REAL CLOTHES FOR REAL GIRLS

Jill Stuart is one of those designers who is not an enigma.  And that is a good thing.  You know what you’re going to find in her clothes:  feminine, functional and very, very pretty.  The reason I beg to attend her runway season after season, is to see just what she is going to do to keep her looks new and fresh, and she does, every time.

For Fall/Winter 2013, she did it with texture.  Super functional wools somehow looked sleek and sexy.  A short, teal jacket had those puffed upper arms we’ve seen in a couple of shows, but she managed to make it wearable, paired with charcoal wool pants.

She used intricate cut-outs in a simple black dress with white collar and cuffs to keep it from looking “mumsy”, and instead elevating it to subtle but sexy.  The same cut-out design showed up in a suit, shorts and an amazing cape as well, all gorgeous.

Every piece showed an incredible mix of textures:  metallics softened by lace, fluffy wool sweaters that really stood out, lacy dresses with rows of ruffles and a patterned print that shined (literally).

Stuart’s party-girl looks were all young, fresh and so original.  It’s her stock-in-trade, but somehow she finds new ways to take a standard and make it new.

The stripey section could have been crazy and unwearable, but Stuart’s impeccable tailoring and creative vision made them the dresses every girl will want to own, and wear.

In the usually dull winter, there were glorious pops of color in vibrant corals, bright reds and jewel toned purples and aubergines that lit up the runway.

I know dresses are her thing, but I thought one of the big standouts of the season was outerwear.  Coats and jackets looked simple enough in soft, shiny wools, but the details made them look rich and sophisticated.

Stuart’s woman is clearly young, gorgeous and fun-loving, everything we all want to be.  But she serves them so well with her fantastic design and attention to detail, it’s no wonder her shows are packed, every season.

Photography: Anton Brookes