May the Force get Stronger

6a00e5508e95a988330115712efca1970b-500wi.jpg

Nope, not thinking of Star Wars at all…. the force I'm talking about is of a millinery one and it's of course Le Tour de Force.  Incidentally, I'm posting this the day after Ladies Day at Ascot when hats are out in a force of sorts.  I'm hoping Camille from Le Tour de Force will have turned a few heads onto her headgear because there needs to be a presence at Ascot that veers from the dainty fascinator arena.  For me, the horse racing event doesn't factor into my love of Le Tour de Force's work because I'd gladly wear any of her creations on any old day, accounting some therapeutic qualities to her headgear.  Her A/W 09 collection proves to be bigger, stronger and even more HEADstrong.  There are rumours abound that there might be a catwalk event dedicated to headgear/accessories at London Fashion Week… if that is the case, then these need to be in the mix somehow on account of this latest collection.  There's her signature giant bows which have gotten bigger in size as well as the layered petal effect which has again grown.  There are nudges towards 18th century wigs.  There's more sculptural feats making them larger, more in yer' face and unapologeticaly cumbersome.  There's greater detailing and a heavier amount of work, during a time when people are cutting down on fabrications and deets – see intricate wicker work and amazing gold spiking. 

Tdfaw1

Tdfaw2 Tdfaw11

Tdfaw3

Tdfaw4 Tdfaw5

Tdfaw8

Tdfaw7 Tdfaw5

Tdfaa2

Tdfaa1

Then there's the inkling towards something that I've been looking forward to for ages… clothing and accessories beyond hats.  Camille has been dropping hints that this was going to happen but I had no idea the pieces would be so ambitious in drama and high octane factor.  The hip bustle is calling out to me with its undulating waves (been meaning to use that word more…)…

Tdfaw9

22 comments

  3. Amazing! This inspires me to have a hat party, so my friends and I can have an excuse to rock some fabulous headgear. Great post!

  7. Every single one of these is worthy of the Ascot Ladies Day. I can’t help thinking of My Fair Lady.

  14. Perhaps wings can be constant acceptable accessories in the future, like watches and earrings and necklaces. That would be fun. 😀

  17. Then arm accessory a looks like something from that film Legend… forest magic!

  18. the black cage one is WOW!! I was watching ascot on tv the other just cos i couldnt be bothered to change the station ive lost my remote control, anyway I think the hats have gotten a little safe, the ladies need to get some inspiration from designers like this. i remember when i first watched my fair lady and the hats at the show back then were WOWZA have a look here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Sq1Pax7h8

  19. I don’t know why, but when I saw these marvellous hats and headbands, it made me think about lady Gaga. I think she could definitely be able to wear this kind of stuff (except the huge black and red hat). Don’t you agree?

  20. Cecilia: Like I said before, I really am not understanding why EVERYTHING is being branded as Lady Gaga-esque attire….she’s really not the first person to wear a) huge shoulder pads, b) catsuits, c) out-there head gear… no offense to her but I hate the idea that all slightly outrageous designs are heaped onto her as if she is the only one out there who could wear it… I’m slightly biased seeing as she annoys the frickin’ hell out of me…

  21. I totally agree, I think when britney got trashy her stylist totally missed out on the post-nu rave fashion opportunities… ( she could have totally played on the wig thing- i even thought for a while it was a canny stunt to adopt a great herion chic goes LSD chic look) Unfortunately, she was too attached to the all- american cleavage and ass sillouette… so then some big music cheeses just swept in with the canvas that is lady gaga right in there and plastered her up with a taste of the ‘avante garde’.
    Essentially though, shes just a rubbish britters…

Comments are closed.