Thursday 5 January 2012

Underwater World

Spring/Summer collections always draw inspiration from the sea, there is always a more or less reinvented nautical style to wear on a yacht or in coastal areas, but this season goes deeper, it explores the underwater world.


Givenchy (vogue.it)


Ricardo Tisci described his collection for Givenchy as a love affair between a surfer and a mermaid. Fabric waves adorned the women's bodies, enhancing the movement of their walk.


Alexander McQueen (vogue.it)

Sarah Burton created glorious sea creatures for Alexander McQueen, underwater warriors emerged on the catwalk mesmerising everyone with their power and purity.


Chanel (vogue.it)


And who can forget the magical underwater scenario of the Chanel show, with Florence Welch as the new Venus coming out of a broken shell? Karl Lagerfeld presented a stunning collection with soft colours and gentle fabrics.


Botticelli, The Birth of Venus


Donatella Versace embellished her dresses with seahorses and stars creating a captivating marine fairyland.


Versace (vogue.it)


Other designers punctuated their collections with a deep blue colour and soft pink emulating fascinating summer sunsets which lead us so naturally to introspection.  


Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta (vogue.it)


The beautiful colours of coral reefs were also recreated here and there, but I can't help but wonder about the reasons of this underwater inspiration... The outside world is getting tougher, news are all about political turmoil, social upheaval and economic crises.


Giambattista Valli and Jason Wu (vogue.it)


These times demand the development of a thick skin and are conducive to an inner journey, making us question not only old habits but ourselves, challenging perceptions and finding new ways and a renewed energy from within.


Paco Rabanne and Louis Vuitton (vogue.it)


The underwater world, so beautifully captured by the most instinctive designers, represents a visceral need to get in touch with something deep inside ourselves in order to unleash the strength to deal with the obstacles facing us all.

This trend brings to mind a Levi's advertising campaign from 1997, with an amazing song by Smoke City



Coral cryogenics



Other related posts:
Shining Armour
'Birds of Paradise'
Chihuly: Colourful Glass Dreams
Power Women: a Journey