and it's long sleeves as well as the burnt red of the fur vest and their two hems meeting together with elegant sheer black tights. Although it seems unnecessary to have both, I think there's something really alluring and sexy when wearing a large puffed fur jacket as well as tights or even perhaps a scantily clad body underneath it. It suggests something wild and untamed like the Mongolians led by Genghis Khan out to destroy the world and wearing the skins of animals long slain... but in a refined and modern feminine manner.
There's probably too many theatrical elements about this fur trimmed coat; I think it would have better blended in amongst a haute
After having scanned my eyes over the best of the Christian Cota Fall 2012 collection I thought I had a real sense of identity about the structure as well as types of pieces produced; then the last three pieces completely destroy the illusion I that I thought I knew the designer but in the most splendid way. Combining the well-loved patterns and prints of the collection in an entirely new and exciting way were these three dresses featuring trailing and tumbling tulle and fabulous fabrics. The most well know bohemian chick on the scene would be one Isabella Lucas and I can easily imagine her gracing the red carpet in one of these dresses, their very her although I don't think as of yet she is a fan of Christian Cota. Instead his clientele include Katy Perry, Tina Fey as well as a host of other A-Lister celebrities. I think it's fair to say we can all expect great things from this designer and I can only hope that includes more bombastic and devilish prints used in ingenious ways.
