Best and Worst of Olympus Fashion Week- Spring 2007

I, while writing for Double Vixen, have gone to the trouble of sifting through hundreds of designs and compiling the highlights (and lowlights) of the Olympus Fashion Week 2007 spring collection. Enjoy!

TOP 10 BEST LOOKS: TAKE NOTES FROM THESE PROS!

10. TEMPERLEY LONDON
This look is very ‘Bohemian Chic Barbie.’ I could see it out on the streets of New York. I could see it at the beach in L.A. I could see it on a college campus. It’s quite versatile in its simplicity.

9. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
This is a modern take on childhood sunny days and sprinklers for a mature woman. The shape of the top emphasizes bust while the large waistband of the skirt minimizes bottom heavy hips, while the corals are a perfect accent for bronze tanned skin. Scoop it up.

8. MILLY
This designer’s refreshing fun prints and colorful patterns are sure to put a ‘spring’ in your step this spring, that is if you like turning heads.

7. SASS & BIDE
This ensemble includes a kickin’ pair of summer shorts. They accentuate a thin waist, while disguising a prime female problem area- thighs, with a lose fitting leg that doubles as a ventilator by leaving room for fresh air as opposed to sticking to the skin. This is perfect for going to the office or a corporate event without dying in the heat we are sure to experience from the wrath of global warming. Function and style. Nice.

6. TIBI
This suit is so tasteful; I think it could double as a chic clubbing top with a cute pair of black slacks. The delicate crochet work adds that bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes this a keeper.

5. BCBG MAX AZRIA
This outfit is classy. Women both young and old could rock this look, and it works for a variety of events from a casual lunch date with a girlfriend on an average day to an annual romantic evening dinner with a beau. The pattern along the bottom of the skirt has an elongating effect on the piece while the ribbon adds a touch of flirtyness that keeps the apparel from entering a bland zone.

4. BILL BLASS
This shirt and pants set made it to the top 10, because it looked so incredibly comfortable while simultaneously projecting allure. This made it a standout against the majority of overcomplicated, corset-involved, limitlessly ornamented fashions (see worst-of section) which can only be worn the length of time it takes to walk a runway, since that is equivalent to the duration for which a model can hold her breathe without turning blue in the face. I could definitely envision this model walking backstage after the show, continuing right out of the arena and straight into a cab headed home (or probably to her boyfriend’s flat), and, finally, jumping into a comfy bed without changing a thread.

3. WILLOW
This design is exquisitely fitted, innovative, and the cut is incredibly eye-catching without being overdone or flashy. The draping and overlapping techniques beautifully showcase the designer’s expertise in this medium.

2. BETSEY JOHNSON
Some of her line is a little “Betty homemaker,” (with a funky edge, mind you) but this design rocks it for springtime. It’s practical with pockets, flirty with lace (but not too much), and the angular cut of the neck and straps adds for much needed structure to balance out the breezy loose form of the rest of the dress.

1. CARLOS MIELE
Sure, it’s not everyday wear, but slip into this and you’ll look like a vision in blue. I really hope to see this floating down the red carpet. Hollywood is looking a little black and white these days.

TOP 10 WORST LOOKS: BEWARE! EYES MAY SUFFER MINOR DAMAGE.

10. VERRIER
This was the worst skirt in the whole show. It looks completely unfinished and unfit for the runway. Verrier needs to check their stitching. I can’t think of any occasion for which this bottom article of clothing would be appropriate. It’s so amateur and tacky. It reminds me of one of the masterpieces from kindergarten made from recyclables that a mom will save forever…for nostalgic, not aesthetic purposes. I’m actually embarrassed for this designer. Bottom line: if it looks like a child’s cut and paste art project, don’t push it out on the runway.

9. SABYASACHI
Yodel-Ay-Eee-Ooo! Looks spinster dress is reminiscent of wall paper you’d find in the Suisse Alps, right next to the moose head hanging on the wall. Was this Gwen-in-her-‘Sound of Music’-mode induced?

8. RICHARD CHAI
There is less imagination in this design than the stereotypical, unoriginal ghost costume made out of a pinned bed sheet that took minimal effort to make, and it’s comparably ill-fitting. I suppose if you lack a mattress and linens, this dress may be a good investment.

7. JAY MCCARROLL
Haha- wasn’t this guy on Project Runway? His stuff really does remind me of Japanese Manga comic book characters ala Paul Pope. His stuff didn’t make me cringe as much as some of the other designers, and were actually pretty entertaining, but a bit too futuristic for 2007.

6. TULEH
Girl got straight up dropped feet first into a prune! Just looking at this dress is getting my bowels a movin’.

5. MALO
Classic potato sack. I needn’t say more.

4. BABY PHAT BY KIMORA LEE SIMMONS
It looks like The Little Mermaid ate Ursula and then threw up gothic projectile vomit all over this model.

3. CHARLES NOLAN
Oh my god. This doesn’t look like a celebration of Springtime, and it certainly isn’t fresh. It looks like Ernest’s Grandma goes on Safari… only this outfit is more of a joke than he is. Check out those khakis peeking out from under the muumuu poncho. Hott!

2. CUSTO BARCELONA
The cat in the hat and Raggedy Anne would be proud. I think this designer has a future in children’s fairy tales, right down to the side ponytail. But what is he doing at fashion week?

1. HEATHERETTE
This was by far the hardest decision to make. This designer duo had so many hideous designs, it was laughable. I felt this was representative of the collection. Hmm, wonder what their inspiration was. Syphilis?