You're Free to Get Weird Again!

After an excruciating period of restraint, Alessandro Michele at Valentino gives us license to be eccentric, colorful, print-mad weirdos! Thank GAWD!

I’ve felt it, and I’m sure you have, too. The Row-ification of fashion has been strong over the past few years. Color, print, and detail have been replaced by neutral tones, clean lines, and a general feeling of restraint. Don’t get me wrong: I love minimalism, and I think there’s always a place for it. But the more eccentric side of fashion has been pushed aside in favor of it, and our world has become a more boring place.

When I saw Alessandro Michele’s new Resort collection for Valentino, I felt all of that change in an instant, and it was exhilarating. The 189 (!!!!) looks were wild in the most wonderful way. Loads of layering, clashing prints, scarves worn in strange ways, flounces and fringe, all with a vintage-y Wes Andersonian feel—it was a feast for the eyes, maximalism at its finest.

All images from Vogue.com

I have to admit that I didn’t get Alessandro Michele at Gucci. His vision seemed disjointed and haphazard; the shows were all over the place and came off as spectacles for the sake of spectacle. I rolled my eyes when I heard Valentino hired him, but I was wrong to be annoyed. Turns out, I’m thrilled to see some wackadoo back in the collections, and Michele did it so well. Somehow he managed to keep his message strong and undiluted throughout the epic collection. It was a statement, and I know it was heard ‘round the fashion world.

As a self-described Aquarian freak and vintage hound, the wacky pieces have always had my heart, so I’m considering this to be my license to bring back my weirder looks. And what better time than summer to start?

Here are a few looks to ring in the new era of eccentricity! Not everyone is ready to go full Grey Gardens, so I’m toning the wilder pieces down with some basics.

Clockwise from Top L: Vintage sequin jacket from Ebay; vintage Levi’s 501s, also from Ebay; Don’t Let Disco necklace; MM6 silver bag; Ancient Greek Sandals jellies; Kule white tee

Clockwise from Top L: Heurueh green faux fur coat; Marni pink mini dress; Hermes scarf on The Real Real; Marland Backus bow necklace; Mansur Gavriel bucket bag; Miriam Nassir Zadeh iridescent boots

Clockwise from L: Fringed Etro kimono on TRR; DISSH sheer tee; Aranaz natural beaded bag; Dries Van Noten ring; Gianvito Rossi leopard heels on super sale!; Ulla Johnson black curved trousers

Wishing you a weird (in a good way!) weekend!

xx,

Joanna