Isabel Marant SS 2012

When I took a closer look at the Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2012 collection a couple of weeks ago, I became slightly infatuated with the sharp colours, rough details and that oh-so fabulous knitted jumper, which by the way, is as heavy as it looks.

Isabel Marant Resort 2012 Sneakers

シークレットス二ーカー

ここ数シーズン出ているデザインで、カラーが毎年違ってくる

Isabel Marant Spring 2012

Photo: Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com

“It’s very optimistic. A suitcase packed by a girl who travels all over the world,” said Isabel Marant, gesturing toward Arizona Muse, who was wearing a giant sweater (well, a sweaterdress) knitted in multicolor yarn stripes. “And she’s a bit crafty. She tie-dyes and patchworks, and cuts up her sweatshirts to knit with!” Marant paused to look at the models lining up (in the 90 degree heat) to take the runway. Then she grinned. “It’s a sunny-day collection—for days like today!”

Looking at the leggy girls—and they are nowhere leggier than at Isabel’s—the audience, melting in the unseasonable European heat, could only fantasize about being young and free enough to run off immediately with their own suitcase packed with the designer’s oversize tie-dyed utility jackets, football T-shirts, a few pairs of skinny jeans, and a couple of track pants, rolled up in a ball.

It would be traveling light because her body-con dresses are almost as tight and small as bathing suits are minute. Ditto for evening: skimpy, silver lamé draped things or some folkloric tapestry lace pieces to throw on over whatever.

In a way, Isabel Marant is one of fashion’s most authentic voices in casual dressing—the French equivalent of, say, Alexander Wang in New York. But she has her own feminine glamour going on.

It’s always about a high heel (this time a sandal with silver chains at the ankle, guaranteed to be a fetish object next season) and she’s true, always, to a vaguely hippie, but sexy, way of doing things. She has her staples: the jeans, which put her in the forefront of this season’s denim revival, and the abbreviated quilted jackets she always does, now collaged from tie-dye denim and mirror embroidery.

Every item is believable, accessible ready-to-wear that girls all over the world crave to get their hands on. Even though the economy might be heading in an uncertain direction, Isabel Marant has every right to be in an optimistic mood. This one will sell.

Isabel Marant(イザベル マラン)はデザイナーのIsabel Marantが自身の名前を冠して、1993年にスタートさせたフランスのファッションブランド。

デザイナーのIsabel Marantはミッシェル・クランのもとで経験を積み、その後、マーク・アルコーリ(Marc Ascoli)のアシスタントとして、クロエ、ヨウジ・ヤマモトなどのアートディレクション活動に関わった経歴を持っています。

1995S/Sコレクションでショーデビューをはたし、2004年には子供服のラインを発表し、現在も世界中で人気を博すブランド。

オリエンタル、エスニックの要素をところどころに散りばめたリアルクローズが特徴。