https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 05:55:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391601 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:14:26 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 391601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In brackets as it's not really part of the thread...</p> <p>(I didn't dare reply on this thread until Ornella, Joy and others admitted to some of the designer illiteracy that I experience... Thank you!</p> <p>I have a Viviennne Westwood shop locally. When I moved here my only thought about it was 'it's all bonkers'. Three years on, I can look in the window and think 'ah, that's rather fun (even if I wouldn't ever wear it)' and 'very Helena Bonham Carter'.</p> <p>I aspire to recognise more designer characteristics in the future and have an opinion!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391515 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:06:04 +0000 RoseandJoan 391515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Am I the first to mention Stella McCartney? Her oversized slouchy knits and trousers would form the basis of my weekend wardrobe, with a few Prada day dresses for good measure.</p> <p>Burberry would be my go to for outerwear, those colourful wool coats for Autumn are amazing. Of course I would need a Chanel jacket (or four).</p> <p>I love the latest By Malene Birger collection, it's wearable and meets many of my style goals<br /> <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2011/ready-to-wear/by-malene-birger/full-length-photos/page/3#/image/44" rel="nofollow">http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion.....#/image/44</a></p> <p>I would also add some knit (no cardigans) from Missoni and Pringle of Scotland.</p> <p>My leather pieces would come from Loewe.</p> <p>Ah and now back to reality...or eBay as it is more commonly known. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391410 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:40:36 +0000 StacyJo 391410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've always loved Chanel and DVF and while at the moment, they are a little out of reach for me, I tend to look for styling that is similar at a lower price point. I'm digging Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren (again). There are some up and coming designers in the San Francisco Bay Area that I just read about and will be checking them out (I have to find the article again as I'm having a genius moment and power surge at the same time and can't quite remember the names!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391390 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:18:58 +0000 Angie 391390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, ladies! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. </p> <p>Steph, I knew that you would mention Miyake :)</p> <p>Jonesy, I kind of equate you with Mr. Van Noten and Rodarte! With a little Commes des Garcon thrown in. </p> <p>Dresslover, high five again! The more you post, the more I see similarities between our style thinking. </p> <p>MaryK, we are Kate Spade kindred spirits :)</p> <p>There are many, many reasons why I think Chanel is genius: the collections are always classic AND edgy. It's an incredible combination that continually blows me away. I love ballet flats. The pearls and strong black &amp; cream handwriting appeals to my sensibilities. And no one comes close to the legacy of Coco in the fashion and style world. </p> <p>Scarlet, June makes designer leather jackets and I have a few too. LOVE their stuff. </p> <p>Krish, thanks for all the info! Amazing! Kookai is not a designer brand, although I do love that shop and regularly wear the label. Have always loved Rodier too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391362 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:29:41 +0000 bj1111 391362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>adding trippen for shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391345 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:55:40 +0000 mrseccentric 391345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oh, what fun! recently i've been bent on sniffing out old Sonia Rykiel collections...there's a new coffee table book out of her history, but everyplace i've been to it's shrink wrapped i love the stripes, sailor motif, berts, bows and cartoons. and the wearability of those knits! i can still picture those 1980's ad campaigns of hers in my mind's eye.</p> <p>Issey Miyake of course - so abstract yet so wearable! i'll always look at Yamamoto, too. i like Prada (esp some of the early -mid 1990's collections). and i've become very interested in Clare McCardell's work, but it's hard to find out about it (for me, anyhoo). i love the sportswear influence!</p> <p>she's not a high end designer, but Trudy of Hot Patterns comes up with designs for her patterns that are just wonderful!!! they're all on trend and so incredibly well thought out - each item fills very real functions in a modern woman's wardrobe. she embodies the 'design' aspect of clothes - how to come up with pieces that work for various occasions, with other pieces in the closet, that fit and flatter and stand up to laundering, etc. from the 'production' aspect she comes up with pieces that can be made up in numerous variations and fabrics so you get the most value from your money and time investment. i'm really appreciating all the thought that goes into a great article of clothing by studying her work. steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391329 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:25:38 +0000 Deborah 391329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chanel is my fantasy. And Australian designer Leona Edmiston designs the most beautiful dresses, many of which have a slightly retro feel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391321 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:18:00 +0000 Sarah 391321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My style has changed quite a bit since I joined YLF (looking at the designers I put on my profile, hehe).<br /> Right now, I can't get enough of:</p> <p>DVF, LAMB, Trina Turk (some of it), Alexander Wang, and Elizabeth and James. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391125 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:06:46 +0000 krishnidoux 391125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kookai (Koo - Kye): I discovered that French brand in Morocco.<br /> <a href="http://www.kookai.fr/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kookai.fr/</a><br /> It is more mainstream and accessible than Kaliyana. A great part of the merchandise is for taller women but not all. The look is very matter-of-factly, I-didn't-try-too-hard (but in fact a lot of work behind the look), I-don't-care-how-I-look (but I do). A few years ago they launched a series of adds appealing to the French notion of "jolie-laide" ("pretty-ugly"): "Je ne suis pas jolie, je suis pire" (I am not pretty, I am worse).<br /> <a href="http://lookbooks.com/campaigns/view/fashion/kookai-je-ne-suis-pas-jolie-je-suis-pire-1" rel="nofollow">http://lookbooks.com/campaigns.....uis-pire-1</a><br /> A North-American equivalent? Maybe Club Monaco comes close.</p> <p>Rodier (raw-dyay) is another French store <a href="http://www.rodiernew.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rodiernew.com/</a><br /> I discovered it in my teens, because my Mom shopped there and later I got a job in one of their boutiques as a sale assistant. Oh, what a dream it was to work there! Their bright colors (they were into color blocking BIG time) paired with their clean, sharp cuts sent me dreaming! I think an equivalent could be Benetton; yet Rodier is more feminine I think. Think French actress Miou-Miou in La lectrice<br /> <a href="http://www.cinemovies.fr/photog-82481-8.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cinemovies.fr/photog-82481-8.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391116 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:54:58 +0000 Lena 391116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My brain is kind of stuck about this most of the time. I like to browse through fashion show reports, but I don't retain enough to form a solid opinion about most lines. I'm a magpie with bad memory. </p> <p>Something that made a big impression on me (and I can remember!) was Alexander McQueen's S/S 2010 marine creatures collection. Those patterns, colors and shapes are TDF. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391111 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:31:41 +0000 krishnidoux 391111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, Marie Saint Pierre (mah-ree-sen-pee-air) is a leading Canadian designer! <a href="http://www.mariesaintpierre.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mariesaintpierre.com/</a> Her clothes are multipurpose and quite unique, somewhat Asian inspired. There is something of the romantic and the dark rebel. </p> <p>I discovered the store Kaliyana, from designer Karina Ackert, through her boutique in Ottawa. Apparently she also has boutiques in Montreal and Toronto. I was told in the boutique that Ackert spent years developing the look. Check it out, it's to die for:<br /> <a href="http://www.kaliyana.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kaliyana.com/</a><br /> I absolutely LOVE her style. Every time I walk past the boutique I drool. The presentation, the fabric, the jewellery and footwear all work together. Unfortunately everything in the store is too large (and too expensive). But one day... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391081 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:51:17 +0000 Joha 391081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For years I couldnt "understand" high end fashion design. But then they had some documentaries about fashion designers (Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld etc) &amp; their design process on TV and that was when it all changed. I realised, that these are not people thinking about what "crazy" thing to invent next but artists. The way the designers were creating fashion was so similar to artists creating a new piece. The emotion, struggle, stories...<br /> After that I looked at fashion much more differently and it helped me A LOT to "understand" it.</p> <p>Well, to cut a long story short, these are my favourites: Chanel, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Elie Saab, Erdem </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391065 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:28:31 +0000 Anonymous 391065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roland Mouret. Below the picture in this link is a link to a slideshow of his ready-to-wear 2011. I like the simplicity.</p> <p><a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-RMOURET" rel="nofollow">http://www.style.com/fashionsh.....TW-RMOURET</a></p> <p>I also think Valentino has some fabulous evening gowns. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391026 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:01:06 +0000 MsMary 391026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm pretty designer-illiterate, too. But...</p> <p>I have stumbled upon some Kate Spade and OMG, love, love, LOVE times a million! Her clothes actually fit me and suit me to a tee!! </p> <p>I was lucky enough to score a DVF wrap dress at the consignment store, and ditto.</p> <p>Same with some Nanette Lepore -- a couple of jackets and a fab pantsuit.</p> <p>Love Trina Turk.</p> <p>I don't pay much attention to the super-high-end designers, but after seeing the movie about Valentino I am completely smitten. And I've always loved Chanel although I don't think that style particularly suits me. Love DKNY, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-391012 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:13:22 +0000 Scarlet 391012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have an educated opinion, but high-end designers I am consistently attracted to are Chanel and Prada. I must always see what Chanel is doing on the runway. I love seeing Prada in stores, not that it is in my price range. In the last few years Burberry has been very interesting as well as Chloe. Especially in real life one can appreciate their clothing, again, not that I buy. I adore Theory, Hugo Boss, DVF, and Isabel Marant.</p> <p>Angie, what is June? I have a couple of fantastic leather jackets from "June" which I bought because they were great, but I haven't otherwise heard of the brand. I thought they specialized in leather. Is that the designer you mean or is just the name the same? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-390910 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:39:15 +0000 DressLover 390910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, first I agree with you on Valentino and DVF. I think my strong attraction to Valentino is the marriage of architecture and artistry. I still vividly recall the piece that made me fall in love with Valentino - a winter white coat with a sculptural collar and a very artistic, yet tailored drape to the body. Perfection. Price tag? Like, whoa times twenty to the power of 100. </p> <p>Second, no, regrettably not a Rag Trade girl as I've never been in the right place at the right time to capitalize on opportunity. However, I'd definitely move to the industry if the opportunity presented itself. I've looked into it a few times, and perhaps I should get serious about such an endeavor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer/page/2#post-390906 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:30:01 +0000 Jonesy 390906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Longtime favorites are Dries van Noten, Prada, Marni, Miu Miu, McQueen. </p> <p>More recent faves include Proenza Schouler, Mary Katranzou, Rodarte, Derek Lam, 3.1 Philip Lim, DVF, Duro Olowu, Isabel Marant, Jonathan Saunders, Haider Ackermann, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Thakoon, Jil Sander, and Zero + Maria Cornejo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390904 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:24:53 +0000 Angie 390904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava, it's interesting that you describe Valentino as sweet. I'd have described Oscar de la Renta as sweet. Valentino is a lot more sculptural with his designs. In my mind anyway :). DVF described as bohemian is another surprise. I'd have described her as romantic. And very colourful - which I love. I guess her blouses this year were a little hippie, though. High five on Jill Sandler !</p> <p>Dresslover, are you in the Rag Trade? </p> <p>Krish, never heard of those designers - which I can barely pronounce!</p> <p>Rae, I also like William Rast from time to time. G-Star is Dutch you know :). Anna Sui is another who does a very fun fashion show, although I don't think I would wear her designs. </p> <p>Lisa, we like some of the same designers! </p> <p>Debbie, you and Denise can start the YLF MK fan club </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390766 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:06:13 +0000 Debbie 390766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not terribly literate on this subject but I love Michael Kors, Chanel and Donna Karan. Jason Wu is new to me but I think great inspiration can be drawn from him.<br /> Betsy Johnson has some fun accessories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390755 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:36:19 +0000 Lisa 390755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As usual, my taste runs the gamut. :)</p> <p>Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Escada, Gucci, Kate Spade, Pucci, Ralph Lauren, Stuart Weitzman, Theory, Versace is all I can think of at the moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390702 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:52:31 +0000 rae 390702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Every once in a while I will click over to a site that shows the runway collections of Christopher Kane, Anna Sui, Ann Demeulemeester, Matthew Williamson, G-Star, and of course Burberry. I've also been liking William Rast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390688 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:27:01 +0000 Di 390688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm mostly designer-illiterate like Ornelia and Joy, but Kate Spade just SINGS to me. Her stuff is just completely magical to me. It makes me giddy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390652 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:02:06 +0000 Jenava 390652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Jil Sander, and I also love Carolina Herrera - I know, very different designers, but that's me! DVF is a bit too preppy/bohemian for me, and Valentino is a bit too sweet. I also like Chloe. I liked Marc Jacobs spring fashions and I typically like McQueen. I haven't had the time to check out the shows on vogue.com like I usually do. (-: </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390651 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:55:56 +0000 krishnidoux 390651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marie Saint Pierre, Andy Thê-Anh, Karina Ackert (Kaliyana), Simon Chang.</p> <p>Stores: designers from Kookai and Rodier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390630 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:00:32 +0000 DressLover 390630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*high fives Angie* I need to get to Fashion Week sometime. I LOVE looking at runway shows. I'm looking forward to your reports even more now because we like many of the same shows. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390624 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:54:44 +0000 Angie 390624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MPJ, not that I know of? Personally I'm just off her designs. </p> <p>Rita, I like Celine too!</p> <p>Denise, there is a lot to love about Jason Wu for sure. </p> <p>Barbara, nice selection. I have two clients who wear virtually nothing but Ralph Lauren - both his affordable collections that sells at Macys, and the couture collections. </p> <p>Taylor, you are my Burberry, Theory and Chanel buddy :). Lyn and Joy might be joining our Burberry party by the sounds of things. </p> <p>Dresslover, I see lots of similarity between your favourite designers and mine. High Five!</p> <p>Ornela, you become familiar with the handwriting of the designers when you watch their shows, and browse their collections in stores. Some designer looks are more distinctive than others - like Chanel, Valentino and Prada. Or LAMB and Burberry. </p> <p>I think that Vivienne Westwoood and Betsey Johnson put on a good show, but I do not like their styles for my wardrobe. I appreciate them as artists! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390615 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:43:53 +0000 Anonymous 390615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LIke Ornelia I feel designer illiterate and don't follow any of them. I'd love to add some designer things to my wardrobe but no idea what. I visited an upscale consignment shop in another city this weekend that had some Prada but even those things in my size overwhelmed me. From what you have shown us of Chanel, that would probably be my pick and I love a Burberry coat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390604 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:35:17 +0000 Ornella 390604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am designer illiterate. </p> <p>I wish I could 'read' them enough to post something sensible here. If I must, I'd say I can 'read' some Armani, Chanel, YSL, D&amp;G or Vivienne Westwood. </p> <p>I once borrowed a book in the library which explained some big names to mere mortals like myself, I remember mentioning it here... it was a good read and the penny dropped when looking at many examples... but would I be able to recognize some of them?</p> <p>I'm learning...</p> <p>But, I do remember Angie's post from the A/W Fashion week about Jason Wu and his wonderful, feminine designs, so I am waiting for the season to see how his influences will filter down to the blog and forum </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390598 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:28:33 +0000 DressLover 390598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh boy - what a question! I'm going to lump everything in one, but some designers I prefer for certain items over others. Here we go, in no particular order, but the more strictly shoe and accessory designers are at the end:</p> <p>Valentino, Chanel, Prada, Armani, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Burberry, Helmut Lang, Erdem, Pucci, Issa London, Diane von Furstenberg, LAMB, Miu Miu, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, and Judith Leiber.</p> <p>I also like elements and pieces of Dolce and Gabanna, Christian Dior, Gucci, Fendi, and Missoni, but there are always strong likes and dislikes, especially based on the season. Therefore, I wouldn't consider these designers I like for the bulk of their collections, but certain influences and time periods. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-designer#post-390579 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:03:54 +0000 lyn* 390579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Of all those designers, I enjoy Theory the most. I think I have one of their shirts in my donate pile ... it doesn't fit me very well.</p> <p>I am looking at a Burberry bag for my residency though I can't wait! </p>