Fashion @ The French

Venus Williams!  A phenomenal combination of exceptional talent and genetic perfection has propelled this athlete to unheralded heights .  She has been making fashion news while competing for championshps at the highest level in tennis in her own designs.  To speak on her 2009 French Open look (Below), she strolled on to the stage at Roland Garros in one of the season's most talked about trends, the Ikat print. 

A fabric made using an Indonesian decorative technique in which warp or weft threads, or both,  are tie-dyed before weaving.  That makes this kind of fabrication extremely special, and wonderfully mastered as a print.  It is a fantastic stretch forward in activewear campaigns becoming more like RTW apparel.  Venus' clothing line "11" is on the mark for keeping the sport-set in the loop of what is stylish and very "Right Now".

Art+Photography+Design=FASHION

New, fresh, and lovely....When you consider the collaborative genius that went in to this particular line, there is no wonder why this was the most talked about show of the season. Marc Jacobs, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince were the forces that shaped this collection's attitude and appeal. I love how the usage of sequins emulates an ikat right off the Athena's loom and creates a bohemian effect that is all-around chic & stylish.

The New Order

1. Peter Piletto introduces a print that is loaded with texture interpret the abstract & ikat trend that has dominated the runways this season.
2. Talbot Runhof utilizes a flirty floral to make an ultra feminine statement. I love how the floral motif creates a scenic of blooms that is not so typical and gives the garment's character some life.

I am a full blooded, pure-bred Fashionisto and have to respect the legendary houses that have laid the foundation for the future of fashion prints, but, there is something very intriguing about the collections that are rising in the ranks. This season was saturated with print masterpieces across the board that addressed form, color, mood and history. However, I was most impressed with the new-comers who utilized patterns to show that their collections have the depth necessary to attract the eye of today's discerning consumer. BRAVO!

No Lines On My Stripes Please,...

A print is intended to evoke an emotion and then to pinpoint a collection's focus or drive a Brand's direction. By implanting a definitive element to create the effects of contrast and texture, this same strategy is adopted for the placement of a stripe and a plaid. Simple geometry it is not, because it is every designer's challenge at one point or another to get their creative juices jammed with linear formatting.

This pattern is fashioned and referenced by vintage Ikats designed to explore surreal impressions of a stripe by Coloured Zebra Print Studio Paris, France. It will be a refreshing way to approach the abstract & tribal trends that will dominate the editorial features for the transitional mid-season deliveries.

Let's define this to be a forward look that allows some freedom to flow within the theorems of engineering skirt borders. Besides the obvious Missoni House of Milan, I know there will be some prominent peices rendered by adopting this look to interpret the retro mood for Spring 2009. RTW Separates, Accessories, & Home will be key markets guiding the trend.