Archive for September, 2011
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Fashion Tips, Features, Gallery, Trend Alert
By emilyborrett on September 19th, 2011
Blackheart Epic Coloured Faux Fur Coat
Fashion-lovers, there’s an incredibly soft and snuggly winter ahead of us as this season it’s going to be all about making like a wild beast and swathing yourself in layers of the softest, shaggiest fur you can find.
Plenty of designers took inspiration from animals this season, from confusing yet pretty fur strips among round iridescent sequins at Prada, while the Olsen girls used The Fantastic Mr Fox as a source of inspiration for their wild-looking draped furs which were teamed with crisp autumnal colours and stark make-up. Fur (faux, of course) always has and always will be an impossibly glamorous way to keep warm during the winter, but this season fur has a darker, moodier edge – think of coats that look like musky old animal skins and mythical creatures for this season.
Long distressed fur is one of our absolute favourite textures for this season, so if you find the perfect shaggy coat or bag, don’t walk past it. These heavy, animalistic textures are all about making a big statement, so just one piece will give your stark winter wardrobe an automatic update. We’re a huge fan of Blackheart’s coats, which you can find at Asos and in the gallery above – especially their deep plum-coloured fur coat that would look amazing with a simple black dress and dark makeup for a dramatic winter look.
If you’re keen on making a bold statement you should consider spurning realistic faux furs for something a little brighter for a dramatic, unusual look – we are absolutely in love with Ana Konda’s designs for Asos, which include some amazing bright scarlet furs. Check them out – they’d look incredible with bright lipstick.
If you’re hesitant to go all-out and deck yourself out like a wild animal, however, you can still channel the trend with a furry accessory or a piece with a simple fur trim without needing to go the whole hog. River Island is brilliant for fur collars, bags and shoes – we seriously recommend that you stop by their site to see what they’ve got.
To see our favourite fur pieces on the high street, check out the gallery above.
Tags: autumn/winter, coats, features, fur, outerwear, Prada, tactility, textures, the Row, Trend Alert, wild animal, winter
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Gallery, London fashion week
By Elisabeth on September 19th, 2011
All shows running horribly late, in the middle of a massive downpour, guests frantically made their way into the Royal Horticultural Halls to catch Paul Smith’s latest show. Some looked pretty dishevelled and plenty of seats were left empty, which is a shame, as it was one of his better collections of late.
With the androgynous look being quite a trend at the moment, Paul Smith did what he does best: beautiful tailoring. It’s never about creating big trends or jaw-dropping pieces, but it’s all about the perfect trousers, the perfect shirt and the perfect jacket. The boyish looks were finished with fedora’s, loosely buttoned up shirts, messy hair and with brogues and loafers instead of silly high heels. For the girly-girls there was a range of pretty shirtdresses and calf-length floaty skirts, but mostly what I take from this collection is Paul Smith’s single-handed reinvention of the summer trousers.
Tags: LFW SS12, London fashion week, Paul Smith
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Gallery, London fashion week
By Elisabeth on September 19th, 2011
Topshop Unique’s catwalk shows always attracts celebrities and the Spring/Summer 2012 show at Waterloo Station didn’t disappoint: Naomi Campbell, Kelis, Nicola Roberts, Ellie Goulding and Pixie Geldof all donned their most fashionable outfits (errr we’re not 100% sure about Pixie’s denim dress…). Even the Godmother of Fashion, Anna Wintour made an appearance.
So what did the stylish crowd see? There was definitely a feel of ‘street’ and ‘art’ blended with Art Deco about the collection. Hoodies and tracksuit sets were adorned with graphic prints that we’re bound to see on some of the east end trendies.
For the less daring there were some items that wouldn’t look too off in a ‘normal’ wardrobe. I would definitely wear the white knitted sweater accompanied with a gold metallic skirt!
What do you think about the collection?
All images: Press Association
Topshop Unique SS12
Models during the Unique spring/summer 2012 show at the Topshop Venue at the Old Eurostar Station in Waterloo, central London, as part of London Fashion Week.
Tags: LFW SS12, London fashion week, Topshop Unique
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By Elisabeth on September 19th, 2011
By AlexLoves
Mulberry is always one of the hottest tickets for London Fashion Week, as it’s always a visual feast, fun and guaranteed packed with celebs. The label offered 2 intimate salon shows in the fancy ballroom at Claridges, so I decide to go along to the second one in order to catch up with some work. Worst. Decision. Ever. The first showing had a double-denim clad Kate Moss and Kristen Stewart in attendance, I had Olivia Palermo, who I only noticed after nearly tripping over her feet.
Secondary celebs aside, it was a blast. The Mulberry ice cream van was outside offering mulberry flavoured scoops to guests in the queue, as well as refreshing pink lemonades. Inside the waiting hall, the walls had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of inflatable jungle animals, meant to be reminiscent of kitsch pier arcades and camping holidays. The collection, too, was inspired by the Great British Summer, seaside shenanigans, donkey rides and sparkling pier lights. Models sported big, loose beehive hairdo’s with dip-dyed streaks, seemingly inspired by candyfloss, lots of amazing Mulberry bags (obviously), and some even had dogs as accessories. The colourpalette ranged from bright yellows and greens to muted shades of beige and eventually a series of black looks. Once you looked beyond the OTT theme and styling, the clothes were surprisingly simple and chic, with classy little work-appropriate skirt-suits, floaty sheer long dresses and leather shorts and jackets. The real stars, of course, were the bags, but that doesn’t need any explanation.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Tags: #LFW 2011, London fashion week, Mulberry
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award show fashion, Celebrity Style, dresses, Events, Gallery, Red Carpet, Spotted
By emilyborrett on September 19th, 2011
Mad Men star Christina Hendricks showed off her killer curves in a classic Hollywood silver silk gown with beautiful crystal detailing
Fashion Week may be over for the Yanks, with the fun having crossed over the pond to Laaahn-dahn, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing going on in the States, oh no – in fact, while we were all poring over the latest Henry Holland collection on the Vogue site last night, apparently a little something called the Emmy Awards was going on..
All the long-standing Hollywood superstars were there as well as the young talent: I don’t know if Lea Michele was trying to copy Kate Winslet, who’s clearly been in the red-carpet game for a long time, or what, but the young Glee actress turned up smouldering in a simple scarlet evening dress that was actually very similar to Kate’s Emmy dress. We hope they hit each other with their handbags later in the evening.
Another Glee star in attendance was the adorable Jayma Mays, who was definitely channelling a ballerina vibe in her long ruffled and tiered sugar-pink gown which worked perfectly with her strawberry-blonde hair and berry lips. Following suit with a romantic, feminine look was Heidi Klum with her hubby Seal, showing off a crazy post-summer tan in a statement ruffled nude cocktail dress.
Opting for a more classic Hollywood vibe (it is the Emmys, after all) was the beautiful Christina Hendricks, who, fresh from causing a stir with her impressive cleavage at the première of I Don’t Know How She Does It last week, smouldered last night in an incredible slit-skirt silver evening gown covered in crystalline embellishments for a look reminiscent of old movie stars like Jean Harlow. We love. To be honest, we’re so obsessed with the woman that we might go dye our hair red and eat a tub of Ben & Jerry’s right now.
Also taking the old Hollywood fashion path was Gwyneth Paltrow, who showed off her enviably tight abs in a floor-sweeping black beaded dress with a cutout at the midriff. Pretty much all we need to say about that is that Gwynnie looked in-cred-i-ble.
To see who we spotted at the Emmy Awards yesterday, and what the stars were wearing, check out the gallery above.
Tags: "Christina Hendricks", "Emmy Awards", 1920s, awards ceremony, beading, Celebrity Style, dresses, embellishment, evening gown, gwyneth paltrow, Hollywood, Red Carpet, Spotted
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By Elisabeth on September 18th, 2011
Issa London SS12
Credit: Issa London via http://londonfashionweek.co.uk
The favourite label of the Duchess of Cambridge, or Kate Middleton as we still like to call her, Issa London has seen its profile raised enormously over the past year. With Kate no doubt continuing to fly the flag for the UK based label, the feminine designs shown at London Fashion Week are certain to be a hit for spring/summer 2012.
The SS12 collection is filled with glamorous, flattering shapes with girly nipped in waists in canary yellow, coral pink, and turquoise. Inspired by her birth country Brazil, Daniella Issa Helayel sent the final model down the catwalk in sequins and feathers that were like taken out of Carnevale di Rio de Janeiro.
Expect to see these designs on a royal near you next summer!
Tags: Issa London, LFW, London fashion week
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By Elisabeth on September 18th, 2011
Paloma Faith goes all British for Ashish
Paloma Faith on the front row at the Ashish Spring/Summer 2012 show during London Fashion Week at Somerset House, London.
Day 2 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 saw Pixie Geldof and Jamie Winstone in matching colour for House of Holland. Singer Ellie Goulding also made an appearance at HoH, while American socialite Olivia Palermo headed to Jaeger.
Saturday also had the grand dame of British fashion Vivienne Westwood on the schedule, attracting celebs left right and center. Sadie Frost looked stunning in a white shimmery gown, while fresh out of Celebrity Big Brother Pamela Anderson opted for a more low-key black number.
Paloma Faith – who appears to be everywhere this LFW – was snapped in less than three outfits one crazier than the other. I quite like her cherry fascinator though… Where can I get one!
Images: Press Association
Tags: #LFW 2011, Alexandra Burke, Elisa Doolittle, Ellie Goulding, Jamie Winstone, London fashion week, olivia palermo, Paloma Faith, pamela anderson, Pixie Geldof, Rachel Stevens
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 18th, 2011
Fashion Fringe - Fyodor Golan
A model wears a creation by Fyodor Golan at the Fashion Fringe fashion show, held at 8 Northumberland Avenue as part of London Fashion Week.
Last night saw the 8th edition of the prestigious Fashion Fringe competition come to a close, which helped launch the careers of previous winners Corrie Nielsen, Erdem and Basso & Brooke to name a few. As last year’s head judge, John Galliano, was eh… unavailable, the role was passed on to the amazing Roland Mouret and a team of judges experienced in every field of the industry (which includes Claudia Schiffer).
The 3 finalists had been chosen a few months ago and had the opportunity to show their final collections to the assembled press before the jury made their final decision. First up was Fyodor Golan, a married Latvian-Israelian couple who have had Lady Gaga wearing their creations and made it to the Fashion Fringe finale last year as well. Their “Flowers of Evil” collection started with angelic lasercut white leather pieces, moved on to pretty, sequined dresses and ended with dramatic dark gowns.
American-born Heidi Leung was up second: her choice of flower-encrusted flip-flops detracted a bit from the beautiful designs on display, which were romantic and slightly Oriental-inspired. Leung uses lots of layers and colours for a romantic effect: flowing pleated coloured skirts were mixed with sharp knitted panels and heavy wool beige jackets finished it all off.
Last up was Nabil Nayal, a Syrian-born designer whose graduate collection was completely snapped up by Harrods. “All the riches she deserves” featured Elizabethan-inspired pieces with a hint of couture, not unlike previous winner Corrie Nielsen’s aesthetic. Underneath the fantastic showpieces was a glimpse of a great womenswear designers, with lots of wearable grey skirts and dresses with quilted panels and sharp cut trousers, which I loved.
After a short break during which the judges deliberated, Fyodor Golan were announced as the winners of Fashion Fringe 2011 and were handed the trophy by Claudia Schiffer. Second time’s a charm for these boys, it seems.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: Press Association
Tags: fashion fringe, Fyodor Golan, heidi Leung, London fashion week, Nabil Nayal, SS2012
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 18th, 2011
DAKS SS12
Credit: DAKS via http://Londonfashionweek.co.uk
Only a few things will get me to get out of bed early on a Saturday morning, and British heritage brand DAKS happens to be one of them. Having recently undergone a bit of a cool-revival, DAKS has really become one of the hot tickets of the week. So, barely half awake I rush to the tent to find clips of the British seaside in the Fifties projected onto the walls and a bag of retro sweets on my seat. The scene was set.
The Fifties theme ran throughout the collection, with a focus on easy-to-wear but glamourous pieces, reminding us of simpler times. Classic shirt dresses and mid-length skirts in a muted navy and white colour palette, were mixed with more playful elements of the seaside, like terrycloth playsuits and shorts and oversized woven round bags in bright red. And for those inevitable rainy days, there’s some trenches in the classic DAKS House Check - in other words, your perfect staycation wardrobe for next summer.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: DAKS via London Fashion Week
Tags: DAKS, London fashion week, SS12
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Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 18th, 2011
Ashish SS12
Credit: Ashish via http://Londonfashionweek.co.uk
Trust the master of sequins Ashish to take the floral trend to a whole new level for his latest collection. The Indian designer must have had his head buried in a gardening book over the past few months, as he turned the London catwalk into ”Le Jardin d’Ashish”. The girls burst onto the catwalk in beautiful oversized sequinned flower prints, from sunflowers to marigolds to Oriental poppies – well, just about every floweryou can imagine – on their simple shift dresses, shorts, sweats and jackets.
Never one to do anything too girly, Ashish gave his gardening girls a little rock ‘n roll by adding chunky biker boots had little wild flowers sticking out of them, the softness of their straw hatswas balanced with dark make up and messy hairdo’s. It’s a fun and quirky collection, with plenty of covetable pieces.
Gracing the front row was Ashish superfan Paloma Faith, clad a sequinned Ashish Union Jack ensemble with a black jacket from last season, which – shock! – was also sported by another front row guest. That’s some major Fashion drama, right there.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: Ashish via Londonfashionweek.co.uk
Tags: Ashish, London fashion week, SS2012
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Gallery, London fashion week, Spotted
By Elisabeth on September 17th, 2011
London Fashion Week SS12 is in town which means the celebrities are out and about looking for style inspiration or simply wanting to be looked at.
Day 1 of London Fashion Week saw a skinny Peaches Geldof head to The Royal Opera House and the Sass & Bide show along with a colourful Paloma Faith (not sure if she’s taking the bird trend we’ve been seeing lately a tad too far) and singer Dionne Bromfield, the niece of Amy Winehouse. Diana Vickers and actress Bonnie Wright also graced the front row.
Peaches, who wore an all black ensemble then dashed off to the BFC Catwalk Show Space at Somerset House for the Fielder and Fielder show.
Peaches Geldof in all black
Showing off her slender frame, Peaches teamed her all black outfit with a high bun and red lips
Tags: #LFW 2011, Bonnie Wright, celebrity, Diana Vickers, dionne bromfield, London fashion week, Paloma Faith, Peaches Geldof
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 17th, 2011
SS12 - Corrie Nielsen
Models on the catwalk during the Corrie Nielsen spring / summer 2012 show during London Fashion Week, at the Old Sorting Office in central London.
On the first day of London Fashion Week, all eyes were on Fashion Fringe winner Corrie Nielsen, who had some big shoes to fill after her stunning debut collection last season put her firmly on the fashion map.
The Flordia-born designer mysteriously named her SS12 collection Arbiter Elegantaiaru, which loosely translates as “judge of tastes” – a serious name for a very serious collection. Inspiration came from the Far East, with lots of origami folds, kimono-style jackets, luxurious silks and Japanese hairdo’s. Combine this with her couture-like craftsmanship and you can see why no one other John Galliano chose her as the winner of Fashion Fringe.
Highlights include a kimono-inspired trenchcoat (genius!) and a heavily structured white corset and boned skirt with highly exaggerated hips. For the first time we also saw more wearable pieces, with perfectly tailored trousers, shirts and jackets, which will hopefully make its way to the shops next season.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: Press Association
Tags: Corrie Nielsen, London fashion week, SS2012
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Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 17th, 2011
SS12 - Sass & Bide
Models on the catwalk at the Sass and Bide fashion show, held at the Royal Opera House in central London as part of London Fashion Week.
The Royal Opera House was the impressive setting for Aussie label Sass & Bide’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The glass room turned a little bit into a sauna on the sunny afternoon, giving us a real sense of summer Down Under. A very skinny Peaches Geldof, a rather colourful Paloma Faith, Diana Vickers, Dionne Bromfield and Bonnie Wright all graced the front row.
What we saw was a sporty collection with a myriad of colours, prints, materials and silhouettes bunched together – it sounds so wrong, but it was so, so right. Neon colours were mixed with polkadot prints, beaded and sequinned panels to create a bit of a patchwork effect. Almost every outfit was accessorised with a neon orange or yellow touch, from statement necklaces to must-have clutch bags.
It was colourful, contrasting and most of all, fun. And that’s what summer is all about, right?
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: Press Association
Tags: London fashion week, Sass & Bide, SS2012
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Gallery, London fashion week
By AlexLoves on September 17th, 2011
SS12 - Jean-Pierre Braganza
A model on the catwalk at the Jean-Pierre Braganza Spring/Summer show at London Fashion Week at Somerset House.
“It started with a trip to Cornwall…” That’s how Jean-Pierre Braganza’s press release for his SS112 show Praxis begins. What follows is a tale of how the art and architecture of the area inspired him. It all seems a little far-fetched, until the first model steps out, and it all clicks together.
What we see are a lot of Art Deco-inspired geometric prints in a monochrome colour palette and sharp and angular tailoring.
As the show proceeded there were flashes of coral and softer, draped silhouettes, some featuring strategic cut out sections. The models all sported gorgeous shoe-boots (made by Dune, surprisingly!), pink cheeks and high fishtail braided ponytails. This is the collection for the reluctantly grown up rockchick – slick, edgy and oozing with style.
Alex is the author of popular fashion blog www.alexloves.com
Images: Press Association
Tags: Jean-Pierre Braganza, London fashion week, SS2012
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Features, Gallery, London fashion week
By shinychris on September 16th, 2011
“Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” Edna Woolman Chase, editor in chief of style-bible Vogue magazine from 1914-1952
To mark the beginning of the 2011 London Fashion week, we don our most sartorially-inclined specs and get to work tracking down the best Apple’s App Store had to offer.
We wouldn’t be seen dead without them.
Vogue
After that first quote from Chase (see above), how could we not kick off with the Vogue app for iPad? Lush photography and tips from the definitive voices in fashion journalism make this a must have for fashionistas.
(£FREE app, £4.99 per issue you buy, Grab It Here )
Tags: #LFW 2011, gucci, iPad apps, London fashion week, Mulberry, Vogue
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From:Golden Globe awards 2012 best hair and make up