Runway Trend S/S 12: Harnesses, Corset- & Waist-Belts

Alexander McQueen`s metallic harnesses create an edgy contrast to the tender dresses.




Waist-belts add a feminine twist to the classic trenchcoat at Burberry Prorsum.




Jean Paul Gaultier`s corsets make sure the waist is still highlighted in his flowing, loose designs.


Vivienne Westwood`s Anglomania harness highlights shoulders and waist.

Pictures are property of the respective brands. Jean Paul Gaultier pictures by Patrice Stable / Rainer Torrado.

Which belt-version is your favourite? How do you wear your waist-belts, ladies?

Vivienne Westwood Gold Label S/S 12 (2/2)

Historical dresses mixed with ethnic clothes and new shapes are the core of the collection.



Oversize historical corsets create a feeling of armor, worn as a jacket they would look tough – like a soldier or biker.
















Pictures are property of Vivienne Westwood.

What a fascinating and creative idea to oversize a corset, that is actually intended to minimize the body. Vivienne Westwood inverts the idea and therby creates a new function - it is this kind of out-of-the-box-thinking that makes her the genious that she is.

How do you like this part of the collection?

Vivienne Westwood Gold Label S/S 12 (1/2)

THE FAMILY TREE

The family tree starts with the marriage of GAIA the Earth Mother and Science. They have two children so we have two branches.
The child of the right hand branch is Quantity and it’s what happens when Progress marries Quantity. They produce unlimited Profit and unlimited Consumption and lead to disaster. This is our world.



The left hand branch is a parallel world. It doesn’t yet exist but it could if we had respect for Science. Its first child is Quality who marries Stability, and this, I believe, leads to true Progress and quality of life. The most important child of this branch is Hierarchy of Values, whose pinnacle of Achievement is Art, which gives culture and ethics and structure- instead of today’s free for- all and chaos. That is why the Art lover is a Freedom Fighter for a better world.



The World Family Tree will be printed on T-shirts and bags.



The collection has 3 main influences : China, because their traditional wisdom and experience from a culture going back to Confucius may help to save the planet; the desert because of climate change; and 17th century corsets.





"There is a blow-up oversize jacket called the Mao jacket and I have always loved the Mao cap, though I hate violent revolution. Perhaps our love of uniforms comes from a wish to look alike, be part of a group – and maybe a group not happy with the status quo." explains Vivienne Westwood.







The desert inspired Vivienne to look at the Berbers with their burnous and the Tuaregs with their layers and their sunlight blue. There is a lot of black, indigo and copper fabric plus whites. Dresses are long.








Pictures are property of Vivienne Westwood.

I agree that profit-oriented economy and unlimited consumption are leading us to disaster and collapse. Traditional chinese wisdom and Confucianism are a valuable heritage and these ideas may be one alternative for sure, but I still find the China-reference a bit odd in this context, since today`s China is one of the worst countries in terms of environmental destruction, uncontrolled growth and exploitation of workers.

How do you like this part of the collection? What do you think about the family tree?

Vivienne Westwood Bags S/S 12

Pictures are property of Vivienne Westwood

Which bag is your favourite?

Valentine`s Gift Ideas

Vivienne Westwood


Burberry


Vivienne Westwood Sqiggle Clutch


Burberry


Vivienne Westwood


Burberry


Vivienne Westwood Giant Orb Clutch


Vivienne Westwood Watch


Burberry


Vivienne Westwood


Jafarov Earrings


Vivienne Westwood


Vivienne Westwood Notebook
Pictures are property of the respective brands.

Which item would you most like to receive on Valentine`s day?