Jeremy Laing SS12
by Barb on October 10, 2011
With the upcoming season of Toronto LG Fashion Week, I thought it would only be appropriate to share the highlights of Toronto-based Jeremy Laing’s SS12 collection. The Canadian designer has been known to show during NYFW for quite some seasons now, and this year showcased his latest collection at Milk Studios on an early Sunday morning. Despite the hall not reaching its usual full capacity (it seems that many had flocked to the Lela Rose show at the Lincoln Center, which was at the same time), notable editors sat front row.
Differentiating himself from the usual brights and lightness that one associates with spring and summer, Laing opted for a more down-to-earth palette and bohemian attitude. Mind you, the textiles still flowed elegantly away from the body as the models walked down the runway, and the rich earthy tones provided a nice and neutral counter to the brights that we have been seeing. Asymmetrical motifs and and subtle patterns added that necessary element of decoration to a collection. In essence, the designs created an air of a bohemian trekker, with Laing’s signature volumnious silhouettes.
That said, one has to be in a mindset different from we have prepared ourselves, in terms of viewing summer and spring collections, to appreicate the collection; otherwise one can easily find him or herself not as excited by the collection. But in any case, the pieces and designs are solid, and are a great alternative for the more low-key woman.
Jeremy Laing SS12 final walk
Pink Tartan SS12
by Barb on September 23, 2011
Pink Tartan SS12
With a lot of my coverage posted online and shuttling myself between shows and school, I haven’t had the chance to dissect some of my highlights on here. With the images already on my desktop shrunken in file size, perhaps it is best to start off with Canadian favourite Pink Tartan.
The Lincoln Centre’s most two popularly used spaces are the Studio and the Box. The Studio is where one can locate many of the shows, with the exception of a few which are featured in the Stage or the Theatre. For those that lean more towards the presentation format either for aesthetic or financial reasons, one has the Box. The space can get rather cramped quickly, so it is up to the designer on how to best use the space effectively in the one-hour time frame. And Pink Tartan’s Kim Newport did just that.
In a rotational set-up, four models were presented at a time and stood for pictures at each vertex of the quadrilateral stage. It is a lot simpler than I have just attempted to explain. Despite the cool weather that was ushering itself in, Newport’s designs offered a throwback not only into the hip 50s and 60s but also to a light summer day. Popping oranges and reds matched its decade reference with cat-eye sunglasses and relaxing French soundtrack.
Apart from the bright colours that have dominated the palettes of many designers for the upcoming season, the play on textures and patterns offered variety, which are best communicated through visuals. The lighting was perfect for my point-and-shoot (yes, all my shots on this site have been from a point-and-shoot) and permitted me some fantastic shots.
For those of you that want to experience the collection live, Pink Tartan will be showing again at Toronto’s upcoming LG Fashion Week in mid October.
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Pink Tartan SS12
Why This Lanvin Ad Works So Well
by Barb on September 6, 2011
It certainly isn’t the skill level of dance that has made this Lanvin video go viral, nor is it the appearance of well-known models and designer Alber Elbaz. Rather, it is the accessibility, and simple juxtaposition that has driven the appeal of this video. Permit me to elaborate.
The names of models, signer, and photographer ring fewer bells of recognition to the mass public in comparison to the song “I Know You Want Me” by Pitbull. Pair that with the simplicity of enjoyment from dancing and having fun, and you are en route to creating accessibility, which is easily identifying what appears to be common/frequent experiences. Since dancing and enjoyment are rather common to us, we can identify with the video more so than if it were merely a photoshoot, which is an event that only some of us are privy to.
And in talking about juxtaposition, we find that the models are dancing in a rather stilted fashion, adorned with expensive clothing. The contrasting pairing in the fun and “let-loose” song with the fanciful models undeniably creates a humourous quality, which appeals to a happy-feel-good emotion, which promotes sharing in the self-presentation (reflecting that one is funny and may/may not appreciate fashion) and emotional activation senses.
To simplify, the allure in the video and its virality roots itself in its reach to a wide audience and humour in the contrast between glamour and fun.
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