Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011 Review
Photos: Imaxtree
Looks from the Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011 collection
SHOW: Burberry Prorsum (See the full collection.)
THEME: 1960s model Jean Shrimpton
HAIR: Neil Moodie
MAKEUP: Wendy Rowe for Burberry Beauty
ACCESSORIES: Slick wedge booties, golf shoes, and creepers; check-print handbags and alligator clutches; furry dalmatian-print flat caps; round tortoiseshell sunglasses
FRONT ROW: Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Samantha Cameron, Alexa Chung, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Mario Testino
OVERALL TAKEAWAY: A welcome infusion of color, coziness and shape
After last season's sleek leather biker looks coupled with snakeskin (and before that, shearling galore), it was somewhat of a shock to the system to see the tangerine and scarlet wool coats that first graced the runway.
Inspired by '60s model Jean Shrimpton, Christopher Bailey abandoned his edgy rock and roll streak in favor of a mod collection that marked a lively return to color and volume.
Sculptured coats—both cropped and traditional—boasted swingy, flared sleeves, prominent toggles, and slouchy back pleats. Kiwi, olive green, and teal solids soon gave way to blanket plaids in mustard, orange, raspberry and red mixed with black, which, like the classic check-print body bags storming the catwalk, hinted at the British label's heritage.
While the colorful outerwear and furry black and white caps (anyone else thinking of Samuel L. Jackson?) cast a sporty, playful tone, a fur-collared navy trench, pleated patchwork blouse with fur sleeves, and tinselly cream coat with a lacquered leather belt sweetly tied in a bow smacked of luxury.
Drop-waist dresses, lacquered leather piping, snowy woven cable-knits, and perfectly flared boot-cut trousers also had us leaning out of our seats. Still, the real showstoppers were the magical snow flurries that drifted down on models covered in clear plastic rain capelets as they made their final walk through.
Having been given rain, thunder, and now snow, should we be worried about a twister come September?
SEE THE FALL 2011 RUNWAY COLLECTIONS.
