resort favorites part one

I don't know if I think Resort collections are relevant, but they are fun to review. Their sole purpose of commercial success means there isn't really a message to decipher or a concept to pick apart, and it's mostly based just on how visually appealing the clothes are. As Alber Elbaz told style.com, "Pre-collection isn't about an image or a direction. It's about a woman, a desire, a need. What do women want?" Isn't that fun? I don't have to wonder what Rei Kawakubo's two-word explanation of cotton tumors means, and can instead just sit at my computer and stare while saying either "OOOH, PRETTY COLORS" or "ME NO LIKE." Keepin' it classy, as usual.

Though I feel ridiculous spending so much time on Resort while having done very few with Fall shows, I have a bunch of scheduled Resort posts to go up this week while I am at IdeaCity in Canada Land. But for now, one mood I especially liked:
min
Simplicity (Not necessarily minimalism, but that is all for another time.)

Bottega Veneta (ph. 1, 6, and 9.) For lack of better word, wowowow. I never find myself unable to attach the word "fresh," annoying and abused as it is, to a Bottega collection. Tomas Maier has the greatest sense of color (better displayed in the resort posts I have to come) and every look is always just cut to the chase with the most important details there -- stated, simple, not touched or bothered by any other guilty pleasure add-ons. The flats here are too perfect. And this is like, a SPRING collection. Seriously, that first dress is resort!? Jesus! I often wonder whether or not, if I was the kind of grown-up person who thoughtfully spent lots of money on clothes, I would spend it on resort. In many cases it's the label's team and not the actual designer that does most of the designing, and it's much harder to emotionally connect with a resort collection than a Spring or Fall one. But this collection in particular is just so so next level.

Alexander Wang (2, 8, 11.) Though I am normally a socks and sandal person -- almost ALWAYS a socks and sandal person, because feet are ugly -- something felt overly stuffy about the sock usage here. Something was stuffy about the collection overall, but most of it I dug, especially the transparent dresses over sporty underthings. Something is so right!

Calvin Klein (3.) This is another one where I would've guessed it was a Spring collection if I didn't know it was resort. So serene. So serene that I feel too calm and serene and stuff to think of a better description. PS, why does the blogosphere not freak out about Francisco Costa more often? The man creates wonders!

Celine (4, 5, 7, 10, 12.) Phoebe Philo does no wrong. She just doesn't. It is simply not how she rolls. As a consequence of this, I want to become a bank robber. ANGUISH. (Also, I am not a bag person, but the Celine bag is SO GOOD and for Resort they made it this electric liquidy lime color. It totally makes me want to cry.)

70 comments:

Indah said...

did i really get 1st commment? YAY! haha. love Alexander Wang. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow...I do love all the Celine looks you posted...I may have to look further into Celine. My favourite look out of the ones you posted is photo 7...if you checked my blog out you'd understand...

http://laurenhero.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love these kinds of look x

Anonymous said...

Oh, and socks and sandals are actually perfection.

stoneandcloth said...

you really can never go wrong with black and white. that last look is great.

stoneandcloth

zoomslow said...

Aren't you already a bank robber? ;-) A wonderful review! Although you clearly know your stuff, it is your more intuitive responses to fashion that I love... "So serene that I feel too calm and serene and stuff to think of a better description." :-))


P.S Hope your gig in Canada Land goes well.

stylespotterfashionblogger said...

I like to think resort collections are for people who work in the stores and they have got bored of looking at the same dresses and need some new beauty to get them excited!

Danny said...

Calvin Klein was one of my favs.

http://youngbonesgroan.blogspot.com"

Harry High Panties said...

PRETTY COLOURS!!!!


Love the Calvin Klein collection




http://harryhighpanties.blogspot.com/
Justina :)

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

My favourite is number 7. Those pants! Man, I wish I was another foot taller.

elena nuez said...

Black & white for ever!!!
i love this collection

Rosalind said...

I love reading your show reviews, they're some of my favourite alongside your debate posts - you really have such a knack for writing about fashion!

I do like a lot of these looks, but my favourite has to be the Celine dress in picture 4. I'm not sure why, it just caught my eye as I was scrolling through the images. And I agree, those bags are divine!
I'm nt a massive fan of Alexander Wang, it has to be said, but a few of his more minimalist pieces work nicely.

http://clothescamerasandcoffee.blogspot.com/

Charlotte said...

Hey Tavi I'm Charlotte I'm 13 too except I'm from Aussie land! I like socks and sandals and leather and dancing to bad 90s music. Can you help me get my blog up and running? I'll post it here if that's ok with you so people will see it. Sorry about "spamming" I just have no readers yet. xxx Charlotte

http://stylechicken.blogspot.com/2010/06/sound-effects-dadadadadadadadadummm.html

Jessica said...

There's definitely something to be said about focusing a collection on wearability instead of a vision.

If you're interested, I'm hosting a giveaway for a Wendy Mink necklace (retail value: $175), drop by!

http://style-obsession.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway-wendy-mink-jewelry-necklace.html

SarahPeslar said...

I always find Chanel's resort collections to be my personal favourite. I sure there only used for marketing purposes bu they're so much fun to fantasize about!



www.fashionsmind.blogspot.com

The Rosenrot | Gracia Ventus said...

Phoebe Philo can do no wrong.

XX Philo's fangirl

Unknown said...

Oooh you're in Toronto for Idea City, how fun! Maybe I'll bump into you when I'm shopping on Bloor..lolz

WendyB said...

Tempted to make a black/white/read all over joke.

Kris said...

Before I even read your commentary under the photos, I had chosen the Celine numbers! You're right -- she does no wrong. I would (and could) wear each of those, even though I'm 43 and 4'11"... they're transcendent and lovely yet still completely accessible.

brunchatthebeach said...

ok, SO random, but I'm in korea on vacation and watching this "onstyle" channel.....and your pictures are ALL OVER this one commercial.

haha just wondering if you knew about it?

brightlightsbigcity said...

Alexander Wang and Celine-reliably awesome.

http://watermelonfeet.blogspot.com

Ola said...

i really like this post! great blog don't ever stop blogging:)

visit

fuckthatfashionart.blogspot.com

Emma said...

You're right, Philo does no wrong! Every single collection is just so wonderful. None of this fancy stuff. She's like: "You want clothes? Okay, here's a stream-lined piece of cloth with clonky shoes and a classic bag."
Her clothes feel very French to me, but they seem like they would automatically become the nationality of the woman wearing them. They are just so clean, yet edgy and elegant and just plain-out good clothes. As for the other resort collections? Calvin Klein is wonderful, and so was Bottega Veneta.
Alexander Wang seemed like it was trying to do the amazing spring collection again, after the not-so-great reviews of the fall collection.
Thanks for another wonderful post, good points about all of these collections.

Gale said...

OMG! What a great representation of these collections (of course, you always DO pick the best stuff out to review and discuss)! If I owned the Calvin Klein dress and the Bottega Veneta dress (#6), I would LIVE in them night and day – of course it helps that I live in a summer resort area so resort clothes are relevant. Oh and try getting a pedicure because nothing makes you THINK you have pretty feet like having one – everyone lives in sandals and flip flops here in the summer so it’s the only time of year I make sure I get my feet done . . . got to show those toes!

Steve said...

Ha, feet ARE ugly. Also, maybe nobody explained to Maier that resort wasn't supposed to be this awesome.

And hey, what a coincidence that you're going to Toronto the week for a big expensive talk thing, because so am I (albeit a different one)! I guess the difference is that people are paying to see you speak, while they are paying me to keep my mouth shut.

melbourne dreaming said...

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One thing is bothering the geek in me though - your links don't open in a new window, meaning that you have to go back on your browser to get back to the original blog site. A royal pain when one link usually leads to another link leads to where did the afternoon go?

This little bit of coding will change your life (and that of your viewers):

target="_blank"

Add this baby to your link code (just after the quote marks after the href tag, and before the > bracket).

Joy! xx

Unknown said...

TAVI,
I am sorry I am not commenting in regards to the clothes and your comments... BUT when I clicked on the idea city link and saw it was in TORONTO I flipped out. I really hope I spot you on the street somewhere (swear I am not a stalker) but I doubt that will be hard to do since your fashion sense surpasses us all. I just hope it is at a time when I too am looking fashion forward.
Until then...
P.s. Did I mention I am from Toronto?

Katy said...

must . . . resist . . . looking . . . at . . . resort . . . while there are still . . . finals . . .

Pomeline said...

I hope you enjoy your stay in Canada Land. You'll see, we're pretty friendly when we aren't hunting moose or eating beans in maple syrup!

Sanam said...

||||||||| I agree,i LOVE bottega veneta,they create some really timeless pieces.Great review btw :).Ox |||||||||||

StopAndStareStyle

Angeles Almuna said...

Beautiful choices! Love the simplicity...and I'm agree that simplicity doesn't mean minimalism...and about the Celine bag , it's really fabulous, but you have to see the Chloe Bag http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/78629
that also has the same similar style and also is so FABULOUS!
Kisses Lady Tavi

www.angelesalmuna.com
www.shopangelesalmuna.com

LÃœNA said...

I like number 7 and 1 the most .
They are wide and good for the summer!

http://minitblog.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

The Resort Collections were amazing this year! Great post!


http://shearchicwearableart.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Love this resort collection!
Why do models always look so angry? :)

Jorge Alexander said...

like it,

Contact said...

alexander wang's collections will forever be timeless!

<33
heelsandinspiration.blogspot.com

Artemis said...

Like the bottega veneta.

CHECK OUT MY BLOG:

http://www.artemisandhermusings.blogspot.com

Initials.CC said...

superbe !!

Des bisous de CELINE&CHARLOTTE

Suyinsays said...

love em all!

Arini Desianti Parawi said...

GOSH!!!! really adore this collection ^^
visit my site :
THE SECRET LIFE OF "D"

NorwegianWood said...

I believe I once read that for some houses Resort is their most profitable collection nowadays....I found that super interesting...wish I could remember where I read it though!

Unknown said...

All of 'em are amazing!

Cara said...

I really need to start looking at the rest on the resort collections! (I spend way too much time on style.com )I just got around to YSL and Alexander Wang.
I 100% agree about the stuffiness (sp?ha) of socks in Alex. Wang.
I love reading your reviews!

Unknown said...

This is unrelated to the resort collections--although I agree with you about pretty much everything--but have you ever seen the Current TV segment called Target Women? It's hilarious analysis/lampooning of the ways ads, well, target women. Search it on YouTube--my favorites are yogurt, jewelry, and cleaning products, although all of them are GOLD. I think you may like them.

Miss Tami Lee said...

I love how it's all so streamlined. Black & white is such a simple yet fantastic combination

firefly said...

Mmm, simplicity. Monochromatic-ness feels less like a "resort" and more like...I don't know. Spring? Museum? (Okay, that isn't a season.)
But pretty.

fireflyworks.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Great review... U said it all


http://valentineavoh.blogspot.com/
-the life of a Belgian stylist-

Michelle said...

Yessssss! We have a lot of the same favorites... I guess it's not hard when the clothes are both beautiful and wearable :)

cancercowboy said...

my favs are 4, 5, 11 and 12. 4 and 12 sans the shoes, though. the girl's toes in 10 look damn creepy. like she's clinging to a steep face at that moment. hope its just a glitch in the pic.

hope505 said...

O I would def. buy bottega veneta dress #1!!& would rock it much better than that model because my jewelry is better *haha! wait! I can't see her shoes, which, her shoes might be better, so touche model. Still: I would wear the hell outta that dress all summer. mmm-mm. Good picks, Tavi!

Suzannah said...

Love Ph 5, simple and elegant.

Check out my blog

http://suzannah-itsfashion.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

hurray you're coming to toronto!!!!! I am praying to casually bump into you one day (because i won't be following you)
couturecultureblog.blogspot.com

bunnyteeth said...

Tavi- you will like this: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/15comicsans.html

because it's like funny and about fonts and stuff.

(sorry this is unrelated to resort, except by chronology in a bigger scheme way)

ashley said...

agreed. Francisco Costa brought Calvin Klein back from the dead.

The lady from Shanghai said...

Simplicity rules!

hildegarde said...

Ohhh lawdy

ilsteviewonder said...

I love alexander wang ! genius :)

Anonymous said...

Great choises! except for Alexander Wang... it looks cheap!

speciallyfashion.blogspot.com

Briana Le & Merissa Ren said...

phoebe philo is a goddess.

HumanAdult said...

Its obvious Phoebe's influence on fashion. What she did for Celine two seasons ago has influenced the look of womenswear today. Not denying Calvin Klein's role in this but CK had never been so female centric but Phoebe was all about simplicity that flatters the body in covetable colors and material (remember the teal leather skirt?). Which is a great thing.

Edwina Bulfrage said...

Yes yes yes totally agree with this mood board, it has put me in a mood that reminds me of this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbAISMzd7vA
Also I specifically agree with sheer dresses and 'sporty' underwear, and socks and sandles. Its like underwear as outerwear but not as trashy. Oh Alexander, even though the world mimics your style to an unbearable level, when your collections first come out they are devineeeeee

synaesthesia said...

Maybe it's just me, but I kind of feel as though Resort should be clothes worn at resorts. And since they debut this line during the late Winter/Spring then I would assume they're pushing for the Northern Hemisphere crowd(aka Summer Resorts). With that, some of these things seem way over fabric'd and too much in the way of additionals. I mean, black gloves in anything over 75 degrees just means hands reminiscent of the creatures that live near the beach you're resorting to in Monaco, or possibly chilled on your plate. So with that I agree with the 'not minimalism' sub-moniker, but as a male who does not wear women's clothing maybe I just don't understand. But, I don't know, I'm not a doctor.

Hannah said...

I love these! I so know what you mean about 'simplicity but not necessarily minimalism' you would think the two go hand in hand but really they don't.

fabiola talavera said...

i like in the first photos the ones with the plain white background. im feeling blue hues and beiges in flowy forms for this summer, love your blog
www.fabitalavera.blogspot.com

Revital said...

I want each and every item!!!

\\\http://revi-pinkillusions.blogspot.com/

DebbieJ said...

Alexander Wang is truly my hero of the moment!

X

http://rendez-fou.blogspot.com/

Masha said...

ove the black and white clothes.

http://leblogdemasha.blogspot.com/

Not a Paper Cup said...

This is a really cool collection...it is very true, simplicity is not necessarily minimalism.....maybe this point is missed too often when it comes to fasion! :)

Thanks for the post.

LOA said...

Wonderful blog tavi !!
like it !
xxLoa

Unknown said...

Never mind the looks - which are all amazing - I just love that tableau you created with them. The positioning of each single look is really clever, looks just great all in all!