Too young for Couture?

Bloggers and editors saw elements of inspiration from Twilight in the most recent collection – which was fittingly opened by the new face of the brand, Freja Beha Erichsen – but no agreement on whether that is a good or bad thing seems to have surfaced. WWD felt the clothes were beautiful but too youthful for a couture line and the Telegraph thought the collection was more confident and signature to the new designers, while Style.com admits the pitch to a younger audience was peculiar but perhaps genius. {The Cut}

Or too Boring?

Style.com may have hit the nail on the head, as luxury fashion labels have attempted to keep their footing of late by reaching out to Generation Y. The looks may also come to symbolize a new era for Valentino.

The youthful slant to the collection is smart, but there are too many dropped waistlines and bows for our taste and the clothes are a bit bland, a kiss of death for haute couture, which we look to for the kind of over the top fantasy that would be out of place in ready to wear collections. The blah-ness of it is ironic considering the collection departs from their more typical Valentino lines, which critics found boring as well. Nothing is terribly wrong with the collection – the sheer hoop dress looks like a toned down take on Lady Gaga’s Grammy dress, but it looks like Chiuri and Piccioli are light years away from wowing like John Gallianoâ€s flower-inspired masterpiece for Dior did earlier in the week.

Prada is releasing a 706 page book showcasing 30 years of innovation. It covers more than just fashion with images in art, architecture, cinema and communications. Prada is a brand that has brought more to the table than just exciting fashion and amazing shoes, and the book offers a comprehensive overview of the total Prada lifestyle. The book, meant to capture the creative essence of Prada through visual means, will retail for €100 (approximately $148) and be sold in Prada stores worldwide. Even if you can’t afford the bag or shoes you’ve been lusting after, the book should offer a lasting dose of Miuccia’s creativity, and husband Patrizio Bertelli’s business sense. We assume it will be present on many coffee tables this holiday season.

Read the full article {WWD}