Billabong opened the show-some of the clothes were the same as the ones shown the week before and I have already commented on those,so please check out http://stylemauritius.blogspot.com/2011/05/heat-winter-fashion-tour-part-1-at-le.html if you need further information.
Pieces to love:The printed T-shirt(2nd photo),the orange tank(3rd photo).I'm a huge fan of printed T-shirts,of the more tattoo-ish genre,which are super on trend since designers have infused tattoo inspired pieces in their collections particularly those for Spring/Summer 2011.They casually dress you up.
One thing I don't like though-baseball caps.They have been overworn,just like tracksuits.There are hundreds of different hat styles,people!Try straw,fedora,beret -they are found everywhere-for a style boost.
I personally believe that board shorts look way better a couple of centimeters down from the knee-it avoids "thigh concentration"-that is,the eye hits the thighs and doesn't go any lower,visually reducing the length of the leg,which is of course,undesirable.This super cute striped multicolour board short for example-definitely more interesting than the usual variety-attracts the gaze completely on the thighs,so you visually can't assess the calves and hence you are mildly confused into thinking that the man is shorter and a couple of pounds heavier than he actually is.
Then it was time for the Heat Icon contest.
I always have had a preference of wearing a tank top underneath a pair of jeans,so I can accessorise with a statement belt-I love the ones from IV play.It gives the illusion of longer legs too.Belts on a Tshirt-as you can see in the fourth picture from left to right-can go wrong though.Firstly,it cuts the hip,so there is a "muffin top"risk.Secondly,it adds no real definition to the hips in general.
Anais Lionnet then presented her pieces,working on the theme Ruched and Draped.Heat decided to mix it up this time-the designers creativity contest was cut up and mixed in random order with the shop collections.
I felt a strong romantic vibe emanating from her work,a trend overwhelmingly present in the Spring/Summer 2011 shows(remember Chloe?) which has also paved the way for the "new minimalism".
I loved the detail in the first dress.The silk corset was delicately carved out-it gave the feeling of a budding rose,that on a single touch,creases.The skirt was like the blooming of the flower-rows and rows of voile,all worked in a different manner (pleated,ruched,gathered and so on)-the ruched technique at its finest hour here.
The second piece features a directional skirt with a traditional chinoiserie(on trend) inspired top.After YSL's plastic cape for Fall/Winter 2010, Prada's transparent plastic bags for Spring 2010 (after Chanel and other houses produced transparent plastic totes around 2007) here comes the evolution-the plastic skirt,caught in whispers of tulle.I really like this-plastic is more severe than dream-like tulle,but combine them and you get what defines the new minimalism-romantic but very practical and down to earth,even though the use of plastic gives it somewhat a more futuristic touch.I also observed that she knows all the laws of proportion-the top is fitted close to the body whilst the skirt has volume.A very promising young designer.In fact the new minimalism was present in all her pieces,though of course her first dress is the exception,which tends towards alta moda.
The third piece was a cocktail dress with soft chiffon(It was either chiffon or very thin voile but I could be wrong) accents at the hem,adding movement and softness.I especially liked how the fabric was dyed-it further enhanced the romantic notes of the dress given the fact that there was no actual print or motif,but further down near the hem there was a sort of heart shaped print running horizontally on the fabric which brought back definition and strength.
The fourth is wearable romance at its best-white trousers with ruched tulle detail running through the sides.I wouldn't be surprised if this was copied by shops-many women are sick of having to look strict and formal at work,scared that femininity,especially in a male dominated environment will weaken them.Some want more than a pretty blouse to dress them up,something different from the straight leg trousers worn everyday.Others want trousers that are dressier than tops,but not of the blinged out variety.For all those reasons and more,those trousers are perfect,because they have the femininity and romance so desperately searched for but at the same time,transforms the woman into a powerful sophisticate.Paired with the corset inspired top,it reminds me of a modern,less sexified,more powerful version of Jessica Rabbit.
IV Play then presented it's kids collection.
There aren't that many good quality shops catering to young children's clothing,so we should really be embracing this.Fashion for children is becoming quite a business now-article on that coming soon.
Samuel Yeung worked on the theme ruched and draped, and wanted to show through his collection an evolution of "boy meets girl"-what happens next.Note that my interpretation of the story may be completely different to yours,reader.
He worked a lot with jersey as his main fabric,which is quite soft and drapes beautifully.The first piece was more layered than the others,which for me translated into light with reservations.Light,because of the gray to silver colour palette,reservations because of the draping,that acts as a sort of protection to the woman as it enrobes her and adds another layer to her,protecting her soul.Unless one fell in love as I did,someone would tend to try and keep in their comfort zone in the early stages of romance because one doesn't know for how long it will last,but everything does seem to be much better,more radiant than before(there were glittery embellishments on the shoulder).The second dress changes abruptly-the material still covers her but doesn't drape multiple times as before,so she is more exposed,the embellishments are in the centre of the body,representing a more open heart,the colours are warmer,so I think that the girl is falling in love and is filled with passion and excitement.Note that the dress is purple-not red or pink.The girl is also experiencing the darker side of love-obsession,jealousy,dealing with character flaws in herself and in her partner.
The third dress represents a blooming of some sort-I adore the Japanese cherry blossom print!They both have to live with each other's faults but love each other dearly,the ying and the yang of love, if you will, peacefully coexist and grow.The last piece has an autumnal flavour,which traditionally should represent the waning of love into a sort of evolution of friendship,but I don't want to think of it that way.No love is eternal spring for sure,but for me this is like a couple that grows older.The love is still there but it is different,it changes shape,but it is solid-note that there is no draping here,the form is pretty rigid yet softly voluminous.I loved it!
The third shop collection to be presented was Ocean.
What I liked in this collection was how they got the proportion right-looser tops with tighter trousers (read my previous articles on the Heat Fashion Tour if you don't remember-it's quoted word for word from Ines de la Fressange).As was the case for Billabong, I would have preferred the top to be underneath the purple trousers (first photo) to better show the belt-though I don't think I would have gone with fetishistic black patent.When you have a cute sorbet toned outfit black patent kills it.A wool belt,for example would have complemented the look while keeping its softness.
Men,grab the opportunity to accessorise as winter sets in.An XXL scarf is a must (girls,this applies to you too).I haven't seen any scarves(except on the IV Play kids) during the tour.
I like the loose beige top,though the back had too much loose fabric after it was cut out for my liking.The key piece here was actually in the kids section,the cotton top with pleated detail.
At any age,a jean outfit is unacceptable.
The second part of the Heat Icon contest then began.
Leggings do not replace actual trousers or jeans,by the way.
Fabien Fauzou worked on the theme "Hot Pink".He concentrated mainly on satin and lace.
I could sense a strong romantic influence in his work-something of Picasso's pink period (1904-1906),and 19th century romanticism,particulary relating to Picasso's Maternity painting (it may have had nothing to do with his work,but I see the softness which he tried to evoke).
Contrary to 'new romance'that we saw in Anais Lionnet's collection,Fabien Fauzou went for full on romance,immersing himself in it.The first piece was a combination of a corset top with small white flowers stitched on it,a skirt with satin pouring out of both sides.The second was a satin cocktail dress with salmon pink panels on the sides,and a print that reminded me of the primitive stages of life,which had a lace train at the back (the model is holding it in her arm here).The third was a white satin dress completely enveloped in pink lace,with flowers stitched across the bodice,in which I could see some of the dress the woman in Picasso's painting is wearing.Finally,the last dress was full on satin sheen with a super high thigh slit.I would have liked to see a piece with lace and tulle paneling whilst keeping the rest simple and structured but then again,it's just an idea.
Then came Ice watch.The clothes are from the sponsors.
The best look?I was so happy to see a blazer on the runway!Look how it transforms a simple green tank and jeans-add a few accessories and killer heels and you are good to go.
The last collection to be presented was for Ashiana Fashion.
which was seen in almost all of the dresses,but this particular one went down to the lower back so it ruined it for me.
Overall,the most beautiful dress was the last one-not as voluminous,no meringue layers,just simple satin with a layer of tulle.On the subject of weddings,the Wedding Exhibition Mauritius will be held at Swami Vivekananda from the 26th to the 29th of May 2011.
Then,the judges decided who would be the six finalists(of the Designers Creativity Contest) to make it to Part 4 of the Tour tomorrow.This the final round,with Laura Gucci president of the jury.In the best professional category,the finalists are Samuel Yeung,Sweetie Ramlagun and Sanjeet Boolell.In the young talent category,the finalists are Bhavna Shibchurn,Anais Lionnet and Varuna Jeetun.
Will be there,covering the event for all of you.I don't know how HEAT got Laura Gucci to come here,but its MAJOR news.
xoxo
Alex
If you like StyleMauritius, please promote it!It's only two months old and not that many people know about it.It's my life,and the reason I'm studying journalism right now.I see a bright future for Mauritius fashion wise,but for that to happen everyone must be fashion conscious,or at least have some kind of knowledge on our industry.This goal is achieved principally through the media-this is why promotion of my blog is so important.
Please like the page too : http://www.facebook.com/StyleMauritius
