"I'm not pretty, I'm worse." This is a bold but weird statement made by Kookai, a popular French fashion brand that recently presented its retro-chic autumn/winter collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai in People's Park.
Three top models in China, Shi Zhouliang, Chun Xiao and Luo Zilin, led 10 other models on the catwalk. They are all pretty, by the way.
A pair of all-black socks, long or short, is the must-have item for the season, and you've got to wear them together with a pair of sexy high heels instead of long boots (those hippy and loose boots - better in lighter colors - are exceptions, though).
The 1980s spirit has made a comeback in Kookai's new collection. The highlights include high-waisted pants, shirts with three-quarter-length sleeves, baggy shorts, baby-doll dresses and pencil skirts. A black series focuses on geometric lines with graphic details.
Materials include tweed, wool, crepe and rough denim printed with navy stripes, dog teeth and dots. Accessories, such as hair bands and feetless tight socks, are the essentials.
The baby-doll dresses emphasize ruffles and feminine shapes. A lingerie-like top and shorts are the perfect match. Soft colors, such as pink, asphalt-gray, algae and champagne, are widely applied on sophisticated fabrics like suede, mohair and shantung.
A rock 'n' roll feeling is also conveyed by long coats, slim trousers and ruffled shirts in black, mixed with romantic colors.
For the evening, a strapless dress with an asymmetric hemline is the most sexy. And the cardigans are embellished with sequins and pearly lace. Kimono sleeves and cowl necklines add a touch of elegance.
In another development, Italian fashion brand Marella opened its first shop in Shanghai. The opening ceremony was kicked off with a fashion show, displaying a series of stylish women's mix-and-match.
The new collection is infused with a mix of contemporary styles that will surely attract modern professional women. The palette is dominated by a gray tone, with a hint of maroon and dark olive green. Prints recall a vintage look, from large roses to paisley flowers.
The collection includes feminine suits, pleated or flared skirts, wide-leg masculine trousers and Bermuda shorts. Coats and jackets play an important role, ranging from the short or long sheepskin coats to the well-structured anorak jackets in thick water-proof satin, and from the classic cashmere coats embellished by fur collars to the sporty padded ones.
