Color Blocking and Cutouts for BCBG Max Azria S/S 2012

The moment I laid my eyes on this spring/summer ready-to-wear collection, I quickly noticed a similar color blocking theme to its prior fall/winter collection, making this somewhat of a carryover collection. That said, this collection is in no way last season’s collection. As the models began to make their way down the runway, the looks began with lighter neutral tones of tan and off-white with color blocks of butter and peach. About midway through, deeper neutrals like gray and black were blocked with third and fourth additions of deeper pigment colors like mustard, orange, slate blue, with some touches of light blue, chartreuse, and plum. Then, to make the collection even stronger, garments blocked with black and white tiles and Peruvian motifs closed the show. These motifs were formed from small color blocked tiles of fabric to create the illusion of geometric prints. The intensity of the garments along with the driving beat of tribal drumming causing the asymmetrical tail hems to flounce with each step made for a dramatic presentation.

As the colors and color blocking became more elaborate in this collection, so did other details like pleating and cutouts. By the middle of day one, there had already been a strong color blocking trend among the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) designers for spring. For spring there is going to be every type of cutout imaginable. There are going to be cutouts that are asymmetrical, symmetrical, some with multiple cutouts, some on the back and others at the shoulders. Cutouts are not all cutouts are created equal. In regard to Max Azria’s shoulder cutouts for BCBG, he put a twist on the trend by giving them a beautiful cowl drape.

The collection as a whole is very elongated, not a mini dress to be found. The silhouettes are fluid with clean lines. Shoes are tan and brown strappy heels. Several models carried coordinating vibrant colored clutches. Makeup by Maybelline New York had a clean look with nude lips. Hair is straight, slicked back with a wet look. Every single look in this collection includes color blocking. Yet, each piece so unique. The craftsmanship and artistry of Max Azria really shines through, making it one of his strongest BCBG Max Azria collections.

Suzanne Crumbacher, Style & Beauty Editor and Social Media Director for ChicGalleria.com, has a certificate in fashion design and a master’s degree from Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. She has traveled to Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, all over the U.S., one month stay in Hawaii, studied in Canada for 2 1/2 years and now resides in Oklahoma with her husband and two daughters. Suzanne loves social media interaction, so tweet her @ChicGalleria and follow her personal accounts at Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Read and comment on more Suzanne Crumbacher articles…