Brand Crush: Luisa Beccaria

Italian designers have never held huge sway over me or large places in my heart. There's a flamboyance and an extravagance about the approach to dressing that just doesn't suit my personal tastes. However, that is not to say that I don't appreciate the work of some Italian houses or that I don't sometimes find myself thinking, "Ah, yeah, I'd wear that."

This is very much the case with my current brand crush, Luisa Beccaria. Brought by a mother-daughter team and well-established, the Milanese brand is prim and proper in all the right ways. It's clothes for socialites. It presents sheers never meant to be worn sheer off the runway and necklines so conservative that there's almost a touch of fetish to it in the same show. There's something Old World about it, something of a time and lifestyle long gone. Older, long-time customers are sure to be kept happy while young girls still manage to find a dress to fall in love with. Movie stars locate that perfect red carpet look. Romance abounds.

But, look, don't take my word for it. Look at the graphics (I spent far too long making) which summarise some of my favourite collections from them over the last few years.

So, you guys crushing along with me?

Jil Sander S/S 2013

Cool.

Ease.

Simplicity.

Menswear influence.

Sex Appeal.

All of the above could be used to describe the S/S 2013 Jil Sander collection.

So, it's a little bit exactly what you'd expect from a Jil Sander collection but it's still uber-gorgeous. The palette from A/W is referenced with more splashes of white to make it more summery but the coherence is kind of wonderful and those cherry reds, dusky pinks and burgundy shades are just perfect. I really adore those colours so I'm glad they've been used once more. The navy menswear inspired looks are important highlights in my eyes, as are the coats and suit alternatives/coordinates/suits (as per for Jil Sander) while a couple of the dresses just aren't doing it for me. A little on the sack side of things. In the dresses that get it right there's an accentuating of hips and skimming of the body thing going on that I'm totally feeling.Their models are the best as always, the styling is so on point and the hair and makeup is laid back and refreshing. Overall, a solid, unsurprising but beautiful collection.

The pictures are a selection of backstage shots and my favourite looks and are from vogue.co.uk. You should totally check out their new(ish) layout - it's awesome and especially fantastic for viewing shows.