Duro Olowu Spring 2012 Collection: Bright Retro Elegance

Duro Olowu’s Spring 2012 presentation at Milk Studios was by far the most lively presentation I’d ever seen this fashion week. What’s a fashion presentation you ask? Instead of an actual runway show, designers will sometimes opt for a presentation in which they take a space and put their clothes on models for display purposes. In other words, new beautiful clothes on models who have to hold a pose for a few hours. While it sounds boring, it proves an interesting option for experiencing a designer’s collection. And free champagne. Overall, a fun time. However, Duro Olowu’s presentation kicked the fun up a notch with models that playfully walked around striking sassy poses.

To have a model at a Duro Olowu presentation stay in the same static pose wouldn’t do much justice to his Spring 2012 collection. The first thing that catches your eye is a sense of joie de vivre through the bright and playful prints colors. Not just prints but prints-on-prints and bright colors. Prints mix matching is definitely coming to us in full force this Spring — seeing prints-on-prints at this presentation wasn’t the first time I’ve seen this trend. A handful of these prints had a tribal flair about them and when used for dresses boasting retro silhouettes, you get a fresh modern take on retro style. You don’t run the risk of looking too ‘old.’ Another thing I loved about the collection was the movement of the silk and chiffon maxi skirts and dresses.

Michelle Obama is a fan of Duro Olowu and Anna Wintour is reportedly a fan. (No, I didn’t see Anna when she attended the presentation.) Given their current style, I’m hoping that give in to the whimsies of Duro Oluwo’s Spring 2012 collection.

Here are some pictures I managed to take at the presentation:

For more information or to view previous Duro Olowu collections, head here.