We see them nestled in between each season and wax poetic about these smaller collections. Collections that often offer a little more of a relationship with creativity and commodity. Why do they exist? Who the heck invented this idea of a resort collection? I am definitely going to talk a little bit about the former but will leave the latter for some necessary research paper for class. I find that both resort and pre-fall collections are relevant to the flow of the creative process of the designer. At the same time I see the collections as more marketable.
Who knows how the resort collection was originally conceived. But the idea was to present a special selection of high fashion that was for that wonderful holiday. Chanel Resort was my favorite last season. That would definitely lend itself to the idea that resort is for playing around on the beaches of St. Tropez. Karl Lagerfeld is especially famous for evoking this "airy" and "light" feeling during his resort collections. For me it is easier to see and observe where a designer is coming from during Resort because they are working with this weird constricting concept of traveling in warm weather. So how does pre-fall fit in?
Pre-fall collections are my favorite! They always define classic. I use A.P.C as an example because it is a good model for how most pre-fall collections want to appeal to a broader consumer. Ports 1961 is another example of clean cuts, rich colors, and creativity in the presentation. There seems to be less pressure for designers to present a def-defying cut or concept during the pre-fall and so the word casual is used quite often. Casual seems too bland. However I, as a consumer, would love to own more from pre-fall collections because they seem less fussy. This is the point! We are in time when designers not only feel pressure to create but also to create a brand in order to make money. There is nothing wrong with it but it produces interesting collections.
Before posting this mini essay I talked with two friends, Amanda and Jp, and they were quite helpful. I asked a few other friends off handedly and the general public consensus is that while these collections are vague in meaning they serve a relevant purpose to both the designer and the consumer.
Life is beautiful, let's share a little.
Joy D.
