Economic Forecasting through fashion.......

Three looks from Proenza Schouler's A/W 09/10 collection








































Two looks from Stolen Girlfriend's collection for Winter '09


A few seasons back, when the economy was still running at full- tilt, Christopher Kane wowed audiences with his collection of body concious dresses, that referenced Alaia's designs popular in champagne-swilling-pre-stockmarket-crash 80s.

Conversely last season, he changed direction, showing sheer, chiffon- panelled frocks reminiscent of the post crash, late 80's / early 90's ...

My (admittedly facetious) question is; If economic pundits watched fashion more closely, could they have predicted a move back towards the economic conditions that we now face?

This was the question I was asking myself, as I watched Proenza Schouler's beautiful collection come in last night, I was struck by the 90's grunge vibe... a quilted black leatherette dress could have come straight from iconic 90's K' Rd boutique, Virus,... other beautiful sheer chiffon dresses overlaid with velvet forming gorgeous, organic shapes on the bodices and hems, were reminiscent of peices sold in Richmond Rd institution, Moa Clothing in the early to late 90s.

Similarly, at last year's New Zealand Fashion Week, 90s influences were all over the catwalk. Plaid, forever associated with 90s grunge rockers, Nirvana, was every where.
There were crop tops and ripped denim at Stolen Girlfriends Club and Brothel-Creeper shoes and virus-style dresses at Lonely Hearts to name a few....

Jean Paul Gaultier makes me want to get married...

Couture, being in many ways the apex of fashion, is, I think a fitting first post for my blog on all things fashion (plus a bit of whatever else interests me), music, art, movies, books, gossip, politics...

I always look forward to couture, and this sheer flamenco inspired Gaultier gown worn here by Georgina Stoljovic could even inspire me to lose 5 kilos and get married...

There's a lot of debate on the relevance of couture, but I see it the same way as an art dealer would put on an exhibition.. in all cultures, historical and modern, even in times of great poverty, people have expended their time and energy making art and beautiful things, and when you think about all the energy expended on ugly shit like wars and other pointless ugliness , who the heck is complaining about this??

....So Gaultier was my favourite Collection, but Chanel was fighting for my affections all the way!
I could also wear this gorgeous(but not so sexy) number from Chanel. I thought Karl as always hit the zeitgeist right on the head with his pared back, paper- inspired collection. The paper flower set was almost operatic!