There was a familiar geometry embedded into the first crochet looks that Christopher Kane sent down the runway for his Fall/Winter 2011 collection. That cozy-gone-high-fashion approach was just the beginning of shapes and textures that would soon melt into an innovative approach to what clothes can be made of. The looks in this collection were continuously adding elements of art, craft, and beauty.
These crochet numbers are at first paired with thick leather jackets, tops, and skirts. Leather is patterned as if to speak to the rectangular crochet techniques, immediately hinting at the idea of reinventing familiar or perhaps even dated ways of making clothes. Kane’s use of these rectangles draws the eye inward towards the center of the garment in an almost spiraling effect. Perhaps it is then that we fall into the hypnosis of his creativity and the new ideas that continuously appear throughout the show.
One of the most notable elements Kane brought to this collection was the fluid-filled plastic embellishments. While at first they subtly graced pockets or appeared on handbags, the material soon became as necessary to the looks as the crochet and leather. Cut in unpredictably wavey ways, the plastics seemed to bring an almost trippy element akin to lava lamps or stained glass. These colorful embellishments are cut to appear to melt along the garments, and yet they take on structural roles such as straps or necklines on Kane’s dresses. These combinations of fabrics carried a certain weight to them. But later, in yet another turn of events, Kane offsets these heavy fabrics alongside light sheers.
With this, Christopher Kane continues to make things a bit weirder still. To these sheer fabrics then come big luminescent sequins. And where crafty became trippy, trippy then became scaly. And still, all of these elements - gooey or shiny as they may be - are designed in quite sophisticated silhouettes. As the looks on this runway constantly evolved into something imaginative, Kane manages not to compromise in elegance. All while daring to let creativity take the lead, Christopher Kane’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection brings us both fun and sophisticated in innovative new ways.

References
- 1
- 2
Toni Frissell
Model in bathing suit, 1938

Harmony Korine
Flex Cemend Check, 2014

Iittala Aalto
Finlandia Vase

Vintage Crochet Knit Tunic
Pattern, 1970s

Ken Price
La Louver Yogi, 2004

Mike Kelley
Kandors, 1999-2011

Andrea Branzi
Vitrine de présentation Borealis, 2013

Charlotte Perriand
Le Corbusier's hand, holding a plate by way of a halo
Gaetano Pesce
Broadway Chairs

Gaetano Pesce
Pratt Chair
Jean Royere
Quille Set, 1950

Jeremy Jae Alcan
Metal Ceilings Mall, 1985

Luigi Moretti
Roma Palazzina, San Maurizio, 2010

Mike Kelley
City 5, 2007-09

Myron Goldfinger
House on Long Island, Bathroom, New York, 1979-1981

Pierre Paulin
Élysée Bookcase, 1971

Richard Avedon
Audrey Hepburn for Harper's Bazaar

Robert A.M. Stern
Residence at Llewellyn Park, Poolhouse, 1981-82

Poltronova by Archizoom Associati
Superonda Sofa, 1966

Vintage Rainbow Crochet Top
Pattern, 1970s

Yves Saint Laurent
Wearing a crochet vest

References

Toni Frissell
Model in bathing suit, 1938
1 of 21

Harmony Korine
Flex Cemend Check, 2014
2 of 21

Iittala Aalto
Finlandia Vase
3 of 21

Vintage Crochet Knit Tunic
Pattern, 1970s
4 of 21

Ken Price
La Louver Yogi, 2004
5 of 21

Mike Kelley
Kandors, 1999-2011
6 of 21

Andrea Branzi
Vitrine de présentation Borealis, 2013
7 of 21
Charlotte Perriand
Le Corbusier's hand, holding a plate by way of a halo
8 of 21

Gaetano Pesce
Broadway Chairs
9 of 21
Gaetano Pesce
Pratt Chair
10 of 21

Jean Royere
Quille Set, 1950
11 of 21

Jeremy Jae Alcan
Metal Ceilings Mall, 1985
12 of 21

Luigi Moretti
Roma Palazzina, San Maurizio, 2010
13 of 21

Mike Kelley
City 5, 2007-09
14 of 21

Myron Goldfinger
House on Long Island, Bathroom, New York, 1979-1981
15 of 21

Pierre Paulin
Élysée Bookcase, 1971
16 of 21

Richard Avedon
Audrey Hepburn for Harper's Bazaar
17 of 21

Robert A.M. Stern
Residence at Llewellyn Park, Poolhouse, 1981-82
18 of 21

Poltronova by Archizoom Associati
Superonda Sofa, 1966
19 of 21

Vintage Rainbow Crochet Top
Pattern, 1970s
20 of 21
