Norisol Ferrari F/W 2012: Seductive Power of Glamour

"Jean Harlow meets Tina Turner in Mad Max." It's funny how the previous night I made a comment to another fashion week attendee how I wished someone would bring back the hard edge fashion in Mad Max specially the low cut chain mail dress Tina Turner wore during the thunderdome fight scene, and behold early the next day the fashion gods have heard my comment and brings Norisol Ferrari.
The idea of bringing seductive glamour and marrying it with a hard edge produces such a spectacular 'coat of armor' as Norisol's design exemplifies. In this case several marriages work perfectly together, Vintage+Modern and Glamour+Edgy. One particular piece that caught my eye instantly was "La Donna" the floor length chocolate cashmere coat with the fox collar trim. Its silhouette is sleek and modern, but with vintage details of the fur collar and the bell sleeves. Even next to a hard edge design with a stunning head piece, the La Donna's regal simplicity still stood out to me because it just had a feel of luxury and timeless quality.
Another standout piece was the "Lana" a python and lace strapless gown in nude with a
complementing high collar bolero jacket. Though another nude seems monotone it is the intricate lace details in the dress coupled with a python detail that makes this dress red carpet worthy.
Overall, I understood the story Norisol Ferrari was trying to tell, and I felt the collection kept a nice balance of strong and delicate and vintage and modern.

Yves Saint Laurent menswear F/W 2012-2013: Tailored Leather

Since taking the helm for Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati continues the rich history of the house and its impeccable tailoring and timeless silhouettes. Many fashion enthusiast may criticize Pilati for his lack of use of color and sometimes overly drab pallette, but I for one praise his aesthetics and how he stays true to what he sees as luxurious clothes modernized.

YSL's menswear F/W 2012 collection reminds one of the 1960's era Moscow, well tailored espionage, a bit dark, mysterious, but overall alluring with a sexy air of 'James Bond-esque'. Although the inspiration is vintage, one can clearly see from the slim fit jackets and vests, to the skinny leg ankle cropped trousers on luxe wool textiles that the cut and silhouette have definitely been modernized.

Throughout Men's FashionWeek one of my favorite pieces are the trench coat length jackets whether in leather or wool. In YSL's case (1st Picture Above) the fur lined lapel and collar trench coat is one show stopper that I fell in love with and is a must have for any fashion closet.

Another mention worthy about this collection is how leather trims were skillfully incorporated into classic conservative pieces like a double breasted blazer and jackets. In many cases such a risk would cheapen an ensemble, specially a 3 piece suit, but in YSL's case leather trims only help exude refinement and class throughout the collection.