The dynamic duo of David and Phillipe Blond always seem to find inspiration in the most unlikely of places, and in less capable hands, off-the-wall ideas like theirs have the distinct potential to fall really really flat (spoiler alert: they never do, though, because the Blonds are rhinestone-swaddled geniuses). Their collections—and accordingly, their shows—are always campy but never corny, forever nailing the exact frequency of BANANAS at which to oscillate. For Fall 2014 they looked to Gotham City, more specifically Catwoman circa Michelle Pfeiffer and Tim Burton‘s Batman Returns.
As with every Blonds show, Phillipe opens with a surprise themed entrance and one of the most jaw-dropping looks of the show—starting things off with a bang. This season, that meant a fully gem-encrusted black and silver bodysuit, an eared skullcap, and bejeweled whip. David and Phillipe applied their special Blonds touch to Batman/Catwoman iconography, rendering the Gotham City skyline in vivid airbrushing or the baguette stitching of Catwoman’s costume in emerald cut rhinestones or constructing an entire bustier out of Selina Kyle’s favorite accessory: whips.
Not to be left out, The Blonds also nodded to other Batman villains like The Joker (a dress emblazoned with a wide-mouthed grin and worn with a luxurious green striped fur), Poison Ivy (by way of a corset decked out in purple and green metallic flourishes), and The Riddler (a purple and green number hearkening to the lycra jumpsuit-clad version portrayed by Jim Carrey).
Part of what ensures these hyper-themed collections never feel played or too on-the-nose (aside from their masterful understanding of construction and how to flatter the female figure) is: The Blonds always do their research. These two looked to ALL aspects of the character for inspiration. For instance, this gem-clad trio? It’s a nod to Catwoman’s initial introduction as a burglar and jewel thief. The model in front is swagged out in a corset drenched in pirate’s booty (her nails, courtesy of CND are, too) and a big ol’ black fur coat. Her lackeys, though, only get real gems on their necklaces. Their bodysuits are equipped with trompe l’oeil prints. I should also take this opportunity to point out the dark-lined ombre lips and suuuuper high arched eyebrows that make up the villainous vixen look courtesy of famed makeup artist Kabuki.
Of course, what is an homage to Catwoman without actual cats! On top of Phillipe’s Blonds-ified version of Selina Kyle’s catsuit, there are also a few pieces in the collection that play on the cat theme in general, employing mirror faceted cats as built-in shoulder accessories to the outfits. There’s a kind of pink panther version (to the left) and a leopard-leaning one (to the right) as well as an all-black rendition (not pictured). The most entertaining tie to the cat theme, though, had to be Anna Cleveland, her fully-knitted pink corset dress. Instead of a straightforward walk, she maniacally knit herself into her dress.
The crowd was dressed in their club kid finest, adding to the party-like atmosphere. We noted celebrities Joe Jonas, a very pregnant Lil’ Kim, Laverne Cox from “Orange is the New Black”, Paris Hilton, Susanne Bartsch, Amanda Lepore, Carmen Carrera, Perez Hilton and past XEX cover Ryan Nickulas.
:::SOURCE::: Images: Getty