Banana Republic – Holiday 2012

Inspired by the upcoming film adaption of Leo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina, Banana Republic revealed their 2012 Holiday collection last week. Full of looks designed to convey Russian-inspired romance with rich textures (brocade, chiffon, and fur) and moody luxurious hues – merlot reds, blacks, burgundy and rich camel. Creative director Simon Keen is said to have already been focusing on Russian romanticism for the collection, so when the film came about he continued building a 50s feel based on the film’s costume director Jacqueline Durran’s approach, “We took the simplicity of the 1950s couture shapes—how architectural they were—and worked them back into the 1870s.”

After looking through the entire 56-piece capsule collection, what caught my liking were the dresses – feminine, but regal, as well as the knits and sweater dresses. (Have a look at the entire collection here.)

Look for the collection to debut in stores in late October, and look for the film, starring Kiera Knightley to premiere in November. Have a look at the film’s trailer here.