galismDenim and pearls.
dazzlin S/S 2012
It’s barely the end of December, but Japanese brands have already started rolling out their wares for the upcoming spring season. Among them is MARK STYLER brand dazzlin. Some of you might remember the brand’s fantastic retro-Americana collection from last spring, which, by the way, I loved. This new collection brings that same sense of playfulness, along with some unexpected contrasts. Everything is really best summed up in dazzlin’s own words: ”cotton candy fantasy.”
Quirky bearskin hats bring a little drama to the runway. Who would’ve thought they could ever look this cute?
Delicate outfits are contrasted by heavy, more aggressive footwear in pale colors like white and mint…
…while sheer footless tights perfectly mirror the rest the collection.
The collection gets a hint of sportiness with a Chanel-esque—here we go, ladies—fanny pack. (Even I can’t sugar coat that.)
The sportiness continues with a girly chiffon baseball jacket and matching tennis skirt. Such a fun combination!
Sweet is in the details. I can see so many girls wearing these necklaces.
Beautiful mix of prints and textures here.
Bring on the retro cat eye frames, please!
The nipped in waist is a nice contrast to the baby-doll silhouettes shown above.
Cat purses, anyone?
Another playsuit, again done in a dainty print. The smocked chest is a bit juvenile, admittedly.
Can’t say this or the pearl-encrusted bikini bottom above are very practical swimwear choices…but hey, they’re gorgeous!
So there you have it—dreamy ice cream colors, delicate sheer fabrics, oodles of ruffles, and a little bit of Marie Antoinette mixed in for good measure.
What do you think of this collection? Does dazzlin do it for you?
Trend Watching: Spring & Summer Shorts
Summer-like temperatures are already hitting some parts of the world right now, so what better way to beat the heat than with shorts! Here’s what to be on the lookout for…
The two biggest trends in shorts right now are high-waisted and wide leg/balloon silhouettes, both of which fit right in with the whole retro-girly boom that’s been rocking gal fashion lately. The good news is that either can be extremely figure flattering! Girls with defined waist lines will appreciate the middle-hugging fit of high-waisted styles while those with fuller thighs will like the balance created by more voluminous leg lines. Have a look at some of what the 109 brands have come up with. (To get more info and purchase, simply click each picture.)
Take your pick with this group of adorable puffy shorts from dazzlin (¥6,195), one spo (¥5,775), mmts (¥6,720), me Jane (¥3,465), LOVE GIRLS MARKET (¥5,985), and ROSE FAN FAN (¥3,990).
Girls who love monotone prints won’t be left behind this summer. Here are some chic numbers from GIRLS DOORS (¥4,935), DURAS (¥4,935), and LOVE BOAT (¥4,935).
Ready to reveal your girly side? These lace and floral shorts from one spo (¥3,045), LIP SERVICE (¥5,985), ROJITA (¥6,825), CECIL MCBEE (¥4,935), and Miel Crishunant (¥3,570) are perfect for you!
Ahoy there! Check out the marine-themed influences with this crop of sailor shorts from SHAKE SHAKE (¥4,725; ¥3,990), Minir Dees (¥6,195), and ROJITA (¥6,825).
Make a statement in these cute shorts from ROSE FAN FAN (¥3, 990) and Ank Rouge (¥5,985) featuring trendy seasonal prints.
None of these doing it for you? Several brands have skipped both trends in favor of an edgier look. Distressed denim cut-offs are in and there’s a lot to choose from, complete with plenty of studs, rips, and interesting finishes. Here’s a selection from brands including CECIL McBEE (¥3,990), GILFY (¥7,350), BACKS (¥7,245), LIP SERVICE (¥7,245), NAVANA (¥5,145), MA*RS (¥5,985), and GILFY (¥7,350).
Which styles of shorts are your favorites? Let us know on the forums!
Totally precious dazzlin’ S/S 2011 web movie, found via Sleeping Tokyo. Missed the dazzlin runway show? Check out my report here!
dazzlin S/S 2011
If the last two spring runway posts had you yawning, consider this post about dazzlin’s new collection a total wake-up call. Bright colors, kitschy prints, and playful silhouettes make this one of the funnest offerings of the season. And the hair? Oh yes. Isn’t this exactly what spring is supposed to be about? Check out a video of the show over at the forum and be sure to leave your comments for us!
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MARK-STYLER is the brand conglomerate behind several Japanese contemporary labels, including LagunaMoon, EMODA, MURUA, dazzlin, MERCURYDUO, and HAN AHN SOON.
All of these brands are part of what Japan calls the “real clothes” movement. In a nutshell real clothes can be thought of as domestic (Japanese) “designer” pieces that still manage to be largely accessible, affordable, and most of all, wearable, even right off the runway. While real clothes do kill some of the drama and magic that comes with many haute couture shows, this isn’t really an issue with the majority average Japanese consumers who are still interested in fashion. To them, the greatest thrill seems to lie in clothes that are more conceptually approachable and realistically obtainable. Biannual events like the ridiculously popular Tokyo Girls Collection further prove that the hunger for real clothes is very, very real.
I can dig it. When it comes to most runway fashion, I’m pretty content to look most of the time, but hey…touching is nice, too. Getting back to MARK-STYLER, the name for their collective fashion show, “touch me,” couldn’t be any more appropriate. I could go for any number of these combinations, and indeed, that’s exactly the point. (See below for my favorites.) You can watch the entire show and see each brand’s beautiful offerings for A/W 2010 here.
