Modern Vintage Sighting: The Autumn Layers of Marani

I'm crazy about autumn: the leaves crunching underfoot, the brisk air, the fact that the kids mobbing the street all summer begging to be hit by cars are back in school. Getting dressed in autumn in so much more interesting. You're freed from the limitations of dressing to keep cool and you don't yet have to hide your carefully planned outfits under a 3-inch thick wall of wool coat, even indoors. Hell, this is New England after all.

Things I don't like about autumn? Getting stuck behind school buses, the return of Uggs, and the drab wardrobe palette. Don't get me wrong, I love a good chocolate brown or rich mustard as much as the next person, but it's the only season where practically everyone goes around in the same color scheme for a few months (though the neon pinks of the past summer were a close second...).

But there is another thing I love about autumn which makes the bland color scheme bearable: layering. It may be a poor man's way to add interest to a wardrobe and not the favorite of fashion editors, but I'm crazy about the way a carefully placed layer can add such pizzazz to otherwise fairly basic pieces.

Case in point? This collection by Angelo Marani for Fall 2011 RTW. Look at how the typical autumn color scheme comes to life with these intricate layers. Granted, it would be tough to call the individual pieces "basic", but you get the idea. And of course, don't forget the fabulous vintage details of these looks! A great reinvention of late '60s fashion.

 

 

 

Modern Vintage Sighting: Plaid is as Autumn as Pumpkin Pie

Loving all the pops of plaid this autumn. Sort of urban cowboy, I guess. Great way to look polished and rugged at the same time and always adds a little extra interest to an outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as it gets cooler out, don't forget, our little guys can use a little plaid, too!

Modern Vintage Sighting: Gorman Fall/Winter 2011 Strikes a Perfect Balance

First, take a look at this model who looks EXACTLY like Shelly Johnson from Twin Peaks.

Now, take a look at this AWESOME Fall/Winter 2011 collection from Gorman, an Australian label founded in 1999 by designer Lisa Gorman. Great vintage inspired elements, but so modern and interesting at the same time.

To me this strikes a great balance between old and new, something I think certain vintage inspired collections from larger houses did less well this year (looking in your direction, Gucci...). I like a nice nod to bygone fashions, but I still want it to be forward-thinking. It is called fashion design, after all.

Modern Vintage Sighting: More '70s Revival from Chloe Pre-Fall 2011

Hannah MacGibbon has been doing the '70s vibe at Chloe for over a year now, well before the folks at Gucci and Marc Jacobs (see earlier posts). Her Pre-Fall 2011 collection was no exception, and, to me at least, it was far more successful than her Fall RTW outing which followed soon after (some of you may recall the excessive use of snakeprint, and I mean excessive). Here are some great looks from the Pre-Fall collection, which makes it clear just why we're reviving the decade!

        

Modern Vintage Sighting: Boardwalk Empire Premieres Tonight

Here's a post from last year I thought I'd re-share in honor of tonight's Boardwalk Empire season premiere. Hope you enjoy!

The HBO series Boardwalk Empire is striking for many reasons, but I am particularly fascinated by the art and costume direction.  Both are dominated by muted color palettes: mustards, olives, and rusts being the most common.  Even when pinks and purples are used, they are not rich lustrous shades but more washed out, earthy pastels.  This is not to say that the show is muted or washed out or that he color scheme lacks interest.  In fact, it is always surprising to see how these modest colors seem so vibrant in the various settings.  They absolutely jump off the screen!

Georges Barbier (1882-1932) was a painter during the period in which the show is set who often used the same muted palette to similarly astonishing affect.  Below I've paired a few scenes from the show with his works to demonstrate the similarities in color schemes.

  

  

  

  

  

Modern Vintage Sighting: '70s Revival by Gucci Fall RTW 2011

  
  
  

Gucci Fall 2011 RTW Collection