ART-DECO ARTISTRY FROM THE HOUSE OF GUCCI!

Hands-up anyone who fancies some Great-Gatsby-for-grown-ups!! Well, be prepared to form a not-so-orderly queue, when the new Gucci SS2014 collections arrive!

Why the anticipated clamouring? Well, Frida Giannini has skilfully-crafted yet another selection of stellar couture creations, showcasing the best of art-deco artistry with the sass and sleekness, typical of the well-revered fashion house.

An uber-glossy, mirrored catwalk and a sonic refrain of ‘You’re walkin’ round like you’re bigger than Prince’, not only suggested the supreme polish and attitude of the pieces which were to come, but also indicated the confidence with which any woman should wear the garments!

As if emerging from the Tyrrhenian Sea after dark, feminine creatures with trademark wet-look, slicked-back hair and dewy, barely-there make-up, audaciously stalked the new season’s styles. Black, the go-to tone, was presented to us in dare-to-bare, mesh T-shirts, sheer bra-tops, loose-legged trousers, with the gentlest of tapers, flowing kaftans and elegant dresses, in both maxi and knee-lengths. Opaque options of the silhouettes included an evening dress with plunging v-neckline, a three-quarter length pant, loosely-tailored jacket with leather tuxedo-collar and a fabulous top, featuring an exaggerated cut-away, which roared ‘business-in-the-front and party-in-the-back’!

The print-story was a revelation, at times devouring entire columns of floating gowns and the most exceptional kaftans, in motifs of flaming orange, sunburst-gold and complementary cool lilacs, innovatively arranged like art-deco exo-skeletons. The designs relentlessly bombarded the senses, only giving way to iridescent echoes, such as slash-necked tunics in metallic bronze and gold, as well as oil-on-water-purple and raspberry-hues, flickering beneath the lights like a silent movie.

In fact, the entire affair was a powerful production…A perfect procession of trademark-Gucci: High-impact, high-visibility and oh-so-high fashion!!!

So, if I were you, I’d get a head-start to your nearest store because from the looks of this show, Gucci is going to be very busy!!!!!!

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MARIA GRACHVOGEL DESIGNS LEAVE YOU FLOATING ON AIR…

Maria Grachvogel is an utter genius when it comes to stylistic superlatives of length and volume and today’s show more than lived up to her global reputation.

Blouses were soft, sleeveless and silver-grey, trousers flowed powerfully, yet gracefully as tidal waves, jumpsuits were elegantly figure-embracing, with  ‘v’, ‘square’, and draped-necks and dresses were maxi-lengthed, columns of grace…

Any departure from her well-loved repertoire incorporated asymetry, most notably in a dazzling dress, the colours of which seemed to have been boldly applied free-hand. The relaxed mood was also illustrated by a tie-front, cross-over jacket, as well as a wonderful, grey leather blouson, masterfully cut, in defiance of the its usually, less pliable properties.

Prints, though digital, had an artisanal touch, seeing steel-grey stripes merging with oak-browns, coffee-caramels saturated into chocolate-browns and pastel-peach to add a subtle drama. A stand-out motif had the appearance of veins from the underside of a leaf and appeared upon skirt and blouse separates, as well as being echoed upon both black-on-white and sheer versions of a floor-sweeping dress.

A glorious gown of the afore-mentioned chocolate brown/ grey variety with a stunning, fishtail train was the last swathe of garment to close a show which, from start to finish, exemplified the polish, poise and versatility typical of Miss Grachvogel’s distinguished design flair and artistry.

Simply put, it was a sublime crescendo to a spectacular last day…

©AFROW2013-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED