By Fashion Editor: Inoisell Miranda
Contributing Editors: Lisa Alessandri & Gabriela Arias
Whether your destination this season is as exotic as Dubai, Ibiza, Thailand, Mykonos or Costa Rica, and even if you are just going to stroll around Miami beach or The Bahamas, resort wear is a cross-cultural style that signifies luxury, leisure, and the perfect choice for year-round holiday destinations attire. Today the most prominent designers in the industry present spectacular resort collections to include everything from sandals, light jackets, maxi dresses, walking shorts to evening dresses, and the style has been the subject of small runway shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Here are some of XEX Magazine’s favorite collections for resort 2014…
BCBG MAX AZRIA – New York, June 3rd
“We sigh” as we view BCBG Max Azria’s Resort 2014. We finally feel as though Max & Lubov have taken this collection back to the Max Azria original collection days. With draw string waists, cut outs, and flowing garments that flatter a woman’s body in more ways than one. The inspiration behind this collection is Coachella, the music festival that Lubov attended. Well done Max & Lubov, soft with a hard edge, and a free-spirited, bohemian feel with exquisite embellishments.
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO – New York, June 4th
Resort 2014 for Christian Siriano was all about giving a woman what they want at the current moment. Bold patterns of color, such as deep purple, magenta, and bright yellow gave the ready-to-wear pieces an original look. Christian’s inspiration behind this collection was Nicholas Wilton, an artist of mixed media and abstract paintings. It is no question that Siriano’s strengths suit in the evening wear gowns at the end of this collection. Siriano continues to deliver time after time, what women really need in their lives.
EMPORIO ARMANI – Milan, June 3rd
Finding the perfect formula to a boy-meets-girl look can be such a challenge for some women. In the latest Resort collection by Armani, the well established designer combines sleek cocktail dresses in hues of blues along with a light grey double-breasted pantsuit to help unlock the secret to the tomboy trend.
RACHEL ZOE – New York, June 3rd
Asymmetrical zippers, leather sleeves and mini striped dresses were simply no biggie for this very chic New York designer. Reminding us all why we love-to-love her, Rachel continues to showcase her talent with the theme sea high in mind. Who knew an over-sized bright red tunic paired with a roped belt and cable-knit sweaters would be perfect for traveling with the family or dinner by the ocean.
PAMELA ROLAND – New York, June 5th
This collection is all about structure, futuristic lines, and modern finishes. Doing what Pamela does best, her signature evening pieces, however, there are some beautiful highlights that include desk to dinner dresses. As we view the collection, there are a couple pieces that are not quite as appealing to our eyes. However, Pamela does make up for that loss with her “Red Carpet” gowns shaped in a trumpet style, which are extremely beautiful on a woman’s silhouette, and accentuate the female form. Her choice of fabrication is always spot on. All in all, we enjoyed Pamela’s collection as a whole.
MICHAEL VAN DER HAM – London, June 7th
Although he may be new in the game, this British native designer made his first attempt at designing a Resort collection that might have impressed some and might have left others wondering, why? Inspired by African women, Michael made it a point to present the right lightweight tribo fabrics that were also mixed with metallic embellishments to inspire woman on how to dress for a party.
ROBERTO CAVALLI – Milan, June 19th
Cropped white pants, exotic animal prints and biker jackets, were just a few of the many things that made this collection stand out. With no doubt in mind this collection was accurately made for the chic who shops in between seasons. Everything from your romantic sparkly evening dresses to your jeans and cotton trousers, most will get the feel as if they have taken a trip through India; sincerely Cavalli.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – London, June 22nd
What women wore during the time of war, was the inspiration behind Alexander McQueen’s Resort 2014 collection. It had almost an eerie feel to it. Almost as if time has been turned backwards. The belts of this collection had a structured, and military feel to them, made of canvas cotton. Sarah Burton did an amazing job of following McQueen’s signature vision, style lines, and denim patchwork details, while incorporating a 1940’s concept. If Burton continues in this direction, she will deliver again and again in McQueen’s footsteps.
ANTONIO BERARDI – Milan, June 25th
A mathematical equation comes to mind while viewing Antonio Berardi’s Resort 2014 collection. Starting with the first model in the collection, to the very last. The thought process behind Berardi’s sequence is extremely impressive. There is an architectural influence behind his designs, which combines geometric patterns mixed with structured style lines. The layered long sleeved red gown was the show stopper, and consisted of red lace inserts in the side seams…a stunning masterpiece.
BALMAIN – Paris, July 1st
There is no one better than Olivier Rousteing, who is the designer in the house of Balmain, to prove to us that overalls are now formally trending. Consistently known as a classy and luxurious label, the designer has now taken a new, more causal direction when constructing the Resort 2014 collection. Denim, houndstooth tweed, silk and black leather were a major focus on this runway. Which now leads every woman to think, “Overalls for the evening?” Anything is possible in today’s fashion ladies.
ICEBERG – Paris, July 8th
Everyone is dying to know just who is this mystery designer behind Iceberg’s 2014 Resort Collection? The contemporary feel is mixed with patterns and mod shapes, simple, yet far from boring. What really stood out in Iceberg’s collection were the kaki Bermuda shorts with an asymmetrical closure in the front…brilliant. The neutrals mixed with bold colors is right on trend for Resort 2014, not to mention totally wearable. It is only a matter of time until the secret behind this collection is revealed…
ATTO – Paris, July 10th
We absolutely loved Atto’s Resort 2014! A delicious, mix & match fabrications used in Julien Dossena’s collection is out of this world. High belts above the waist almost at the bust line, sequins turtlenecks as layering pieces, and scandalous slits on skits, are bringing this collection to another level. It definitely has a mod and Twiggy appeal to it, with a modern twist. Designer Julien Dossena’s innovative ideas and creations will not confine him as just an up and coming designer, Atto will definitely become a household name.
CAMILLA AND MARC – London, July 11th
The value of “less is more” was definitely a major influence throughout this collection. As the duo sibling designers remained true to their signature draped silhouettes, they also brought strong asymmetrical and geometric twists to the table. Although, most pieces were presented in a black and white theme, Camilla and Marc were also able to deliver a clean cut show by mixing prints and colours all in one.
