Alberta Ferretti Spring Summer 2014

Summer is still with us here in Malta and Gozo, with temperatures as high as 27 degrees Celsius, and people are still seeking the beaches as the sea temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, with a UV index of 5 or 6.  Most of us are looking forward for autumn and winter to kick start, to start wear our winter wear.  But we have still weeks ahead of good sunny weather. 

Yesterday I was tuned on Fashion TV and I happened to watch the Italian fashion designer one of my favourites.  Alberta Ferretti Spring Summer 2014 collection is folkloric evoking Spanish, Peruvian and Southern Italian style, with femininity.  The colours are very bold for Spring time with lively reds to oranges, apple green as well as a heavy presence of black and white.  We have seen florals this season, but Ferretti includes bold stripes into the mix with horizontal and vertical arrangements.  The dresses feature ruffles, floral prints and lots of lace and tulle. 

 Dresses are the real stars of Ferretti’s collection with some look consists of tops and skirts.  The dresses are short, sleeveless long dresses with flowery decorations.  The dresses play transparency with lace and tulle, very lively and elegant paisley prints and flowers.  The evening dresses collection are very refined, in soft fabrics and with long working fluid skirt or sophisticated, with transparent straps and lace adorning the bustier or strapless.

The clothes come with top puffed sleeves, mesh transparent, top wear with applied flowers, colourful, long and short skirts with flounces in plain or stripped print.  I have to admit that it is much different from any other collection that we have reported on.  But I like it very much, looking back there is not one single outfit that I would not wear.   

John Rocha

The Parisian, New Yorkers, Londoners, and the Milanese pavements have felt the elegant footfall of the world’s fashion press on the way to the bi-annual shows, just a couple of weeks ago in September.

This weekend on Fashion TV I came upon the John Rocha Spring Summer 2014 collection.   In his collection John Rocha makes reference to ‘extraordinary forms’ and he really explains it all.  It is literally sculptural, and architectural, I describe it as beautiful, and desperately sexy.

The dresses were striking from top to toe,  voluminous skirts, which bloomed out from the waist, like a bell or a dome, were in turn worked in blooms of couched georgette and yarn blossoms, creating a couture-like impression, more so when topped with wide-brimmed hats formed from coiled acetate that jutted out in front of the models’ faces like high-fashion visors.  I literally glowed over these fabulous hats.  I also noticed that the dresses hemline were under the ankle. 

What I loved most were his evening dresses, in fluid black lace with flowers picked out in gold which gives the aura of mysticism, and also the white outfits which can easily be dressed as day wear. 

This was vintage Rocha sexy and sophisticated, but elegant and feminine always. What would l give to own a couple of the dresses and hats. 

My absolute favorites from the Spring/Summer 2014 Collections

I admit I have not seen all spring summer 2014 collections, but if I had to choose from what I have seen, I would undoubtedly wear Burberry Prorsum and Dolce and Gabbana.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana seem to be sleeping and dreaming on the sunny island of Sicily. Sicily’s sandy shores, blue ocean, and religious artifacts that have remained in their collections. With the difference that this time round it was the island Greek and Roman history, its almond trees and some traditional Sicilian dress that was one more fix he designers continue to send.

The gold coin was without a doubt the collections symbol. It did feature on platform heels, big boxer sized belts and headbands. It’s circular shape and embossed features formed an entire golden dress. Dresses were embossed and printed with coin images, giving it the polka dot motif.

The designers ventured away from the coin motif, and  they shifted gears and got romantic. They used prints of blooming almond trees, bringing the flowering tree to life via appliqué petals that danced on top of dresses, tops, jackets and skirts.  Dolce & Gabbana must explore further this motif of the almond trees, which combined nature and beauty. 

There were also roman ruined amphitheater vintage photo prints in the show, with columns looking striking down the front of a shift dress. What I adore most and which seem to be permanent with Dolce & Gabbana creations, is the lace dress.  They showed it in both the black slip dress and in shimmering gold option. 

Regarding the Burberry Prorsum collection what I loved most is Bailey’s versatility and savvy way of inventing the Burberry’s iconic ingredients , while added his own touch to it, without much of a disturb.  Celebrities like Alex Chung and Burberry campaign face Sienna Miller were among the traffic stopping crowds of guests and paparazzi waiting to flash their cameras on celebrities. 

As I have said before I just adore lace from underwear to outer wear.  The iconic trench coat, this time spun into sugary pastels, worn over delicate see-through lace. The colours were dusty pinks, eggshell and milky blues, Burberry’s new subject focused on turning the old into new, including crochet skirts worn over granny panties. As the collection moved on the lace gave way to polka dots and stripes, and later to shapes, sprinkled or fixed together by crystals blooming into giant colourful brooches. 

Transparent waterproof cape was worn over a lacy pencil skirt, both showered in jewels, depicting Bailey’s talent further more for successfully mixing materials and ideas.  Another striking feature were the accessories like sandals and sheepskin clutches worn crunched or folded.  It was a very striking collection.  I really want to own a few pieces of the collection, but bad luck for me as they are very pricey over my budget.

Having said that, it is good to watch fashion shows, and although most of us cannot afford not even a single piece without going bankrupt at least it is good to have an idea what to buy, from high street fashion shops that try to emulate these big designers collections.