The Best Collections of Resort 2014

As the Resort 2014 collections began over the past couple of weeks, naturally we were watching every collection exhibited to come up with the best looks we could find. From the runway shows we viewed, we surmised that the jumpsuit is staying for the meantime and could go on until the next. Mixing prints is still going to be the trend. If you are pleased with the comfortable pajama dressing being in fashion, then you will be happy to know that it will still be chic to stay in this style of dressing. Exaggerated silhouettes, graphics, and midriffs – they are all still trendy this season. So are perfect short suits, wide-leg pants and party dresses perfectly cut and styled. Here are some of the looks that caught our eye and which we would love to add to our wardrobe.

Narciso Rodriguez

Impressive were the line-up of shifts, tunics, layered pajama pants in black and white that has the look and feel of sheer comfort but with a definite air of style and chic from Narciso Rodriguez’ Resort 2014 offerings. A personal favorite, though, is the black and white striped and strapless maxi dress that has an effortless appeal and definitely shows off Rodriguez’ genius for technically challenging cuts.

Guillaume Henry for Carven

The 60s inspired collection of Guillaume Henry showed edgy and youthful sophistication which the house of Carven is famous for. Angular, structured separates, peter pan collared jackets, crisp hemlines on dresses and skirts marked the silhouettes of his collection. Girlish, flattering fits that is gleeful yet refined in autumn and spring colors with an occasional lacy overlay and frilled cups were deliciously on point for this transitional period. Definitely a collection that rich ladies will surely enjoy. My favorite is a satin off-shoulder puff-skirted dress which I would have loved to have worn on my prom had it been available then. 

Prabal Gurung

Show stopping prints and dazzling patterns have become synonymous to Prabal Gurung and his Resort 2014 collection pulls all the stops for this season. He reminisces his days with Bill Blass, the house where he first started, with this collection that is inspired by the classic American sportswear with a twist. Just take a peek at some of our favorite silhouettes such as the wrap dress, high-cut tulip skirts, and wide-leg trousers with flirty details. Unusual floral patterns, ladylike pleated skirts, silk blouses over peter pan-collared shirts, and athletic sheath dresses also took center stage in his collection. We cannot get over the red carpet selections that will surely be worn by celebrities in the coming months including three of our favorites among his collection.

Alice & Olivia

Their collection reminds me of boarding school girls vacationing in the English countryside. Whimsical stripes, dots and florals dominate the collection in youthful shades of red, blush and navy combined with pure white. Cropped tops paired with full skirts and fitted trousers and boxy jackets in tailored tweeds give the collection a more mature feel despite the contemporary attitude that creative director Stacey Bendet is known for. Flirty looks are the dominating attitude of the collection which is reflected in a favorite piece, an A-line shirt dress with embroidered lips all over the skirt and collar. Another favorite is another flirty dress with blue lace overlay. These are looks trendy teens would definitely go for.

Yigal Azrouel

His label is best known for geometric cut-outs and second-skin leggings plus the body-con dresses that has become his trademark piece. His Resort 2014 collection reflected just that and more to include crop tops and graphic tailoring. The lines were sharp and the silhouettes sporty-edgy – a combination that is unique and inspired. Crisp athletic influences in black, cobalt, yellow and white were the dominant colors of his tops, motorcycle jackets, curve-hugging sheaths with geometric necklines and zippers for that edgy appeal. Second-skin alligator-leather leggings, bustier tops, tops with animal motifs, and double-breasted short suits completed his collection. A winning piece for me is the printed neoprene set with a long-sleeved crop top and flouncy skirts that give off the illusion of multiple layering.

Rag & Bone

The supreme craftsmanship of Marcus Wainwright and David Neville for their Rag & Bone label is what is showcased in their Resort 2014 where they chose to go theme-less. Daring and distinctive, the air of the “urban romantic” is carried on in each piece that they exhibited. Striking colors and silhouettes dominated their runway. Tailored, almost mannish yet still with a femininity that is hard to ignore is the underlying tone of their pieces for 2014.

Oscar de la Renta

Exquisitely pretty clothes are what I would use to describe his fashion. It almost hurts that without even trying hard he is able to create such beautiful pieces that will make any woman look absolutely gorgeous. The sense of embellishment, the silhouette – they are meant for Oscar moments, undeniably. A gorgeous lineup of day and night outfits walked down the runway of Oscar de la Renta’s Resort 2014 collection which undoubtedly emitted “oohs and ahhs” from those who witnessed them up close.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld spares no expense when it comes to his vision and the runway exploded with his power and influence when he presented his Resort 2014 collection in Singapore. The collection was a blend of French couture and Southeast Asian style which is typical of him. Easy to wear and vacation-ready designs dominated the collection. Blouses that were falling off the shoulders, drawstring waists and varsity-inspired sweatshirts were just some of his offerings for the transitional season. Barely-there woven dresses, embellished tops and classic white silk pieces with black lace overlays were also part of the collection. There was something for everybody in his body of works for the season.

Balenciaga

Alexander Wang brought his team to picturesque Basque in Spain to create this year’s Resort 2014 collection for the house of Balenciaga. There they studied the collection in the museum which held Cristobal Balenciaga’s body of work. The result is an almost monastic body of work in black and white that re-worked the master’s style but incorporated them with an elegantly contemporary sensibility that suggests that Wang has developed a firm hand on the Balenciaga style. Structured softness is what I would use to describe this amazing collection. My personal favorite is the midriff-baring petal bustier paired with high-waisted trousers.

Christian Dior

Christian Dior was my favorite designer when I was a college student and the house of Dior remains one of my favorite fashion houses to this day. I have been watching Raf Simons closely as he took the helm for this fashion house and the collection he presented in Monaco did not fail to meet expectations. The choice of Monaco as the stage for the presentation is in part a homage to the heritage of the house of Christian Dior but at the same time it signals a new era for the label. Sheer fabrics incorporated with to create inspiring blouses, crop tops, modified coat dresses and relaxed sheaths form part of the collection. Romantic yet contemporary to almost edgy is the prevailing tone of the collection, a welcome breath of fresh air that entices fashion watchers all over the world.