Designer A-Z

Vera Wang

Autumn/Winter 2012

By Jim Shi

The diversity of styles on the front row at Vera Wang’s show— as represented by guests Viola Davis, Renée Zellweger, Leighton Meester and Maria Sharapova—seemed to underscore the designer’s ethos for autumn winter 2012. 'Vis-à-gris' said Wang’s show notes, explaining the underlying idea of opposites that permeated her 39 looks.

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Translated, that equated to strong camel-coloured coats paired with boot-cut trousers and long vests in the first half juxtaposed softer, more delicate graphic prints and muted tones near the end. The idea of opposites translated down to the shoes, where thigh high, wedge boots starkly contrasted the light-as-a-feather gowns they were paired with.

As Wang put it, this collection was about 'clothing as sanctuary.' The body wrapped in soft armour as seen through a fencing-inspired jacket or the carapace of a coat. While pops of colour like tangerine permeated the collection, serving as sparkling ornamentation, sheer and smoky transparencies were the key touch points for fall, with a number featuring a print of vaulted ceilings on silk chiffon dresses—sheer enough to be just enough risqué.