L.A.M.B. Fall 2011 Review
Photos: Imaxtree
Looks from the L.A.M.B. Fall 2011 collection
SHOW: L.A.M.B.
THEME: Soldier girls, Ragga Muffin girls, London girls, Buffalo girls, Mod girls, Glamour girls
HAIR: Danilo at the Wall Group
MAKEUP: Charlotte Willer for Maybelline New York
OVERALL TAKEAWAY: A six-part collection that read like Stefani's greatest hits rather than one cohesive collection
It's Gwen Stefani's personal style that has made her a success in the fashion world; her ultimately original mash-up of influences has, in the past, included Harajuku girls, Southern California chola girls, and Rastas. She's even been known to sport a bindi on her forehead from time to time.
But what keeps Stefani from looking like she's wearing a Halloween costume every day (with a few exceptions) is her ingenious way of putting it all together.
For Fall 2011, Stefani's L.A.M.B. show did the opposite, showing six mini collections that tread uncomfortably into costume territory more than a few times.
Soldier girls wore aviator shades and camouflage maxi skirts; a brown shearling aviator jacket was more successful, even if it did smack of Burberry Fall 2010.
Next up were the Ragga Muffin girls, who sported a Rastafarian-meets-Pendleton mix of printed silk chiffon frocks and some cool knits.
London girls showed smart Stefani-approved suiting; think lots of plaid, leather pants, and menswear trousers with a fold-over waistband. Buffalo girls was a lackluster segment of True Grit–inspired blanket knits, wrap coats, and yes, buffalo plaid.
Mod girls was a fun, graphic interlude of black-and-white stripes and polka dots; one could easily see (or perhaps we already have seen) Stefani in the tailored black short shorts and black-and-white striped-blouse combo, worn with tights and sky-high shoes.
Finally, Glamour girls closed the show with a series of black jersey dresses and plunging jumpsuits, finished with piled-on gold chains.
It seemed to take the easy way out, these segregated collections of Stefani's multiple inspirations. There were successful pieces, sure—but the fact is, girls want to look like the flawlessly mixed Gwen Stefani. Maybe next time she and her team will put more effort into the mix.
