Hello darlings, I hope you are well. I must apologise for not posting in quite some time. I was so busy with preparing for my return to University that I had to prioritise my studies before working on any new blog posts. However, I have recently felt inspired by gazing at the latest SS22 Ready to Wear collections from a few of my favourite fashion houses and so I thought I would share with you the ones which captivated me the most…
♡ Chanel SS22 ~ Nineties Nostalgia
Chanel’s Spring Summer 2022 collection greets us with a burst of vibrant nostalgia for the 1990s. The fashion house’s artistic director, Virgine Viard, decided to cast her mind back to Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic and scandalous designs from his early 90s shows.
Mirroring the controversial designs featured in Lagerfeld’s 1993 Chanel show, where he presented models wearing underwear as outerwear, Viard had the opening look as a white bodysuit, paired with monochromatic accessories including the classic flap bag, a chic tote and an array of gold chained jewels.
Viard’s collection has paid homage to the beautiful pastel tweed suits worn by models such as Naomi Campbell in their 1994 and 1995 collections. Viard has even confessed of her love hate relationship with the classic pink tweed looks of the 90s which Karl popularised (think Claudia Schiffer in the Spring/Summer 1995 collection)
The campaign accompanying Chanel’s latest collection is supplemented by photography by Inez and Vindooh, who, in an innovative and interesting way, captured photos of the fashion house’s brand ambassadors, (including Lily Rose Depp and Jennie), photographing the photographers with their own cameras. “It’s a magical object and a sexy gesture, which evokes so many memories. I used to love the sound of flashbulbs going off at the shows in the eighties when the models were on a raised runway. I wanted to recapture that emotion.” (Viard)
Viard expands upon the traditions laid out by Lagerfeld, moving from the monochromatic looks to enrich Chanel’s oeuvre with a vibrant array of pastel coloured coordinate sets which remain faithful to the classic silhouette established by Coco Chanel in the 1930s. A white and pink box-fit tweed jacket is paired with a multi-coloured thread checked mini dress, a miniature quilted purse and a classic chanel tote bag. Bursts of fuschia and coral pink emerge through an array of shorts and sweater sets, layered with double CC lock necklaces and chain belts (hinting at Lagerfeld’s 90s chain belts) and the prettiest fuschia pink tweed dress with exaggerated pockets and a unique Chanel No.5 purse on a chain.
We see Viard’s homage to Lagerfeld through the purple tweed skirt and jacket co ord with black checks (a similar look is worn by Naomi Campbell) and the yellow double breasted tweed co-ord is reminiscent of one worn in the 1995 spring collection by Nadja Auermann (think Cher Horowitz in Clueless.)
This form of 90s nostalgia is a step forward for Chanel, as Viard attempts to imbue the house with as much imagination and innovation as Lagerfeld captured during his reign as artistic director.
Georges Hobeika, SS22
Georges Hobeika’s latest collection is inspired by the delicate Orchid and features an array of pieces which embody the elegant textures of this beautiful flower .
Intricate embroidery, fantastical tulle, feminine silhouettes all comprise this spell-binding array of designs…
Hobeika depicts his collection as a… “majestic charm of petals with pink reflections like a summer dawn, with blue sparkles like a spring azure, with green nuances like a velvety nature, distills its promises of bucolic escapes on angelic transparencies embroidered with the iridescent reflections of the sun. Sometimes the precious flower shines on a deep and voluptuous night. The knots, pleats, ruffles, patterns, attesting to the know-how of the Maison’s workshops, enliven the refinement of these outfits designed for modern goddesses…”
Elie Saab, SS22 ~ Splendour in the Sun
Elie Saab’s collections never cease to impress and the Splendour in the Sun line combines boho-chic, with 1970s silhouettes with alluring neutral tones which are a true delight!
Giambattista Valli SS22 Ready to Wear
Valli never fails to incorporate elements of floral romanticism within his designs and this collection is no exception. Floating feminine silhouettes, an elegant summer colour palette which opens with whites and greens but then transcends into soft pinks and delicate florals. Valli’s structures always defy conventional boundaries with emphatically high empire waist lines, billowing layers of tulle which float out in copious proportions.
My Spring/Summer RTW Edit would not be complete without a discussion of Needle and Thread’s latest collection of dresses.
The Tulip Garden collection combines all the details I adore… delicate floral embroidery, feminine silhouettes, soft pastels, ribbon details, lace and tulle.
I particularly adore the Emilana gown which is romantically adorned with delicate florals and intertwined ribbon bow motifs creating a soft, beautifully engineered feel
& their Ophelia gown which is adorned with ruffle detailing, engineered around the body for a flattering effect.
As always, I’m sending so much love to you all and I hope you can have the courage to pursue your own dreams.
I’m sending lots of love to you all,
