Pretty sizzles, sexy fizzles

Modest really is hottest.... and the fashion world is starting to agree!

So, I read Beth Moore/Living Proof Ministries blog every now and then and they discussed this article in the Houston Chronicle and how the fashion world is taking a turn towards "cute" and "sweet" rather than the typical "sexy". So thats good news for us who don't think showing our butt cracks and/or cleavage is appropriate and that now when we go shopping, it might not be such a struggle to find appropriate things to wear that are stylish too! Yay!

`Pretty' sizzles, `sexy' fizzles
Designers get away from steamy looks; now `cute' is in

By CLIFFORD PUGH
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

MILAN — Here in the Italian fashion capital, there's a rich history of glitzy, glamorous body-baring designs.

The late Gianni Versace and former Gucci designer Tom Ford pioneered the steamy look in the 1990s. Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, along with Versace's sister, Donatella, and Gucci designer Frida Giannini continued the tradition. Houston women who work out regularly and love to show off their well-toned bodies love their risque creations.

But something strange has happened with spring 2008 collections: Sex has virtually disappeared.

Retailers have used words like "pretty," "cute" and "flirty" to sum up the looks. "Steamy" and "sensual" have been missing from the lexicon.

"There's much more of a feminine spirit and a fanciful spirit in the air here," Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing said. "It's more about flirting as opposed to an obvious, overt sexiness. But there's nothing better than a good flirt, don't you think?"

A lot of skimpy mini-skirts were spotted on the runways. But lengths just as often stopped just below the knee or skimmed the floor. Pants were varied, too, from skinny stovepipe legs to super-wide bell bottoms. Day dresses and evening gowns rarely hugged the body, although they thankfully no longer expand to tent size proportions.

Cavalli — who has long championed tight leopard prints and plunging necklines — was among those leading the charge. Before his show, he said it was time to rediscover the "innocence of the woman."

Instead of his trademark form-fitting gowns, Cavalli showcased demure lace dresses, whispy tunics, coats made silk petals and loosely-draped evening attire. The setting was modeled after the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.

While a few designs plunged to the navel — despite Cavalli's new sentiments, he just couldn't seem to resist exposing a breast or two — the overall look was subdued.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, whose sexy-bordering-on-pornographic magazine ads showing group couplings have been banned in some countries, also jumped on the modesty bandwagon.

The duo's top-of-the-line collection featured voluminous ball gowns hand-painted with Impressionistic flowers, while their lower-priced D&G line showcased frilly floral print dresses with gladiator sandals.

Gucci's Giannini, who has put her stamp on the company in recent years, sent out a feminine collection of frothy pink cropped jackets, short skirts and draped minidresses mixed with harder-edged attire, like skinny checked pants and a snakeskin motorcycle jacket.

Her closing statement of pretty ball gowns in dramatic yellow, black or floral black and white print seemed suited for a charity ball — not a trendy statement. Far sexier: Gucci's sky-high gold stilettos with gold ankle cuffs. Shoes are where the sex is next season.

Donatella Versace, who became Versace's chief designer after her brother was murdered 10 years ago, also showed an uncharacteristically sedate collection. Dresses and evening gowns in popsicle colors were draped loosely.

The one body part Versace seems obsessed with: the back. Many gowns and some blouses featured exposed skin all the way down the spine.

Maybe it's just all in the timing. Fashion constantly changes to lure new customers, so each season new styles are unveiled as the next great thing. But the changes often are incremental.
Downing predicts that spring will be a continuation of the "really strong glamorous woman" that appeared on the runway for fall. "The clothes are a little softer. There are not as many jackets. You don't have as many constricting fabrics. But it's still a very dressed-up spirit," he said.
Another possible explanation for more practical styles: Milan has more female designers at major houses than any of the world's other fashion centers.

Women's Wear Daily notes that a large number of family-run companies — Prada, Albert Ferretti, Versace, Fendi, Missoni, and Etro — were founded by women or now run by daughters and sisters. The contingent also includes Consuelo Castiglioni at Marni, Anna Molinari at Blumarine, and new hires Alessandra Facchinetti at Valentino and Christina Ortiz at Salvatore Ferragamo.

Women's Wear Daily suggests that female designers are often more in tune with what works for women. "Women seem to know better what other women need, want and like to wear," Angela Missoni told the newspaper.

Not every designer stuck to the "pretty" look. The Canadian designers of Dsquared2 — who are men — created a collection that would have fit right in during Tom Ford's Gucci heyday, with black teddys, minis and "trikini" swimsuits studded with Swarvoski crystals. Next to the demure looks on other runways, the clothes looked tired and tawdry.


So, its not perfect yet, but at least we are moving in the right direction! Be encouraged!

God bless!

PS - Here's the link to that article if you wanted it: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/style/5179253