camilla spring/summer 2012/13

Well, let's face it, season after season you can rely on Camilla for digitally printed exquisiteness but this is by far one of her best yet (gasp. I didn't even know it was possible).

The show was tribal meets cowboy meets under-the-sea. An interesting combination but absolutely FABULOUS! Thank you, Camilla for updating the under-the-sea trend so it can live another season. Sigh, under the sea. So ethereal and gorgeous. And can now be enjoyed with a tribal.cowboy edge and a slightly brighter hue. Sensational!

Shapes: The usual kaftan-inspired shapes with a few interest pieces/accessories thrown in. But Camilla's not known for cutting edge design. Her genius is in the amazing prints and exquisite palettes.

Colours: oh the colours! Bright marine tones of various blues, purples and greens with some edgy tribal/cowboy pops of red, orange and a few browns. Works fabulously!

Along with Zimmermann, Camilla was my favourite show of the catwalk season.

What will I be buying for this spring/summer? My usual. I always buy a couple of key pieces from Camilla in my favourites prints. I particularly love a matching or clashing headpiece. Although, I'll be adding a cowboy hat or cowboy boots or chunky tribal jewellery.

Your spring/summer wishlist should include at least one of her kaftan-like designs. So easy to wear in spring/summer! Throw it on, statement handbag and away you go. If you think a little more cleverly, than can transcend to winter as well. Wore one of mine the other night with its matching turban, my leather crop jacket and a pair of leather ankle boots. I also rock mine with a massive chunky cardi belted around the kaftan and layer, layer, layer with leggings, a sloppy beanie, scarf, massive statement bag and understated make up. Effortlessly chic and there is far more you can do with them than one would think.

Don't go past Camilla this spring/summer...or winter.... ;)

*images are not my own and are credited to other sources.

zimmermann spring/summer 2012/13

Zimmermann Spring/Summer 2012/13 in a few words: pastels, florals, laser cut, clashing florals, layering, quirky shapes (particularly in swimwear).

Zimmermann really showed us what they were made of with this collection. Their best yet! Demure yet bold. Think 1950s housewife with an edge.

The sheer fabrics and laser cut designs show what needs to be shown and the conservative cuts maintain the dignity of the collection. The only way to wear full length sheers but bravo Zimmermann for making them wearable! I will be sinking my teeth into this trend this coming season! Exquisite but not for the faint hearted.

Key colours: PASTELS! Mint, peach, blue, lilac

What it translates to on your summer wish list:

• A funky pastel bikini incorporating quirky shapes (twists, cut outs, any points of interests);
• Transparent layering pieces (whether it be an oversized sheer top or a sheer maxi skirt to layer over cute undergarments...if you dare!...I do!);
• A floral top bow for your hair;
• Tops with one large frill or peplum;
• Floral and/or sheer A-line skirts;
• Keep your dress lines conservative and incorporate the pastels and prints of this collection (perhaps even the sheers!).

How to wear it?

Layered, clashing prints, complementing pastels with pastels. Keeping the palette light, sweet and subtle.

Gorgeous bright florals layered with sheers. Pale pastel prints complemented beautifully by sheers or pale block colours.

                                 
                 Rose prints, laser cut frills, sheers, quirky shapes (twists, cut outs).

All-in-all, a very consistent show, every piece, every outfit worked beautifully together to create an ethereal collection. The colours, patterns and cuts were exquisite. What can only be described as heavenly.

Not a single thing I disliked. Particularly loved the sheer, draped mini-maxi, laser cut peplum tops and sheer layering. Not to mention the colour palette.

One of my top two shows for the season. Well done, Zimmermann. You will certainly be accumulating some of my hard-earned fashionista dollars this season.


*images are not my own and are credited to other sources.

the ULTIMATE fashion review: MBFWA 2012

Stay tuned. I am conducting a desktop review of my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE shows from Mercedes Benz Australian Fashion Week 2012/13 and will review in depth. But meantime here is a snapshot of what's to come...

Hot favourites

The best of the big names...

Camilla - wowed again. Not many designers can get away with creating pretty much the exact same thing show after show but the exquisite fabrics and colour palettes keep us coming back for more!

Zimmermann - demure and bold. Zimmermann conquered it all in this collection whilst maintaining true to themselves and their brand. And thank goodness! Because we love them!

Alice McCall - Bring back the bold Alice of the old days I say! But still a strong collection in the on-trend pastel hues. Continuing the necklines cemented by Perry in his last collection which is fantastic because I love them! (and am glad they will be around again this coming Spring/Summer)

More to come on the big names and some of our favourite labels in my next few posts. However...

The disappointments?

Lisa Ho - Boring. Aside from this dress and a handful of other pieces. The fabrics did not photograph well either. I will not be enticed to invest any of these pieces this coming season.

Talulah - on the back of the last collection this collection was relatively unremarkable aside from the very TREND-y colour palette (pastels). Most had been done before either by them or others. However, some very wearable pieces and no doubt we will still snap them up in order to be on trend in pastel.


Stay tuned for my in-depth critique x



*Views expressed in this and ensuing reviews are purely my own opinion. There is no malice or ill-intent behind my reviews.

** Photography is not my own and I would like to thank the sources of the photography.

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