Raf Simons x Sterling Ruby

For this fall 2014, Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby decided to collaborate on this AW14 collection and when two artists intertwined what is the result? A wonderful collection out of this world, verging on fantasy. When browsing the collection online I discovered the work of Julia Noni and the stylist Tobias Frericks for the GQ Style Germany and I have to say, they nailed it. Thanks to the aura of Fernando Cabral, the model, the settings where reunited to gather a feeling of dizziness. The garments themselves are the results of splashing colours on a neutral piece plus the adds by a delicate couturier like Raf. The mix is a success and reveals a rare way of thinking in the fashion world nowadays.
I had the opportunity to try on the collection myself, and this collection is even better in reality. The high quality of the fabrics used by Simons has a unique sensation and makes you feel his universe through one piece. Few pieces are, despite the vision of this collaboration, a bit off topic with a very basic design without any uniqueness, but overall this is one of my favourite collection so far.

Raf Simons AW13

Fashion week rhymes with new collection no? Even if it is time for the SS14 to come out, here we are, at the AW13 by Raf Simons unveiled earlier this year, and what collection I wanted to write a bit about it but as I took a too-long break during this summer this post only appears while the SS14 is running on the catwalk. Once again, a simple touch of colour with an elegant and well-cutted outfit in a way where Raf doesn't want the male-silouhette Balenciaga or Slimane-like anymore, he wants it to be more loose , less controlled, more vague and lively. It is almost a full cold-colours mix plus one light colour just to add a little flowery touch on it, yes Simons loves flower. Some of you would recognise what Raf started years ago, before this new century in 1999, Kinetic Youth for his A/W, we find the same cuts, large trousers, same coat-shape. Well it is like Raf Simons has returned from a long way back from over a decade, maybe his wonderful work at Dior where he perfectly fits in what the House required by following the step of Dior and merging their same love for arts brought him back to his arty state (even though he is known to play with all his knowledge in art with his own label), this state is more about what he brought on the catwalk at his beginning.

They are my favourites looks of this collection; I did really love the collaboration R.Simons made for Mr.Porter, it felt a bit more natural now after seeing those pictures, isn't it? For any informations about the Kinetic Youth collection in 1999 and even more I recommend you this wonderful essay about Raf Simons and his whole oeuvre in the fashion world by a famous fashion blogger, Hapsical.

When Miuccia and Raf are carried by Rizzo

The S/S14 just happened in Milan, and it was time for Prada to show its new collection, was it going to be like the two lasts show, where shadows and mysteries incensed the catwalk? No, this time Miuccia smashed the front row with colours and a pop-art touch that you cannot deny.  She is an artist even though through her life she went through a more casual way of thinking by acting for the communist party in Milan. We find the whole pop-art panel mix, no faded colours, but strong and living ones, each colour has its own complementary colour, red/green, blue/yellow if it is not on one piece it will be on the whole outfit. 

That is it, each new catwalk is a brand new world set up by Miuccia, involving artists and architects in backstage to make it complete, the most important one is Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, she makes a new world to allow her new pieces to live in their own world, that makes the piece :

"It is a very osmotic process: we start identifying the stage and set design at the same moment the design team start the identification of the collection. We begin with a workshop of creative thinking where we explore the concept of the show, and from then on it is an eight to ten week process of back and forth." - I.P.Laparelli

Few elements can remind us our beloved designer, Raf Simons, he is a real fan of Miuccia's work, she is an inspiration for him, that is why we may find some relative element in both Dior and Prada colour's panel, pink, purple, green and blue they are all also well-used by Simons.

Another thing would be the use of high-socks to get an outfit a bit more sporty and to counter the idea of the classic luxury in this business, allowing Miuccia to play more with colours. Look at the ribbons, which gives, along the sporty touch, a comfy feeling about this luxurious collection, more casual and relax than the cold luxurious standard view that we can have of Prada and others. 

Mr.Rizzo is the stylist of Miuccia, he is, therefore, putting the garnments together, I would say, he brings them to life on one body, walking around the new world especially made for them. These pieces are extremely difficult to match and mix with a basic wardrobe, but you can play with it and have a lot of fun if you can follow the côté-décalé of this pop-Italian line.

Print is back again

Last year we could have seen a massive come back of the print in our wardrobe, and this year carries the previous trend but with a floral touch more related to a sunny spring than a hot summer. From Etro to Burberry the print was on every catwalk. Obviously McQueen does a lot of floral print since many collections but this SS13 is like a meeting by all DA saying yeah let's do some floral print! Last year I bought a floral jumper from Czech Republic from Aloha From Deer, I was a bit in advance on that trend as last year we saw the print coming back but in a more general way as you can see on this post from May of last year.

After having started this post, the amazing floral print collection by Raf Simons for mr Porter came out. I have nothing else to say, judge by yourself, I could buy the entire collection if I had the money! I already have a floral print jumper from last year but this kind of piece is really nice, we will see if after my summer I can get one (print on navy) jumper or the short!