People in the office have been banging on about the FTSE 100 falling faster than a pair of baggy hip hop jeans sans belt. Banks being bailed by governments and it has gotten to the point where most people with an ounce of social awareness shouldn't really ignore. Excepting of course the group of dreamers that are fashion designers. Or perhaps they are aware but instead of confirming, they'd rather react. So for S/S 09 we have a SLEW of back-to-nature designs. If the stuff that man has built up is crumbling down, why not turn to the stuff that was there in the first place?
So from Swash, otherwise known as the designers of Susie's favourite pair of shorts (no mean feat I tell you....) took old botanical drawings as a starting point and applied their own distinct way of illustration of flora and fauna to the loose and silky shapes that are their staple. Whilst the illustrations combined with watercolour washes are pretty-pretty, the shapes stop them from becoming too cloying. The printed rucksack is a prime example of this and yes I had to stop myself from exclaiming to Sarah from Swash that they have created THE rucksack that I'd want to carry on a day to day basis.
However, it's not all pretty flowers and English gardens because at Junko Shimada, a show which alas I sadly could not attend but the PR was nice enough to send me a DVD, creatures from under the sea and planets from outer space collide in prints on dresses. It's a mix Shimada that should have come off looking ridiculous but actually you too end up chanting with the designer "I feel love" (the title of the show). A usual Shimada trait; the outstanding footwear, this time featuring ballet pumps with plexiglass heels and cutesy crocheted sockettes. Celluloid head pieces, vinyl leggings are then coupled with the soft and flowing chiffon and organza pieces. There's a saturn planet and a lobster on a pair of satin shorts.... it should be REALLY wrong but somehow it works and Junko's space/sea world is looking far more appealing than reality.
I had several conversations about my love of Disney when I was in Paris and in times like these, if clothes are escaping into those Disney dream realms then likewise I'm happy to escape to in my Disney DVD collection preferably wearing some Junko or some Swash.
wow, i saw the ballet shoes earlier (and posted about them) but seeing them again, floating down the runway, they're so lovely. i really really want a pair... but if i did have them, i'd probably clunk around them as gracelessly as any other pair of shoes i own.
Posted by: lady coveted | 10 October 2008 at 18:28
oh MY! I would love to flounce around all day in these! I wouldnt even be able to choose which one to wear first! I bet the fabric is softer than heaven! And the pointe shoes...much more comfy than the ones I used to wear, Im certain!
Cheers! LuVvy
Posted by: LuVvy | 10 October 2008 at 20:24
Both designers are lovely! I especially love Junko's (heh heh) ballet heels (BOD! see my blog . . . ) and the puffy skirts.
Posted by: KD | 10 October 2008 at 20:27
wow...i absolutely love the second designer's collection...gosh i cannot get over it...the ballet shoes, and the flouncy skirts...wow!
oh yeah, hey susie, do you want to trade links with me. well, actually i already added you, but do visit my blog and tell me what you think! (it isn't the greatest...by the way)
Posted by: lise | 10 October 2008 at 21:20
junko shimadas socks and shoes are absolutely adorable! they seem to be working in just the right way..the clothing is very interesting too.
Posted by: yumiko | 10 October 2008 at 21:33
Junko Shimada's aesthetic is always interesting.
And Fashion is certainly a good escape as more grave things related to recession are kicking in. Not that escapism is a good thing but fashion is really a good break from dreadful things.
Posted by: giancinephile | 10 October 2008 at 21:58
juko is soooo talanted
i always love his work
Posted by: Mike | 10 October 2008 at 22:52
Wow! Junko Shimada's collection is absolutely GORGEOUS! In the last picture, the first skirt/dress to the left, ooh, I covet, as I do those amazing shoes!
PS. LOVE Disney! :)
Posted by: Brigadeiro | 10 October 2008 at 23:10
The Swash prints are so pretty and I love the ballet heels.
Posted by: Jael | 11 October 2008 at 00:56
Those designs are very unique. I love the prints.
Posted by: enc | 11 October 2008 at 04:06
ugh. i shoved my feet into pointe shoes for 10 years. you couldn't pay me to wear those. just seeing them makes me shudder.
Posted by: elisabeth | 11 October 2008 at 05:21
Those pointe shoes are an idea best left strictly to the runway.
Posted by: brooksie | 11 October 2008 at 07:45
those ballet shoes with the plexiglass (?) wedge, it looks like it created an interesting effect as the models walked down the runway.
Posted by: Prêt à Porter P | 11 October 2008 at 14:51
I love the look of those ballet shoe heels. something about the way the models look like they're en pointe and floating with the black platforms on the black floor. so great
Posted by: kristin | 11 October 2008 at 15:36
The prints are gorgeous, very whimisical and lovely.
Posted by: miss woo | 11 October 2008 at 16:24
Very dreamy! The stream-of-conscious shorts...
Posted by: Annie Spandex | 11 October 2008 at 21:47
These shoes are my next MUST HAVE item. I don't know what I'm going to do if I can't have them.
If anyone sees them please please please let me know!
I'm going to be tracking these down through all channels!
Luv
Poochie
Posted by: Poochie | 11 October 2008 at 23:52
love the crazy prints!
Posted by: gloria / urbanebloc.com | 12 October 2008 at 05:25
junko shimada- genius! the ballet pumps that look as if they models are actually on their toes/floating, absolutley genious!
Posted by: a dreamer | 12 October 2008 at 05:50
It could just be the former ballerina in me, but those point shoe heels make me cringe - not because of the pain, but because it makes the girls look like they have bad form! Putting heels on those shoes make it look like they're only half way up on pointe - ahhhh...Ok, getting off my ballet soap box now :).
Posted by: catherine | 12 October 2008 at 20:57
I love those shoes! And basically the whole collection - so interesting!
Posted by: Becca | 12 October 2008 at 21:38
GOR-GEOUS!! I could use those dresses for my store (PlanetTogs.com). Is this a Japanese or French designer? Wouldn't mind stocking that label. Thanks for posting pix!
--From your fellow Disney Cast Member reader (do you need anything from WDW, by chance??)
Posted by: LB | 13 October 2008 at 11:31
So for S/S 09 we have a SLEW of back-to-nature designs.
Well, then all the hotgluing of twigs and seedpods to dollar-store hairclips that I did this weekend makes me right up-to-the-minute. Now I just need to find a place to wear them.
Posted by: Sarah | 13 October 2008 at 22:50
i LOVE how ballet shoes have perspex heels, almost like the models are walking on point. i will definitely be ebaying perspex shoes, although by my shoddy clothing diys, not to sure how some shoe making would fare...!
Posted by: selina | 14 October 2008 at 00:43
very cute pair of shoes.....:P
Posted by: YooHee | 14 October 2008 at 07:37
oh~~ i really want those ballerina heels!! they are so perfect. They will defiantly fulfill my childhood girly dreams XD
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