GANT by Michael Bastian Fall 2012 Collection

For Fall 2012, Michael Bastian took us on a journey through his collegiate years in Boston. During the mid-80's, during the MOD revival, the collegiate sense of style was still centered around the preppy principle. Drawing from this inspiration, Bastian took a practical approach in translating the era to fashion. Combining functional winter essentials with tailored seasonal fabrics like tweed and corduroy, GANT by Michael Bastian was a representation of prep versus practical.

 Parkas, hooded anoraks, and shetland cardigans portrayed the harsh winters that Bostonians experience, while the impressive styling of the collection de-localized the inspiration into a testament of what all men want visually. Bastian also modernized classic looks by adjusting the fit; favorably seen with the slim fit cargo pants and herringbone trousers. The color palette was collegiate in general, linking both university prep and Americana together. On trend with the deep purples of Fall 2012, GANT introduces the color in corduroy pants, and in color ways within plaid and striped fabrics. The women's collection stood out just as much as the men's, with sharply tailored blazers and winter performance wear. The leggings with contrasting center stripe were a winner with the styling of the looks, and will definitely be a major seller for the ladies.

Rochambeau Fall 2012 Collection

Designers Laurence Chandler and Joshua Cooper Standing with Model at Rochambeau FW12

The Rochambeau Fall 2012 Collection has been one of the most wearable collections from the brand; however, don't mistake this season's crossover resonance with a lack of editorial element.  This collection is versatile and genuine to Rochambeau; a very smart effort by designers Laurence Chandler and Joshua Cooper.  Rochambeau maintained their relaxed, layered aesthetic with harem pants and collapsed waist detail, but added an intelligent amount of tailoring to the fit of their Fall 2012 Collection.  With black as the main color of the collection, pops of deep burgundy hues with crisp white shirts and leather detail contrasts against the darkened palette.  Fringed detailing in the letter accessories were a pleasant addition to the collection, while the hats and gloves, though not fringed, also completed the looks with a sartorial edge.

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Photos: Quentin Washington/Avenue Swank

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2012 Collection

Red Carpet gowns are beautiful.  Weddings are truly moments in time.  But, when a woman can have continuous moments of power and sex appeal with one piece of clothing, it makes for an everlasting fashion experience. 

Brandon Sun Fall 2012 Collection

When I read that Brandon Sun's Fall 2012 Collection was entitled "Silent Assassins,"  I began to think of what does every silent assassin need in her toolkit.  Likely, she would need a dark color palette, slimming silhouette, and of course sharp objects.  Usually attacking unnoticed and undetected, you may also require her to exude a confidence and level of flare in order to lure her target.  The descriptions are above are a natural thought process of what you may have envisioned for your own "Le Femme" moments; Brandon Sun brought this to life.  Telling a tale of peaceful ferocity; where targets may not lead to massacre, but upward movement in today's society.  Sun sought out to offer looks to women who are "today's initiators, leaders, and innovators."  Brandon Sun designed complete looks to compliment his amazing craftsmanship of outerwear with the never ending element of fur.   

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Nautica Fall 2012 Collection

Nautica is always true to its namesake, but this season, they kicked their styling into a higher level, focusing on tailored menswear; without forgetting their nautical/performance notoriety.  Still inspired by aquatic masculinity; Nautica drew their inspiration from the iconic watermen of the American northeast coast.  

Layering cable knits with blazers, and accenting jackets with optical rames sans pocket squares were a very modern take for the brand; credit to stylist Matthew Edelstein who brought Nautica into a more debonair aesthetic.  The deep red corduroy  pants were a perfect touch of color to the Fall Collection, complimenting the palette of olive, navy, and white.   In the era of classic menswear raining supreme, Nautica presented a Collection worthy of the gentleman's aesthetic. 

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BCBG Fall 2012 Runway Collection

When you attend a BCBG Max Azria show, you come expecting a certain aesthetic; simple silhouettes, rich color palette, and geometric shapes.  This season, the collection included all we expected, with the addition of fur!  Silky dresses and wool coats were accentuated with fur shoulders  brought maturity to the collection, while the leather accents added strength and texture to the flirty looks.

Inspired by the geometric abstraction of Bauhaus style, Max and Lubov Azria created a collection that would accent the creative minds of German fashionistas alike.   Much like the Bauhaus school, a German institute of the fine arts, with the goal of combining all aspects of art and design, BCBG also combined architecture and fashion with structured shapes and clean lines.  Likewise, using color as an expression of artistic work, BCBG provided a cohesive, yet eclectic palette with rich autumnal colors and bright blocks of hues. Even the furs had their own color blocking moment!

The last look, a cream crepe gown, had such a subtle charm about it; the touching and shear details made the look a stunning end to the show. 

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photoset credit: style.com