Isabel Marant – What’s the Fuss?

UncategorizedTags: Alloy, Isabel Marant, Stefano Pilati, Victoria's Secret, YSL

Apparently this designer is all the rage right now.  I just can’t understand why.  Net-a-Porter did a massive email campaign on her latest collection, and it sold out really quickly.  I clicked on the email to check out what I expected to be a riveting collection that would compel me to open my checkbook tout de suite, but I thought it was rather bland and disappointing. 

Here is the description of her style on Net-a-Porter: 

“Isabel Marant is the go-to label for Parisian cool girls. Since launching her eponymous accessories line in 1989 (followed by womenswear in 1994) the designer’s effortlessly hip aesthetic has become fashion’s best kept secret – her boyish trophy jackets, slouchy pants and easy-chic mini dresses are the signature uniform of models, editors and style-setters alike. Perfect bohemian glamour in ruffled miniskirts, jeweled tweed blazers and fringed suede pirate boots.”

It sounds pretty exciting to me, but then I went to browse the merchandise, and it was all sold out except for jewelry and one single pair of boots.  I do like these boots, especially paired with this dress, but the jewelry looks a lot like the selection I saw at Target last Sunday. 

This dress looks like something I saw on Alloy, the teeny-bopper website. 

Same with this boyfriend blazer. 

This outfit is a dead ringer for one in the Victoria’s Secret catalog.  Not exactly haute couture, you know? 

And I just think this is ugly. 

Now, this is my opinion, and I am only one person who happens to write about what I like and don’t like so take it for what it’s worth.  But I just don’t see anything that special here.  But maybe that’s the point.  I have to admit that most of these pieces are WEARABLE.  You know, as opposed to, say, the nun’s habit from Stefano Pilati for YSL.  So, maybe that’s the primary appeal.  You can actually wear it out of the house, to the grocery store, the Starbucks, or a BBQ.  It’s practical, yet a little bit funky.  Still, she is not setting any records for innovation or creativity if you ask me. 

What do you think?