THE RENNAISSANCE OF FASHION

In essence the Renaissance was simply the green end of one of civilization's hardest winters.
John Fowles

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that begin in Italy in the 14th Century and later spread to the rest of Europe, lasting until the 17th Century. Historians consider it "the rebirth" of civilization, therefore all aspects of intellectual life changed during that period of time. Its influence was felt in literature, philosophy, politics, science, religion, music, art and fashion (or better said the way people used to dress). It's difficult to talk about a rebirth in fashion now, because let's face it : we've seen it all and we are pretty hard to impress. The question is "what's new in it?"

 For Fall Winter 2012 designers got their inspiration from the Renaissance: fabrics, prints, silhouttes. Dolce&Gabbana's collection was full of Renaissance motifs: the brocart corset, the embroided jacket or the printed dress, while Donatella revisited her brother's last collection, using the cross motif embroided on a velvet coat. Italian designer Aquilano Rimondi imagined a silhoutte using a modern version of the corset for dresses and tops. At the opposite side Vivienne Westwood used a late 17th Century inspired corset and paired it with a pair of tights. Carven showed a very 21st Century look using Bosch' paintings as a print for the dressed and skirts. My favourite collection was Balmain, Olivier Rousteing mixed the Faberge and the Renaissance motifs and created very edgy and sexy jackets.

Photo credit: style.com