RUNWAY: Lanvin SS12

Lanvin's SS12 collection was all about duality. Lucas Ossendrijver and Lanvin's Creative Director Alber Elbaz fashioned a collection that was soft and hard, synthetic and natural, and tailored and loose. Starting with the first, the starting looks were undoubtedly hard, with leather and synthetic fabrics taking center stage, like in the second look, with a leather blouson paired with ultra-drop crotch trousers, cropped, of course. There were some technologically enhanced fabrics, blended and mixed with natural fabrics like cottons and cashmeres, sometimes in the same piece, creating some textural difference, or paired to create an outfit. As for the fit, that ranged considerably. Under any other creative direction, it might've looked messy and lacked an identity but since Elbaz is such a master of fit, as he consistently shows with his womenswear collection for the great French house, this collection was pulled together so well nothing felt out of place. The flow of looks had an ease about it that was very French and a had bit of melancholy romanticism to it.