Thursday, February 17, 2011

Oscar de la Renta Fall2011

Looking at this collection I am puzzled by what other reviews have said. They refer to his embrace of all things opulent, a king's ransom of riches and luxury beyond one's wildest dreams. That is easy to imagine when you consider his history and the exalted place he's held in the fashion universe for so many years. But looking at the clothes I am hard pressed to find anything wildly luxurious or rich beyond belief. What I do see is a confusing line up of day and evening ensembles whose common thread seems to be awkward shapes, mature proportions, a mash up of elements meant to convey sophistication and wealth all mustered by a heavy and plodding hand. What happened to the mystery, magic and mastery? Fabrics seem to lean towards the obvious and some look as though they came from the shelves of Lee Joffa where Mr. de la Renta has a new business designing fabrics for interiors. I can remember season after season of shows that topped one after the other. Talk about brilliant tailoring and magnificent techniques employed for decoration. I remember being stricken at the sight of suits, coats, dresses for day and unimaginably chic cocktail and evening gowns. Who turned on the lights? Who styled the show with its regrettable shoes and clumsy hats? Is it a case of having taken in the wrong principals for the house even though they're family? Perhaps, he stopped listening to critics and only hears the chorus. When the show wound down to the final evening looks I was sure to find some memorable gowns considering the Oscars are around the corner. I saw one that looked like a collage of scenes from Matisse paintings but beyond that they were as muddled as the the rest.

6 comments:

Edwina@FASHION+ART said...

There were a handful of things I liked but overall, I thought this collection was kinda weak.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

edit edit edit in all things, hire a new stylist, drop the damasks.

Anonymous said...

It's a "pot pourri" (and I will insist on the "pourri"part") of old Galliano styles, YSL old russian collection...
There is nothing there, GO HOME folks nothing to see, the reviewers are on automatic pilot and of course lets not forget the ads Oscar will be buying soon in the major publications... Hire someone else beside your step daughter Oscar !

Kiki said...

Bizarre. That gown is beautiful, though, and looks like it came from a different show altogether. xC

everyday a floor show said...

boring clothes...enuf with the tired opulance...what is going there>?

Anonymous said...

If i am not mistaken doesn't andre talley , edit the collection before he shows. I for one love Oscar , but not this collection . His step daughter does not design . his design team for this collection needs new blood.