Here's the Skitch: Caped Beauties

What gets me pumped about award seasons is the fashion (well, DUH!). In my opinion, it's the chance that absolutely everyone gets soaked up in the latest trends, regardless of their immersion in fashion. It's the time when celebrities and their stylists decide what risks they'll sporting during the season. Trends such as select color choices, cut and fit and accessories always make or break an outfit. This season, one in particular has tickled my fancy like no other. The cape and cloak are back once again and well, I'm pretty damn fascinated.

Even though they're not to be confused, they're used synonymously. A cape is an outer garment that covers the back part of the body half way while the cloak only covers the back but its length is full-on complete. Both tie around the neck. They can be fused with other pieces to make unique things. It's sporadic and it always returns, thus denoting its importance in fashion's history and its impact on its followers. Both capes and cloaks are equally a statement and practical. They denote an air of authority upon their users. Throughout history, they have been used to demonstrate social stature in military, clergy and royal attire. They are usually adorned elaborately for occasions that call for that and for practicality, they are left simple.

Alexander McQueen, black silk coat A/W 2002-2003, Supercalafragalisticexpialidocious

Daphne Guinness in McQueen's red Silk cloak from
The Girl Who Lived in the Tree

A/W 2010-2011

Alexander McQueen S/S 2012

The late Alexander McQueen was no stranger to the cape, as his fantasy fueled ideas were usually based on royal dreams and deeply rooted in his scottish pride. The cloak and cape have been regular pieces in some of his most highly esteemed collections. From The Girl Who Loved in the Tree to Supercalafragalisticexpialidocious to his last collection in A/W 2010-11. It was a joy to see that after his death, Sarah Burton continued his caped legacy as we could appreciate in the S/S 2012 collection.

During this award season, some designers have been able to showcase their caped creations. Tom Ford was really sly with his S/S 2012 collection. He showcased it later than everyone else which really got the hype going because we were all DYING to see being as his presentation was limited to an extremely closed group of people. Gwyneth Paltrow was the lucky lady that showed off the most sleek cape known to womankind of Ford's creation. It's presence is demanding and powerful and it made her silhouette just beautiful. It was elongated and classic.

Then along came Jason Wu and his fall RTW 2012 collection. Diane Kruger sported his embroidered capelet at the opening of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami, FL. It was worn with leather pants on the runway but she decided to let the cape speak all for itself.

The Met ball had one beautiful caped beauty. The lovely Lana del Rey was accompanied by the designer himself, Joseph Altuzarra. The cape was a simple black cape. Boring, you may say. Don't be fooled as this was a wise decision. It was simple as to overpower her already shiny and embellished dress. Alone, it's an understated garment but with the rest of the outfit, it provides the extra push and interest the outfit needed to make it stand out at such an important fashion event.

Finally, the Cannes Film Festival is in all its splendor and stars are walking the red carpet non-stop with their fashion guns in full force. Today, Fan Bing Bing stunned the crowd with an Elie Saab Couture gown with cape. Both garments made from the same material and worked with the same embroidered embellishments. Although the combination of so much embellishment is heavy, the whole outfit is balanced by the monotone color palette. This goes to show that just one mistake in styling and the whole outfit can go wrong. All in all, she simply looked like royalty. Stunning!

I'm ready to see more caped outfits and it just makes me want to grab my sewing machine and fashion myself one for my move to New York. I think I'll be preparing one for myself in the near future. In the meantime, what are your favorite fashion trends?

pics via Style.com and Google.