Miu Miu: Up Close and Personal

When you think of fashion, you probably envision beautiful fabrics, lush colors and extravagant patterns generously spread on a coat or perhaps a dress. You may also envision delicate silhouettes, form-fitting suits or perhaps stacked heels giving the human form an elevated statuesque figure. Either way, we formulate our own definition and ideals of what fashion is for us. This is no exception for Designer Miuccia Prada. Born in 1949, Miuccia Prada spent her early years studying and performing mime in Milan's Teatro Piccolo. Prada was to take over the family business of small luxury goods and luggage in 1978. Her efforts soon proved her worthy and in 1985, Prada began designing a line of finely-woven nylon bags that began her big break. Soon, the fashion industry came to recognize her as a global brand. Designing her first collection in the fall of 1989, she became noted as a designer who stood apart from other designers through her plain and simple designs. In times where fashion was loud and animated, Prada formed her own definition and take on fashion. Back to Basics with a flair.

Prada, now a label that reflects the quintessential Italian fashionista, has also made its mark around the globe, appealing to every culture, from Brazil to Japan. It doesn't stop there. Almost every age group can enjoy the remarkable versatility of her clothing designs. From casual and free-flowing to sleek silhouettes, brazen purples and yellows to dull browns and greys, Miuccia had covered it all. However, much of what the Prada brand was built on was it's simple design and color usage. Finally in 1992, Prada launched her second line called Miu Miu (a nickname she was given as a child). Miu Miu is the more affordable, less-couture collection she had created to appeal to a larger audience as well as counter balance her more traditional and grown-up taste, as displayed in her Prada collection. The Bohemian Chic look had exploded and so had Miu Miu. Today, Miu Miu Continues strong, as the label's collections are shown twice a year in Paris and Milan. Now, with efforts to keep a bubbly and boho-chic look far from fashion, why is Miu Miu considered relevant, even today?

Miuccia Prada's efforts to maintain a young and fun life is the very foundation of her POV on fashion. Going back some seasons, it is easy to see that she maintains a youthful and fresh take on fashion for the younger generations. Even though Miu Miu is seemingly only appropriate for people in their twenties or thirties, her creations hit a wider audience, giving each fan a taste of something different. Different, through the eyes of Miuccia Prada, meant a bold new reconstruction of fashion for men and women. What is popular now can be changed in an instant. Why not start recreating traditional fashion?


It is crucial to have a youthful perspective when it comes to fashion. Each choice we make should reflect the times in which we are living in, whether we are focusing our attention on minor details or big chapters in our lives. We must be attentive to the ever chaningworld around us. Fashion should be no different. Should the world change drastically, so should our lives, fashion included! Miu Miu is an excelent example as to how she is focusing on the present and having fun with it! Brilliant.

A Unique Sneak Peak into 2008 Footwear!

Alas! A new year brings about a bright fusion of colors. Dresses, suits, accessories, whatever. This couldn't be a better time to wow crowds with an exciting new array of fashion choices for the monotonous winter garb that is once again stored away in the depths of our closets. Of course, every fall, we are given these bright hues and light fabrics that inspire us to dress as close to nude as possible. However, this coming spring season, 2008 has shown that it's not just the simplicity of airy fabrics and minimal stitch work. New York Fashion Week has come and gone and has given us a whole lot to think of. We have witnessed intricate patterns, bold colors, detailed craftsmanship and complexities that will put any other Spring season to shame. The shoes have been a major focus, however. Gravitating towards the accessories, we are unable to calmly and patiently await it's arrival. Yes, of course, the clothes are nice. If you were amazed by the collections, then wait 'til you get a load of the shoes...
Now, if this screams typical Spring to you, I would question your quthority to answer such a trick question. Donna Karan is the queen of simplistic yet excruciatingly sexy numbers. Her subtle contributions to each season offer a more comfortable alternative to the harsh fashion choices given. However, it is as if Ms. Karan has adopted a bolder spring to counter her simple-style reputation. These shoes are quite the statement! Anyone else agree? It is not your typical Donna Karan, but we love it! The angular Chess heel with strategically placed straps balances out with the bland color choices to deliver a high-style option from an unpredictable Karan (needless to say, straps are big during this season). This is just the first of a number of options available from this bold Spring Collection.

As if this comes as a surprise to anyone who loves fashion, bold metallics are still in! Will they ever be out of style?!? Bold footwear shamelessly invades the catwalk of Doo.Ri. A good way to balance out her collection this upcoming spring season. Her silk chiffon dresses and pantsuits are slightly pale, painted in shades of gray and silky dark blues. What better than to combine loud footwear with a more reserved ensemble. It sort of brings us back to the 70's/80's era of metallic heels although completely revived and placed amidst the modern styles of 2008. There is a slight element of modernism infused with an origami-style incorporated into the straps. This perhaps adds an additional layer of unique and completely shocking combinations to footwear for 2008. Well done.
For the more conservative members of our Fashion followers, please be advised that this newest collection is perhaps the brightest and most daring that it has been in years. Needless to say, he introduces his collection with class style and... well, vibrancy. Introducing Ralph Lauren's newest addition to stylish equestrian footwear! Bright pinks and bold yellows are the key to Ralph’s spring inspirations. Still, creating a feminine flair for the ladies and a dashingly handsome touch to his menswear collections, Ralph has inspired us all to maintain a traditional style of dress, while adding his own version of a modern touch to all that he creates. Bright yellow with black patent leather paired with fishnets. That really makes me wonder what we should expect for the fall of 2008...

Speaking of yellow, Thakoon has also incorporated a traditional spring color to his fashion palette for spring of 2008. What better than to focus on the colors that really matter. For his Spring Collection, the native Thai designer put much of his focus in on two colors that matter the most: Kelly green and yellow. Using these two colors, he was able to form his own interpretation of spring. Blending these two colors with every shade of gray, black and white, Thakoon also created the same guidelines for his footwear collection. The criss-cross pattern with stitched and padded leather gives the shoe a fun and vibrant presence on the runway, proving that not all spring sandals have to be light and airy. Genius! An excellent alternative to the same old concept, season after season.
Don't fuss with Rodarte, ladies! She's a mean one, alright. Here, we are witnessing badass footwear (literally). Shockingly enough, his footwear collection isn't too obviously paired up with the San Francisco-based Designer's clothing line. The Mulleavy sisters are obviously touched by piercing blues and light chiffons, yet are equally fascinated by fierce and dangerously-decorated heels. This is not the only spike-clad heel new to the runway. Christian Louboutin has also incorporated spikes, as well as the oh-so loved Jimmy Choo not too many seasons ago. This sort of contradiction is perhaps just what fashion followers need. Some sort of inspiration to feel the need to not match everything and be able to pick and choose between styles and colors of different moods. Brilliant and extremely kick ass!
The fascinating duo have done it again. Interestingly enough, Jack and Lazaro (the designers behind the Proenza label) are always drawn to drab colors with specs of shocking details. Playing with many neutral colors and wooden heels, Proenza Schouler has given this "natural fashion choice" a bright view into the successful future of their footwear collections to come. Now, they are able to blend industrial with natural, an unlikely combination. Metalware has made its presence, indefinitely, this season. Notice the screws attached to the heel. It comes as no surprise that these two would make neutral colors look vibrant, all by adding subtle changes to a subtle classic. A modified Mary Jane peep toe with metalware: Recreating a classic to lead in the forefront of fashion footwear.

I have always been one to believe that much of the focus should be on the accessories. Just a persoanly choice. Not to say that your shirt or pants should not be carefully chosen. When one is able to pull off an amazing pair of shoes though, it is hard to say that anything else really matters.