Incredible India

Traveling far to exotic, very difficult to get locales gives me almost as much pleasure as a good Louboutin stiletto or a vintage Chanel anything.  For years I have been dreaming away about trekking to India, for instance, a place brim full of wonderful history, architecture, spirituality and color.  I have been told that spectacularly bright color can be seen every which way you turn in the spice markets, the textiles, the saris, the beauteous hand crafted bangles. . .

So, you can imagine my delight to see, as the Pre-Fall 2012 collections have started to trickle in over the past two weeks or so, that more than a couple of the big guns – Chanel, Rag & Bone and Jason Wu to be exact -  were inspired by the delights, culture and history of this magical country when crafting their collections for pre-fall.

  

Chanel Pre-Fall 2012

At Chanel it was all about Indian royalty.  There were certainly no subtleties at play here.  From the sari like silhouettes and draping to the intricate bead work to the use of pinks in shades from light to hot hot to the elaborate head and neck pieces, it was clear that the opulence of the Indian Maharajahs took center stage on the Chanel runway. 

The funny thing is that I've been in India and I really CANNOT imagine Herr Lagerfeld hanging out in Mumbai or Delhi.

 

Jason Wu Pre-Fall 2012

Jason Wu was also also moved by the great Indian Maharajahs among other things for Pre-Fall 2012.  Wu’s interpretation was a bit less literal than Lagerfeld’s at Chanel and a tad bit more restrained.  It was all in the details at Wu . . . embroidery, fabric choice (leather collars – love!), intricate beading details (sequins anyone?!), tulle overlay, color. 

Rag & Bone Pre-Fall 2012

Again, at Rag & Bone the Indian inspiration was more subtle, almost hinted at.  Head designers, Marcus Wainwright & David Neville, apparently also had a hankering to travel to India and made a pilgrimage there recently.  Hints of their trip could be seen in the vibrant reds and blues that dominated the collection; and, of course in the knotted turbans used for styling.  Apparently, Pre-Fall is merely a peek at their Indian journey. For Fall 2012 they have promised to depict more of their explorations through Indian vintage markets and such.

source: stdb