MFW: Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2011

 The word slouchy took on a whole new meaning at the Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2011 show, precisely conducted under the watchful eye of creative director Raf Simons, whose collection was reassuringly together, affirming his commitment with the label. Floaty maxi-dresses and loose gowns formed the body of the collection, interspersed with some tailored blazers and suit trousers, all in a distinctively mouth-watering, fruity colour palette consisting of bright orange, a strawberry red, grape, sky blue and vivid green.

It was the floaty dresses which stood out the most, coming in unstructured, floor length shapes with sleeveless arms. Trousers too were floaty, teamed with a jacket for a more structured take. The dresses in particular seemed to veer on a couture style, while the loose lines didn’t swamp, but instead intrigued. It was elegant and extravagant. Sheer stripes, patterns and bug-eye sunglasses made the collection daring and bold.

It was an impressive collection, which revamped the Jil Sander name, and will no doubt be a pinnacle of the Spring/Summer collections in store for 2011. This is perhaps some of Raf’s finest work to date, and shows that his deep fascination with structure and shape can be the very thing that sets his work on the peak of a change in the direction for fashion.