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We stopped by the ASOS Autumn Winter 2011 preview this afternoon, and were cheerfully greeted with an abundance of lively color for such a dreary, rainy day. The group models in the front were in relatively muted tones, but behind them on the racks and tables was possibly one of the brightest fall collections we've seen in a long time.
But since they're there, let's start with those models: Our favorite might just have to be the girl in the full tulle skirt and leather and leopard print motorcycle jacket, who fittingly kept a scowl on her face for all poses. There was also a model in a floor length, plaid Little House on the Prairie-type dress who, of course, had on blue disco platforms. Like where this is going?
Behold: primary colors, secondary colors, more or less saturated versions of the same colors, all lining the racks, walls, and display tables. If you're fall theme involves wearing a fuschia wool miniskirt, or a laser-cut red orange shift, then you're in luck. (If you're imagining your fall in a whole lot of sequins, then you're really in luck, but we'll get to that later.) A good chunk of the styles had a forties feel in regards to shape (body con shifts, structured ladylike jackets), so picture what it might have looked like if all Hitchcock ingénues had been shot in color.
There was a designated Africa-inspired section, which was composed of deeper tones—mustards, rusts, and navys—and was an array of tribal prints with some some seventies-style patterns thrown in for good measure. But lest we forget about all those sequins! Some are more outlandish (or obnoxious, depending on how you're looking at it) than others—like the pink sequined hot shorts—but there were some genuinely beautiful pieces. There was also a little bit of lamé thrown in there—gold, of course—for the rollergirl in us all.
For accessories, we saw bags in classic shapes and styles done in the same bright hues, ruby red lace up platforms, orange patent leather creepers, and blue satin heels with a giant pink bow. The accompanying jewelry was nothing short of bold, either—with oversized pearl neckpieces, chunky jewel-adorned cuffs, and even an extra large, ornate cross necklace that looks like something you'd hang on a wall before putting it on your neck.
After spending all that time on the women's side, we took a stroll over to the men's area and felt like we had ventured into an entirely different preview. On it's own, it's neutral basics, blacks and whites, T-shirts, and other everyday pieces. But next to all that women's stuff, it looked downright boring. We don't know too many men, however, who can pull of coral and teal, so maybe it's a good thing.
· ASOS [Official Site]