Miu Miu 2010 from Paris Fashion Week

Miuccia Prada designer/creator of Miu Miu, an experimental and expressive clothing line, showed her 2010 collection at Paris Fashion week. I like the reviewer's terms, "sweet and sexual, virginal and vamp," because that is what keeps Miu Miu so fresh.

Many of the larger fashion houses have a more singular view, whether it be classic (Calvin Klein), sexy (Versace) or sophisticated (Chanel). This is obviously oversimplified but the point is that other than Mark Jacobs, a younger, edgy look combined with sophistication that only a brilliant designer can impart is very hard to find. Miu Miu flawlessly combines these elements.

Reaching for a contradiction that perfects the line between gaudy and quirky is something this woman does well. Gucci used to be the same way until Frida Giannini was promoted to design director some years ago. Miu Miu fills a need for those of us who didn't grow up brunching formally every Sunday morning or regularly attending benefit galas. We don't need ball gowns or overly formal clothing for going out but we also don't need oversexed attire.

Miuccia gets that women want subtle sexuality in clothing that works well to promote femininity and not trampiness. It's much sexier to be playful in this contradiction, 'virginal & vamp,' than to be overt.  We want expressive pieces to wear with jeans or a killer pair of shoes to offset a more simple outfit. Her work makes such an artistic statement that I always look forward to seeing it.

PS:  the models in this video are SCAREY.  I don't usually have a problem with model's sizes because I can be a little on the small side...but holy cow, watching them is a little uncomfortable.  Maybe I'm just getting old?


 From the Telegraph:

True to form, Miuccia Prada’s collection was a contradiction in terms; sweet and sexual, virginal and vamp.
A sweet cat print and a swallow in flight contrasted with the image of a reclining nude. Bra details across a see-through bodice, with sequinned flames, were set against innocent puffed sleeves.

The youthful charm of smocking, on Victorian-style sleeves, and on yoked necklines, was at odds with sheer, stretch tulle, embellished with silver beading. And while the models had their hair styled in a demure plait over the left shoulder, a voice on the soundtrack was husking “I want you, I need you, I love you.”
The juxtaposition was echoed in the colours, the prints and the fabrics; a prim, schoolgirl collar in a red/cream swallow print on a modestly-cut dress, sleeves in the cat print in blue on black, a bejewelled front, and a plain, cream back.
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