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Upon first glance of Nina Ricci's Autumn / Winter 2012-13 collection, one of the first ideas to spring to my mind was that of a little girl delving into her grandmother's trunk to play dress ups. It was only afterwards that I learnt of Peter Copping's inspiration for the collection which was that of "an imaginary young girl exploring the wardrobe of her mother, grandmother and former generations."
Bingo!

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Using the idea of nostalgia for the present, Copping based his signature French lingerie on the idea of them being updated by being thrown together with modern pieces. Each romantic look offered a darling insight into what a young girl who might encounter her grandma's old wardrobe might be inclined to create. Not surprisingly it was a mish-mash of layers with silky slipdresses worn beneath a woolly coats and teamed with fur trimmed long gloves. Sheer black blouses were styled under chunky tweed skirt suits, along with patchy knit sweaters and knee-high leather boots that zipped up the front.
It was vintagey and lovely without feeling like someone had just jumped out of a charity shop bin. I adore the girlie playfulness of this collection, which wasn't afraid to be feminine and sweet all at the same time.