September 1, 2006 | 12:00am
The most popular statement-making pieces have been making the rounds between fashion’s biggest names. From Gucci’s glossy discotheque-inspired frocks to Bottega Veneta’s steely accessories to DKNY’s razor-sharp silhouettes, the season’s best requires little more than a quick review.
YStyle lists the catwalk standouts that’ll set you apart from the neophyte sartorialists.
Fall’s most fashion-forward looks and accessories are a gold-digger’s best friend. Whether it’s dipped in bright metallic gold or wrapped in a shimmery fabric of the same hue, the runway’s latest releases are all about high-impact, dramatic accents. Gucci’s taken up the gold gauntlet with their chain-mail bandannas and glittery high-fashion sneakers. Designer Frida Giannini’s take on the influx of flaxen-colored pieces is to wax ironic on Gucci’s disco-inspired collection. Her models’ auric clutches were cuffed to their slender wrists. Now that’s serious hardware.
Fur is back in a big way. Beyonce alone could be responsible for maybe half of the fur purchases, what with her stage wardrobe and her label, which she runs with her mother, called House of Dereon. The rest of the rap population constitutes the other half. Gucci’s gone wintry with heavy fur coats and mink-trimmed totes and hobos. Ferragamo’s suede boots are trimmed with the season’s most luxurious furs and shearling. Getting warm was never this cool.
DKNY brings up the waist with cinched bodices and empire cuts. Diaphanous cap-sleeved blouses are layered with heavy knit sweaters and tightened with belts right below the breasts. High-waist gingham skirts and cropped sweaters emphasize the new no-fly zone when it comes to waists. The latest waisted looks are all about the upper-cut with free-flowing trapeze dresses and slimming coats cut at a more forgiving length.
Dior’s Hedi Slimane may be the biggest purveyor of sharply-tailored menswear. After all, he considers the formerly plump Karl Lagerfeld one of his many fans. Lagerfeld used to pair the Dior designer’s skinny ties and trousers with his signature fingerless gloves even when his figure belied a less-than-slim frame. These days, menswear’s razor-sharp cuts can be seen everywhere from DKNY’s latest men’s collection, consisting of close-cropped leather jackets, charcoal peacoats and skinny trousers. The skinny jean phenom, espoused by punk kids and hipsters alike, is a throwback to Slimane’s vision of ultra slim. Calvin Klein Jeans has their models encased in skintight jeans in spare shapes and devoid of the heavy-handed embellishment Roberto Cavalli and other denim-minded folk popularized over the past few years. Stretch denim in light, matte (for men) and shiny (for women) fabrics are cut in clean and precise lines. A reaction to the past decade’s obsession with bell bottoms and flared jeans, the lean-legged pant is currently the look of the season.
Ferragamo’s latest collection is the textbook case for texture. Opulent fabrics are pitched in hip-skimming cuts and mixed with hardy sweaters for a luxurious feel that is rich but hardly over the top. Taking its cue from the baroque and rococo trend that’s been making its way from Balenciaga’s heavily embellished Victorian fabrics of the past season to Viktor & Rolf’s latest foray into bronzed couture warrior wear, the essential evening dresses for fall are often cast in a muted palette of deep aubergines, charcoals and navies but brought to life in strikingly embroidered fabrics reminiscent of this season’s Miu Miu collection. Bottega Veneta’s bold accessories play with heavy hardware like hinges, padlocks and hand-woven metal chains. Elaborate brass hardware accents the label’s latest bags which make use of aged material like Madagascar croc and graphic python scales. Even Bottega Veneta’s delicate ankle-strap stiletto is made of the label’s signature woven leather in the season’s trendiest shades. Ferragamo pairs delicate lacework with mohair knits and micro-speckled ponyskin while super soft suede meets its match in diaphanous jersey. Volume returns with the label’s use of puff sleeves, ruched embellishments, pleated skirts and rounded silhouettes.
Gucci’s discofied collection refers to the print-happy pieces worn by Studio 54’s heavy-hitters. Think bold monochromatic patterns in black and white, ‘70s psychedelia, geometric prints in purple and jagged stripes. Giannini cuts the luxe fabric worthy of any Ibiza discotheque in sleek figure-hugging silhouettes with deep décolleté. Even the label’s accessories division pays homage to the house’s rich archives of prints for their classic hobo bags and oversized totes. Ferragamo plumbs their archive of equine and flora and fauna-inspired patterns for colorful patchwork totes. Even the label’s peacoat gets a printed update with the brand’s iconic logo mixed with sepia-toned etchings of florals.
DKNY, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta are exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. They’re all available at Greenbelt 4. CK Jeans is also exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. and is located at Rustan’s Makati and Greenbelt 3. 
