Giambattista Valli X 7 For All Mankind

Giambattista Valli X 7 For All Mankind

Giambattista Valli X 7 For All Mankind

I feel a little silly…this piece should have been written about ten days ago! At least, that’s when I received the newsletter from 7 For All Mankind announcing this awesome collaboration. I remember when I was a huge rock n’ roll buff, collaborations were the most exciting thing about the whole music scene to me…watching my favorite artists work together to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces that would stick with me for years and years to come. Now that the fashion and style world is also a focus of mine, it’s just about as fun to see that happen with my favorite designers. As you might know by now, I blog mostly about denim, with a bit of independent artistry on the side…not a whole lot about high couture. Although some of those over-the-top fashion shows are extremely fascinating to watch due to the high level of creativity, it’s not totally my scene…I’m more of a contemporary fashion kind of girl. However, seeing Giambattista Valli collaborate with 7 For All Mankind is pretty noteworthy to me because it’s not really all that often that we see the laid back world of contemporary fashion, or premium denim in this case, meet the ultra fancy world of high couture. The result here is pretty awesome…pieces such as shirts, dresses and of course, denim, keep the same feel that we are used to seeing from 7 For All Mankind, with a extra classy touch that warrants being seen on a catwalk down one of the world’s most famous fashion shows. This collection offers a warm rainbow of high waisted coated skinnies, each with an “innovative and most seductive fabric” with “a polished, lacquered, lipstick look while rose gold buttons and lacquered labels” to “enhance the impeccable attention to detail,” as well as several splattered with eye-catching leopard, tiger or antelope animal prints that “fusion of Valli’s animalier motif and incredible stretch fabric” to “create a bold and sexy statement. An attention to cut and detail, from the lacquered labels to shiny black buttons enhance the emphasis on luxury and finish.” Also included in this collection are a few tops and a dress to round out a line from a collaboration that I’m sure will be talked about for some time to come.

Inspired by Couture, Reimagined for Denim. Each limited-edition piece reflects Valli’s bold, inventive spirit and impeccable fit, construction, and proportion that have awarded him ‘master of the feminine silhouette’.”

Giambattista Valli X 7 For All Mankind - High Waist Skinny in Flame

Image: 7 For All Mankind. High Waist Skinny in Flame

Just check out these details, above! I love the side zip contrasted with the coated finish of these beautiful jeans.

Unfortunately, since I kind of slacked on getting this feature up, most of the styles are sold out…but there’s still a lot left! Shop the collection right here.

Shimmery Golden Awesomeness by Oscar de la Renta

Shimmery Golden Awesomeness by Oscar de la Renta

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now, you know I’m MUCH more contemporary fashion-focused than couture-focused, but I do appreciate high couture for it’s pure artistry. While out of reach for most of us, it’s still something to be admired sometimes! There are few things as creative in the fashion world as what I see come out of the brilliant minds behind some of these super high end brands. Oscar de la Renta, being one of them. Couture e-tailer Moda Operandi has featured some newly released items from the brand, two of which (the footwear shown here) are available for pre-order in an online trunk show ending tonight at 6pm EST. But I just really wanted to share these Tobin Booties, above! How amazing are they? I’m not much of a loafers fiend but I figured they were perfect to pair with them in this post, along with the jewelry below. I would be too afraid to walk in these booties if I was lucky enough to snag a pair! These beauties are made in Italy out of Specchio leather, and feature a zip closure. I know we’re fresh out of the holidays, but these would certainly turn heads at a swanky holiday party!

Shimmery Golden Awesomeness by Oscar de la Renta - Russian Gold Necklace

Oscar de la Renta Russian Gold Necklace

Shimmery Golden Awesomeness by Oscar de la Renta - Gold-Plated Disk Necklace

Oscar de la Renta Gold-Plated Disk Necklace

Shop or peruse more pieces by Oscar de la Renta at Moda Operandi here.

Here are some more beautiful metallic pieces of work from this well-respected, high profile designer. Just amazing!

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

I don’t usually dabble with the high couture stuff…for one thing, I certainly am not as knowledgeable of it as I am with contemporary fashion and my main focus, denim, and for another I know it’s way out of reach for most of us. I probably won’t even think of attempting to cover Fashion Week anytime soon. However, I still do enjoy photos and videos from high end runway shows and collections due to the artistry of it all! I never understood how so many take it so literally, complaining about price or the idea of anyone walking down the street in any of the exaggerated pieces often seen in high fashion shows. But it’s art. And I admire it happily. It doesn’t have to be your style to appreciate the creativity put into it, right? Prabal Gurung is one of those brands that struck me awhile back due to their bright colors and bold, eye catching designs. Gurung is from Singapore but raised in Nepal, and moved to New York for studies at Parsons The New School for Design after beginning his design career in New Delhi. After that, he designed with Cynthia Rowley for two years, became design director at Bill Blass for five years, then started Prabal Gurung in February 2009. I remember seeing many blogs highlighting it as a promising up and coming brand to watch, and they are still going strong! Gurung went on to become a favorite for celebrities everywhere, including the First Lady and The Duchess of Cambridge, launched a Target collection, and won numerous awards and honors. Gurung will launch footwear next year, and is working with M.A.C. cosmetics this year! That was a fun little research project for me…

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

This pre-Fall 2015 trunk show at Moda Operandi is open until December 29th at 10am EST, and all styles are available for pre-order. Gurung describes this collection as “Something opulent with something stark.” As for the inspiration…”Korean artist Lee Ufan’s exhibition at Versalles–a striking juxtaposition of industrial elements against the palatial backdrop–inspires streamlined pieces in elaborate textures and graphic prints.”

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

Pre Fall 2015 Prabal Gurung at Moda Operandi

Peruse/admire/shop/drool over the whole collection here before the trunk show ends December 29 at 10am EST.