COLOURING IN CALMS ME DOWN
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
