On a Sunday morning best reserved for sheet-tangled sleep-ins, a well-positioned spooning, and imperfect homemade pancakes, an exceptionally stylish clan of women lined the floor of Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew. Some so put together, in fact, that I wondered if they had mistaken am for pm when zipping into dresses, sliding on stilettos, and curling locks. My envy was showing as I sheepishly forced my unbrushed hair behind my ears.
We were gathered at that daybreak hour to receive a class in fall fashion[1] from Lisa Tant, VP Fashion Editor of the Canadian luxury retailer.
To assist us in our weary morning transition from bar stool to bed to runway, we were doctored with eye-whitening mimosas and a bite-sized brunch to sharpen our focus. We were awake. And now devoid of any grumblings that had caught in our throats after an early weekend rise.
PHOTO: Peter Jensen
Dress: Greta Constantine, boot: Alexander Wang
The presentation began with a bold showing of black, white, and red – a combination of colour that demands attention like blood splattered on white carpet, scarlet ink on homework, and Banksy’s red balloon on concrete. A brilliantly crimson Burberry coat stopped our breathing and a Greta Constantine dress with a geometric peplum made us gasp. Red is not a colour to use lightly or with naivety – wear it with confidence and own the power it exudes.
Women will be Pretty in Punk next season, layering with plaid and leather to create some kind of grunge-chic homage to the 1990s. I silently wished I’d kept those plaid baby-doll dresses and Catholic school girl skirts from the years I worshiped Angela Chase and Cher Horowitz – a dichotomy of characters if ever there was one, who girls born in 1980 remember fondly. Leather garments by Theory, flowered work boots by Valentino, and Smythe plaid pants will get you through the edgy trend. Note to self: Find motorcycle to accessorize with.
Coat and sweater: Vince, Trousers: Smythe
You’ll be tempted to spend the wintery season outside with the captivating coats that walked one by one down the catwalk – each summoned a frost and chill to the West Coast so we could wrap ourselves in something voluminous. A Céline number inspired by cheap shopping bags normally seen in Parisian markets appeared far more luxe than its muse, and a Vince overcoat in stormy blue cried for the fog-heavy moors of Wuthering Heights.
Leopard print topper and blouse: Lanvin, leather pant: ALC, Single sole pump and clutch: Christian Louboutin
Prints continue to dominate the seasons with large scale patterns leaping out of fabrics and shaping bodies like an optical illusion inked on paper. Turn to Peter Pilotto, Alexander McQueen, and Marni to garner second looks drawn to the unexpected. If you dare, if boldness graces your demeanor, pair three different types of animal prints in one outfit.
Round out, or fluff up, your fall wardrobe with fur. Drape on whatever kind your moral scale will tolerate – fake, real, vintage, etcetera. Find it dyed, trimmed, or detached at Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli and Fendi.
As the last long, graceful leg struck the white tiles, I longed for streaking rain, floating snow, plumes of breath, and icy hands. Give me brown and red leaves to crunch, crackling amber fireplaces, and the deepest of red wines. Kiss summer’s hot cheek goodbye to make room for autumn’s cold fingers to clasp your skin.
Lessons from the Holt Renfrew Fall 2013 Presentation:
1. Beat up your heavy boots (see: Rag and Bone). Save money on shoe polish and invest in berry lipstick instead.
2. An oversized clutch works for day and night, and will hold all your bits and bobs you couldn’t dare live without.
3. Leave your eyebrows alone. Let them grow into two fuzzy caterpillars.
4. “Who cares if people look at you? If you have confidence, it really does not matter.” – Lisa Tant on the standout fashions gracing the season.
5. Don’t think in terms of age appropriate, think body appropriate. Forty with Tina Turner legs? Why on earth would you keep them hidden?
~ Sandra O’Connell
References
- ^ fall fashion (www.holtsmuse.com)
- ^ www.sandraoconnell.com (www.sandraoconnell.com)
- ^ @sandraoco (twitter.com)
0 comments:
Post a Comment