Harrods meets Disney

Dear Readers,

There's something about Disney that is extremely comforting. Apart from the widely popular Panadols, I have to admit that one of my personal favourite ways of curing a headache is my Disney playlist. Luckily for me - and my ego, obviously - I'm not the only homo sapiens to appreciate the charm of childhood's big D. Harrods anyone?

Yes, Harrods. The retail giant invited 10 of the world's most generally acclaimed designers to create a set of lavish gowns inspired by our favourite Disney princesses. The breathtaking frocks are intended to adorn the Christmas windows of the Knightsbridge store as from November 1st. 

A quick look at the sketches is enough to discern that these dresses are not mere recreations of the clothing worn by who I like to call 'Disney's Spice Girls'. In this case, designers like Ellie Saab and Escada have excelled at producing interpretations of the classic frocks from our childhood days.

The drapey, feminine Marchesa dress for the Little Mermaid's Ariel is set to be one of the most popular. With its flowy nature, it's clearly evocative of the marine environment that is home to Disney's ocean princess. I think it's only second to the gorgeous dress designed for Aurora! My meticulous search for a correct term to describe this dress failed to provide me with an accurate enough word to profess my love for it. The Ellie Saab gown in pale pink is soothing, peaceful and almost naive: perfectly fit for Aurora, the sleeping princess.

Excluding Versace's statement dress for Cinderella and Valentino's silk chiffon frock for Belle, the more 'exotic' creations also deserve a mention. Take Escada for Jasmine for instance. Who could have done Jasmine better than Escada? The chosen shade of fuchsia perfectly reflects Jasmine's fiery temperament and that silk chiffon is an apt fabric given the story's geographical context. Missoni opted for a lasting turquoise as the base of his design for Mulan, but also chose to include a few red accents which work very nicely overall.

I close off with Cavalli's interpretation of Pocahontas. I am no fan of the designer myself, but I do like the warmness of the dress's earth tones as well as the lightweight fabric. Is it just me or does the print remind you of dream-catchers? Even though it's probably my least favourite, I don't dislike it - cough, cough! - as much as I'd do with your average Cavalli creation.

Watch out ladies. Disney's in.

-B