Ready-to-wear fashion weeks from New York, London, Milan and Paris recently wrapped up, showing the world the upcoming trends for the next season. Among the trend-setting designers were some musicians the world has come to love via their hits and melodies. Now fans have their designs to love.
Victoria Beckham is the person I consider to be the original pop-star-turned-designer. Her Posh Spice persona on the super-girl power British pop group the Spice Girls was known for her iconic mini Gucci dress and other high-fashion duds.
She had many fashion highs and lows. She wore some on-point looks and, at times, wore ensembles that had the British press shaking their heads in dismay. Her biggest fashion faux pas was having herself and soccer superstar (extremely hot, and I mean extremely hot) husband David Beckham, in matching leather. But hey, she’s human, and she makes fashion mistakes like the rest of us. That’s why I think she makes an awesome designer — she’s made enough mistakes to learn from.
Her Victoria, Victoria Beckham line premiered at New York Fashion Week, and it featured ready-to-wear looks that were long and simple, yet impeccably detailed. Her clothes can be worn by a variety of body types, which is a contrast to some of her older looks. (Eva Longoria one time complained her dress was so tight she couldn’t sit.)
Photos courtesy of New York Magazine
Gwen Stefani has come a long way from her No Doubt days. The one-time ska band-frontwoman-turned-solo-pop-artist was another star who made some interesting fashion choices during her music career.
When she started her L.A.M.B. line back in 2003, it was clear that Stefani was here to stay in the world of fashion. Out of the musician/designer club, it is Stefani that has the most distinct point-of-view. When you see her designs, you know it’s her. And since then, she has expanded with her Harajuku Lovers line — a collection inspired from the Japanese motifs in that hit album that taught us what a “Hollaback Girl” was. Yeah, you know that “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” album.
L.A.M.B. also showcased its Fall 2012 RTW collections at New York Fashion Week, and the collection was fresh, funky and youthful — as it usually is. And the styling was perfect with layered pieces such as a nicely tailored skirt paired with a motorcycle leather jacket. The semi-high-waisted cigarette pants and long pinstripe coat was another nice ensemble.
Photos courtesy of New York Magazine
Hip-hop superstar Kanye West is one of the most talented rappers in the music industry, but is he in fashion? Let’s just say he still has a long way to go.
At last year’s Paris Fashion Week he debuted his DW line (named after his late mother, Donda West), and fashion critics slammed it for lacking vision. The rapper now fashion designer had a collection that had too many elements from other brands — made apparent in the fur- and asymmetrical-dominated clothing he sent the models down the runway in.
He does have quite a penchant for shoes, though. The collection’s kicks were fashion forward, modern and sexy. The chaotic straps and the anklewarmer-esque heels are sure to set a precedence for future designs.
This recent Paris Fashion Week, Kanye gave it another go with his Fall 2012 RTW collection. It was a big improvement from his last. The main problem? It was way too Givenchy-inspired. Fashion critic Robin Givhan from The Daily Beast asked the obvious question: Will the real Kanye West please stand up?
If the saying is true, I guess with practice he may get somewhat close to perfection.
Photos courtesy of Style.com
There are other musicians and pop stars who have had lines and limited-edition capsule collections, like Jessica Simpson (who actually dominates Macy’s), but Victoria and Gwen have been in high fashion for years now. They haven’t shown any signs of stopping.
Kanye, on the other hand, is practically begging to leave an imprint on the fashion world, so I’m guessing he’ll be sticking around for a while.
Who knows who else in the upcoming years will jump on the trend of having a fashion line?
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