[Style.com]

Okay, this is starting to seem like I am obsessed with finding similarities between the Cruise collections currently coming out and past creations from other designers.

The fact is that, apart from the golden brooch trend we've seen at McCartney and Gucci, not much feels fresh in some of the resort lines from the most acclaimed designers. I quite liked Stella's creations because they're fun and easy to sell but who can deny very obvious resemblance with Prada's overexposed stripes from ss11, Miuccia's surprising palm tree prints from ss10 (Wintour approved), or with Maison Martin Margiela's photographic prints? I know a beach and a palm tree are not something anyone can trademark for themselves but if someone like Prada or MMM has done it before what are the chances of doing it better?

Two other lookalikes, while more isolated, are Lanvin's take on khaki tweed and Pringle's graphic print draped dresses. The first we saw at Chanel for PreFall11 both on the catwalk and on Baptiste and Freja in magazines. And the second back in fw10 at one of Peter Pilotto's most memorable runway shows.

What do you make of all of this?

just one of those things

This time I will not speak ill of pre-collections. I have come to terms with the fact that is is thanks to them and cruise collections that we get a fashion kick in between seasons. They might not be creatively challenging but they are cool designs from some our favourite people. And they make you look good during the holidays or on your annual yacht tour around the Greek islands. These are soVIPzone's picks from our preferred Pre-Fall 2010 collections.

[Credit: Style.com]

I'm off.