“In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous.” - Elsa Schiaparelli
Maybe it’s the Met Costume Institute’s new exhibit, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, or perhaps Italian fashion and business heavyweight, Diego Della Valle’s shocking announcement (pun intended) of a Schiaparelli revival, or even the pendulum finally swinging the other way after these past few conservative, recessionary years that’s inspired the recent spate in surrealist-inspired accessories. But whatever the reason, surrealist motifs are back for fall, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see a liberal dose of imagination informing fashion’s new year. Hello, Dali!
Pictured: (Center from left to right) Diane Von Furstenberg and Lanvin Fall 2012 runway. (Accessories clockwise from Top Right) Lanvin chain and grosgrain lip necklace, Sonia Rykiel opaque resin brooches, Lulu Guinness pink Perspex clutch, Aldo red patent leather clutch, Delfina Delletrez eye/nose/mouth pave earrings, Delfina Delletrez Iced Touch finger earrings, Nicholas Kirkwood boots, Delfina Delltrez earrings, Solange Azagury-Partridge pink lips ring, Diane Von Furstenberg face and clock bags, Dannijo eye necklace.
In a move to assert its commitment to fashion, Amazon.com—who is trying to make a play in higher fashion—sponsored the Costume Institute at the Met Gala last night and live-streamed the red carpet for the first time ever for everyone with an internet connection to see. Hazard a guess at what we were doing last night?
The Met Gala, for the uninitiated, is THE ultimate red carpet event for fashion. There are a few trends that we saw (of which none were “Shocking” Pink, which we expected more of given the Met’s soon-to-be-launched exhibit on Schiaparelli and Prada), one that initially caught our attention is the peplum.
The peplum trend, which traces its roots back to the 40s, started simmering a few years ago but didn’t come to a full boil until the spring shows when it proved to be a hot trend. In fact, it has carried over well into the fall runways.
At the Met Gala, stars showed their support for this flattering treatment. Sofia Vergara for one, is a big fan of peplums, wearing one on almost every red carpet it seems in recent memory including this beautiful Marchesa version. Comedienne Amy Poehler looked elegant and chic in her black Fotini gown. Solange Knowles turned the wattage up in a bright Rachel Roy number, and was joined by a yellow-clad January Jones, whose Versace gown was accented by contrast black panels and seaming. Emma Roberts wore a mini-peplum by Escada, and actress Eva Mendes wore a maxi-version in bright tangerine by Prada.
Sadly, for Elizabeth Banks, the Mary Katranzou dress she wore combined too many style elements, and while Mary Katranzou is an amazing designer who works wonders with prints, we’ll call this one a miss since it made Ms. Banks look like she was dressing for well, the Hunger Games.
Uh-mazing. On our list of vintage pieces to hunt down and own.
Little factoid: while Elsa Schiaparelli’s jewelry was bold and costumey, like that of her contemporaries, her’s was Dada-inspired. Also fun: one of her jewelry designers was Jean Schlumberger, who later became VP of Tiffany.
Can’t wait for the Met’s new exhibit, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion, which opens on May 10 and closes August 19.
