Valentino
SSENSE
Oct 26 2019
Botanical Observation of Resort 15
Delicate yet powerful styles from Valentino, inspired by the wild spirit of Frida Kahlo, find a natural harmony with exotic desert flora and tropical botanicals. Vibrant prints and utilitarian accents take on an adventurous air alongside specimens of euphorbia cactus, Cereus repandus, Cleistocactus strausii, giant alocasia, and Musa acuminata.
Erdem’s Neverending Story The Designer on Character and Creation Fashion design is a form of alchemy. A garment that starts as a set of inspirations takes form as an assembly of cut, patterned, and sewn textiles, which on its wearer expresses an entirely new set of meanings. Like brushstrokes or sculpture, the tactile sum of draping, color, cut, and embellishment exists suspended between physical craft and ethereal fantasy. It’s the most elemental challenge an artist faces: how to capture a mood, a sensibility, or an idea through manipulated materials. 
La Vie Lemaire Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran Talk Style All too often, fashion falls into one of two extremes: underdesigned and boring, or too fantastical for real life. But Christophe Lemaire is the rare designer whose garments strike exactly the right balance. Since founding his namesake Lemaire line 24 years ago, he has perfected a subtle brand of tailoring that can transport its wearer completely. Look to his Spring 15 collection for reference: pleated shorts and trousers, shirts cut with exactly loose enough proportions, and Eastern-inspired work jackets whose voluminous, polished minimalism would be equally at home on a contemporary Parisian street corner or a rice paddy in an antique photograph. 
Tailor-Made: 8 Writers on the Most Iconic Suits in Film Power, Sex Appeal, and Dressing the Part Cinematic suiting has made a full-force return in fashion. The Pierre Cardin Pagoda and roped shoulder suits of James Bond will die another day, thanks to Balenciaga and the red carpet looks of Marc Jacobs . The roomy, double-breasted, dance-friendly suits of Fred Astaire are seen peppered on the runways of Gucci , while the tweedy grays, bone whites, and sandy tones of 80s thriller costuming are refreshed for present day by Acne Studios , Jacquemus , and Lemaire .