Since S/S 2007 is now passing I think I'll just skip its collections for now (although I'll admit that there were several strong collections for S/S 2007 - and both Lagerfeld and Galliano appeared to be in top form for that season, especially the latter, whose HC S/S 2007 collection was simply out-of-this-world - the way he combined the theme of Madama Butterly with Dior's original silhouettes is just pure genius). Soooo let's move on to the up-and-coming F/W 2007!
How would I describe the whole season in general? Well, I'd say there was a strong significant deviation from the norm for many designers. This coming season is special in that a large majority of designers did something radically different from what they showed in the previous two seasons.
Let's begin with the biggies. How about Galliano for Dior?
For about three seasons, Galliano has been creating (somewhat) wearable pieces for Dior's RTW collections. S/S 2006 used a nude palette and soft, translucent fabrics like tulle, featuring highly desirable dresses, pants and jackets; F/W 2006 took on a rock-and-roll theme showed biker-style coats and jackets with fur trims and heavy lining, bleached grey leather pants and reptile-skin variations of S/S 2006's Dior Gaucho handbag (highly definitive fashion statement favoured by the likes of Kate Moss and Mischa Barton). S/S 2007 was refreshingly refined, featuring sleek suits, well-cut skirts, elegant red-carpet-friendly draped bias-cut dresses, and killer heels.
Then, F/W 2007 comes along. Suddenly, all the modern wearability of the previous three seasonns become history. Galliano introduces croc-skin jackets with thick fur trims and dresses with features that mimic origami. The dresses are no longer as toned down as they were in F/W 2006 or S/S 2007 - they've become so elaborate, so colourful and so strikingly structured that you can't think of them appearing anywhere else except at black-tie events that call for quirky glam.
Whatever does this signal for the ordinary person who can't afford a genuine Dior dress without breaking the bank? Two words - get quirky! It's about time you stopped dressing like everyone else. Here are some of my ideas on how to get quirky without ending up looking like a surrealistic art-piece.
1) Try wearing an accessory that appears a little out of place but matches your outfit somehow. How about an African necklace to go with a cocktail dress? Things that seem out of place and yet match your outfit perfectly (in terms of colour or shape) act a strong touch of quirkiness without spoiling your look.
2) Play with shapes and sizes. Wear a pair of large chunky heels with a short skirt and leggings. Or wear a voluminous jacket with a tight-fitting blouse. Or how about really large earrings with really short hair?
3) Combine ordinary everyday objects into your look. Got some extra mailbox keys that you don't use anymore? Why not turn them into earrings? What about that old chandelier in the attic? Why not pick out the baubles and other shiny bits and glue or sew them onto your cocktail dress for a bit of shine and glam? And for the carnations you got that haven't withered yet, why not adorn your strappy heels with them for the night? Anything and everything can be made into something fashionable with a little bit of imagination.
The above ideas are, of course, not exhaustive. No matter what idea you use, don't be afraid to just experiment. Nothing is set until you step out the front door, so don't be afraid to try out different things with your outfit and checking out the effect in a mirror. Modern fashion is all about experimenting!
Happy matching!
