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The Olsen Twins’ Luxury Line: Made to Make You Smile.
The Row, the ultra-luxury line by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, opted out of a runway show, and instead showed off its collection in intimate one-on-one interviews throughout the day.
The Olsens used the animated films “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Triplets of Belleville” as a jumping off point for the collection’s luxurious fox fur coats.
“When we styled the pieces, we knew that we wanted it to be item-based, so it could be mixed and matched,” Ashley Olsen said. “We wanted each piece to stand alone.”
“I think fashion should have a sense of humor,” Mary-Kate Olsen said, noting some of the sunny yellows in the collection. “We wanted people to smile.”
The sisters added that because they were designing the fall collection during the recent big snow storms, they added more jackets, including a puffy silver jacket and puffer ski pants for getting around in post-blizzard days.
The Row also previewed its first handbag collection.
Ladylike clutches came in crocodile, while a delicate little satchel was covered in long black ostricth feathers.
There was also a so-called twin purse, which features two small bags in different colors sewn together, so women can flip around the sides according their whim.
TheSTStyle
.Just saw The Row. Ashley said she wanted to do the 'ultimate luxury.' Read: fashion's version of a bear suit. Love! Stand by for pic...
about 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=541&sid=2271572
just the link because (Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
^ Perhaps they didn't want their celebrity to interfere with the collection?
^ Perhaps they didn't want their celebrity to interfere with the collection? I wouldn't blame them.
The Row RTW Fall 2011
One of the great joys of working in this industry is seeing talent develop rep, especially in the wake of widespread cynicism. Enter Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, whose The Row is progressing into a dazzling jewel, its multiple facets still emerging.
The designers maintain that theirs is a collection of pieces, essential items that fold into a broader wardrobe. Perhaps so, but what the Olsens presented for fall looks suspiciously like a full-fledged, sophisticated collection. They started from a dual inspiration — “‘The Triplets of Belleville’ meet ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox,’” with a little Donald Judd tossed in. That meant a darkened sensibility with some jolts of color. It also meant some impressive furs, flamboyant in their raw, au sauvage appeal. The lineup has a more obviously urbane side as well, seen in pieces such as a beautifully tailored black coat with buckle closure and a quiet belted cap-sleeve dress. As for the brighter side of things, a color-blocked belt added dash to a marigold coat.
Such bravado is part of a push toward branding. Hence, the discrete “TR” embroidered onto knitwear, and the launch of The Row’s handbags. These range from a sleek backpack to a two-section bag that comes in laptop and evening versions which is called, yes, Twin Set.
Show Report
Lauren David Peden
14/02/2011
ALTHOUGH Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were not on hand to walk visitors through their autumn/winter 2011-12 collection, they did make their inspiration board available.
The story it told - through stills from The Triplets of Belleville and The Fantastic Mr. Fox, a Seventies-era shot of a super glam Bianca Jagger, and artwork by Egon Schiele - was one of luxurious decadence.
And this mood was certainly borne out in the collection, full as it was with double-face cashmere sweaters and pants, knit mink sweaters, burgundy lamb T-shirts and a fox coat and vest - created using a brand new construction technique - that were fur on the inside and outside yet remained as light and effortless as your favourite snuggly sweater.
Yes there were plenty of the deluxe basics on which this brand has built its reputation: creamy knit crewnecks, perfectly cut pencil skirts and razor-sharp suits and blazers (some with snake or fish skin elbow patches). But there were a slew of more playful - dare we say whimsical? - looks this season, as well.
To wit: a blue fox chubby paired with a floor-sweeping pink chiffon skirt that recalled a (very privileged) little girl playing dress-up. A pair of cheetah print fur pants and a gorgeous velvet burnout dressing gown-cum-evening coat that we could easily imagine a young Bianca wearing while lounging in the South of France. Or any number of today's pretty young things donning for a swanky night on the town, in Belleville or Brooklyn.
The Olsen twins' The Row had evolved their luxe essentials from the first season into one of the most polished (easily of a Parisian standard) shows of the season. Naturally, it produced striking outerwear seen in the dramatic leopard skin coat and a purple Astrakhan jacket