If there’s one woman who perfectly represents Carven, it’s Alexa Chung. The model and TV presenter was curiously absent from the front row at the French fashion house’s Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk show this week in Paris, but she has been a staunch supporter of the label since it was revived a few seasons ago, wearing Carven for her Elle cover, and there’s no way she’ll be able to resist the new collection, which could have been designed especially for her. There were the shortest tunics (perfect for showing off gamine legs), preppy Peter Pan collars on everything and tomboyish high-waisted shorts – all staples in la Chung’s wardrobe.
Carven has quickly carved itself a comfortable niche producing wearable, affordable (well, compared to some designers) clothes for smart, stylish young women – intellectual ingénues if you will. But for Spring/Summer there was something completely new – dazzling colour and print. There were candy-coloured stripy shorts, a vibrant zigzag pattern snaking across skirts and blouses and a neon paint-spattered print on tops. Zingy yellow shorts were teamed with electric blue heels, a rainbow-knit sweater and a fluorescent red collar.
There were brilliant separates – a simple camel blazer, sweet button down shirts, city shorts – and an outstanding selection of dresses, which ranged from prim little A-line pinafores to swingy sundresses. Our hearts skipped a beat at the sight of a sugar-pink little skater dress that reminded us of Luella (another Alexa favourite...)
An understated sexiness which made itself felt in previous seasons was still present in lace inserts, a coquettish cut-out under the bust on a dress, and leather mini skater dresses which were demurely layered over preppy tops, but featured large cut-outs across the chest.
Fashion Week 2011Isabel Marant catwalk report
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