JACKET OF THE SEASON - Fall 2015

The iconic "New Look" from Christian Dior" circa 1947The Iconic CHANEL tweed skirt suit The iconic Thierry Mugler skirt suit - the new guard of fashion in the 1980'sThe Fall 2015 collections for women offer a wide variety of styles and looks.  To be a designer muse, or to emulate that certain look, has never been more selective.  Today, it's such melange.  From season to season one house can change dramatically.  From the 1950's until the 2000's, the select few that wore runway fashion were usually devotees of a certain degree.   Many woman wore one designer, and that was HER look.   For all those years there were iconic Dior Ladies, Givenchy Ladies, Chanel Ladies, Oscar Ladies, Mugler Ladies, and Armani ladies for sure.  Those women rarely overlapped their wardrobe choices.  In fact, many wore it like a badge of honor. 

In recent years designers know that very few women shop at just one fashion house. DONATELLA VERSACE FOR GIVENCHY - FALL 2015 Arguably, we can look to the rise in relevance of luxury accessories for this effect.   As RTW sales decreased, and Handbag and Shoe sales increased - loyalty to just one house also decreased. 

There are many great looks from the 2015 Fall collections.  One jacket that seems to be popping up again and again is the asymmetric peplum design from Givenchy.  Riccardo Tischi is the designer behind the label and he is at his best when creating fitted, clean lines that cut a mean silhouette. There are several versions of the jacket in the collection for Fall.  As is often the case, the more exaggerated are in the campaign.  One reason the jacket, and the campaign have gotten some extra buzz is due to Tischi's model choice for the ad campaign.  Fashion designer and friend - Donatella Versace herself stars in the campaign.   It's quite a publicity stunt of course.   To have one of the biggest designers in fashion appearing in the campaign of one of the most recognized luxury houses - it's rare to say the least.   While Donatella might not be on any list of "models in demand", she is a strong, stylish woman.   Few could have navigated the global spotlight she was thrust into after the murder of her brother Gianni.  She not only took the helm of VERSACE, but many say elevated the sophistication of the brand.  RICCARDO TISCHI AND DONATELLA VERSACE - GIVENCHY FALL 2015 Donatella is known for her dresses.   That's the piece to own of Versace, a dress.   Tischi has found his signature item in the jacket in his designs at Givenchy.   So in a way, the cross promotion in not in competition.   They complement each other.   Naturally, they are friendly in real life.   Donatella has an allure that casts a wide net.   Lady Gaga wrote a song about her, Tishci has now made her a fashion model.  What's next - ambassador Versace?

The Fall Givenchy collection is in stores now.  In the US, it is carried at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Avenue, and select specialty stores.   Cotton or wool jackets generally run in the $3,100.00 range.