Maurizio Pecoraro--A Forgotten Designer

For some reason, there are always some designers who just never really catch on.  It isn't that there is anything wrong with them or that they aren't talented.  It is just one of those things.  Maurizio Pecoraro seems to be one of those.

He is an independent Italian designer that has his runway shows in Milan.  He's a big enough name to always have his shows on style.com, which is more than most designers can ever say.  He makes great stuff, it always strikes me as a slightly saner (for the most part) version of Marni.  It always has some of the same design features, like mixed materials and interesting abstract prints and appliques.  For instance, the first picture is a look in his AW 2010 show--it has layering, openwork knit, interesting yet classic skirt, giant slouchy leather bag, mary jane heels, etc...  Its Marni for a normal person and it is entirely wearable.  Or at least I think so.

Maurizio Pecoraro obviously has talent--his runway looks are great and he was tapped to be the first designer at Vionnet for its revival.  Unfortunately, he released no designs during his 3 or so years at the fashion house (or on his own label)--for some reason this was blamed on the Iraq war.  Hmmmm.  I think part of the real problem is that this is one of those "almost" lines--this label is almost great, it just needs something more to push it over that final hump.  One of those things would be to quit confusing "evening look" with "must always have a million sequins".  Another would be to actually promote the line.  I'm a shopping fanatic and I'd absolutely love the buy the dress pictured.  It is from his SS 2010 collection and it is just lovely.  The problem is that even I, a shopping aficionado, have no idea where to find it.  In fact, I know nothing about Maurizio Pecoraro himself other than that he shows in Milan, worked at Vionnet for a while and his line finally made it somewhat into the fashion scene in 2003.  My emails for more information to the corporate office weren't answered and I can't figure out who the publicist for the line is.  I suspect that the lack of publicity might be the line's biggest problem of all.  Its very unfortunate.

Pictures from style.com

That Special Time Of Year

It is that most wonderful time of year--SALE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The summer sale season is in full swing now and due to the economic crisis a number of designers have really slashed their prices.  Right now on marni.com they have lowered prices by more than 50%.  The discounts are to the point where some dresses are only about $300.  Yes, that is right, $300 for a real Marni dress straight from the company.  The items that are still available there are actually some pretty good ones and not just the fugly ones that no one else wants.  Time to make the most of this most special time of year and stock up!

Picture from marni.com  

Vacation Time!

A good part of the time Resort collections feel like they are simply composed of the stuff that was made for other collections that wasn't good enough to be shown but not so terrible as to be completely discarded.  Which is probably Resort is probably the most forgotten and least cared about of all of the "seasons".  

Marni's Resort 2010 collection feels like anything but things that should have stayed on the cutting room floor.  It is classic Marni--interesting pieces that you'll never have a fat day in.  Sure, there were no soul-stirring prints, but the cuts and colors were such that they really aren't "resort" pieces, but a whole collection of classic basics that could be worn year after year.  That is nothing less than a successful collection.

Picture from style.com

May Flowers

It is now unarguably spring!  And, one of the best parts of spring are all of the beautiful flowers blooming.  As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers!

Floral prints are always in style.  It is classic, beautiful and easily adaptable to any trend that happens to be going on at any time.  The florals that seem to be hot this season are usually abstract/hand-drawn and on a light background.  The big breakout hit in this sort of print was the Prada 2008 Resort collection and the trend is still going strong this spring.

One of the coolest interpretations of this is by Marni!  One of the things that Marni does best is floral prints.  This spring will probably be remembered as one of their best in the last few years.  The prints look like hand-drawn doodles of sorts yet are totally wearable and chic!  And, they look classic enough to where if you invest in a piece, you'll be able to wear it seasons from now.  Pretty!!

Picture from marni.com

The Day of Love

Alas, the international day of love has arrived.  Many relationships over the years fizzle and die.  But, there are some that continue to live and bloom, with many happy years ahead.  

For me, that is my relationship with Marni.  Sure, men come and go but the constant is the shrine to my love of Marni living in my closet.  The fun prints, the bright colors, the fun cuts!  Oh, there are some loves that are worth having!

This spring, Marni definitely worth loving.  The sleeveless vest is the pink coat from fw2008 reinterpreted, the belt is a new version of a perennial Marni classic.  The necklace is the new version of the Marni statement-necklace.  The t-shirt is fun Marni t-shirt that anyone could wear.  And, of course, the skirt is a revisioning of a Marni print from a few seasons ago.  Needless to say, the shoes, bag and glasses are fun, wearable and instantly feminine.  Ah, love in textile form!

Picture from style.com

The Ancients Were Right!

There are some textiles that have been around for thousands of years that are still useful today!  One of these is ramie.  It has been in use for at least 6,000 years and is native to parts of Asia.  It is linen like in texture and considered antibacterial/antifungal.  Some mummies in Ancient Egypt have even been found to be wrapped in ramie!

Ramie is made from a bush-like plant and is harvested several times a year, up to six.  It is made of the layers of the plant that are just inside the bark that are then processed and spun into fabric.  

Even though ramie has been used for 6,000 years, it is still used today.  Most of the time it is used in China, Japan and Brazil, although some designers have started incorporating the fiber into their fabrics and designs.  One

 of these designers is Marni--in 2008 a number of garments were produced with ramie in the fabric.  Pictured is one such dress--the ramie is blended with synthetics to stabilize it and increase its durability.  Not only is the dress extremely stylish, but the textiles used have truly stood the test of time!

Pictures courtesy of ebay seller "rra2531" and listing number 230322949516

The Moment!!

The Spring shows are almost over and up until now, I haven't had "THE MOMENT."  You know, that moment where you catch your breath and say "That is IT!"  

This dress is that moment!  It is from the Marni SS09 show, which is full of wonderful looks, don't get me wrong.  But, something about this dress captures everything I hoped for the coming Spring.  It is colorful, the cut is fantastic and it just feels right.  It is something that any woman could wear.  It is a blank canvas for accessories but cool enough to stand on its own.  It even has splashes of the season's color cream.  THIS IS THE DRESS.  And, I can't hardly wait!

Picture from style.com

Fall--IT IS HERE!!

Horray!  It is fall!

Fall means pumpkins, dry leaves and more clothes!  One of the best things about fall and winter is it is a wonderful excuse to wear more clothes than you have gotten to in the last few months, like actual outerwear!

This fall is going to be all about layering, but unli

ke last fall, it won't be all about volume.  It is going to be all about balance and contrast!

Instead of wearing a huge puffy coat over a frothy dress, t

his fall it is all about the sleek coat over the dress, like this from Proenza Schouler:

Or, like this Marni look, with the big coat with the sleek dress:

Pictures from style.com