For Spring/Summer 2009, a sense of nostalgia has kicked in harking back to the days of carefree delinquency and youth, when breaking rules was like taking a bite out of the forbidden apple.
Injecting colour back into her life after the epic “Zip Me Up After Your Finished” Collection from Winter 08, an individual spirit shines through.
The Collection plays on this optimistic attitude with an exclusive butterfly print, beautifully merged with a decaying apple core; apple seed prints on silk dresses that change form with the help of versatile drawstrings; and playful check prints on doubled breasted sleeveless dresses and shirts.
Key inspirations include French actress Eva Green’s memorable performance as a fresh faced nymph in Bernado Bertolucci’s 2003 film “The Dreamers” and the classic figure of Vladmir Nobokov’s Dolores Haze, better known as ‘Lolita’. These characters were caught between girl and woman, youthful innocence and life as the femme fatale.
When I read the concept behind Jaeha's latest collection, as described above, I must admit I did think "booooring", especially considering how much I loved the previous one.
The whole girl/woman-caught-between-childhood-and-adulthood is rarely explored that well since generally speaking a character, real or imagined, who is caught in that kind of scenario is nearly always a tragic one; the lack of acceptance; the longing for youth, the desire to enter adulthood or the inability to just let go and move on.
However, when I looked at the collection I was pleasantly surprised. No hair bunches in sight!
Yes there are the obligatory white ankle/knee socks, but I feel it's being given a more playful twist than your basic Lolita schtick (no heart shaped sunglasses thank god). I mean, look at his props - watering can, fake mouse and um, french bread. I can just imagine the conversation on that photoshoot:
"Right love, here you go, shove on those wee socks, look all sultry but in a youthful way. No, not like that. Here, hold that loaf of bread. Yup, now you're sexy. Say 'cheese on toast!'". Click.
There is actually alot that can be taken from this collection - the way buttons are done up wrong, the muted plaid, the pale purple chiffon worn over a shirt and the general looseness. Take away the socks and you have a collection ideal for actual grown women...and young woman alike.
Queen Michelle
All right, that's the hardest I've laughed while drinking coffee in a while. Wee socks, indeed.
Posted by: Style Spy | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 14:55
No disrespect Queen Michelle...love your sense of style. BUT....this whole collection blows. Sweatpants and some logo like tommy hilfigger t-shirt with the big H...looks pretty good to me after seeing this crap.
Posted by: lis | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 15:07
Sweatpants and Tommy Hilfiger tee? Good luck with that! ;)
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 15:16
The purpley lilac dress is GORGEOUS!
Is it weird that I didn't notice the baguette until you pointed it out..?
Posted by: Tasha | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 16:08
cute and subversive
Posted by: dust | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 16:19
Neckpiece, sheer chiffons layered over plaid: I enjoy those. And LOL to your comment about the Lolita heart-shaped glasses and knee socks. Although, I'm still fond of the knee socks and keep buying them and storing them for a time to wear later...
Posted by: dreamsequins | Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 18:16
ugh...am i the only one frustrated by "zip me up after your finished"..? CLEARLY should be "you're". call me petty, but this made view the whole collection with a roll of the eyes ...and i agree about the boring-sounding write up...but, there were some cute ideas. not all of the pictures rocked, but some.
Posted by: anne | Friday, 15 May 2009 at 00:20
i'm loving the lilac and that last dress with the collar
Posted by: Estelle | Friday, 15 May 2009 at 05:39
my god this is gorgeous, loose, paint splattered double breasted jumpers here I come.
-indigo
Posted by: indigotangerine | Friday, 15 May 2009 at 06:10
Jaeha is an awesome designer! Unfortunately I don't think this collection or the following collection ever made it into stores?
Posted by: Claire | Sunday, 17 May 2009 at 11:35
i actually like the wee white socks! i think plain shoes with uncovered legs would look too grown up and 'smart'.
Posted by: chloe | Sunday, 17 May 2009 at 12:47
i really like these, its like a slightly more daring luella. i do love pastel colours!
http://delicatessenofstyle.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Delicatessen | Sunday, 17 May 2009 at 15:44
Really like the dress with collar too Great dress and great collection.
Posted by: Sex Toys | Sunday, 17 May 2009 at 23:03
amazing.. how could one designer visualized this? amazing.. it's at Generalcucumber.com. how i want.
Posted by: Melinna | Sunday, 07 June 2009 at 23:51