[pullquote1 quotes=”true” align=”center”]Long-lasting effects of January’s fashion trends[/pullquote1]
Staff Writer
The first month of 2013 offered exciting weather, political events, new classes, and, of course, a fabulous start to the year in the fashion realm. While the snow’s effects may have melted away and the ease of syllabus days has long passed, January’s fashion will have a lasting impact.
Aside from the Golden Globes, January hosted the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) Awards as well, celebrating the best in film and television of the past year. Trends seen on January 27 included a great amount of navy gowns on pale stars, while tanner and olive-skinned women wore bright pink.
In the navy corner, Nicole Kidman looked better than usual in a blue applique and black mesh dress. Alongside her were Jennifer Lawrence, who won best actress for Silver Linings Playbook, and Amanda Seyfried. While Lawrence looked stunning, as per usual, the fabric choice of the Dior dress seemed to cheapen up the strapless, waist-defining number. Seyfried, on the other hand, appeared practically perfect in her mermaid-style Zac Posen gown, which really did look like a dark sea sweeping across the red carpet.
In the other corner of the red carpet boxing ring stood petite Lea Michele, Freida Pinto, and Nina Dobrev. Lea Michele’s strapless Valentino dress proved to be the purest pink of the three, while Pinto’s Roland Mouret dress sported a cowl neckline in a shade reminiscent of bubble gum. Dobrev, wearing Elie Saab, leaned more towards a coral tone in her short-sleeved, jaw-dropping dress.
As millions were watching President Obama swear into his second term of presidency during the Inauguration on the 21st, many were distracted and enthralled by the First Lady’s fashion. She wore a navy coat by Thom Brown and boots by Reed Krakoff. No one was surprised to see the First Lady sporting J. Crew accessories in the form of a thick, bejeweled-yet-classy belt and fuschia gloves for a pop of color.
While this outfit was plenty lovely, it paled in comparison to the ravishing ruby gown by Jason Wu she wore that evening. Pleased with her ethereal Wu dress from the Ball four years ago, Michelle went back to Wu for this custom crimson number. The dress featured a halter neckline and utilized velvet and chiffon to make for a solid combination. These pieces will be added to the National Archives, filling the displays alongside clothes and accessories from Jackie O and Lady Bird Johnson.
From American politics to French policies, Karl Lagerfeld used his most recent fashion show as an opportunity not only to showcase and sell his pieces, but also to promote same-sex marriage in France. Currently a hot topic there (and worldwide, too), Lagerfeld may have helped the cause, even if only slightly. His January 22 Haute Couture show for Spring/Summer 2013 ended with two brides. Instead of having just one model at a time taking to the catwalk in a wedding gown, Lagerfeld decided to have two walk at the same time, holding hands and accompanied by his adorable godson.
Lagerfeld knows his influence in the fashion world and took this opportunity to express his beliefs, saying, “Two women getting married, I find that natural, and having two mothers is a good thing.” Additionally, the models left their classic stone-cold serious faces backstage and instead took on smiles, showing their support and happiness to be involved.
While the weather was unpredictable in January, the fashion world was unexpectedly full of delight. Based on the SAG Awards, the Inauguration, and Lagerfeld’s show, the rest of 2013 is looking bright in terms of fashion and style.
Questions? Email Elizabeth at efurino@fandm.edu.