(images via mbfwb)

okay, i'm ready to tell you: although i don't believe (and i'll just check--nope, other than a quick look at a/w 2011) opt has actually covered any of escada sport's shows at berlin fashion week during the spring, fall, or any other season (oh, wait...), i found myself completely enthralled with and embracing their s/s 2013 range, which exuded just the right amount of breezy and summer, a gorgeous melange of  cool whites and pops of colour.  for me, it was like the designers were channeling those in brazil or australia this time around, they got things just that spot-on. 

anyway, i was pleased to read that--and surprisingly, there were a lot of reviews for this one--that most of the critics felt similarly, with sites like brigitte praising the abundance of colour and pattern, though they suggested that the show evoked mexico for them.  the german site richtig teuer explained that (trans.) "(a)Around 700 guests were invited to the tent at the Victory Column in the German capital...The fashion show was inspired by the electronic dance music of Terranova, which has accompanied the show." 

"summery, light and colourful in white and pastel shades of pink, blue and turquoise. To rhythmic South American sounds (including a remix of Chica Chica Boom Chic by Carmen Miranda in 1941), the models strolled in long tunics, Marlene trousers, summer dresses, midriff tops and knitted cardigans with transparent inserts. Dominant stripes en masse and speckled patterns were reminiscent of batik," (trans.) was how the site les neiges saw things, and although i was frankly a little disappointed that amica seemed to want to discuss the presence of top model sara blomqvist (top) in the cast more than the show itself, on the other hand, it was sweet to hear the swedish girl praising the clothes--indeed, i've always felt collections to be special when even the models rave at them. 

alors.  the random noise stated that (trans.) "(t)he collection put me in a holiday mood - long flowing skirts in combination with straw hats and summer sandals. The models wore ruffled braided hairstyles that remind one of a windy day at the beach. They fit perfectly with the feel-good collection. Besides white, there were strong shades of pink and floral prints with it. It-Piece at Escada Sport for Summer 2013: The lightweight sweater. It's perfect for days or lukewarm but cool evenings in the summer months and can be worn casual or elegant," and zukker mädchen praised the obvious comfort factor of the breezy, lightweight looks.  

"Wide linen trousers, long skirts and wide airy cuts are the new trends. The collection is reminiscent of a summer holiday, of the beach and sea," (trans.) mused the blog modaa 12, as elsewhere, the site goldstück chimed in that (trans.) "Brazilian music thrilled the guests at ...as the first models with flowing white shorts and Marlene trousers, white tank tops and boleros ran down the catwalk. A merry mix-tape along with striped Bermudas, striated tops and matching bikinis, with the models' soft, naturally beautiful braids  and trouser suits in rich shades of berry."

and the german site myself offered that (trans.) "(a)pricot and cream tones, pure white, bright raspberry and bright coral, this rich blue...The materials used were sophisticated, with this time in the mix - silk and leather, knitwear and chiffon, cotton and viscose jersey. As for patterns, the Op Art-inspired batik patterns were partly clear with refined fade effect our favorite. As a classic complement, Escada also sent flowers and abstract stripe patterns down the runway. Trend pieces of the collection are undoubtedly the high waisted maxi skirts and palazzo pants. This beautiful combination: short, yes midriff sweaters. Also wonderful: the ankle-length tunic dresses, flowing jersey. Our highlight, however, is the white suit with casual long blazer and trousers in Marlene style."

finally, of course, we had a detractor from all the above merriment, in the form of the blog les attitudes, which rather irritably sniped that (trans.) "Escada showed a Spring Summer collection that is not particularly complex," but on the other hand, i suppose i ought give them the benefit of something perhaps having been lost in translation, and that they're simply trying to suggest what most of the prior reviews seemed to do: that this was a laid-back and utterly fun, if pretty and slightly lazy-day summer collection.  indeed, it really was all of that, although i suppose there will always be those purists who want to argue that nothing much innovative was going on here. 

in a way, i suppose, that argument could be correct, but overall, i was overwhelmed with the prettiness of the pieces, the sweet straw hats, the swell and bold pops of colour, the juxtaposing of so many cheerful prints...that i didn't really want to detract in any way by suggesting the range was anything other than an utter success. so, i suppose while once could say the innovation wasn't of the same caliber as say, the recent yiqing yin couture show, i'll say what i always say in cases like these: sometimes it is as much about novelty and newness (and, yannow, like, art) as it is about the way the collection makes one feel. and they can both be equally important, with at the moment, the latter (and the happiness contained within) trumping any feelings i might have that we have to be, like, challenged at the moment (see additional collection images at petra & fuersie).