Quick Though: Stefano Pilati & Couture

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So congruent with my post previous to this one, I was praising Pilati and his work at Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). And I realized why won't they let him venture into couture? Isn't that a pleasant idea? He clearly has control of the fabrics with his minimalism structure pieces and sharp lines. If he wanted to, he could rival Nicolas Ghesquiere's Balenciaga pieces. (Which reminds me, I'll do a comparison between YSL and Balenciaga in a future post).

I think Stefano Pilati would be a great couture-r. I believe since he's still only been the director for a short period, the big bosses still wants to see if he's able to carry out more editor's top favorite seasons. If so, then they'll give him reign to do couture. Also, the world of couture is expensive and not as lucrative as pret-a-porters, but I think with recent collections, YSL's income should stabilize and give Pilati a chance. I imagine Valentino but more formal and futuristic. No? Valentino has that minimalistic decadence, but it's often feminine and soft, in both structure and color.

But if I was given the chance to decide whether Pilati should be in charge of that, hands down Pilati has my vote.

Source: Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2008 | Balenciaga Fall 2008

Impulse Thoughts

UN.
With Lanvin Spring 2008 having great praise for the grecian, flightly and airy collection last season that everyone adored, and also praised by many buyers of chain stores, be sure to keep a look out to who will piggy-back ride to boost some profits.
Deux.
For Balenciaga Spring 2008, Nicholas Ghesquiere, designer, raised the bar and shone the light on structure. There's definatley a push towards what is new, what is the future. It's interesting to see the insights that will either support Ghesquiere's outlook or inject the market with a new "ooh la la."
Trois.
Spring was flower power raised to the max, or in mathematical connotation, flower^infinity. However, it wasn't just regular flowers but more artistic inspired flower prints. They were suggestive but the petals weren't defined. Will the "flower prints" be carried over to fall?
Quatre.
Spring of art-inspired things, a big trend for Spring 2008 was paint-splattered textiles like the dresses from Dolce & Gabbana 2008.

Basically, keep a look out for those who will mimic the top houses' designs and construction in the spring, and keep a look out for the innovative new leaders. There's been a huge injection of new talents and reincarnation of houses, like Bill Blass. There's also new designers taking over notorious houses, like Valentino and its new artistic creator Alessandra Facchinetti. Fall is definately a season of changes, big changes. There's a lot of things going on in regard to changes not within the fashion industry but in the economy. I'll be sure to highlight what I see the best I can. Stay tune and do look out for huge changes!!

Balenciaga Pre-Fall 2008

The fifth look seems to be from the Spring collection. I love the brown barrel jacket of the first look. This collection isn't something new and wow-ful like that of Spring 2008, but it makes sense for Nicholas Ghesquiere to make it a little more back to basic so that his clients can have something to pair last season with. I also like the boots. The third look looks like Chanel. Supposedly all houses are gearing their focus on late 30s to fifties because that's where most of the money are coming in, which is why Fall 2008, many houses will probably shift towards the older generation than the younger ones. The younger generation, I guess, are happy with their Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and thrift shops.

Source: WWD.com

Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2008

Honestly, I was hesistant of Jennifer being the face for Balenciaga for this campaign ad but she did it really well. I love how she just makes the dress so wearable, even though the structure of it is so voluminous it could seem intimidating. This is how you transition future and present but injecting futuristic shape into the present through simplistic means.

Source: Balenciaga.com