ANDREA JANKE Finest Accessories: LANVIN Resort 2014

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

LANVIN Resort 2014

Thank you, Alber Elbaz, for your consistently playful, whimsical approach not only to pre-collection presentations but to fashion in general. Remember, it’s supposed to be fun.

Last Monday, Elbaz took a seat behind a dimly lit wooden desk, like some old-school crime novelist or professor. Let’s say professor since Elbaz, in this case, had all the answers. As models came out, he rattled off a series of questions that were basically variations on the same, time-worn theme: what do I wear? For instance, “What if you’re on a flight from New York to Paris, you want something easy, comfortable, no crease, beige . . . but you never know who’s going to sit next to you.” Well, why not slouchy pants, a loose top with an oversize, floppy shawl collar and a languid trench?

Amazing green as seen by me ...

@andreajankeofficial via Instagram

Nothing too fussy or constricting, but all quite chic. Or, “What if you’re signing the divorce settlement with your ex and his lawyer,and his mother is always there you know . . . ” Definitely the modest but modern sheath adorned with chunky jewels. Communicates independence but also savvy. Or, on a lighter note, “What if you’re uptown at the Carlyle having tea with your daughter because life is so good?” Go for a ladylike, off-white graphic bonded lace on jersey shift with pockets (for errant toys) and matching jacket. And while you’re at it, dress your mini-me in a similar look from Lanvin’s children’s line.

No, not everyone faces exactly these situations. What plays in New York (or Paris) doesn’t always play in Poughkeepsie, as they say. But these clothes are both varied and universal enough to work for women from 25 to 85, regardless of where they live or where they’re going. One thing’s for certain, today, the two-in-one dress, as Albaz called a long, sleeveless white number layered underneath a trompe l’oeil black vest that he felt answered the question “What if you’re always in a rush?” could have come in handy.