A friend of mine started a fashion blog-- http://stylisticenquiry.blogspot.com/. Go visit it! He knows what he's talking about, haha.

He posted some stuff from the 2010 Resort Shows that are coming out, and that got me to looking. I usually neglect resort wear because I enjoy the theatrics and cohesiveness of the semiannual or quarterly shows, and because it's interesting to think about which trends will emerge and present themselves as commercial pieces.

But I looked at some of the resort shows to see what was what, and here's are some opinions on the 2010 Resort Wear shows.

By the way, for those of you who are not sure what Resort Wear is---
Major fashion shows are billed as, for example, Prada SS09. This means Spring/Summer 09. Or, Gucci F09, meaning Fall 09. All these collections are specifically tailored for their corresponding seasons-- meaning you won't see bikinis in any FW/F shows, but certainly in SS shows. Resort wear is more ready-to-wear(RTW) items that are often available as displayed. They are for vacations and yearlong wear, and often not for any specific season. Resort Wear items also are not showcased with the same pomp and circumstances as the major shows-- often they feature a couple of models, usually one-two.

Some designers just throw cozy parties or have these museum style installations where the girls run off the stage and go change every once in a while.

Anyway, on with the show.
Today: Marchesa, Derek Lam, Oscar De La Renta, Bottega Veneta.








Marchesa
Chapman and Craig took the extravagance of their seasonal collections and toned them down to 20 pieces that acknowledge the sensual glamour the house is famous for. When I looked at the pieces, I felt a sense of deja vu because the tailoring, fabrics, and some of the prints are familiar, but they are still reinvented in a fresh way. This collection is luxurious and ethreal, mixing elements of both structured Greek goddess inspired dresses and the shine of old Hollywood vintage glam. Marchesa produces mainly dresses that stand on their own, but with every collection they have at least one piece that feature pants(I think it's usually two, but here there is one).

I might only be feeling this way because I love Marchesa and I've seen tons of their items. I think Megan Fox even wore won of the dresses below to a recent awards show.







Derek Lam
A designer I often neglect, Derek Lam's 2010 Resort Wear collection is tropical fun! Bright colors, funky prints, and lots of belts at the natural waist. Nautical, festive, edgy and unique. I think most of his collection would suit straight ruler silhouettes the most. The belts would add curves for women who usually don't have any.

I usually don't like collections like this, but the androgyny really appeals to me.







Oscar De La Renta
ODLR is recession proof- or at least that's what one would think looking at their collection. The style was also distinctively Parisian- or at least to me, since I'm just used to gawdy American consumer culture. Tweed suits and berets, with a garconne flair, and dresses that belled out. The pants elongate and slim, and I think OSDR does a great job with incorporating 'power dressing' for the more professional looks.

There were 53 exits, compared to 20 at Marchesa and 16 at Derek Lam, so I'll post more pics. While the smaller shows have themes that are easier to recognize overall, ODLR presented a chronology of pieces. You have these pieces that bring to mind innocent French school girls in frocks, complete with frilled socks, berets, and loose ringlets, a couple of more 'grown up styles' with crisp white shirts and pressed trousers, then a series of Moroccan inspired items like kaftans and beachwear. The collection is rounded out with elegant and formal wear, absolutely gorgeous dresses draped for many different types of silhouettes (a mermaid gown, a few short tweed dresses, and some red-carpet pieces) The Moroccan feel is very present towards the middle to end, and there are these colored prints that I can't really describe, but I don't like stuff like that anyway :D



















Bottega Veneta
If I ever go into a field where I have to dress formally(professional), I would stock my wardrobe with crisp linens and slacks from Bottega Veneta. The collection brings to mind an ideal set of clothes for yuppies who want to emphasize their feminine prowess as well as their brilliance. You can head to the office and still be respected in a series of glittering greens, oranges, and bright scarlets as well a series of neutrals. Oh, and the accessories are fabulous-- chunky neons? Normally I'd hate that type of stuff, but here they work so well.