Best of Resort 2011: The Usual Suspects

We know the Resort 2011 shows wrapped over a month ago, but like the men's Spring/Summer 2011 shows, we thought what's the rush? There are now major fashion shows & presentations every 3 months, it's just way too much. Sure, we look at shows to inspire buys for the shop and for ourselves, but they are coming at us too fast, and months before they hit the shops. And with a new season's debut weeks ahead, we thought, now's the chance to take a quick look back.

Celine(above & below)-



Praise for what Phoebe Philo has done at Celine may running rampant, but judging by her Resort collection, it's more than well deserved. To put it short, we want every single look from the range, every single piece. Whatever it is, Philo understands how to offer iconic, understated goods with a subtle impact that are overwhelmingly desirable. Highlights here included the demure Liberty floral pajama suit, a tiered leather dress, chiffon and Mexican blanket capes and her now signature fluid wide-leg trouser. For us, Celine has become the one irresistible collection that we can't help but feel elated about.

Chloe-
Hannah MacGibbon's camel infected collections at Chloe have been making our Best of lists for several of the past few season's with her understated take on 70's cool. And once again, Resort was packed with the kind of must-haves uber-chic girls from Montana to Moscow can wear. Last fall we were mad for her leather sweatsuit and Resort's abbreviated a-line leather skirt & tunic were a thrilling follow up. MacGibbon clearly understands the Chloe girl, and has yet to disappoint.

Miu Miu/Prada-

Miu Miu, above.

Channeling the 40's at Prada with chic separates & unexpected colorways and Yves Saint Laurent & Sonia Rykiel's giddy 70's era take on the 40's at Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada delivered two hit presentations that are sure to dazzle the vacation set & the real world. Full on styling with piles of colorful bangles, oversize earrings, fur stoles, cheerful prints and hosiery offer a lot to play with in opposition to today's minimal times.

Prada, above.

Richard Nicoll-


At Cerruti & his own namesake label, Richard Nicoll continues to offer some of the best options for the die-hard minimalist's out there who like clean lines with a dash of humour. The fun came via patent bustiers and detailing and genius abstracted screen prints while Nicoll's hand at the calm & the cool was evident in alluring maxi skirts and smart options for the office.

Valentino-


Valentino has been on a steady roll and the house's coy look at the 60's for Resort was grounded with crisp silhouettes, supple leather detailing and altered photo prints that reminded one not only of the house's 60's Jackie O. heyday, but of Resort's own destination minded past. While Resort's importance in the cycle of fashion is rapidly expanding, this collection offered hyper-chic options for the ladies who cruise and young girls alike. The two designers at the helm, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, clearly understand progressive glamour and we're big fans.

Acne-


Over the years, Acne has somehow been able to score it's own niche in the world of attainable luxury that's perennially cool, identifiably studied and right on the money for girls trying to perfect a now popular louche sexiness. Although the posing and slick styling of the presentation gave the range an intense air of drama, each look had a not-so-basic yet real-world friendliness to it. The fitted wide-leg suits with angular jackets, layered dresses and plays on proportion, all with a clean, minimal ease, make Acne all the more desirable.