Blog Entry #3: New York Times Blog

Along with Bill Cunningham, Cathy Horyn is one of my go-to stops while reading the New York Times every week. She gives a pretty cut-and-dry report of what's going on in fashion. A title you would have thought might be owned by someone along the lines of Anna Wintour, Cathy Horyn has been called "Fashion's Most Feared Critic". She's a writer for one of the world's leading publications PLUS she's not afraid to say what she thinks about a collection, which quickly explains how she earned that title and why some designers have gone as far as banning her from her shows, not wanting to have bad press written about their shows and collections. Who can blame them though, really?

Well, with fashion week continuing in Milan, Cathy Horyn provided some insight that made me inquire more about what was happening on the runway of Prada for the Spring/Summer 2012 season.

The summation that Miuccia Prada gave her collection was "sweetness" and it could not have been more obvious if it smacked you across the face. With many designers trying to portray a tough, more masculine woman in the past few seasons, Miuccia didn't understand why the world should shun sweetness and femininity. I completely agree--it's okay to loosen your buns (referring to your hair, of course), show those pearly whites, and embrace your sweet side!

Jessica Stam in a red chiffon skirt

Walking across a subway-grated runway, we saw the newer, longer hemlines for 2012 that express a ladylike elegance. Bandeau tops were paired with skirts that fell right above the knee The satin coats, floral prints, chiffon, and beautiful, flowy accordion-pleated dresses--this collection was a girly-girl's dream! However, Miuccia added a twist to make it special. She knows as much as any other woman that a man loves two things more than anything: cars and women (let's be honest, sometimes the cars more than women), so she put these elements together by adding flame details on the slingback heels that she paired with many of the outfits, even using the flame print detail in some of the clothing. The collection also included some darling pin-up bathing suits suitable for springtime, along with satin, rhinestone-embellished varsity jackets, and leather pencil skirts.

Bandeau/Pencil skirt & Accordion-Pleated Dress

Walking on Fire...Kind Of

You don't have to get rid of your edge completely, but come spring when these pieces hit stores, you might find yourself indulging your sweet tooth and embracing the sweetness that's been hiding away all of these past seasons!

Read more of what Cathy Horyn had to say in her NYTimes article, The Roman Spring of Ms Prada

                              Watch the full runway show to see all of the pieces!