Doll's Eye View: BELLISSiMA ITALIA!!!!

In a word....Milan fashion week was.....PRETTY!!! The experimentation that we've been seeing over the past few seasons has halted. Designers here did what they do best in Italy.....create clothes that flatter, feminize, pamper, exalt, and beautify the woman. Think lace, think ruffles.....think curvy, fit and flare clothes that show off the figure underneath. Not only would I want to wear them for myself, they are the perfect clothes that make any doll picture perfect! (And they suit the personalities of our favorite 12" divas so divinely well!!!!)

SHORT STORY

 

Short shorts is the coolest way for dolly to strut her stuff on hot summer days. This is a trend inspired by the old fashion bathing suits of the 1950's as well as the hot pants craze of the '70s. Most often they are cut like your grandmother's panties in cottons, lyrca or even leather, then teamed with a pretty blouse, a slouchy top or a bra and shirt.

CANDY STRIPERS

Stripes are always in, but these take on a whole new dimension. Look out for shadow striped fabrics, "ethnic stripes" of zigzags or imperfect tracks, bar codes or even raffia stripes that move to a definite Carnival beat.

THE KATE EFFECT

While the Americans still march behind Kim Kardasian, European fashionistas have been long following the more elegant lead of Princess Kate Middleton. In this most gracious style, you'll find some throw-backs to the early 60's, inspired by the timeless looks of Cristobal Balenciaga or Mr. de Givenchy. Silhouettes are simple, bold and clean, sometimes incorporating an element of surprise with an interesting drape like the jacket pictured here from Emporio Armani.

 

PRINTS-APALITY

With Europe center stage in the saga of the immigrants, patterns and prints are foremost in the minds of many designers. We're seeing a contemporary take on prints featured here in all over effects and girly silhouettes. The message here....don't be afraid of experimenting with folkloric or ethnic prints for contemporary clothing. OR...be inspired by ethnic costume but translate them into something modern by using modern floral or fauna prints.

SPICE RACK

There's lots of spice added to the color palette of next summer's trends. When looking for fabrics, don't forget to include cinnamon, curry, mustard seed, paprika, chili pepper and lemongrass!!!! You have a pick of lengths. Fashions range from the super short-shorts to ankle length dresses. Pants range from narrow stovepipes to loose and easy pant legs.

 

GUGGENHEIM

As to be expected in Europe...fashion heavily peppered with art. We like a simple shift made from a hodgepodge of materials fashioned together. Or think sculptural. A leather dress is draped over the body and tied into a serious of bows down one side for the sexiest dress ever. Consider a skirt with a high waist worn over a simple white t-shirt.

BLACK ORCHID

The little black with a fresh new twist! Consider a simple dress with a handkerchief hem, or a great big sarong with ruffled edges worn with a bare midriff top. Or it could even be as simple as a skirt or dress that wraps over the dress like big floral petals cut from rayon jersey or black stretch silk.

BLACK SWAN

Feathers, touches of lace, these are more pretty ways to dress dolly for a night on the town.

Karen wears a taffeta blouse with ruffled sleeves worn over a simple marabou feather skirt.

 

PRETTY LADY

Again, a very lady-like approach to fashion trends, these are clothes that are silky, soft, flowing and perfectly pretty! There are draped tops over shorts, Grecian style dresses cut from chiffons or soft fabrics (like rayon) that seductively wrap around the body. Even a soft pantsuit with wide trousers belted in a soft contrasting bow is a very pretty way to dress your doll.

 

Getting the look is as easy as tacking panels of ripped chiffon onto ribbon waistband then creating a bustier of medallions cut from lace, as shown here by model, China.

NEUTRAL TERRITORY

This is another story starts with colors inspired by desert sands. Jackets or coats are classically structured and worn loose or belted. Evening dresses flow freely over the body are cut from mocha, toffee, or sandalwood silk. Look for shadow stripes, devore or silk satins and consider  tent or shift silhouettes that freely hang from the shoulders to the ankles.

 

ANGEL FOOD

A glorious them of pristine white chiffon, lace--whether cotton appliques or re-embroidered. These are pretty little dresses that flutter, flatter but mostly show off the super girly side of dolly. Why, it's down right heavenly!!!!  (Finally--something to do with all that discounted lace trim you've been hoarding over the years!!!!)

Inspired by the early 1960's, this sheath dress has a bodice that flares out over the waist. Here Laeticia wears a dress cut from stretch lace that has appliques of embroidered lace stitched on top for an added dimension.

Next and final stop on our fashion bus.....Paris!!!!

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