J. Mendel

I am hoping that J Mendel is officially marking the beginning of an onslaught of impressive pre-fall collections. So far only Chanel and Jason Wu have been of a high enough standard to please yours truly; my expectations of burberry were too high and thus everything that has followed has had the misfortune of arriving at a time when i was too disappointed and stubborn to recognise its pleasantries.

Nevertheless, the bitter pill has been swallowed and i am back to my fine self; who is more easily impressed. 

This may not be the best that Gilles Mendel can do but he has made a lovely little pre-fall collection comprised of 22 red-carpet-ready pieces for every hollywood starlet. The line saw soft and weightless evening-dresses beautifully draped and elegantly flowing with a hint of ballerina-esque femininity. The delicate fabrics could have easily been placed in a spring collection but the accompanying heavy furs and masculine jackets made them more autumn-appropriate.

I love my leather, studs and hard, dark subject matter but, at the same time, i appreciate softness and etherial styling. However, what never ceases to please me most is when i see juxtaposition and anthithesis is a collection; which is what J Mendel managed to subtly incorporate. The dresses were 100% dainty, graceful and gentle but the bondage-style strapped plat-forms combined with the harsh authoritive stance of the model cast depth and a hint of irony over the collection; which is just what i needed. Without these exciting additions the collection is just a pile of clothes, however, with them it is fashion.