Birds of Paradise: Proenza Schouler FW12

Quilted copper silk, embroidered oriental birds—this jacket is everything! It's what Ryan Gosling's female sidekick would have worn in Drive, if Ryan Gosling had had a cool female co-driver who was friends with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The two Proenza Schouler designers have outdone themselves again for Fall/Winter 2012. The collection takes its main story from Japan, from the techniques used to make Samurai armor. To echo traditional protective garments, the designers wove strips of patent and matte leather into textured mini skirts and bags. Proenza's much-loved baggy tees take up the eastern theme too, patterned with kimono prints. The same elaborate mountain print also pops up on mini skirts, reworked as a luminous metallic brocade (which features hidden eyeballs on one skirt!). And no oriental adventure would be complete without silk. Proenza's fall fabric of choice comes quilted or raw—as on one spectacular sea-green dress.

Shop all Proenza Schouler here.

birds quilted jacket in beige

long-sleeve stand CLR dress in seafoam

short-sleeve waisted dress in black



Baggy tee in blue planet

baggy tee in blue/white

short-sleeve kimono print seam tee in indigo

long-sleeve kimon print seam tee in dark red

long-sleeve front button blouse in orange machine

long-sleeve size-zip crewneck top in black/gold

brocade mini skirt in orange machine

brocade mini skirt in black eyeball

WOVEN MINI SKIRT in black