pre-fall 2019 – The Young Eclectic

Runway January 14, 2019

Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2019’s World of Sheer Etheriality

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with layering lately, and not just because it’s winter (though that has at least a little to do with it). Layering lets you reinvent your clothes and outfits in new ways each time you wear them, like adding a turtleneck under a dress, or a sheer, mesh shirt over a worn tee. Adding different layers to a look adds more dimension, substance, texture and style- so, needless to say, I am into any collection that presents me with new layering ideas, which is just what the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2019 did with a collection that included all kinds of warm-toned, incredibly-wearable looks sprinkled with whimsical, sheer dresses layered over various pieces, all inspired by artist Sonia Delaunay.

Scrolling through this collection, I was absolutely delighted by all of the use made of these dainty, ethereal dresses- layered over briefs with knee socks or knee-high boots, layered over turtlenecks acting as a second skin, layered beneath jackets, adorned with gold and gorgeous, fairy tale-esque embroidery- my inner fashion fiend was practically salivating at all of the different ideas presented in this collection. Not to mention, it was all very romantic with a lot of throwback charm (which directly speaks to my old-fashioned asthetic), but made modern with the sheerness and the styling (isn’t the bare leg just so chic?). And it’s nearly all black, which I don’t usually gravitate towards when it comes to fashion shows, but works really well with all of the warmth and dainty detail of the collection.

I’ve always been a sucker for sweetness and fantasy, so these intangible-yet-tangible, dreamy dresses hit the spot and make me crave a good, sheer dress for my own wardrobe. Check out some of my favorite looks featuring sheer dresses and skirts below:

All photos from Vogue.com, courtesy of Christian Dior.

Runway January 4, 2019

Live Out Your Dollhouse Dreams With Batsheva Pre-Fall 2019

Hot on the heels of their charming Spring/Summer 2019 show, which was presented in a diner with their bouffant-ed and prairie-clad models slinging plates of classic American cuisine (mostly french fries) and looking appropriately disruptive, the eyes of the fashion world are turning toward Batsheva. And if Batsheva is anything, it is that- disruptive, or a playful reprieve from the usual, all-too-similar sleek and chic looks that sashay down the runway season after season. Featuring whimsical, prairie-inspired prints and silhouettes, Batsheva manages to hearken back to fashions from various past decades, while still feeling fresh. But that might just be because I’m a huge sucker for brands that cash in on the playful aesthetic (remember Mira Mikati’s technicolor treats?).

batsheva pre-fall 2019 prairie alternative vintage fashion style runway dresses — Will “Dance Like A Mannequin” be the next “Dance Like An Egyptian?” Stay tuned to find out! (photo: Vogue.com)

This season’s lookbook saw supermodel Coco Rocha transformed into various jaunty characters/dolls/mannequins- and she imbued personality into each and every one. While the concept of the lookbook was, in and of itself, appealing enough to make note of (I mean, how fun are these photos??), the clothing and styling also left me utterly delighted with the charming vintage silhouettes and cheery prints/color combinations. One of my favorite looks in the collection is actually the very first one- a pastel yellow/powder blue dress with an exaggerated, nearly-humorously huge Peter Pan collar styled with only one leg covered in tights/stockings, something I definitely took note of for my own styling repertoire. The ’70s inspired floral print sprinkled throughout various looks also managed to draw me in, especially when paired with the Raggedy Anne-ish gingham.

I would definitely wear these clothes and gladly reminisce on the times I would play house as a little girl dressed in my mother’s kitchen apron and a pair of heels much too large for my little girl feet, all while rejoicing in the fact that this fashion exists not for daily practicality or professionalism, but to ignite the imagination and to transform you into a cherubic darling that belongs in the Swiss Alps, singing about edelweiss and searching for four-leafed clovers.

Check out my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos found on Vogue.com

Runway January 2, 2019

Gucci Pre-Fall 2019 Gives Us A Lesson in Eclectic Dressing

I haven’t eagerly torn through a collection as ravenously as I devoured the newest Gucci offerings in a very long time. And it’s not because it’s anything new or revolutionary, no- Alessandro Michele has an established style that he masterfully weaves into all of his collections, so you know there are a few things you are always going to get: boisterous prints, loud colors, interesting embellishments (this installment gave us cherries and cats) and an insane amount of layering. All of this to say- I don’t mind it. In fact, I can’t get enough of it. IN FACT, I would go as far as to say Michele’s ~aesthetic~ speaks to the very heart of this operation- eclecticism. The bringing together of many, seemingly-unrelated parts into one glorious, sensational whole.

gucci pre-fall 2019 fashion runway style eclectic — And thus, my unquenchable thirst for gingham was born. (photo: Vogue.com)

Each outfit in this collection seemed more bombastic than the last, each image beckoning me onward through the massive 86-look lookbook. While collections this large usually bore me somewhere along the way, scrolling through these looks didn’t feel like a chore. I’ve been quite taken by the concept of innovative layering in fashion, and I’m always trying to think of new ways to wear my old clothes, so it was stimulating, to say the least, to see so many interesting clothing combinations in this collection. Blazers were layered over dresses were layered over pants, which were layered over tall, slouchy, tiger-striped or gingham boots. Even disparate prints were mindfully married within looks, inviting the eye to linger lovingly over every detail, including the crisp, ’80s-inspired tailoring (hello oversized blazers and broad shoulders).

And what can be said of the styling? Magnificent, of course. Enough giant sunglasses, brightly-colored socks and jaunty berets to leave you wondering if you can pull such silly, yet altogether pleasing things off (pro tip: you can.)

In the New Year, I vowed to myself that I would wear what I wanted, no matter how stupid the world might think I look, because I like it, because I dress for me and not to impress the ruthlessly-judgmental entity of humanity. And if this collection has given me anything, it’s more inspiration to continue on my path of sartorial bliss and eclectic dressing. And also an intense need for gingham.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos found on Vogue.com

Runway December 31, 2018

Boho Marries Prep in Chloé Pre-Fall 2019

chloe pre-fall 2019 preppy boho 70s fashion runway — I love the way this collection layered classic, preppy pieces like a sweater vest, over flowing, boho styles, creating titillating combinations that delight the senses. (Photo: Vogue.com)

There are few things I love more in fashion than seeing two styles that are usually kept in separate realms or genres of clothing come together to form something altogether unexpected and incredibly satisfying to view. The Chloé Pre-Fall 2019 collection not only struck me with all of its crisp, gorgeous, 70s-inspired pieces that match my aesthetic perfectly, but also in the way that it so naturally paired prim, preppy charm with free-flowing, breezy boho beauty.

While the flowing, print-laden styles synonymous with bohemian fashion have never really piqued my interest, this collection made me realize that there is so much more you can do with it, like pair a flowing, printed dress with a structured blazer, or throw on a lush, velvet dress over a clean white blouse and slacks duo. There is so much playfulness and freedom in these combinations- including the rich juxtapositions of deep colors and lively prints- that it excites and delights the senses.

The details of these outfits weren’t lost on me, either. The tiny, box bags have so much charm paired with the snakeskin block-heel boots and fluttering neck bows. Some of my favorite looks included high-necked lace collars that may have enticed Shakespeare himself, which is what caught my attention in the first place.

Everything about this collection screams “eclectic,” which is exactly what we’re all about- new and exciting marriages of styles, thoughts, ideas, art forms- there is no limit to what we can create and I appreciate that this collection reminded me of that.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos from Chloé via Vogue.com

Runway December 7, 2018

Ancient Egypt Gets a Makeover with Chanel Pre-Fall 2019

The Chanel Pre-Fall 2019, Métiers d’Art show was a momentous event that transported viewers back to ancient Egypt with a catwalk that appropriately took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur exhibit. Models slunk across the runway shimmering in all manner of gold and adorned in accessories that nodded to ancient Egyptian culture (see scarab beetles galore, pyramid-shaped purses, round hats and elaborate collars.)

chanel pre-fall 2019 métiers d’art fashion runway egypt style — A shendyt-inspired skirt and large, sweeping collar/shoulder silhouette gave this classic Chanel Tweed suit an Egyptian twist. Plus those gold tights- wow! (Photo: Vogue.com)

While the clothing certainly looked striking on screen, the pieces are best appreciated up close, as to observe the great amount of handmade detail that went into them. The gold-woven tweeds were made with tulle, sequin and metallic ribbon, while some gauzy gold materials are an elaborate mesh of tiny golden beads and each knit is encrusted with shimmering paillettes to imitate ancient Egyptian jewelry. Each look in the collection is an impressive work of art that deserves appreciation.

While ancient Egypt has had its influence in popular culture throughout the past century, this collection has brought many interesting aspects of Egyptian style back into the limelight, including skirts with a slight rise in the front in imitation of the Egyptian kilt-style wrap skirts. One of the styling choices that interested me the most was the layering of the classic Chanel tweed suits over the ankle-length wispy, white skirts that nodded back to the styles worn by Cleopatra and her women.

The collection also managed to meld aspects of 1980s NYC (Chanel’s showing in New York was a first for the brand)- with wide, sweeping shoulders, oversized blazers and loud prints that echo back to those popular in the ’80s, which were also a celebration of graffiti art.

While this collection was a triumph of artistic endeavor and luxurious craftsmanship, it didn’t pique my interest aesthetically. Although the liquid-y, gold tights were gorgeous, I’m not the biggest fan of gold in fashion, as I believe it can easily look cheap, tawdry and make any well-meaning outfit look like a costume. I do believe some of the gold details in this collection cheapened the looks, but perhaps that is because I didn’t experience the show in-person and was not able to see the work put into each piece. Pictures can only show so much!

Overall, I do think it was a success. Fashion should transport and delight the senses, just like any other art form- and even if this collection doesn’t interest me on a personal level, I appreciate what it has done in bringing ancient Egypt back to life.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All images found on Vogue.com

Runway December 5, 2018

The Mythos of Artful Layering With Givenchy Pre-Fall 2019

The beauty in myth is that they all serve to teach us a valuable lesson- Icarus let his hubris launch him into the sky, only for him to come crashing back down, a beautiful, blazing glory. While Clare Waight Keller used Icarus to inspire the Givenchy Pre-Fall 2019 collection, it did not fly too high for its own good. In fact, it too, has a valuable lesson to teach- the art of layering.

In the Fall and Winter seasons, it may be tempting to put style aside and just focus on keeping warm, but this collection serves as a reminder that Winter fashion is just so damn fun, so why not take advantage of it? One look sees a cinched dress pulled over a high-neck collared top for a prim, pressed style. Another pairs a soft, slouchy knit sweater with a crisp, pleated skirt. Every outfit plays with your expectations of color, pattern, line, material- begetting looks that are chicly unique.

Perhaps one of my favorite looks sees a structured, super-cropped jacket paired nicely with a long, classic-looking, yellow dress, creating a stimulating juxtaposition of length. Plus, the collection employs one of my all-time favorite shoe looks- a tall, slouchy boot coupled with a long, flowing dress.

While myth and legend can serve as muses for the most dramatic of collections, Givenchy’s newest collection is understated and sleek- a modern crash course in how to put together a thoughtful outfit. I was struck and inspired by the smart use of length and layers, married gorgeously with architectural lines and varying delightful textures. This collection proposes a thesis we should all heed- when consideration goes into the choice of each piece in an ensemble, the results will be nothing short of elegance. Excellent tailoring helps too.

Check out a few of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos found on Vogue.com courtesy of Givenchy.

Runway November 30, 2018

The Art of Imperfection in Valentino Pre-Fall 2019

It was easy to fall in love with Pierpaolo Piccioli’s latest collection for Valentino- a sharp, red collection rife with snappy pleats and plenty of Valentino’s signature ruffles. And while the fashion world reels in the wake of the Dolce & Gabbana controversy, Valentino’s show was a rousing success, leaving the crowd awestruck at the finale, as red petals rained from the ceiling.

valentino pre-fall 2019 tokyo fashion show runway — Valentino’s crisp Pre-Fall 2019 collection emphasized the beauty in imperfection and featured plenty of pretty pleats and ruffles. (Photo: Fashionista.com)

Shown in Tokyo, a first for Valentino, this collection celebrated the intricacies of Japanese culture by honoring the concept of wabi-sabi, or finding beauty in imperfection, and kintsugi, the art of repairing broken porcelain with molten gold, a theme that Piccioli feels is very timely.

“Western culture is about symmetry, perfection, static beauty, while wabi-sabi is more close to the idea of harmony, of inner grace. Time goes by and it adds, it doesn’t take away. It’s really interesting for this moment—in the past, beauty was perfection, but I really feel beauty is about diversity, that this idea of wabi-sabi is very modern in this moment.”

The show itself thrived off its many juxtapositions- the bright red printed against a deep black, the neutral makeup with the blue lip, the extravagant quality of the clothing and the plainness of the industrial warehouse venue. Every aspect of the collection served to bring to light another feature, making the clothing a joy to bring the eyes across.

And while much of the collection was rendered in a pure and piercing red, there were many moments of softness and pause, like with a short baby-blue dress and another soft, millennial pink ensemble. And while there were a ton of frills and downy jackets that floated down the runway like a puff of smoke, the looks were almost always grounded with some sturdy-looking shoes- another detail to fascinate the gaze.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the show below:

All photos found on Fashionista.com, courtesy of Valentino.

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What Is The Young Eclectic?

Fashion. Forward-Thinking. Forever. | A Fashion Blog for the Modern Human in an Eclectic World

A fashion community/online publication excited about runway, style, beauty, poetry, film, literature, music, thrifting – an eclectic set of interests to express ourselves in the most holistic way possible.

We are constantly growing, changing, evolving, discovering, and learning, so the content we engage with should do the same.