Fall 2012 most wanted colour

I’ve just written a post for CLEANSE blog – please follow the link to read it. See you on the other side.

Photo source: Marie Claire France September 2012

Anne-Marie Van Dijk in Marie Claire

Friday is always a good day for a few beautiful shots that inspire and please forever-starving-for-beauty soul. I love the simplicity of this photoshoot, the sensuality of the first picture, the sun as bright as Sirius on the second, trench coat paired with long gloves as a styling idea for colder months, Chanel cashmere jumper as a DIY project, Le Tanneur leather clutch bag as a potential new “pet bag” craving, a mix of studio and street backgrounds, the black-and-white photos and beautiful graphic poses that, for some reason, remind me of good old classic editorials from the 1990s that I love so much.

Photo source: Marie Claire France September 2012

Deja vu editorial moment: Vogue Nippon 2010 vs Marie Claire Spain 2012

It happened again. I have come across yet another editorial that was clearly “inspired” by something from the recent past. I just wonder why somebody would want to do that and how a magazine editor could happily sign off something that bears such an obvious resemblance to the Vogue shoot, particularly something so distinctive, so unmistakably Camilla Arkans? Beyond me, to be honest.

On the other hand the recent story from Marie Claire Spain is a perfect example that every successful editorial starts with a vision and requires real talent, not just a model, guy with a camera and a few bales of straw.

VS

Photo source: Vogue Nippon march 2010, Marie Claire Spain February 2012

Have a peplum

Among all spring/summer 2012 trends this one was impossible to miss. Peplums were everywhere. Just a bunch of designers resisted sending them down the runway.

It felt almost as if we got force fed with peplums. They were the answer to everything. Having a happy day? Have a peplum. Feeling flirty? Have a peplum. Feeling like you need to hide a few bumps? Oh, yes, have a peplum. Want a thinner looking waist? Definitely have a peplum. Channelling 1950s trend? Don’t forget the peplum.

I had a few problems with that. Just like in any situation the more somebody tries to convince me that something is that good to make it into a must-have list, the less I want it. My brain develops a fashion antihistamine to stop the trend allergy from developing. Beside, I couldn’t visualise myself in peplum.

A few months down the line I realised that, apart from the above mentioned intolerance, I somehow ended seeing most peplums as a part of a skirt. This is where I went wrong. While the peplum skirts and dresses didn’t agree with me, the tops and jackets were the perfect solution. Something black or white, cinched with a thin belt, worn with cigarette trousers, boyfriend jeans, tulip or full skirt. That felt very “me”.

What I’ve also learned is that there’s the right peplum shape for everyone – some may prefer just a hint of it (Giambattista Valli and Preen) while others will go for a very clean cut (think Celine and Cushnie et Ochs), an absolute fantasy (McQueen, Marchesa or Givenchy) or very “New Look” (Dior, Ermanno Scervino or Zac Posen)

One thing I am sure of is that this isn’t something I’d buy as an investment piece, so high street is the best place to search for my perfect peplum top. And yes, I am still looking for one.

Alexander McQueen * Marchesa * Givenchy

Ermanno Scervino * Jason Wu * Zac Posen

Cacharel * Paul Costelloe * Celine

Christian Dior * Giorgio Armani * Cushnie et Ochs

Badgley & Mischka * Vera Wang * Francesco Scognamiglio

Frankie Morello * Nina Ricci * Dries van Noten

Marni * Giambattista Valli * Preen

Do you or would you have a peplum in your life?

Photo sources: Marie Claire France February 2012, elle.com