Saturday, August 9, 2008

D is for Deconstruction



Deconstructionist fashion has roots in the post-modern architecture of masters such as Bernard Tschumi, Peter Eisenman, Zaha Hadid, Coop Himmelblau, and Frank Gehry, whose Ray and Maria Stata Center is pictured above courtesy architecture.about.com.
Like the seemingly crumbling, warped, or inside-out buildings that inspired them,
deconstructed clothes are meant to be discomforting, even jarring, to behold.
So if you are saying “yuck” when you look at the images that follow, perhaps that was the designer’s intent!
The genesis: last season’s Marc Jacobs deconstructed runway look (above left, via teenvogue.com) and its editorial interpretation in Vogue.
Fall 2008 Runway looks:
Alexander Wang;
this and next image via nymag.com
Ann-Sofie Back disintegrating aqua skirt
Calvin Klein torn shearling jacket;
this and next two pictures courtesy style.com
Raw edges and upside-dwon pleats at Chanel Couture
Deconstructed ruffles at Threeasfour
The Master of Fashion Deconstructivism:
Issey Miyake,
pieced yellow dress
and "detached" pants and sleeves, courtesy elle.com
Comme de Garcons cutout blazer,
via nymag.com
Junya Watanabe deconstructed jacket

Note: this and next two pictures via style.com
Maison Martin Margiela mismatched sleeves and “torn-look” hosiery
Rodarte torn tights and sweater
Wunderkind raw edged patchwork dress; this and next two photos via nymag.com
Stapled dress at Salvatore Ferragamo
Torn dress at Marios Schwab
More evidence of the deconstructivist intent?
Exposed stitching, at
Anna Sui
Comme de Garçons
Sophia Kokosalaki
And Viktor & Rolf
Of course, edgy and potentially unwearable runway looks are toned down significantly (and oft eliminated) before they hit the mass market!
In the shops right now:
At left: Peter Som Prince of Wales skirt, at eLuxury.com
The Lake & Stars Genius camisole, pictured at right and available at shopbop.com

Peter Som boucle pleated skirt; photo via elle.com
Maison Martin Margiela slash blazer.
Go to eLuxury.com
Issey Miyake frayed edge Fete dress.
Visit yoox.com.
Thakoon breakaway dress with patchwork tweed and exposed tulle interlining.
Visit the Designer Boutique shopbop.com.
Pierre Hardy leather cutout boot;
photo via style.com
.
.
.
So if your nails are chipped [the intentionally destroyed manicure is actually a fashion trend; photo below via The New York Times!], your slip is showing, or your fishnets are torn, not to worry! Just tell people you’re a deconstructivist!

48 comments:

Mimi said...

I just read about this look in a mag yesterday and I think it's very interesting.I'm not sure if I'd wear it maybe if it's not too extreme.

Sharon S said...

Hi there-great post, I'm loving Alexander Wang-a great collection indeed!

Anonymous said...

wow!! love the boots!! really nice post!

Unknown said...

you feature such great stuff on your blog. I love it. I could look at if for hours!

Syed said...

Wonderful post, totally love the deconstructed pieces!! I so want a lovely deconstructed jacket for autumn.

Anthea said...

I love the Ferragamo dress and those beige boots. The architectural movement is really cool, nice selection :)

rachel said...

that's a good thing, because my nails are really chipped now. (:
these outfits are all adorable <3 thanks for the comment!

rachel said...

oh sorry, i commented you from my other blog. well thanks for the comment on my fashion blog, lol

Siljesfashion said...

Love your posts, they are such an inspiration. Not sure I would wear it though, maybe a blazer. Love Wangs collection as well!

Hanne said...

Great news for my bad nail-days;)

2B4U said...

I absolutely loved and adored the work you put into this blog post. Hats off to you!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Brilliant post! I really like the deconstructed looks, especially the very intentional ones, those that are more than just rips.

Tori said...

I love the Thakoon dress and the lake and stars cami, but i don't think i'd dare wear it. Maybe i would if i wore a top underneath. Also love the Maison Martin Margiela show, it's genius.

karen said...

i love love awang.

and the stapled @ ferragamo, didn't V&R do stapled before for A/W in the past?
....fashions always a cycle / recycled.

chauss said...

i love some of this stuff! cc, do you ever post pix of youself?

Christina said...

Thank You...I had seen on another blog that someone had given you the same award thats why I didn't give you it. I love this post. My fav is the Rodarte Photo.

Ariella said...

This was an intersting read. Nice post. However, I don't think the deconstructive look will ever be for me since I want my clothes to look pretty and together.

Lil' Puch said...

Thanks for your comment in my blog. Fantastic post but a little edgy for me.

Sienna said...

This post was too perfect! I'm loving the Peter Som look.

Annie Spandex said...

Whoah! Some of these are so futuristic! So cool...
Let's not forget deconstructed blue jeans too. :>

Hunters Glory said...

Love the fashion architecture.
'Greatness' and 'brilliant' are just a couple of words that enter my head then leaves with me, when exiting your blog!

Love the black pieces!

Seeker said...

I like it in small doses and not in tights.

Thank you for all, you're doing such a great job with ABC.

xoxo

Mimi said...

Hey diva, great content, its great to see someone talk about something else! xx Mimi

www.HauteMimi.com

Anonymous said...

Excellent post! I'm such a fan of post modern architecture and I love seeing it translated into fashion. Everything is simply brilliant!

Carrie said...

hi! are you brazilian too?
kisses

Da Fashionista said...

e is for exquisite.

Jenna said...

Great post! Yours are always so informative, helpful, and stylish.

Bedroom Talk said...

I love that little foot note at the end of your post. I can't ever imagine wearing chipped nail polish for too long and loving it hehe. Can you?

Songy said...

the cuts are bold and not everyone's cup of tea but hey they are interesting. actually I'm more drawn to the colours by Marc Jacobs. He is talented isn't he!

Aliena said...

I like it, but I'm not sure I'd know how to translate it into a wearable style (for me, I mean). Great post as usual! XXX

Alegra said...

i'm no saying "yuck", I'm saying wtf?
Anyway, I'm loving Alexander Wang's collection :)
Great post
XOXO

Anonymous said...

the mixing of odd bits and shapes in deconstruction looks so nice!

Katarina KĂ¼hl ~ PencilFashion said...

the black chanel couture dress is amazing!

Penny said...

this post is really cool!
i do really like all that kind of stuff, but i think it would be really hard to pull it off without looking a mess!

Little Bow Prep said...

Lovely post and pics as always!

MouMou said...

Interesting styles!:) Thank you for visiting my blog.<3

Couture Carrie said...

A million "thank you"s for all your positive reinforcement (get it? architecturally speaking?), darlings!

A few queries to answer . . .

Karen: I think you are right about V&R doing "stapled" looks as a matter of course. That's just how they roll.

Chauss - I don't post pics of myself, but perhaps I will sneak one in for you [Claudia recently asked the same question . . . ]

Annie - of course! Destroyed True Religions and the like totally fit the Deconstructionist bill. Good looks!

Carrie - hello, my namesake! I am not Brazilian; American - Nutmegger actually (that's what they call people from Connecticut!).

Bedroom Talk - you can totally pull it off! Manicures, be damned!

xoxox,
CC

Elizabeth said...

Deconstruction is so cool to me, but my organized personality won't let me wear it. I appreciate it on others, though.

CATHRYN said...

I really like this look, very interesting with all the shapes and sillhouettes going on.

CarmenSinCity said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. You my dear, have an awesome site. It's obvious that you've put a lot of time and effort into your blog and it shows. I will link you :)

Hope you had a good weekend.

LuLu124 said...

i love this trend!!! it's really good for creative people to let out their vibe, and paired with the right items it looks classy yet hip :) xoxo, lulu

Carolina Lange said...

I'm loving the Alexander Wang and the Balmain collection!
Great post!

♥ Marta ♥ said...

I love Frank Gehry's work especially the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain .... He's designed at art gallery in Toronto and I can't wait to go to the opening which is in November....Now, the clothes ... I absolutely love'em.. so original and I would definitely wear them in small dozes, lol :)

Pamcasso said...

wow, its all so gorgeous.

Marian said...

Ehat an insightful post and right on the money too!
You posted the most amazing images to illustrate the deconstruction trend. I am partial to the raw edges in the chanel couture.
kisses!
Marian.

Ana Paula said...

You topic is so interesting! Thanks for sharing but how come i am not able to see the pictures? thanks dear

Cookette said...

Do you happen to know which year's collection the grey slashed Margiela blazer is from? Thanks!

Couture Carrie said...

Hi Cookette,
You might try a power search for the blazer here:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/powersearch?designer=design_house114
Hope this helps!

xoxox,
CC