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LouieThe New Romatics: All You Need is Love?
March 19th 2007 05:34
As promised, The New Romantics get their turn.
In the Spring 07 runways, there were many designers who had at least a piece or two inspired by this flower-happy trend, so, unlike my discussion of Futurism which was dominated by Balenciaga, I'm going to be talking about a range of designers from YSL, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen (though I realise he's also mentioned in the Futurism section, he's my crossover dude, every genre needs one) and a bunch more. For more recent examples of what I'm talking about, look at Marc Jacobs’ heavily floral-inspired work for Louis Vutton.
New Romantics- it's such a cool name, don't you think? It makes me thing of daggy 80s bands in flowy pirate shirts and tight pants. Thankfully, that's not exactly what we're talking about here.
Think florals, pretty, light girly colours. Girly with a touch of 'tude. Hem lines are short short short! It's all about short dresses with minimal accessories.
We're seeing two main themes: the simple, clean, short shift with floral detail (Chloe, Christian Dior, Phillip Lim) and the voluminous formal dresses with flowers and ruffles everywhere (as exemplified by the uber dress by McQueen, always the one to take it to that little bit too far).
The Good:
The Tones Now I'm no girly girl, but I've really been swept away by the crisps whites, beautiful rosy pinks and dusty beiges. They suit this theme to a T and are a nice change from the sparse monochrome of Futurism.
The Hem Lines As I said, short is the new black. We're already seeing this through the 60's mod dresses and minis, but it's going to stay all through winter (worn with tights and flats). I'm all for this, leave your cleavage and midriffs at home people, it's all about the pins!
The Volume To be honest I still can't really decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I settled on good because it has (and will continue to have, at least for one more season) a big impact on High Street. But to be honest I'm getting pretty damn sick of bubble skirts. I like to see the volume move higher so we have something to off-set the slim-line pants/skirts coming in this season (see the Y & Kei dress below).
The Bad:
Florals I know, I know, what's Romantics with out florals? Well, to quote Devil Wears Prada "Floral? For Spring? Howgroundbreaking". You have to remember, I'm not a girly girl. Florals do nothing for me, particularly this oversized, overused form.
Dresses Don't get me wrong, I do love the dresses, but where are the tulip skirts, the high waisted slouchy pants with ruffled shirts tucked in? I want more variety, using all the ingredients I mentioned above that worked so well, I just want more.
Prettiness It's all just so pretty. And that to me is just so goddamn boring. Seriously, give me just a bit more attitude, give me some sex appeal, give me something!
Picture time!
And that's the New Romantics.
Next up: The Verdict...who will assert their fashion dominance? Which way will I swing? To be honest, I haven't even decided yet. It's going to be a close one.
(Oh, and as a side note on Futurism, the March Issue of Australian Vogue, which is a massive rip off of Decemeber's US Vogue, has a great spread on Futurism that is well worth a look).
In the Spring 07 runways, there were many designers who had at least a piece or two inspired by this flower-happy trend, so, unlike my discussion of Futurism which was dominated by Balenciaga, I'm going to be talking about a range of designers from YSL, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen (though I realise he's also mentioned in the Futurism section, he's my crossover dude, every genre needs one) and a bunch more. For more recent examples of what I'm talking about, look at Marc Jacobs’ heavily floral-inspired work for Louis Vutton.
New Romantics- it's such a cool name, don't you think? It makes me thing of daggy 80s bands in flowy pirate shirts and tight pants. Thankfully, that's not exactly what we're talking about here.
Think florals, pretty, light girly colours. Girly with a touch of 'tude. Hem lines are short short short! It's all about short dresses with minimal accessories.
We're seeing two main themes: the simple, clean, short shift with floral detail (Chloe, Christian Dior, Phillip Lim) and the voluminous formal dresses with flowers and ruffles everywhere (as exemplified by the uber dress by McQueen, always the one to take it to that little bit too far).
The Good:
The Tones Now I'm no girly girl, but I've really been swept away by the crisps whites, beautiful rosy pinks and dusty beiges. They suit this theme to a T and are a nice change from the sparse monochrome of Futurism.
The Hem Lines As I said, short is the new black. We're already seeing this through the 60's mod dresses and minis, but it's going to stay all through winter (worn with tights and flats). I'm all for this, leave your cleavage and midriffs at home people, it's all about the pins!
The Volume To be honest I still can't really decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I settled on good because it has (and will continue to have, at least for one more season) a big impact on High Street. But to be honest I'm getting pretty damn sick of bubble skirts. I like to see the volume move higher so we have something to off-set the slim-line pants/skirts coming in this season (see the Y & Kei dress below).
The Bad:
Florals I know, I know, what's Romantics with out florals? Well, to quote Devil Wears Prada "Floral? For Spring? Howgroundbreaking". You have to remember, I'm not a girly girl. Florals do nothing for me, particularly this oversized, overused form.
Dresses Don't get me wrong, I do love the dresses, but where are the tulip skirts, the high waisted slouchy pants with ruffled shirts tucked in? I want more variety, using all the ingredients I mentioned above that worked so well, I just want more.
Prettiness It's all just so pretty. And that to me is just so goddamn boring. Seriously, give me just a bit more attitude, give me some sex appeal, give me something!
Picture time!
Chloe Shift - My fave example of this trend
YSL Volume dress. I'm not a fan
Oscar de la Renta. The best thing in the whole goddamn movement. Classy, lovely, edgy
Y & Kei Dress. Pumping the volume up top is the way to go.
And of course, McQueen's UBER dress. You've got to love how completely OTT he is.
And that's the New Romantics.
Next up: The Verdict...who will assert their fashion dominance? Which way will I swing? To be honest, I haven't even decided yet. It's going to be a close one.
(Oh, and as a side note on Futurism, the March Issue of Australian Vogue, which is a massive rip off of Decemeber's US Vogue, has a great spread on Futurism that is well worth a look).
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Comment by Jana
Congrats on your writing, I'm a fan. Your posts are really original and read up.
As a side, I'm all for the New Romantics. But then I am a girly girl...
Keep it up!
Comment by katyzzz
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