Prada gone bananas

New year (well, let me wish you a happy 2011 and a happy new year of the rabbit!!), new season, new fashion ahead and about time to be bold.
Bold colours, bright patterns and campaigns that are everything but discrete are a great indicator that the crisis is over and we are back to go bananas with our fashion statements. Miuccia Prada took this quite literally in her spring/summer '11 campaign and added bright colours with prints that range from cherubs to monkeys ...and yes, you might have guessed so ...bananas! From bright tangerine, deep emerald and cobalt blue to vivid stripy combinations, Prada went decisively bold with the colours and even a little cheeky with the beautiful ad campaign photographed by Steven Meisel, which converts the collection's mood even better in the video.

As opposed to the previous collections, the clear cuts were loosened up by ruffles or tassles that round off the clear cut of skirts or dresses that are tightly fitted up to the knee. As it seems, Miuccia Prada is over the bossom already, which she played to the gallery last season. In spring/summer 2011, Prada is buttoning up and favoring bateau necklines and v-necklines complimenting skirts and dresses which are all knee lenght. The looks were accessorized with wedged sneakers, brightly striped fur stolas and sun hats.
Prada is seeking to dedicate a lot of attention to the Chinese market in the future and developed a luxurious edition of the spring/summer '11 collection especially for the Chinese market, where most of the cotton pieces of the Milan show in September were replaced by radzmire silk and a special touch of sequins was added to most outfits.

Major topic amongst the glamourous audience however was the fact that Prada is most likely to finally go public after years of flirting with this option and postponing the plans due to global market conditions. “Up until now we haven’t made a definitive decision. At this point, we think a listing in Hong Kong is the most opportune solution. In the coming months, we will evaluate the timetable and the details.”stated Patrizio Bertelli, husband of Miuccia Prada and CEO of Prada.
A clear strategic signal where Prada sees the highest growth potential in the future - last year's revenues of Greater China (including China, Hong Kong and Macau) rose by 75% to 389 million euros, already representing nearly 20% of the group's total turnover. Also, Prada decided to open two new design studios - one in Paris, one in Hong Kong a rather unusual yet contemporary move for an Italian fashion house to embrace new talent and new inspirations from different creative hubs.

The year of the rabbit is supposed to be a favorable year of international relations - let's see if it will favour Prada's strategical expansion plans.

xoxo
Glamazone

Source: WWD.com, huffingtonpost.com
Picture Source: WWD.com

Socks and sandals

Yes, you read correctly - and no, this has nothing to do with the fact that I am German - I swear! I do know that it sounds wrong and like a classic fashion faux-pas but obviously, I am not talking Birkenstocks & white tennis socks. I am talking the stylish options proposed by Prada, Mark Jacobs and others for this fall/winter season.

As an autumnal chill is starting to creep up our legs, we start wondering how to amend our styles for the cooler seasons ahead.
We are all aware that pulling of this look we'll be balancing on the edge. Which shoes to wear with which types of socks is the obvious question.

 #1: Do instantly ban all imagines of nerdy tourists, ageing hippies, misguided men - actually all lapses of fashion within this category out of your head. Do it now.

#2:  Generally I would really avoid the colour white - and obviously sport socks (!) and opt for some grey, black or neutral shades

#3: Frilled socks? Think about the following: Do you look like a cheap adult entertainment starlet who is trying to fulfill some cliche phantasie? Do you look like you stole them from your little sister?

#4: Texture: Take some inspiration from what's out there - while Prada is proposing the heavy knit knee high socks, MJ is going for thinner ankle socks

#5: If you decide to go for that look, go it all the way! Don't go halfway - it is doomed to look like an accident. Go for the ankle high version or the knee high version.

#6: If it feels wrong - it most likely does look wrong as well - don't force it! Alternative: leg warmers?

My personal favorite: knitted socks with wedges or pumps. Will upload a pic as soon as I find a decent one.

xoxo
Glamazone

Source: vogue.com, style.com, prada.com
Picture Source: style.com