When you spend too long googling pin ups (waaaay too much mad men this week guys, one step away from chain smoking and an up do) you end up reading lots and lots. Which results into me writing lots and lots. I've recently been looking at high end fashion and how pin up has influenced it, suprisingly I didn't find as much as I expected to, what with modern day pin ups growing ever more popular. Here are some I did find, dating all the way back to 2009 which is basically dead in fashion terms.
Luella
The last ever collection from Luella (sob) was pin up chick at its most adorable. Pastel colours such as pale lemon and a sugary pink that wouldn’t go amiss on your Nan and cutesy bows and peter pan collars with large buttons make the whole affair as sweet as hell. Top knots adorned with big plastic bows decorated the models hair and clashing shoes prevented some looks appearing a little grown up.
I remember when I first saw this collection a couple of years ago, I lusted over the cut out heart dresses in particular and was brought to tears when she went bankrupt a few weeks later (moreso when Primark and Peacocks began to do tacky copies of the cut out heart dresses, shameful guys, shameful!)
For me, everything about this collection shouts candy coated pin up. Firstly the print, ditzy florals and polka dots, reminiscent of the 50’s these prints wouldn’t look at all out of place on a full body circle skirt and the polka dot reminds me of a red and white print (similar to what I found on brick lane in an earlier post) that you can easily visualise on the bikini of a cheeky cheesecake pin up. Secondly, hips exaggerated with padding (anyone else think of diors new look?) and nipped in waists create the ideal hourglass figure on even the most petite models. Thirdly, both the neckline and heart cut out reveals just enough cleavage (not so much here though, bloody models) to be subtly sexy, the important thing about pin up is that it isn’t in your face smutty, it’s very much about being subtle. FINALLY the bows, big buttons, peter pan collars, plastic accessories keep this look really cute and stop it from being too dressed up and serious, if this look was edible it would rot your teeth.
Whenever I envision someone wearing this collection I always think of a really innocent looking, clumsy girl, flashing a little too much of her stockings, walking her candy cane poodle.
Miu Miu
Is there anybody who didn’t love the S/S2010 collection from Miu Miu? How could you not! The print was absolutely divine, the collars were adorable and it all felt so fresh and new, it does even now with versions still trickling down the highstreet, from River Island to H&M to Zara although nothing could compete with the real thing.
In my eyes, this whole collection reflects a much more modern pin up, especially the trouser and top combinations which aren’t as obviously pin up as the dresses. Prints of nudes lazily sprawl on collars and dresses mixed in amongst cats and dogs and delicate beading. The fishtail plait and Mary Jane style shoes keep this look young. I’m really surprised I like this look because I usually prefer much more minimal clean cut styles but the prints and embellishments that adorn this collection work so well, it clashes without becoming overkill.
The silhouette of this collection works wonderfully well, nipping in at the waist and following the contours of the body without being too fitted. The dare to bare dresses and embroided chiffon make this Lolita-esque look a little naughtier and flash flesh in a tasteful way, as any respectable pin up knows it’s not revealing skin in the form of an overspilling cleavage, it’s about being more subtle and creative about the way you show off your skin. The trouser suits allow a more grown up pin up style, with keeping literally all skin covered whilst still looking sexy.
ALSO, let’s not forget the shoes (as if you could) they are seriously the most beautiful things I have seen in shoe land for such a long time, they give me shenvy, shorgasms, I shove them (shoe-love..doesn’t really work as well but you get the idea.)
Vena Cava
Vena Cava’s Resort 2011 collection offers a diverse range of garments in colours ranging from light greys and white tones to vibrant violets and corals to deep navy and black. Despite having such a wide range of garments with jumpsuits, skirts, dresses, crop tops, vests, jackets, waistcoats and more included in the line up, the collection works well and with repetition of patterns and details the whole lot comes together well.
The collection was inspired by a trip to Death Valley, a desert valley in East California and a 1970’s film that was, in parts, shot there entitled Zabriskie Point which takes a look at life in 1960’s America, I rate this film even though I haven’t seen it because one of the main characters is called Daria and I love the TV show Daria so much (though I doubt they are connected). Layers of Fabric and uneven hemlines along with shades of orange and beige echo the landscape of Death Valley and the whole collection is so summery, with hats and sunglasses and sandals adorning models and flirty hemlines each look is perfect for the desert sunshine, when combined with a stylish factor 60 sun cream.
Fitted mini dresses and tops teamed with short shorts give this collection a really youthful pin up feel, subtly attracting attention to the natural curves of the female figure without being smutty yet showing off enough leg to be a little more than cheeky. The whole look is what I can only seem to describe as cool, it’s eye catching for all the right reasons, the patterns are very modern and the colours work with each other so well. My favourite pieces are the black jumpsuit with adorable dungaree style clips injecting another bout of youth to the collection aaaand the sleeveless blouse and shorts combo, which to me feel’s very pin up indeed!
