Tourist Attraction

Nina Ricci Resort 2013 via style.com

It is rather entertaining to see a brand so serious and poised take a stab at some tourist staples at the Nina Ricci Resort 2013 presentation. For the voyager who likes to explore but also knows how to dress, Peter Copping turned three well-known tourist ensembles into pret-a-porter gold: the tireless traveler with her sweatshirt tied around the waist (a cashmere sweatshirt over red-hot lace, no less); the hotel bath robe spa visitor, her robe haphazardly knotted to reveal her matching tunic; the easygoing beach cover-up, perfect for going straight to dinner from tanning all day.

Nice to see designers getting into the actual resort groove, even though I like it when resort collections branch beyond literal resort wear. Will you be donning Nina Ricci hotel robes any time soon?

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cruisin'

What I hate about Resort collections is that the clothing for once actually fits the weather outside -warm, sunny, tropical prints and fabulous swimsuits- so it is tres difficult to realize that the clothes won't hit the shelves for another six months. Regardless, I found myself in love with several collections. What I enjoy is that many designers are going away from a strictly vacation-centered resort presentation and focusing on the overall time of resort wear -November/December is a busy time, and many women are bouncing between end-of-the-year business meetings, family gatherings, and festive parties.

Designers like Derek Lam and Reed Krakoff, known for their downtown-easy looks, stayed within their niches for resort by focusing on urban staples. 10 Crosby Derek Lam, a diffusion line, featured patchwork plaid and cool, Brooklyn-ready Saturday night ensembles, while Lam's signature line dealt with a sort of "urban explorer" style. Krakoff adorned his boxy dresses with neon oranges and blues and glitzy embellishments, making each look worthy of a gallery opening. 

10 Crosby Derek Lam

Derek Lam

Reed Krakoff

Others, like Thankoon and Gucci, took softer approaches to their resort presentations this year, opting for pastel hues and feminine touches. Both used pinks and baby blues, but Thankoon's bold silhouettes and Gucci's straight lines all help to give these looks some teeth.

Thankoon

Gucci

Another favorite was House of Holland, whose quirky prints and fun takes on fashion I have grown to admire. Pinks and blues reigned supreme here too, but Holland went for a more playful look. Even a simple white shirt dress is livened up with bright pom-pom trim.

House of Holland

Elsewhere, The Row made editors swoon once again with now-signature straight-leg pants, boxy coats and jackets, and elegant drapery. The modest footwear and fabulous, streamlined bags will sure to be knockouts. A few personal favorites: the embroidered black evening jacket, the fuchsia velvet-covered box bag, and the plastic navy and black skirt. The Olsen Twins sure do know their clothing.  

The Row

 (images from style.com)

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Stay Classy, San Diego

It seems almost serendipitous that two days before my high school graduation, Rebecca Minkoff, a local designer, states that her Resort 2013 collection is a return to her "San Diegan roots". When I am most nostalgic for the hometown I will soon be leaving (79 days until I move into my dorm, according to my college) it is wonderful to see a homegrown designer use America's Finest City as her inspiration.

The 18-piece mid-season collection focused on the surf and skate cultures of Southern California. Two-tone baseball sweatshirts, sleeveless leather vests, and effortless shift dresses dominated the presentation, all in oceanic-worthy hues.

It was a little more downtown than I go for, but I really did enjoy it and I felt that Minkoff totally captured the San Diego Spirit.

Rebecca Minkoff Resort 2013, images from style.com

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...and all that jazz

There are certain things I can never get enough of in clothing: full skirts, pastels, beading, ruffles, etc. Chanel Cruise 2013 had all these things and more, and I just about died -as in, Rachel Zoe 'die'- after seeing images of the show online.

First of all, Versailles. Karl has recreated the gardens of Versailles and he's made dresses that connote Marie Antoinette, but a show in the actual gardens of Versailles (the pictures, in front of my favorite fountains!) My God, Karl -and by that I am referring to Karl as my God, because let's face it, he's brilliant.

But to tell you the truth, these girls could have posed in front of a dumpster and I still would have melted with sartorial adoration. I saved pictures of almost every look in the show, so forgive me if I post nearly everything, but honestly, it's Chanel, it's Karl, it's Versailles. Can you ever have enough?

Karl, you've done it again

 (Images from style.com and other sources)

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