Simply Gwen-iful ... L.A.M.B SS2011

When other designers – particularly those who are working with great, established maisons –were either busy rummaging through the archives, studying old movies or magazines, or taking breaks to exotic, faraway places for inspirations, singer/songwriter/fashion designer Gwen Stefani does the opposite – she draw her references from her extensive treasure trove of clothes and stuff, her effortless personal style and her love for eclectic, bold prints.

Season after season, Gwen has been using the same recipe to create collections for her fashion label L.A.M.B., which is by mixing clean shapes with a slew of drapes; easy to wear pieces and a host of vibrant prints and colours with obvious allusion to her love of reggae or Rasta culture.

Indeed, the formula works all the time and the reason behind it is simple – who doesn’t want to dress and look like the ever street chic Gwen Stefani, darling? Besides, oftentimes, most fashionistas find her L.A.M.B collection worth investing because they are effortless, made for those who are energetic and most importantly, drama-free.

For spring, the pieces are simple, light and inclined towards daywear. Bold patterns of all sorts – think the typically Gwen leopard prints, flowers, African tribes et al – dominate the collection, with a few spot strong contradictions of elements, such as the African tribal prints patched together with Scottish tartan on a dress. Stefani also threw in some pieces drenched in the hippie-influenced tie-dye print into the collection this time.

In the dress department, the shapes are rather clean and proportionate while the skirts spot heightened hems with occasional tiered versions being flounced on the runway. But look through the collection carefully and you may find some of them, if not literally, remind you of Roberto Cavalli’s spring/summer collection circa 2005, especially the printed voluminous one-shoulder dress with elongated sleeve. But ask which one that captures my attention out of the crowd, I’d certainly settle for the capacious printed mini dress with cowl neckline in the lighter shade of green.

As Stefani is often being seen wearing pants instead of dresses, pants rule the collection in different incarnations – harem, cuffed at the bottom, etc. These marvellous pieces are then paired with tops that are either cropped to reveal the navel (an allusion to one of Stefani’s style staple circa her No Doubt days in the late 90s) or printed tanks and 60s-inspired tie-front chequered shirts. There are also draped jumpsuits and a cowl top in black-and-white checks that will bring you back to the olden days.

L.A.M.B spring/summer 2011 collection will be available in select departmental stores and multi-brand boutiques worldwide early next year.

*Photos by imaxtree/ New York Magazine.

L.A.M.B at TriBeCa – First Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.