Hello friends,
With New York fashion week just ending and London fashion week beginning, this seems like a good time to ask: do you have a favorite fashion designer?
Feel free to list more than one. I have so many! Among my historical choices I would include Balenciaga, Chanel, Martin Margiela, Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, Geoffrey Beene, and Yves St. Laurent. But my current favorites are somewhat fickle. This season I’ve really liked Narcisco Rodriguez, and I always like what Rachel Comey is doing. Victoria Beckham does a surprisingly good job, and The Row is very elegant. I’m still looking forward to Stella McCartney, Thom Browne, and a few other designers, although I must confess no one has really been grabbing me lately. But I haven’t been paying very close attention, either.
So tell us: who inspires you?
I really like nice blouses and think the work of Carolina Herrera and Lagerfeld’s own brand are very interesting in that respect. I also have a look sometimes at Anne Fontaine. I always admire the work of Elie Saab.
I LOVE Oscar de la Renta!
No one mentioned Dior yet, so I will add to the list. After I watched a documentary on Dries van Noten, I have been following him. I feel like there are too many to list! So much talent historically and living who can select (or invent!) and drape cloth on a body with so much visual appeal.
Romeo Gigli – I fell in love with his clothes in the 80s (there were lots of things in the 80s that were neither fluoro nor sequinned).
A short history of my favorite clothes/Designers
1952 White silk organza cocktail dress – Christian Dior – totally embroidered! https://cravingdesires.tumblr.com/post/9768389653/christian-dior-dresses-left-1952-ball-gown
1928 Boue Soeurs Court Presentation Gown https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/83896
1943 Claire McCardell Sundress https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/97486
1967 Pauline Trigere Evening Coat https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159575
1990 Vivienne Westwood Cow Raincoat https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/129657
I would wear any of these. I think they are all timeless and beautiful. Of course, I’d have to make the cow jacket in cats and dogs. Or for California, no rain at all.
My style is always evolving so I won’t go down the long list of past influences. For inspiration in 2020, I have been looking at Ulla Johnson, Dior, McQueen, Luisa Beccaria, Alberta Ferreti. I want to embrace my romantic side more so the flowy dresses are appealing to me. I am also intrigued by the new denim patchwork styles and all the rich warm colors.
Iris van Herpen’s clothes are like a waking dream to me.
I have loved Eileen fisher for years. Her clothes and fabrics are always timeless and last many many years…