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Extremes Fashion is a sign of the times, and times today are volatile. Designers are reacting in different ways, offering a wide variety and sometimes conflicting trends. by Marie Scarano
Mend M Me Men del el
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Cassis
Neu utral tones like bla ack, white, beige and d grey lend themselvess to simple cuts and interesting texturres in both fashion n and hair.
Cass Cass ssis
veryone has his own way of dealing with things, and it would seem that fashion designers are no different, although it would seem that there are two main concepts. Reassuring somber hues and vintage looks to reflect pessimism in the world economy and nostalgia for “back when” or picking spirits up with bright and bold tropical tones and carefree cuts. Elene Cassis came on with styles that were understated and lady-like but with a modern “twist” and bold black and white geometric patterns, to which lead hairstylists for L’Oréal Professionnel, Amit Abraham, matched an elegant “big hair” look, reminiscent of the classic “French Twist” and Jackie O simplicity to enhance the bold colors and shapes, Other designers offset neutral tones with rich plissé and draped fabrics that skim the figure while bodices evoke either Grecian goddesses or fairy-tale princesses, as did J. Mendel, who explained that “This season is all about the ethereal. It is an airy and easy look that is infused with modern femininity and a balletic twist.” Ted Gibson, L’Oréal top stylist, said he was inspired by the collection, which evoked in him the image of a ballerina with her hair down. The result was a deliberately unkempt look with straight texture for a just-out-of-bed look. The backstory to Jen Kao’s collection apparently involved “girls wandering the desert in an altered state where they find the man of Extremes in concepts their dreams.” One of his most striking creations was and cuts, but with a fitted and textured halter top with cutaway sides a neutral palette and a voluminous silk skirt. Such contrast calls for minimal accessories, and the most basic of jute sandals. L’Oréal Professional Portfolio Artist Joseph DiMaggio succeeded in capturing the mood by creating a multi-textured “salt of the earth” look, giving hair contrasting textures to mimic the fabrics, like the macramé and silk used in this collection.