I only just recently discovered this designer a few days ago and I must admit, I do feel ashamed that I hadn't heard of him before. It makes me feel excited to know that there is always a new designer bringing something new to the world of fashion and fighting for attention. Creativity and design are endless it seems; and some of the pieces from his Spring 2012 collection are just gorgeous! I liked the presentation of the models on the runway; that deep magenta lipstick as well as different shades of berry and pink went well with lots of the colours incorporated in the season's collection. The hair presentation was neat and allowed their to be a greater focus on the clothing - sleek down and patted down with a part straight down the middle.
This was the first time Prabal Gurung released sunglasses as part of a collection too and my mouth is watering. A clever new take on the 1960's cat's eyes frames with different lenses; tinted, reflected and half shade as well as a clear colour; lavender and black. I really want them; they just stand out so much and are beautiful!
I think I like them more than the baroque sunglasses released as part of the Prada collection last season - and that is saying a lot. The abrupt end of the frame along the nose bridge is unique and in a way it sort of softens the face and frames it, perhaps it was a way to save costs on material but it's very different from a lot of sunglasses on the market and that's what you need against competitors in such a wide market.
There's just so much variation on design in this collection and different fabrics; above there's the cute sheer dress with digital print detail and the dark purple. I like the sleeves and the skirt of the dress; it's got a sort of fairy feel to it with a modern take and it's a little bit seductive as well with the detail over the crouch. The strong lines and vibrant colour make it stand out but the sheer material of the dress softens the looks and makes it feminine.
More strong lines, vibrant purple and now black are incorporated as well with the digital printed designs teamed up what looks like fur? I really wish I could get to a boutique that stocks Prabal Gurung- it's one thing to look at images of pieces from a collection but you can only determine and assume so much about the collection. The texture, detail and quality of stitching unfortunately are indeterminate from the photographs of the runaway.
"Gurung was born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. He went to St. Xavier's school, a reputed Catholic Jesuit school in Kathmandu, where he finished his high school education. Prabal began his design career in New Delhi, India. While studying at New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology, he apprenticed at several local production and fashion houses and designed with Manish Arora. In Melbourne and London Gurung assisted stylists for fashion shows and international publications. In 1999 Gurung moved to New York City, where he interned for Donna Karan while attending Parsons School of Design. In his first year he was awarded the “Best Designer” title at the annual Parsons/FIT design competition. His own collection was launched in 2010."
The sheer mesh over the hips as well as the middle band around the waist accentuates the sensuality and curves of the female body- it looks so gorgeous. The darts around the legs are also flashy and show off those long legs. I bet this sort of dress would turn a lot of heads and make the men simply fall head over heels.
Those beautiful sunglasses are really shown off in the glare of a spotlight; it's almost like the bright life-giving sun.
More texture! What looks to be a cape with tassels of fabric reminds me a little of Opening Ceremony for Where the Wild things are. They had some ankle boots with those sorts of pastel colours and tassels as well. You would have to be pretty brave and brash to be able to wear this outfit on the street; probably a little too impractical for my liking.
Tulle effects at its biggest and best. I don't think I have ever seen a designer have such guts to take on this effect and make it looks attractive and not over the top. The interplay between the colours ( I love the colour from this collection if you can't already tell ) almost looks like a separate piece and a vest at the top of the bodice of the dress but with the continuation of the tulle effect at the bottom and hem of the skirt as well as the tulle ruffles the evidence that this is one piece is clear. The tulle sitting about the models knee is gorgeous. If I could draw I bet I could draw this photograph a million times over in water colour and never get sick of it.
The two tulle creations a variation on the other are different in their use of colour, this one having a more dreamy and sweet colour palette to it. I get instant images of bubblegum ice cream and blueberry vodka cruisers. The symmetry of the printed pattern along the waist of the skirt is lovely; I'm not a big fan of asymmetrical designs. The tulle across the bodice as well as the puffed skirt and the model's pout are perfect. Really love this photograph and the poise and grace of the model combined with the gorgeous dress by Prabal Gurung.
Last but certainly not least; my favourite part of a dress but not my favourite dress from Prabal Gurung's Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The top part of the dress with the cut outs and the sleeves cutting between mesh and the digital print are much too heavy. I would have preferred to see the trail of this dress made the centre piece of attention. The paint drip dress with the metallic detail over the pleated skirt was simplistic but still sassy and modern. This is too much, I adore the trail and if I had my own little museum for fashion this would be the pride and joy but it's too much of a show piece and the harness belt as well as the sleeves cheapens it and draws away from it. It seems bad to end on such a sour note for this post but I adore most of the collection; just look at the number of runway shots included with commentary! It was a real joy to write about this collection and gleam it's artistic design but it seems a shame to detract from the beautiful design and execution of the trail of this dress with the busy bodice of the dress.
My love for the butterfly jeans was rebuked upon spotting a similar pair, size 6 (hence why I couldn't buy them apart from not having the funds available) in green with striking orange and yellow. For some reason I really like the way the butterflies down the middle of the crotch seem split down the middle to either leg. It's really eye catching and sweet without drawing too much attention to that area. I love symmetrical things so that may be why they speak to me on such a level. The top worn with statement jeans such as this has to be minimal but I don't really like the black sheer top the green/orange/yellow jeans are worn with. I think it would be better to find a black t shirt with a worn loose look to it to really emphasise the grunge 90s style. Or wear a shirt in the same shade as the jeans, predominantly green. The smaller size six pair in green sold for $170 whereas the larger size of the white butterfly jeans from Claire Inc sold for $340 I believe. While it is better to buy a pair of jeans that actually fit you, that is a marginal mark up.
The good thing about vintage is that it does make brands such as Chanel and Versace more affordable and the items are usually in good quality but there are poachers out there that will snatch up all the good vintage pieces before the rest of us can even find them. That, and we are also stuck with all the dud vintage pieces that don't seem to classify as cool. Although vintage reselling is a cool concept in terms of recycling and reusing etc. I don't want to pay horrible mark ups for rad pieces when all I need to do is search hard and quickly before anyone else can!
