Tadashi Shoji's Fall/Winter 2012 collection revisits a time of opulence and decadence during Shanghai's Golden Age. Rich fabrics of lace, chiffon, silk, and velevet lend to a vibrant era of 'rich' fashion. Drop waist dresses, draped backless velvet gowns, and precision cut chantilly lace all grace Tadashi's runway reminiscing to a time when Shanghai was celebrated as the "Paris of the Orient."
Chantilly lace was the main star on the runway for the collection, modernized and well crafted, it was a show stopper in colors of crimson red, and midnight blue. Cut in a tiered overlay, each dress moved so seductively on the runway, like a woman silently flirting across the way- one swoons!
Tadashi's runway show is always a delight to press cover beacuse each season is such a departure from the previous that it's always unpredictable, and in fashion predictability most always equates boredom.
The juxstaposition between Tadashi Shoji's spring 2012 collection and his fall 2012 is uncanny. For spring his clothes exuded innocence and blossoming flora, and for his fall collection one was transported to a time of opulence and extravagance, when women walked with a overtly sexual confidence- I love that each season I am left wondering what the next collection will bring!!
For Fall/Winter 2012 I am certainly left thinking about the gorgeous floor sweeping crimson red velvet dress with the low cut back punctuated with a lace beaded design (first picture above). The dress came down the runway beautifully, but as it left one was breathless!
I do look forward to another season and another breathtaking collection from Tadashi Shoji, and one thing I can be certain about is that it will be a total surprise!!!!!
