All designers are inspired by something, but it is through their eclectic talent of design that allows them to create their individual visions into a spectacular reality for their consumer.
Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen are two prime examples of taking something that inspires them, and creating a completely different interpretation for stylish women around the world.
Known for his bright florals, detailed embroidery, and a splash of Latin influence, Oscar de la Renta is one of the leading fashion designers today. I was recently given the pleasure of attending a FIAF lecture featuring the one and only, Oscar. It was a night filled of fashion talk and couture, and allowed me to walk away feeling even more inspired by the man who can make any woman look and feel beautiful.
After hearing what Oscar had to say at the presentation, I realized that he is inspired by all kinds of women around the world. But, his passion is to make them feel beautiful. Oscar said, “My role is to do the best I can for a woman, and make her feel her best….to create things that she {his customer} identifies with and falls in love with.”
Click here to see the discussion!
Oscar de la Renta: “You have to be elegant naked to be elegantly dressed.”
Known for his dark romantic designs, frock coats, and hourglass silhouettes, Alexander McQueen was the designer who precisely knew where to place intricate lace and embroider. His designs became unexpected, yet beautiful. The Costume Institute recently opened an exhibit at The Met called Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in his honor featuring over 100 of McQueen’s archives.
I recently decided to go scope it out, and let me just tell you…The Costume Institute did such a beautiful job. Each room was tailored around a specific season, music was playing in the background to portray the mood of the room, and the wall color was chosen perfectly to complement the pieces – you will feel lost in McQueen’s original vision! Walking from a dark black room, to a room that has dark brown wood walls, to a red room with candlesticks…it all flowed so perfectly together. The exhibit runs through July 31st. It’s a must-see!
Click here to see a tour of the exhibit!
In contrast to Oscar de la Renta, I found that Alexander McQueen was more inspired by animals or flowers rather than the woman herself. He took his inspirations to the next level with detailed fabrics. Jackets with horns from a spiral-horned antelope on the shoulders to a silver thorn strand wrapped around a mannequin. Genius work with a touch of elegance molded right through the middle.
Alexander McQueen: “I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change the thinking of how we look.”
Like all of us, I would absolutely adore to have multiple pieces of luxury from both designers. Although, it is quite costly to have these exquisite fabrics in my closet and not realistic for a girl my age. Thankfully, my good friend recently told me about this to die for consignment shop called Michael’s on the Upper East Side. It’s just steps away from The Met, and collects recent pieces from high end designers such as Chanel, Christian Louboutin, YSL, and of course, Oscar de la Renta.
Every time I walk into this store, my eyes always fall in love with an Oscar piece. His dresses have such a subtle chic elegance to them, and luckily Michael’s has all of it’s pieces marked down to a reasonable price in comparison to what you would actually pay retail.
Oscar de la Renta to Alexander McQueen: Different designers. Different inspirations. One love of making the modern day woman feel her best.
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