Daily Front Row

2010 February 22

Runway Reviews: PPQ, Vivienne Westwood Red Label

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PPQ Fall 2010
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(LONDON) PPQ
Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker’s PPQ line was made for party girls, but this time around, the brand indulged its serious side. Black velvet, dark overcoats, lean jumpsuits and noir frocks ruled the runway. A series of long-sleeved little black dresses—some with keyholes at the neckline, one with a sweet A-line skirt—were positively demure. However, the duo knows their customer, and there was a fair amount of flash to go along with it all, whether it was a high-necked gold lame blouse (paired with black leather pants), the gold tassel-trimmed strapless dress that opened the show, or a gilt leather trench. Trench aside, PPQ’s it girls will have a harder time finding their perfect stand-out party dresses from this collection—but maybe the ordinary girl can find something to wear.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL
She shows her main collection in Paris, but the iconic British designer has enough loyalty to her countrymen to give them a show--and quite a spectacle at that. A hot pink plaid kilt, striped pants and sharp jackets (of the peacoat, trench, cape and moto variety), and schoolgirlish knee-high socks made for a jumble of pieces that will make her followers happy, especially at a lower price point. With references to both academia and punk (plus a few rather demure printed frocks), the collection had a little something for everyone, whether you’re an LBD kind of girl or a bit more avant-garde. Of course, Dame Viv has her politics, and this show wasn’t without; her invitation had “Vital Stats” (both Haiti and climate change-related) printed over a black and white image of a pair of breasts, and the print is available as a tee that supports The White Ribbon Alliance.