Rolling Stone gave everyone an exclusive sneak preview of the Spring 2012 L.A.M.B collection-we LOVE the high-and much deserved- praise they gave the collection!! Rolling Stone also said that they will be posting an interview with Gwen tomorrow morning in which she will discuss the collection as well as the new No Doubt album.
As Gwen Stefani unveils her Spring 2012 L.A.M.B. collection at Lincoln Center today, Rolling Stone went backstage for an exclusive preview of the singer-turned-designer’s newest color-dashed two-tone looks, which are influenced by the women of India, gentrified Jamaican street style, and Vespa culture. Stefani’s penchant for a rasta-themed palette, now a L.A.M.B. signature, meant there were plenty of amplified bursts of color – sunny yellows, sanguine reds, muted greens, a few vagrant but gorgeous turquoises – which contrasted winningly against the predominantly black and white collection. Chevron and zig-zag prints were key motifs for the collection, appearing on floaty maxi-dresses, rompers, and drapey light-knit sweaters. With accessories, Stefani pumped up the volume, literally, showing sky-high platform sandals and exaggerating the proportions of handbags, with oversized satchels in contrasting hues – a white and yellow vinyl bucket bag was particularly crucial, the models swooning for first dibs.
Indeed, Stefani’s army of models always stand out as particularly fearsome. This season, they resembled Nubian warriors: they wore high and elegant buns, tightly wound by dark extensions (even the blond models sported a black weave wrapped in). Eyes were done in richly pigmented navys and blacks and cut a dramatic Cleopatra shape. In fitting with the vaguely Afro-Indian theme, the show’s music, curated by Jeremy Healy, paired reggae against African pop, bhangra, and hip-hop. A clever sonic preview of what’s going on through No Doubt’s collective aesthetic conscious this fall?
Check back tomorrow morning, when Gwen Stefani herself clues us in.
UPDATE: Rolling Stone has added quotes from Gwen about her inspirations for the collection. Gwen explained that there are three distinct themes to the collection: the Rat Pack group that features black and white graphic prints,a so-called ”High Voltage” motif with bold,electric colors,and finally,the Maharaja group,which is inspired by India.
“There were three distinct themes that inspired me,” Gwen Stefani tells Rolling Stone. “The first is a Rat Pack group that is very black and white and quite graphic.” But nauturally, her penchant for a rasta-themed palette, now a L.A.M.B. signature, meant there were plenty of amplified bursts of color – sunny yellows, sanguine reds, muted greens, a few vagrant but gorgeous turquoises – which contrasted winningly against the predominantly two-toned collection. Stefani explained: “The second [motif] we’re calling High Voltage because there are lots of bright electric colors.”
Of the East Meets West vibe, Stefani confirms that “Maharaja – an Indian inspiration – loosely weaves in and out.”