fashining-uk: LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION

Lanvin's Resort 2012 collection modeled by Daphne Groeneveld and Kristina Salinovic at Women Model .

LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION

LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION

LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION

William — were Alber Elbaz's inspirations for the Lanvin Resort 2012 collection.

LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION

A collection of extremely varied and interesting, it is possible to find outfits for every mood and every occasion - from luxurious evening dresses, cute cocktail dresses literally "swim" in frills, suits any taste to some sports coats, stylish swimsuits and new interpretation of the classic a combination of skirt - blouse. And do not forget about accessories! Collection complement silk turbans, big beads felt hats, and elegant little handbag on a chain.

A diverse group — Madame Grès, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Princes Harry and William — were Alber Elbaz's inspirations for the Lanvin Resort 2012 collection. There were softly draped dresses and jumpsuits in shades of citrine, taupe, and ivory; marching jackets in tweed and leather; and plenty of ruffles and fringe to go around. Accessories included frayed tweed fedoras, silky turbans, oversized beads (layered on in multiple) and paneled, chain-strap bags. Lanvin’s Resort Getaway – Designer Alber Elbaz was inspired by a myriad of influences ranging from Madame Grès to the royal wedding for Lanvin’s resort 2012 offering. Modeled by Daphne Groeneveld and Kristina Salinovic, the pre-spring collection takes on swimwear, loose-fitting jumpers and effortlessly chic gowns in muted hues of neutral and off-white. Alber Elbaz knows how to work a room. He began his Resort presentation for Lanvin by saying he'd switched back to something more informal after pre-fall's runway show because he wanted "more of a dialogue than a monologue." Then he launched into an explanation of his thought process: "I looked at Krystle [from Dynasty] because I heard the eighties were hot, but she didn't help"—that had the room in stitches. When the clothes finally did come out, if you weren't charmed, well, you might be in the wrong business.

Because charming is what they were, although not necessarily the pieces that were trying hard to be. By that we mean the T-shirt that read "Save the World, Wear Lanvin" and the crystal-bedecked frocks that we've been seeing from Elbaz for years now. What truly seduced were the simplest offerings—a strapless frock in wide stripes of metallic lamé, a short number in ombré silk fringe, a halter-neck jumpsuit worn under a suede safari jacket.Madame Grès, the subject of a retrospective in Paris, proved a very seductive muse. Elbaz said he could never reproduce the micro-plissé that the legendary designer was known for—no one has the time or the money it would require—but he came up with a smart replacement: corded rope at the shoulders from which soft togalike dresses folded and draped, the best in a dazzling chartreuse yellow. Speaking of necklines, they were accessorized liberally with all manner of chokers, chains, beads, and pendants. The models wore small fortunes in costume jewelry.

And speaking of small fortunes, post-show a rack of Elbaz's new children's clothes was wheeled out. The dresses will be just shy of four figures, but you know there are women out there gaga enough for Alber that they'll pay. There were certainly plenty of grown-up clothes to go crazy over today—the extended applause Elbaz received was proof of that. The first question that sprung to mind upon entering the Lanvin resort appointment this morning was “Where are we?". Not because the whirlwind of this pre-season that’s quickly becoming a season has left us disoriented, but because with every collection Alber Elbaz takes us to a different, delightful locale.
For resort, the journey is not particularly linear but it’s definitely a trip. Elbaz began at the library, looking at books on ethnic costumes, mostly—if his handy visual aids were any indication—of island or African tradition. “There was something magical there, because of the freedom,” he said. “Those clothes were not for one season but many seasons.” (Nevermind the likelihood that the village women he was admiring didn’t have much choice but to wear the same thing twice; this is about fantasy.) Then it was off to Paris where Elbaz made a similar observation of a woman on the opposite spectrum: Madame Grès, the subject of a recent exhibit at Musée Bourdelle. “In 1947, she had a dress, and in 1978, almost the same dress: the same technique with the same fabric,” he said. Clearly, we’re heading for clothes with staying power.From Mme Grès he looked to Elizabeth Taylor (“an actress of many seasons”) and her passion for white and diamonds, then the orange robes worn by the monks of Laos, then Prince William–as–groom in his Irish Guards uniform, and at last ended up on the red carpet at Cannes. While you couldn’t really track Elbaz’s trek on a map, his stops did come together in his collection.

The strongest element stemmed from the ethnic influences, played out in colorful fringe dresses in ombre pinks and a mix of yellows, browns, and reds. Most were paired with fantastic necklaces featuring raffia tassels, big enamel shells, chunky gems, and varied lucky charms. The look felt new, a contrast to Elbaz’s signature dramatically scaled, billowing style, though that was here too in super-glam, muted lamé dresses and a black tiered, ruffle skirt reminiscent of flamenco. As for a uniform, Elbaz offered his woman relaxed khaki pants rolled at the ankle and multiple trench coats in soft, fluid fabrics. Both could easily become staples for everyday dressing, which makes sense considering that Elbaz ultimately concluded that “the best fashion is fashion of the street.”
Moms take note, one element of this collection does have a limited shelf life: Elbaz’s small collection of childrenswear, basically mini-me Lanvin. Each adorable look comes with a matching cloth doll.

LANVIN RESORT 2012 COLLECTION