George Moskal: Resort 2009 Collections

Over the last few seasons the Resort collections have become increasingly important. Rather than designers offering a few looks in the typical nautical vein, it has become an important preview into the next Season's collection. Here are some of my favorite collections and the silhouettes to watch for as we move into Spring 2009.

Stella McCartney defined the Resort season with her easy and elegant collection which was presented at a garden party in the West Village's Jefferson Market Garden. Color was kept at a minimum, but made an impact in black, ivory, beige and a gorgeous blush tone.

Stella showed several "inverted cowl" pants and jumpsuits with a slightly dropped crotch. The droopy drawer look has been popping up recently, but this is a much more relaxed and understandable way to wear it.

Stella as well as other designers have been showing jumpsuits for several seasons now, but the key is to keep them soft and fluid as she has done here.

Hip definition, which can sound scary is increasingly important as in these adorable "hip happy" romper shorts.

A more slouchy version of the "hipster."

You can always count on Stella each season for another covetable signature sweater, this time in a dress.

If your going to do nautical, do it right as in this printed dress.

Another version of the sailboat print, but in cutwork.

I love this relaxed crop which appears to have a slightly fuller hip and dropped crotch.

Stella always has the best accessories, Italian craftsmanship in animal friendly materials. Love the orange rope handled metallic bag.

Tennis, Anyone?

Stefani Pilati takes a simplistic, almost minimalist approach to YSL. Ever at the forefront of the next silhouette, here are some knock-outs. I love how tailored the looks are and the use of a simple men's shirt as piece to layer over.

The tailored jumpsuit worn over a menswear shirt.

Tailored dresses over menswear shirts.

Jacket worn over the tailored jumpsuit and menswear shirt.

This knit jumpsuit looks reminiscent of 80's Claude Montana which seems to be creeping into the collections recently. I am crossing my fingers that the house makes a comeback.

Not as easy to wear as Stella's hip defining draped bottoms, but a stunning tailored version of the "hipster."

I adore the paper bag waisted mini as shown here. This is validation for my own Spring 2009 collection in works now. I will be posting my progress over the next coming weeks and months. I hate this "Eve" tee though.

I have to call this out next as additional validation for my line. I am glad to see the importance of sportswear continuing. Maybe it's because I recently moved to Portland (the home of Nike and Adidas), but this is something I am very excited about. We have seen sprinklings of this in the Fall collections from Mui Mui and American Vogue and International Sportswear have done some amazing spreads in this vein. I love it mixed in with a tailored jacket and shirt.

I am calling this next look the "collapsed" or "wilted tulip." YSL has been doing the more structured version of this for several seasons and I have to say I love the updated relaxed version.

Another covetable coat from YSL. This has almost a "scuba" quality with the neoprene looking fabric and zippers. Another look I am obsessed with recently. Stay tuned...

Break out those shoulder pads ladies, because a Bolder shoulder is key. This is a more accessible way to get the look with a capped kimono cut sleeve that just falls off of the shoulder perfectly.

The Little Black Dress.

I love this next look for three reasons. The first is the magenta color which really pops his neutral heavy collection. The second is the T-strap shoulder (which I have done myself by the way). The last is the "barrel" or "lantern" silhouette of the skirt. You usually see this in sleeves. I am doing a similar style of sleeve in a silk organza anorak for Spring 2009. The floor grazing silhouette is stunning. O.K., that is actually four. Moving on!

I love the ease of this floor grazing skirt paired back with a simple "lingerie" tank.

Just a couple more gorgeous looks from Mr. Pilati.

Ending here with another key statement from YSL the "Cold Hearted Snake."

Not my favorite collection, but a few noteworthy looks from Calvin Klein.

The serpent continues, this time in "White Snake."

More bolder shoulder.

The square,

And falling away from the shoulder perfectly.

For once, I didn't want to sell my soul for the latest Balenciaga collection. It is still a gorgeous collection, but not much of a departure from Nicolas Ghesquiere's last show. I post this picture merely as an example.

He did however, present two extremely covetable handbags.

I adore Proenza Schouler's big on big look. Usually, designers show one big look back to something slimming. This can look really dumpy, but not when my fave boys are doing it. This reminds me of early comme Des Garçons, but in a much more updated and elegant version.