Monday 17 September 2012

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2013 Pret-a-porter


 
You find me in a mixed state of Melancholy, Worry and pessimism mixed with a feeling of peace with the world and semi-contentment with the way my own life is planning out, even though it is not planning out as well as I, or my parents, might wish. I've come to terms with this. The results of two years of hard work came out in August - not quite as well as I need to go where I want to go, but not bad enough to destroy all chances. I have accepted this and am looking forward to whatever life throws at me. It's too much stress and too depressing to be staring back at the recent past with regrets. I regret not working harder, but since I can't change what has happened that drastically (and my school was really not being so helpful when last I broached the subject of re-takes etc.) I won't let it hold me back. Learn from this, Move on. These words are valid to many things in life, and I'm semi-glad that I have this attitude. 
The Melancholy, Worry and Pessimism are for different things. Sometimes I wonder if the world is falling apart, and if we're going to fall back into another great war, and hesitate to think that it feels like it's 'them' and 'us' even though it shouldn't be, and we're all human and should accept one another. Then I get angry about how stupid people can be, on both sides. So yeah... nonsensical, egotistical little paragraph is now over. :)




On another note, I have finally reached the semi-depressing stage where my wardrobe is literally full to bursting and I still have another pile of things which need to go in. Oh dear. Either I negotiate the eventual takeover of the whole of my sister's wardobe or hang up an extra rail or, and this is the not-going-to-happen-but-I-really-wish-it-could option, persuade my Father to convert our loft into one enormous wardrobe for my benefit, like the above (The above is NOT my wardrobe)

So, back to Fashion and Style, and posted a day later than I meant to, having chosen my favourite pieces of this collection an hour before Downton Abbey yesterday, after which I was too tired to get around to writing and posting. I am, as you can sort of guess from the Blog title, doing a post about Mary Katrantzou's latest collection. I hope you enjoy.



When I was around twelve or thirteen, I collected Stamps for the space of about a year. I got bored rather quickly, though I still have those stamps and think they're beautiful (I love each one. So many different styles and colours, a snapshot into the world, the global nature of the world we live in, something which might have travelled around the world on the back of itself. A snapshot into History - I had stamps from countries which don't exist anymore, stamps with important figures and stamps with decomissioned boats. A snapshot into the exotic - birds of paradise alongside vibrant tropical flowers) Why did I grow tired of my modest collection? Probably because I couldn't understand Stamps as well as I might have liked. I couldn't understand how to class them, how much they were worth and how rare they were, even how to get them and it was taking too long to create a competent collection. Bref, Stamps were not really my thing... until I saw yesterday's Mary Katrantzou Spring 2013 collection where my renewed interest came alongside a Fashion tour de force, beautiful, sophistcated and oh so chic.

There was something romantic and even melancholic (like the way I'm feeling today) about the collection.  Mary Katrantzou is fast becoming, in my eyes at any rate, the true Queen of the print. At her hands, we've had offerings of (and reminiscent to) metallic wires, scales, feathers, flowers, Fabergé eggs, Meissen porcelain, cloisonné enamel, Ming vases, Sophisticated Interiors, Architectural details, portraits of Madame de Pompadour, kaleidoscopic swirls, spiraling, fluid forms of artisanal blown glass, sharp-angled geometric explosions and  images of perfume bottles. All this since Autumn 2009 where she presented her debut collection. In the space of three years, she has risen high on the list of designers which most inspire me, and has carved an international name for herself. So, I have established that Mary Katrantzou can turn pretty much anything into a delicious print, perfect on her beautiful silhouettes...
Yesterday's collection distinguished itself from her past one. She brough forward the geometry and complicated simplicity of A-lines, shirtdresses, shifts, and sheaths. A geometry only re-inforced with the delightful patterns. Take this, the serrated edges of a stamp; the perfect pattern to trace down the side of a narrow pair of trousers.

Note: Believe it or not from the photos, Katrantzou used denim for the first time at the beginning of the show. If you look closer at these top three dresses, you'll see it, and hopefully it will make you (like me) love the design of the dress all the more for it. :)

 
Pinned Imagecreative inspirational quotes thoughts part9 2 Creative & inspirational quotes & thoughts {Part 9}
 
 
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Of course, stamps were not the sole inspiration. The spirals and delicate colours of a banknote were apparent in many of the designs, with shimmery, light colours fusing together to create a delicate, elegant effect.
That particularly stunning outfit crystallized just how refined Katrantzou's eye has become at abstracting pure form from her inspirations.

 
Thank you for reading, please comment and do follow!
 
 
 

43 comments:

A Very Sweet Blog said...

i agree with you. there's nothing we can do about the past. my advice to others is to always keep moving forward. i love your closet! it is so organized. i hope you find room for your other items. wow, i can see the inspiration from stamps. that's a gorgeous collection.have a great week!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Anonymous said...

Nice collection and I didn't know about Nary Kantrantzou before reading this, and we'd all love a wardrobe like that, though I think I'd prefer something more pink with maybe a lilac lamp.

Camilla said...

such a lovely post!

xo Camilla

Into The Fold

Ana Silva said...

thanks! there are for sale :) i like your blog! follow me? i am following you <3

Unknown said...

amazing collection! i love her designs. i was shooting with some pieces of her previous collection this summer and fell so in love with it.

amayaT. said...

Unos diseños preciosos!! :)

Besiitos desde amayaT.!
www.amayat.com

Maddie said...

Great post! I really enjoyed it! When I was little I collected stamps as well!
And good luck with everything! :)

callmemaddie.blogspot.com

his little lady said...

I love how clothing can be inspired by the things that most people would never think about, like european money and postage stamps. brilliatn!
xo TJ

Unknown said...

Love this! :)

Alexandra said...

She's such a genius! Absolutely love this.

Alexandra xo

tovogueorbust.com

dimitri said...

J'aime beaucoup cette collection. Une vraie réussite. C'est original et très inventif.
De belles pièces.

Sisko said...

So want a wardrobe like that as well ;) ;) we can dream! hehe!
xx

http://sisko-blog.blogspot.com.au/

beautiful me plus you said...

have never heard of Nary Kantrantzou before.. amazing designs.. so different :) x Marina

Unknown said...

Amazing post!!

Sadie said...

Thank you for your lovely comment :) I have the same wardrobe problems and am always wishing for a HUGE one like in that picture!

I usually love Mary Katrantzou collections but I'm still not 100% sure on this one :) xx

xx said...

Postage stamps are a great source of ~fashion inspiration~.

Unknown said...

I love her collections!! Her prints are always amazing. Love the closet pic :)

xx
Heel in Mint

Unknown said...

I love her collections!! Her prints are always amazing. Love the closet pic :)

xx
Heel in Mint

gigi said...

lovely photos!! I like how you've incorporated some important life lessons in as well! thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comment on my blog. will now be an avid follower! gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

Loving all these prints! That closet in amazing!

http://fashionroll.net

Sandra Martinez said...

GReat photos!!
Thanks for your coment, i really appreciate it!!
Just have a look at http://s-justcarpediem.blogspot.com.es/
Have a nice day sweety :)

Haha♥ said...

I love this post. So I followed you. I saw your comment on my blog post about food. Hope you could follow me back. Looking forward for more post from you. :)

http://hazehazyhazel.blogspot.com/

Haha♥ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Haha♥ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Haha♥ said...

Sorry I spammed your comment section, I thought my comments are not published due to captcha. >.<

Anonymous said...

the best designer ever!
s

Mary-Grace said...

Thats a cool post dear!!
Thanks for your lovely comment
Kisses

Jane said...

Sorry things didn't go to plan, hope things work out for you.

I used to collect stamps too! Those stamp dresses are crazy.

Unknown said...

Merci pour ton passage sur mon blog :). Ce n'est pas moi qui réalise les maquillages sur mon blog car je ne sais pas du tout faire, c'est une amie :)
Fiona

Antonella Leone said...

the pic of the home is fantastyic and the oder dress are really fabolouses <3<3

wloski said...

Great post! Reallly!

Madd said...

I really like your post!

http://foreveroldschool.blogspot.com/

ASKart said...

amazing garderobe <3 i'm your new follower now :)

ASKart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kiwi..x said...

Great piece's, such a nice collection
Kiwi..x

WWBD said...

I leave you a quote which I think it may be useful to you: "Life is like riding a bycicle. To keep balance you must keep moving" Einstein.
Keep moving and don't stop, looking back is useless! <3
By the way I love your profile (About Me) description, you seem so original and unique... I follow you!
I have a new post on my blog, read me maybe? (:

Street Fashion Paris said...

Wow!!! I love it very much!!! xxx

Vera said...

Such a sincere post!Yes the past is past and we can not change it!

amber.thegirlone said...

i find your writing to be very inspiring. i know exactly what you mean about not being where you thought you would be - i traveled a similar path but honestly, what that path has given me now i wouldn't trade for anything. also, this collection you featured is gorgeous! im not usually one for prints but i love the whimsy behind using everyday inspiration such as stamps or money. lovely post dear! thanks for visiting my blog as well and leaving a sweet comment!

xo,
amb

http://amberthegirlone.blogspot.com/

Antonella Leone said...

the collection is really fantastic <3<3

ylenia said...

Amazing looks here!
What about following each other? Visit my blog and let me know, it would be great to keep in touch!
XOXO
Ylenia

Every Friday Evening said...

Great talk and lovely pictures ! :)

Gaby de Modacapital said...

such an amazing and original collection!:)
kiss