Dora Adorable

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>> I'm a crippling nightmare and a complete pedantic pain in the arse when it comes to words like 'adorable' and 'cute' or 'cutie' (I realise the latter two is so widely used now as just meaning 'nice' that it renders my thinking somewhat antiquated).  That I get these a lot and this isn't to say I don't appreciate the positive sentiment and compliment behind them but alas, I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm being downsized into an incompetent simpering blub of twee cuteness, capable of well… nothing.  These are the needling voices in my head at work.  Said words applied to clothing can also spell problems.  It's all the candy floss, bunny rabbit, nicey nicey sugar n' spice stuff that goes with 'cuteness' that burdens these words with a very defined sort of aesthetic in fashion. 

Hungarian designer Dora Abodi's S/S 10 collection M'Amour is most certainly 'cute' with all of those connotations and maybe a bit more Disney-style fairy dust sprinkled all over the pieces but I think it's that honey-on-top-of-syrup approach that I kind of like.  

Abodi who is just into her second collection, which she presented as part of New York's Nolcha Fashion Week, imagined a extraterrestrial princess.  Mixed with a combination of powder colours, faded Polaroid-tones, shapes that evoke the body shelters of art/fashion duo Lucy and Bart and a fascination with shades of skintone, in this collection, it's a bucketload of cuteness.  Abodi is pouring it all over me with the collection but I'm not rejecting it.  I may be softening up in my old age.  Fuddy duddy me who gnaws away at the meaning of 'cute' may finally have to sit back and just chill and let Abodi's m'amour wash over.

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37 comments

  1. I love this collection, but I must say I don’t think it’s particulary cute. Girly, certainly, but not cute; cute for me is usually characterized by miniature things, baby themes, hello kitty, flower-shaped erasers, etc, etc.

  2. I’d say this collection is a bit too sexual to be called “cute”. Also, wanting the Mulberry bag is indeed a bit embarrassing, but it’s an illness that seems to be afflicting several of my friends…
    xx

  4. Haha susie I totally except your entry!!!! That was an amzing post really interesting to see the development of your style since 2008 when I was only 12 and I doubt I new what a fashion blog was!!!! I used to go on a pc like never when I was younger now I am an addict!!!!
    Beautiful post I love all the crazy shoulders!!!
    Tomorrow x
    inthebedroommirror.blogspot.com

  6. I love when things are so cute they become almost wrong and slightly sick, like child beauty queen sick, kinda brings things round to being interesting again. Although these pieces are screaming out to be paired with some horribly harsh black just to take the edge off the cute factor.

  7. Hi susie!
    A few days ago i went to the store RA, wich you mentioned in Antwerp..
    I must say I thought it was very impressing. A beautiful open space with
    original decorations/installations.. it almost felt as if i was in a museum..
    For me it was my first experience with a store like this. With that i mean,
    a store that’s way over my budget.. though i loved the pieces of Bruno Pieters
    and the vintage YSL jacket(s).. However I didn’t feel very comfortable there.. i think..
    It seemed out of my range, and between all those great and expensive clothes i felt
    very small. But this was absolutely one of the most beautiful shops if ever been to.
    thx, x

  9. you may be finding a new meaning to cute 😀 i could see myself wearing these dresses if i were a princess or a princess warrior ahah

  12. i love this collection. and the photos. really lovely. i have this huge pile of vintage slips i need to somehow incorporate into photos, they make me think of these dresses.
    as for cute! the word i really love these days is “twee”. which you use. and i love that when i spell “cuteness” on my cell, it comes out “cutemess”, i’m thinking it’s a good alternative to all this cute business!

  14. i am guilty of describing you as “cute as a button” and “adorable.” i didn’t mean to offend you. somehow stylishly lovable seemed inappropiate. you have amazing and unique style and i eat up your blogs whenever i can. i’m going to work on some better and non-offensive descriptions of you!

  18. Somehow the c word does not come to my mind at all when I see this collection. The cuts (and cut-outs) are way too edgy (is that another no-no word?) and give the clothes a very interesting (neutral word…) touch. And there seems no getting away from this rose tone this spring (sooooo cuuute!).

  21. As I’m currently mad for nude coloured stuff I fell instantly in love with this collection! thanks for sharing 🙂

  23. I love the shapes… and the pink make-up color is great!!
    Really romantic and chic…
    Your blog is very interesting!!

  26. Susie I love the way you think. I would welcome any of these pieces into my wardrobe. I like the structured and volumous pieces the best.
    JD
    iplayfaves.blogspot.com

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