Collection from Chanel, Paris Fashion week Ready-to-wear spring 2013.
The designer for Chanel’s RTW spring 2013, Karl Lagerfield, took inspiration from the concept of heaven. There was an emphasis on exaggerated proportions – with oversized jackets over a-line dresses, to give the appearance of them being ‘too long’. The concept of heaven is alluded to through the white fashion pieces, suggesting purity and innocence, which are embellished with scattering of pearls, beading and embroidery – attention to detail appears to be central to this collection.
The 80s was an era of ‘power dressing’, with British designer Vivienne Westwood influencing the trends with her collections and Madonna donning the ‘street urchin’ look complete with brassieres as outerwear and lace gloves. In this decade, fashion changed direction as more women entered the workplace and took on office roles, shoulder pads were exaggerated in the blazers that people wore. Chanel’s Ready-to-wear collection has taken inspiration from the exaggerated shoulder pads of the 80s, however the shape being more rounded and current to bring the trend up to date. The meaning of shoulder pads still remains, to highlight the empowerment of women through fashion.
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Bibliography:
– CARNEGY, V. Fashions of the Decade: The 1980s. London, B.T Batsford.
– ENTWISTLE, J. The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress and Modern Social Theory. 2 Websites
– STYLE.COM. Chanel’s 2013 shoulder pad collection [Online Image] Available from: www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2013RTW-CHANEL
– VOGUE (2012) Chanel, Spring/Summer 2013. Available from: www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2013/ready-to-wear/chanel [Access date, unknown]