Ready to wear

The Jakarta Post - WEEKENDER   |  Wed, 02/25/2009 11:42 AM  |  Ready To Wear

HAREM SCAREM

Every girl in the 8th grade in 1989 had twelve pairs of harem pants. They were baggy pants, tapered at the ankle, sort of like MC Hammer pants, but the on the thigh areas were two flaps that buttoned at the waist area. The penchant for harem pants are back and has been hanging around in the wings of fashion for a while appearing on the catwalk at Balmain and YSL for Autumn/Winter '08 but its even bigger for Spring. It is perfect for any woman with a slim top half – the voluminous silhouette of the trousers will level the field below the waist. It easily defines the waist by tucking in tops. For the most flattering shape, keep it tight on top; a camisole top or tailored jacket is perfect. To create volume on the top and the bottom, always keep the waist cinched by making the most of this season’s elaborated, waisted belts. Lastly, heels should always be one thing: high!


BARE NECESSITIES

Though fashion is often about making a statement, most people tend to keep their undergarments a private affair. Dutch designer Marlies Dekkers is changing all that with her boudoir collection, for which she recently received the Netherland's BID LEF Award for Most Daring Entrepreneur. "My lingerie is meant to be seen," she boldly declares, adding: "When I dress myself in the morning, I start with selecting the lingerie and then I choose a matching outfit." Her marlies|dekkers line is sold in Paris, Australia, Dubai and parts of Asia. Crediting her success to a passion for designing from an innate sense of the woman's body, Dekkers is quickly becoming the go-to for celebrities such as Jessica Stam, Usher and Mischa Barton. Hitting her stride in NYC, she's transcending the wintry season and economic climate by truly bringing sexy back.


GOING NUDE

In real life, a nude color can be tricky to wear especially if you're pale. Plus we have to admit that it can be time consuming to find the perfect neutral shade that looks both flattering and insouciantly effortless. Yet despite the explosion of color from New York to Paris, neutrals staked their claim on the spring 2009 catwalk as texture and silhouette come to life. As a broad rule, the choice of which neutral to wear is in inverse proportion to your skin tone; paler skins suit darker neutrals in cinnamon and coffee, while darker complexions can wear more buttery colors. Choose nude as a better alternative to the perfect-for-every-occasion little black dress: a glimmering finish that catches the light and slinks over curves. For the perfect finishing touch, glam it up with bold black heels and ’40s siren-red lips.


DENIM DUO

What happens when you mix a historical womenswear designer with an ultra-hip denim brand? For starters, a collection that exudes sophisticated coolness. So it should come as no surprise that a collaboration between Stockholm-based line ACNE and Lanvin maestro Alber Elbaz expertly use workwear fabrics to mix masculine and feminine silhouettes. “When I first met with Alber, he was talking about denim with such love. He said that denim is like perfume: you never throw it away, you keep it and treasure it,” said Acne’s Creative Director Johnny Johansson. This passion for denim comes across in the energy of the collection called the Blue Collection– which comprises Lanvin-style shapes in denim and gives them a younger feel. Key pieces include Lanvin’s Spring/summer 2008 utility style dress in boxy denim, a trench in inky blue or classic Lanvin sleeves expertly puffed on a denim cocktail dress. With a planned collaboration for next season too, the inspiration looks set to continue.

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