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Pretty Pastels

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The campaigns of Prada and Louis Vuitton for Summer 2012 really epitomise the mood reigning over fashion: pretty, chic, more girl than woman, childish innocence in adulthood, fun, sweet yet with an edge, all manifested in pastel shades, the most popular being glacier blue, spearmint green and damask rose. It's more frosting than napolitain (a very, very sugary cake) sweet. The women in the campaigns have an icy coolness about them.




Plastic, futuristic fantastic. Well bred women, indulging in an icy treat. Delicate, innocent broderie anglaise turns a little naughty magnified thus, revealing more skin.



Louis Vuitton


You really get the feeling that these two women are very privileged and don't let just anyone into their inner circle. The 'cool' girls, sophisticates that keep to themselves, yet indulge in childish delight. What better to wear than pastels, evocative of a idyllic youth, fresh complexions and hazy day dreams?

Here is the Runway show for Spring/Summer 2012:






Even the hair-look how it is a sort of messy updo-chignon. Youth at it's most delectable. A simple band neatens it all up. The print on the dresses, the cascading plastic flowers rework the glamorous forgotten eras into a more futuristic time, and this is also the case for the mules on their feet.





Transparent bags have been big for some time, it's only natural that they be present here in a very past/future setting.

Here is the behind the scenes video:




The magnified broderie anglaise really does give the whole ensemble attitude. 

Frosty, not sweet, is the order of the day.


A more grown up take is seen at Prada where '50s glamour encounters a sexier silhouette- a femme fatale of the modern age.

I think that the video of the campaign sums it all up:



The streamlined chic silhouettes, the cool cuts mimicking the sensuous charm of the cars...and those shoes!!





And for an even more grown up, structural take, take inspiration from Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2012:


The runway video:


Now you are probably asking yourselves how to adopt pastels into your life.

Well wearing colour is rather easy, once you know what works for your skin tone, and here I don't think that abiding by the "if you're an autumn person (people with warm complexions, i.e most of us Mauritians) avoid pastels like the plague as it will look cold against your skin" advice you can find on the internet. Try whatever you like, bring a super honest friend with you and then judge if a particular pastel shade suits you or not.

Where can I find pastels? If I am not mistaken, I did spot a damask rose and spearmint green top at ENVY Port Louis, and they are such pretty colours that a number of different shops should stock them.

Hair: Take inspiration from the campaigns! Slightly messy updo/chignon or well groomed locks, the choice is yours.

How to wear pastels: 

a) One colour on the totality of the fabric

Lanvin Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear
Lanvin

b) Combination of pastel colours, such as damask rose, glacier blue, and pale lemon seen at Prada.

Prada Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear
Prada



c) Mixed with a neutral colour, preferably white or cream. I would generally go with cream, because white tends to be too stark and contrasts too much with the pastel's dreamy impact.

Givenchy Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear
Givenchy

Images from Style.com

And in all cases, a piece of vintage jewellery is pretty much essential, like a brooch or necklace.








Too scared? An accessory in the colours of the season is perfect!

Clutch found on asos.com


Living it: Take pastels one step further: adopt the colours your pillowcases to give sweet dreams its full meaning, you could even paint the walls of your room...spearmint green does give your eyes the rest they deserve, though be careful of falling into the 'room in the clinic' category.

In other (major!) news:


KARL has arrived


See it on the website:
 www.karl.com

Read about it here and see the collection here


The designer interviews himself here:




The other Major Event this February apart from Valentine's Day that you should be gearing up for:

The Twin Bees of Be Magazine will be here in Mauritius this Saturday at the C Beach Club for what promises to be the most fashionable night to kick start the year. Style Mauritius will be there covering the best looks of the night!


The Twin Bees

Wine tasting will start off this oh-so-chic event from 7pm till 8pm, and dancers from the Omada dance group will entertain you through your dinner until 10pm, where the Twin Bees take over. All the details here.


Have an excellent week and weekend!
xoxo
Alex

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