typeF Blogs

By Lisa Martinez

Before making a MAD DASH to the airport, I managed to squeeze in a couple shows on Wednesday. It seems as though the past six days flew by in a fashion blur. After a week of vibrant colors, mixed media, and subtle sequins, I am more excited than ever to welcome Spring 2012! Come March, there will be a little something to suit every taste and body type, from fluid pieces that forgivingly draped the shape to more structured silhouettes that artfully sculpted the frame. I am thrilled to see a more individualist approach on the Spring 2012 Runways; it’s one I’ve adopted since high school. Designers skillfully blended the soft with the hard, mixing prints and juxtaposing neon brights.

Michael Kors
The quintessential American jetsetter who celebrates his 30th anniversary this year invited us on an African safari. Backstage the inspiring direction was, “You are the most glamorous, SEXY couple on safari history. Brad and Angelina are jealous of you. You are the modern Lauren Hutton and Peter Beard. Be STRONG, SEXY, and Have Fun!” The Michael Kors Spring 2012 Runway Presentation opened with an instrumental version of Adele’s empowered women’s anthem “Rolling in the Deep,” before pulsating into a remixed club version of the chart topper – it should come as no surprise that Mr. Kors lead with this song, because his clothing and by extension his lifestyle brand are the sartorial personification of a strong, self-confident, worldly woman. While this season showed more languid sarongs, ponchos, and slouchy coats in artisanal textures, the fundamental undercurrent for Wednesday’s presentation was unmistakably KORS, a polished, yet pragmatic approach to luxury! The palette was earth tone driven with varying shades of sage, olive, clay, amber, ivory, sienna, and antelope; featured prints included a tiger, leopard, python, and zebra. The 64 looks had a slightly utilitarian hand with rustic patchworks and graphic animal prints, creating what the designer referred to in his liner notes as, “raw beauty, luxe savage, and afriluxe!”   

Nanette Lepore
COLOR has been one of the STRONGEST fashion statements on the runway in recent seasons, but for Spring 2012, Nanette Lepore amplified that direction with a new collection of acid neon brights that read like candy store confection, in citron, tangerine, lilac, hibiscus, and lagoon. Inspired by an art exhibition chronicling the US Olympic team’s bid at the 2011 Venice Biennale, the casual separates had a decidedly athletic slant with scuba dresses, striped shorts, net shorts, and windbreakers. The vividly hued palette influenced beauty as well; James Kaliardos for MAC gave the models individualized looks, choosing from one of four lipstick shades in pink, lavender, fuchsia, and orange. Hair stylist Rolando Beauchamp thickened the hair texture for a frizzy, “girl-on-the-go” carefree look of playfully wild abandon. Not only did the designer treat us to a fashion show, she complimented the unveiling of her new collection with a live performance by Sam Bisbee, who sang his melodic “Five More Minutes” as the models showed off 32 new looks.