Though I do enjoy getting (legitimate) emails of all kinds, some of my favorite emails are the ones from Barbara Í Gongini's PR, as they each contain not one but two magical lookbooks of Barbara's newest collection inside. Before I delve into the S/S 12 ones that I just received today, however, I must point something out. To those of you that hone in quickly on miniscule details, yes, I did correctly make use of the caps lock key when typing out the label's name. Prior to this morning's email, all but the initial 'b' and 'g' were capitalized when referring to the label specifically and not the designer. However, as the press kit and lookbooks now have the name using conventional type cases, I will do the same here.
But so. Whereas last time around I preferred the BÍG Black (i.e. basic) Line to the main line, with the S/S 12 collection I've gotten stuck on the main line (above). There are quite a few favorites that could easily end up in My Top 3 Want List, so you may very well see a new one in the sidebar later today. Particularly the dress below (though I'd wear it with the oxfords, not the heels). Similar to the A/W 11 collection, the starting point of the main line is the square, though this time there's also the added theme of deconstructed menswear (I especially heart that deconstructed/reconstructed mens button-up on the right of the middle row). And, of course, the collection showcases Barbara's penchant for making minimalist shapes quite complex through functional details such as zippers, buttons, and unexpected (arm)holes. Though the sustainability rating this time around is only at 30%, as opposed to A/W 11's 80%, these pieces would serve a freelance editor just as well as a professional David Foster Wallace reader, amateur recipe tester, or expert New York visitor.* Sigh.
And really, I think the reason why I'm spending more ogling time on the main line is that I'm already taking for granted the wonderful androgynous basic-ness of the Black Line. That, and the ironic fact that the B-L is much less black than the main line, with the palette consisting of white, khaki, grey, and black. The B-L, however, is more affordable than the main line (and has a higher sustainability rating of 40%), and so it is more likely that I'll be adding another B-L piece to my wardrobe (via here) sooner than a main line piece. And really, one can't complain about that.
*And yes, all these labels can indeed refer to one individual. Such as myself.
