Fall 2010 Review: Prada

Prada's exercise in womanly dressing. Photo credit: Marcio Maderia

In her distinctively perverse way, Miuccia Prada’s Fall presentation was an amalgamation of real clothes for real women. The collection was straightforward, wearable, and completely desirable.

The shapes were all about big bosoms, nipped waists, and full skirts, making one wonder if the reigning queen of teenage catwalk waifs has finally embraced a womanlier figure?

Black, burgundy, tan, and hints of blue punctuated full wool dresses, naughty leather skirts, and supple knitwear. A fabulous boxed pattern ran throughout, sometimes paired with dresses with ruffled busts on what will undoubtedly be the season’s chicest.

Knit coats had leather and fur collars. Pants were cropped to Audrey Hepburn shortness. Chunky knee-high socks lead the eye to proper, bow-tied slingbacks.

Prada is undeniably at the forefront of fashion and this showing certainly solidified that. As many designers are returning to the core of their brand, Prada does it with mastery, ease, and unpretentiousness.

This collection will definitely be a commercial—and editorial—success.

Fall 2010 Review: Altuzarra

Looks from Altuzarra fall 2010. Photo credit: Marcio Madeira

In his third collection under his eponymous label, Joseph Altuzarra articulated an assured, powerful, sexy woman.

Come fall, she'll don sleek black leather--jackets, skirts, dresses and bodysuits. Altuzarra also showed voluminous black fur, deep-red velvet suiting, and lace-up knee-high boots.

High collars, vampy slits, and sharp tailoring gave the collection a menacing quality. The collection solidified Altuzarra's love for body-conscious cuts and edgy design.

While a strong showing, the influences of Givenchy and Gucci-era Tom Ford cannot be ignored. The collection's strongest points were derived from Ford, circa fall 2003.

If Joseph Altuzarra wants to continue his red-hot ascent, he will need to find his own voice.

A Playful Man

Photo credit: Tom Ford

Electric blue, light pink, deep purple, and bright white suits. Paisley, plaid, and polka dot shirts, ties, and pocket squares. Floral beach robes and square-cut swim trunks.

Not quite the Tom Ford equation, is it?

Well, for spring and summer, it is. That's right, Tom Ford is playful.

Ford is his brand--daring, intelligent, and extremely refined. (He is known for his uniform of an unbuttoned crisp white shirt and a dark suit.)

And now, for spring 2010, exuberant color and whimsical print is incorporated into the Ford lifestyle.

Since 2007, the label has featured wide, peak lapels and coordinating print combinations. The look continues to draw inspiration from the 70s, a favorite era of Ford's.

The collection remains incredibly fresh and modern because of Ford's knowledge of culture (not every man wants to look like he stepped off the Mad Men set) and proportion (he is experimenting with a shorter jacket length).

With the bold color, graphic print, and perfect cut, it's going to be a fun summer with Tom Ford.

Because when the weather warms, don't we just want to be so fresh and so clean?