Tuesday 6 May 2014

125. Gucci Gucci, Louis Louis, Fendi Fendi, Prada....

5th May 2014, Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington, London

Here we go again. I will once more attempt a cultural outing that does not consist of going to see Muppets - The Movie.

My main reason for not having visited the Victoria & Albert Museum to date is simple; it's located in South Kensington which is the third worst tourist hell of London, only defeated by Leicester Square and Oxford Street. Needless to say, I rarely visit those either.

Trying to get as much time as possible in with my favourite Yummy Mummy and her Little Man before their big move to Singapore I dragged them with me to this cultural staple of London. More specifically, we were there to check out their latest exhibition, The Glamour Of Italian Fashion. As far as Little Man goes, I would say that this kid is more culturally well travelled than I am, but this time he fell asleep before we even got through the door. Point to me!

For the record, I'll take Italian fashion over French any day. So much more glamour, less cookiness and attention seeking and, well... Valentino.

Before I even get started with the couture porn to come, we need to cover the topic of Italian women as ultimately they were the ones these master pieces were originally designed to fit. How the hell do they stay so skinny? They're from the land of pasta, pizza and tiramisu for goodness sake! It just does not add up. They should by any normal metabolistic standards all be whales! Something suspicious is going on down there beyond the bunga bunga parties, you mark my words!

Once inside the exhibition space, I was in awe. Every single piece, to my taste or not, was simply exquisite. The detailing, the vibrant and unexpected colours, the fabric blends... For someone who reads Italian Vogue religiously without speaking a word of Italian beyond understanding the menu at Pizza East, this was simply heaven!

What I like the most with Italian fashion houses is that they constantly strive to maintain and protect their own individual style. This rather than jumping on anything deemed fashionably accurate at the time or considered highly stylish by some Hollywood wannabe who just decided her real passion in life, now that the acting career has crashed, is to be an artistic advisor. Yes, you good people at Ungaro - I am talking to you.

Without any designers simply repeating themselves, I can clearly see Capucci in the dramatic green and pink origami evening gown, Cavalli in the slightly over the top but simply fabulous leopard cut-out maxi dress, Missoni in the knitted multi patterned mis-match autumn coat ensemble and Dolce & Gabbana in the three-colour gold embroided ankle boots.

Now, all I have to do is figure out how to drop three dress sizes whilst eating wheat with cheese and how I am to pay for a £4,500 dress.

So many years of phenomenal fashion








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