Marc Jacobs Back to Basics

Spring is the season that all of us love most. No more extreme over-layering and thick coats too thick that we couldn't breath. Spring is the right season to see more chic ladies strolling out in their best trenches from bright and subtle hues. Furthermore, the color pallets used for this season collection are more to the shades of soft pastel aside from the staple black and navy which are frequently used as the main base color. But for designer Marc Jacobs, it means a comeback to the basics.

Glamorous hippie prints, short a-line skirts, simple shapes, the inevitable leopard prints, and silhouettes of the 20's were the menu du jour for his latest Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2007 Ready-to-Wear line. Olive printed separates with ruched neckline and hemline, double breasted jacket with catholic schoolgirl skirt in gray accessorized with printed scarf twisted to resemble Nina Simone's trademark look, and black and white printed blouse with short sleeves worn over with belt and brown boyish short pants were the key pieces displayed by models at the Spring 2007 runway preview held during the New York Fashion Week last September. My favorite pick from the collection is an A-line dress in pastel green with intricate knit patchwork details on the bust.

At Marc Jacobs runway show, the main label showcased more fashion influences from the 20's as well as quirkiness, especially of the hats worn by the models during the show. Using the colors of white, cream, black and ombred gray, some pieces are adorned with flashes of brilliant holographic sequins. Making a grand comeback is the voluminous harem pants, just like the one worn by Barbara Eden in I Dream of Jeannie.

Though the pants were a hit last three Falls, fashion editors predicted them as hard-selling for this season. But with Marc's magic touch, maybe he could prove them wrong. Since he is well-known for his bag, the Marc Jacobs bag for the season are constructed from metallic leather and exotic skins studded with big crystals that will be the center of attraction in his new collection.

Ask my pick for this season and out of all pieces I have viewed, only one that caught my attention - the black off-shoulder dress with voluptuous bubble shoulder, clinched waistline and eyelet and lacy details on the hemline. This piece is an all-time classic and reminds me of Maria from the Spanish Harlem.

Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2007 Ready-to-Wear collections are available at Marc Jacobs stores, multi-brand boutiques and department stores that carry the labels worldwide.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira/Vogue and Style.com

Marc Jacobs - G03B, Ground Floor, Ampang Mall, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.