2010, Year of Madness

Dada artist Hugo Ball said, "Being in harmony with nature is the same as being in harmony with madness." In light of the MoMA's Tim Burton exhibit continuing through April 26, we felt the release of Burton's Alice in Wonderland was particularly exciting, and it ignited our realization that everyone seems to be a little mad these days. It is no wonder people ages five to seventy-five can't look away from Lady Gaga's red-carpet arrangements or switch off her songs. We feel her emergence in pop culture has been one of the most obvious sparks for this destruction of design, from couture runways to sidewalks everywhere and anywhere reached by radio waves.

So, what have this mad hatter's most recent effects been?

An image from Gaga's video Telephone, performed with Beyoncé, to be released tomorrow (Photo courtesy of ladygaga.com)

It appears John Galliano took his cues for the pre-fall Christian Dior collection from the true Mad Hatter, overtly enough to be a tribute to Burton. The line includes top hats, ethereal, otherworldly layers of chiffon, plaid jackets we'd expect to see on the White Rabbit as he checks his pocket watch, Helena Bonham Carter's perpetually wild hair and pursed lips, and apron-like frocks from Alice's closet. See the rest of the collection here.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Speaking of "children's" films recreated, a pack of wild things walked the plank in Paris at Vivienne Westwood's command, and they linger in other lines such as Maison Martin Margiela, the final image below. Even the VW models' bold makeup seems monstrously reminiscent of KW and the gang's enormous facial features. See the rest of the Westwood collection here.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Where have all the normal people gone? More importantly, does anyone miss them?

Fabric and Length for Fall

Long dresses have been grazing many-a runways these days. In Milan and Paris, floor-length gowns have not only been popular but also gorgeously done. See below in order: Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain, Roberto Cavalli, and Vivienne Westwood. We love the dresses from Ferragamo and Balmain for their metallic fabrics and plunging necklines, which balance nicely excesses of fabric and sexy flashes of skin. The Cavalli dress fit nicely into his bohemian, weighted collection, as a fresh perspective injecting youthfulness amidst the other complex, layered looks. Westwood? Well, let's just say this is the least conspicuous arrangement to appear on the runway.

We'll definitely be keeping our maxi dresses close at hand after Labor Day.

   

   

Photos courtesy of style.com