Style Muse: Lanvin Ete Resort 2010

Resort shows are kind of quirky, no? Usually it's an all-out runway platform for the designer to show off their true colors, perhaps their more playful side. It's a time for motifs to be a little more literal, colors exceptionally vibrant, and no-stops fun to be had. And we're guessing Alber Elbaz didn't have any shortage of that when visiting Hawaii to inspire Lanvin's take on resort, as even the ridiculous gaping faces of the faux first-row lineup posted behind the runway showed the real first row, and those subsequently behind, that they were in for a good time.

Models left the typical runway attitudes backstage before sashaying out under beautifully sunny light, stopping to pose as if it were their first time in front of the Eiffel Tower on a class trip. Their personalities shone and gave the brilliant collection the lift it needed to come to life.

We said this resort collection was inspired by Hawaii, but nary a hibiscus nor tiare were to be seen; instead, a flowing sea of audacious color interpreting both the flora and culture of the country’s most tropical stakes made its appearance. Color is clearly what this collection is about. Hues were vivid, but I wouldn’t say bright. Actual color names were elusive, wavering somewhere around jewel tones, capturing the eye but never making it to the confines of the 96-Crayola box. So many dresses with frills and tucks, you couldn’t help striking cute, girly picture poses from your seat, imagining you were twirling in front of a mirror yourself. An army of accessories by way of tattered fabric flowers, vivid plastic toucan (who can? you can) brooches, and bags that will no doubt make haste on their way to it status polished up every look. A variety of gowns made their way into the mix, combining comfortable shapes and forms with the now archetypal vibrant color palette to create pieces that are bound to be highly coveted but hardly traditional.

Not that there’s anything wrong with tradition—after all this year marks a centennial and twenty since Jeanne Lanvin defied the laws of drapery, and like any great Parisian fete, Lanvin is doing it up in grandeur, all the way down to the party favors. Sure, the energy of 120 years compels an amazing collection, but why stop there? Once that caliber of celebration commences, the guests are going to expect a little more, and resplendent in that role is an entire capsule collection of bright enamel figurines, snow globes, umbrellas (featuring the front-row likenesses of said runway backdrop), and suitcases—a little something for every spot in the hautest of wardrobes.