Taste the Rainbow in wannabe Chris Kane

It's not like we're trying to out-do one another, but one of our favorite things about the insane pace of fashion is being able to spot oncoming trends from miles away as a result of the studying the collections as they come out. Take, for example, the most recent resort collections. Originally conceived as a year round fashion "season" for those lucky few who might need a lovely nautical ensemble in the dead of winter -- to take with them on holiday.

These days, instead of cursing the idle rich, we do them one better: we'll cop those styles as soon as they debut and make use of the last few months of warm weather by sporting looks that won't be touted as "trends" until next year. That's the great thing about shopping vintage: while the rest of 'em wait around for Christopher Kane's resort collection to hit the stores, we jump the gun and approximate his tongue-in-cheek rainbow themed designs with this absolutely spot on dress from our collection. The best thing is, it's available now, so you can be the very first in the hood to be seen rocking what's sure to be a huge trend next spring/summer. We've done the legwork, and you can take the credit.

Wear it alone or under a black blazer for some good contrast. We're also loving the button up collar on this piece -- it's another design detail we're predicting is going to be everywhere soon. Get on this before H&M does; just sayin.

Remember Resort? The Best of Resort 2011

It's about 25 degrees in Nyc today and Pre-Fall presentations are happening on the daily, but of course, we have to remind you that Resort 2011 has just hit the shops. Here's a look back at our favorites, destined to inspire future buys.

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.

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.

Inspiration: Yves Saint Laurent Resort 2010

Stefano Pilati's Resort 2010 collection for Yves Saint Laurent was so right-on in our books, at the very least we'd like to think of his propositions as great inspiration for easy going yet refined dressing with an oh-so Parisian flair.

We love his update on the iconic 70's era YSL white suit with its ultra-chic arm slits.

And this number with its sculptural shape & unfussy French frill is perfection, pure & simple.

Micro Trend: Variations on the Scarf Print

80's GIANNI VERSACE Scarf Print Blouse-$328

PUCCI Graphic Scarf Print Chain Handle Minuaderie-$188

Playing with the notion of the leisurely times that are the basis of Resort, Prada's Resort 2010 collection was a far cry from this fall's austerity with it's fresh take on the iconic scarf print, a resort stand-by. While at Pucci, a house known for it's scarf prints, Peter Dundas sent out a brigade of some of the sexiest variations on the house's printed legacy. Which brings us to our point, incorporating the whimsical appeal of scarf prints into the everyday wardrobe.

Take this 80's era Gianni Versace scarf printed blouse for instance, its soothing blue colorway and bold ultra-femme print will look just as good on the beach paired with some short shorts as it would at the office under a smart blazer with some relaxed pants. And if prints of such bold nature aren't your thing, think about how easily our Pucci silk printed minauderie can liven up even the strictest of looks with just a splash of opulence.

Prada Resort 2010
Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas Fall/Winter 2009