Riccardi has always been a great supporter of Westwood. The mainline collection is rare in the u.s. market, up until recently only being sold at 2 doors in the country.  A Westwood store has just opened in L.A. trying to pick up where they left off when the soho store closed in 02.  Westwood shows 2 women’s collection, Gold Label and Red Label.  Gold label is a sculptural runway collection with artisanal production bordering couture quality.  It is sold at her stores and Harrods in London.  Red Label is a ready to wear collection that explores archived shapes and patterns and introduces them in seasonal fabrications.  There is a refreshing consistency in the Red Label which is hard to find in any collection.  These are a few new editions to the spring collection that evoke classic Westwood aestictcs and capture the lightness of Spring/Summer 10.

Cotton One Shoulder Shirt Dress.

Westwoods classic shirting has been entertaining mens and womens client since the mid 80s.  Often taking inspiration from classic British saville row tailors ,she twists proportions or elongates pattern pieces.  This dynamic silhouette oozes satire and scratches the line between male/female ward-robing.  The “shirt dress” has been explored by most designers, they have been styled to death and produced at every price point, the “boyfriend” shirt has also seen too much exposure.  This is where one can notice the power of design and see that a solitary piece, executed flawlessly, can put all competitors to shame.  This dress is available in blue and pink, classic mens shirting colors.

One Shoulder Cotten Lurex Knit.

The obvious statement that fashion is cyclical and that all trends come back around is defense for many of people either not updating there wardrobe or not purchasing redeveloped shapes.  I’m seeing allot of one shoulder pieces lately, and loving it.  As a designer there is only so many ways in which you can construct a garment.  I get excited for less ordinary shapes on the body, especially ones that lend themselves to such tasteful layering as this Lurex/Cotton Coral Knit.  It is strong enough on its own to carry an outfit as a solitary piece over jeans or leggings, but a more advanced consumer can exploit the shape,texture and color, with competing neutrals for a strong yet sensual look.

Convertable Pirate Shirt.

This generation of consumers is hungry for nostalgic Westwood pieces.  I myself traveled to london to visit her conduit st store in a mecca like journey to obtain a pair of pirate boots she had re-released in early 2000.  The pirate collections she showed.  These were the pieces that she used to dress the Sex Pistols and Adam Ant.  It is almost impossible to talk Westwood and not reference the history of the brand and the amount of shapes the women actually created.  Many designers have built there carrier copying her or dumbing down her designs to a more consumable market.  This is Westwood for the masses yet with enough twist to keep her clients excited.  The piece can worn in a variety of configurations.  The shape is based on a simple square with strips of fabric  attached and knotted around the neckline.

The Rest of the collection consists of suiting options and some amazing dresses, more pictures will follow.