Best Jackets of the Season

With the resort shows starting to surface, here at Albert Zoll, Inc. we decided to do a review of some of the best jackets of the last FW.08 season. Though some are more practical than others, we thought they were all quite relevant and we predict that there will be quite a few re-interpretations and unfortunately knock-offs of the look we have featured. We love the combination of intensely structured tailoring with the unexpected hints of drapery use to create the silhouettes of many of the jackets. And, or course, we had to include a few of the more avant-garde garments such as Chado Ralph Rucci with Rucci's use of line to create the dynamic surface of the jacket, which almost resembles a topographic landscape of sorts. Where Rucci used line, Giles used feathers in a big, big way with his enormous cropped version of a jacket. And finally, we have Balenciaga's eerie embroidered latex jacket which, as with most things that Ghesquiere does, is completely off and bizarre, but it works and is a beautifully designed garment.

Shoes: Funky, Fabulous...and a bit Freaky

Here are our choices of the best/most ridiculous shoes for the season. Though some are more practical then others we love the bold shapes and use of unexpected materials such as goat hair on Pierre Hardy's patent leather sandal.

Balenciaga
Patent and mirrored leather Escarpins bootie.

Pierre Hardy
Patent leather sandal with goat-hair detail.

Lanvin
Metallic bootie with lacquered cone heel.

Christian Louboutin
Leather and ponyhair patchwork bootie.

Prada
Leather ankle boot.

All photos courtesy of Style.com

Trims-Turned-Textiles: Cat Chow's Zippers

To further out post about Trims-Turned-Textiles, we found it necessary to include the master, Cat Chow. She is one of those artist that pushes the envelope by using everyday common materials, but in unexpected ways. One of our favorite examples is her zipper dress, that is created by a single continuous length of zipper. The gown not only uses an unexpected material to create the "fabric" of the garment but the way that it is constructed forces the wearer to be zipped into the dress.

Best Bags of the Season

Here are some of our favorite bags this season from style.com's accessory report. Accessories over the past few season have been pushing the envelope as far as innovative use of materials and ironic design details. We love the use of materials shown on these bags from the rippled strips of leather on Burberry's Lowry Bag and glass gem encrusted clutch to Lavin's use of grosgrain ribbon as a textile for their Happy Partage handbag. The most innovative use of materials was shown on Salvatore Ferragamo's resin and mesh fringe bag shown below. This accessory resembles more of a sculpture then a handbag. And finally, we have Marni's suede handbag with its simple shape, typical Marni aesthetic, but what sets it apart is the very specific use of color, it's subtle, yet still looks rich along with the distinctive high shine hardware.

Christian Lacroix
Clutch with feather detail.

Burberry
Alligator clutch with amber glass gems.

Burberry
Corrugated alligator pleated Lowry bag.

Lanvin
Grosgrain Happy Partage handbag.

Salvatore Ferragamo
Tiered mesh fringe frame bag with resin barrel closure.

Marni
Suede handbag.

Prada's Lacy Things

Here are two bags from Prada for the F.W. 2008 season courtesy of style.com's most recent accessory report. We adore the wit and ironic way that Miuccia Prada designs and this is one of our favorite collections from Prada recently, accessories included.

Find all types of lace, ribbons, trim and handbag handles from Albert Zoll, Inc.

The Unconventional Wedding

Balenciaga's Single Seam Wedding Gown - 1967

This wedding gown by Balenciaga was created in 1967, one year before Cristobal Balenciaga decided to officially close the house in 1968. The gown is created with only one seam which creates a simple and very intentional triangular silhouette. This is a prime example of how Balenciaga's work became further simplified and increasingly architectural as his career went on.

Yohji Yamamoto Wedding Dress S.S 2000.
Natural cotton muslin and ivory silk jersey with large laser-cut holes.
Images Courtesy of the Costume Institute

Yamamoto has a unique ability to deconstruct and reinterpret clothing like very few other designers, and this dress is a prime example of that. To view more information about this dress visit one of our favorite blogs blog.mode: addressing fashion by The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This gown can be recreated using muslin from Albert Zoll, Inc.

Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci
Lauren Davis's reception/after-party gown

Both of Lauren Davis's gown were designed by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci, but of the two, this one remains our favorite. This is the feathered gown she changed into for the wedding reception, and later had Theyskens literally cut into a mini-dress for the after-party. The white feather gown is so beautiful in its simplicity with the allover texture created by the feather embellishment, and also in the clearly flattering silhouette of the dress, but then what else would you expect from Theyskens?

Albert Zoll's has an assortment of items to make any dress you can imagine from feathers, thread, trims and beads.

Model-of-the-Moment: Meghan Collison

Our model-of-the-moment pick this week is Meghan Collison. This Canadian born model is know for her striking features along with her trademark black bangs against ivory skin. Her look can be anything from a retro 50's bombshell to a heroin chic punk chick. Below are images from the Proenza runway, cover of Vogue and backstage shots.

blog.mode: addressing fashion

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a blog entitled blog.mode: addressing fashion. This blog has a schedule of upcoming posts as well as a rich variety of past post along with comments. This is a great fashion resource as well as being an exciting opportunity to start a discussion on the current topics. Some recent post topics are shown below. Check out the site. We highly recommend it.

Hussein Chalayan
Alexander McQueen

Yohji Yamamoto

Trims-Turned-Textiles: Ribbons, Ribbons & More Ribbons!

Lanvin

Zippers aside, ribbon and elastic banding were the prominent trims-turned-textiles of the season. Alber Elbaz used satin ribbons to create everything from skirts, to blouses, to dresses at Lanvin this season.

Hervé Léger by Max Azria

The was also the much anticipated revival of Hervé Léger this season, with Max Azria as head designer, delivering super slim-fitting cropped dresses made of elastic banding. Azria revamped the elastic banded dress that Léger was known for. View the assortment of ribbons and elastics at Albert Zoll,Inc. to create a look of your own.

Fashion Illustrator: David Downton

David Downton has some of the most incredible fashion illustrations around. His painterly quality and inherent ability to make the most of negative space creates an intensity unlike an other illustrator.

View More of David Downton's Work

From Runway to Red Carpet to

The Marchesa dress that Jessica Alba wore to the Oscars this year is a magnificent example of how to take a runway look and adapt it for the red carpet.

Above are some more looks that Marchesa showed for their F.W.2008 Show that demonstrate a more elaborate use of feathers and crystal decoration. Below are some trims that can be used to achieve the same feathered jeweled look to be used on cocktail dresses, formal wear and prom gowns.





Ostrich Fringe









Feathers By-the-Yard Black









Feathers By-the-Yard Purple









Crystal Silver Rhinestone Button Brooch









Crystal Silver Rhinestone Button Brooch

Get Amanda Bynes' Look for Prom

Try on Amanda Bynes' look by adding as little or as many crystals, beads and rhinstones as you like. All the trim and sewing supplies you need are available at Albert Zoll, Inc.









Crystal & Silver Rhinestone Cross Button










Crystal & Silver Square Rhinestone Button









Rhinestone Trim Crystal Iris










Swarovski Corona Crystal Beads









Crystal Swarovski Rhinestones