Cut it out: Fashion’s peekaboo moment
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Dresses and separates with cut-outs -- strategic windows flaunting bits o’ flesh -- are officially having a moment. If the proliferation of the look on Spring 2010’s runways didn’t convince you of that fact, maybe the white ‘Fifth Element’-esque pantsuit Rihanna wore to perform at the recent American Music Awards will.
The pretty pop star looked so fashion-forward, she came off as downright futuristic in the bondage-style pantsuit, which was comprised of bands of white fabric wrapping her from bust-line to boot. (Though daring, close inspection of the getup in pictures show that there was, indeed, a thick nude body stocking filling in the many cut-outs. The girl may be envelope-pushing, but she’s not crazy.)
Alexander Wang, Gucci, Balmain and Basso & Brooke were among the labels that showcased cut-out looks for spring, often by removing a chunk of the waist to reveal flat-as-pancake model abs.
Don’t have the chutzpah -- or mini midriff -- to pull off such brazenness? No worries -- local designers including Suzy Yun of Unhee and Donna Mizani are among the many using cut-outs in more body-friendly ways this season. Yun is showcasing clavicles with cut-out accents on party dresses, while Mizani (whose first-ever collection just hit stores) is going the Donna Karan route with tops that are bare where we’re always feeling reliably slim -- in our shoulders.
Photos: Best & Worst: American Music Awards 2009