Archive for the ‘dresses’ Category
Designer Fashions, Designers, dresses, Features, Gallery, New York Fashion Week - Runway
By emilyborrett on September 13th, 2011
Zac Posen Spring/Summer 2012
Lovers of grand, lush eveningwear should get ready to gasp and flutter their hands as we take a look at Zac Posen’s new Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which was showcased at New York Fashion Week this Sunday. The result of another season’s toil over a new collection was a mouth-watering collection of day-dresses and evening gowns which were evocative of old 1940s Hollywood starlets.
What we love about Zac Posen’s work is that he obviously has a woman’s femininity in mind when he designs his gowns – these are designs that would leave the wearer feeling beautiful and special, with a veritable array of dresses with form-fitting dresses that hug in all the right places but artfully skim over the main problem areas. With off-the-shoulder sweetheart necklines, fitted busts and huge silk ruffles, it’s no wonder that Zac Posen is every celebrity’s red-carpet favourite.
As usual some of the gowns are truly spectacular, our absolute favourite being the collection’s black chiffon fishtail gown with an absolutely stunning black chiffon hem that we’re hoping we’ll see a celebrity wearing very, very soon. There’s definitely a darkly glamorous goth vibe to the gowns, as Posen has opted for deep navy, black and wine-red chiffons for an incredibly dramatic effect. The styling for the show was picture-perfect too, with the models wearing absolutely pristine finger waves in their hair and costume jewellery.
A grand salute to Zac Posen and his genius Spring/Summer gowns – ShinyStyle bloody loves ya.
Tags: "designer dresses", 1940s, catwalk, evening gowns, fashion week, features, fishtail gown, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, runway, vintage, Zac Posen
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Designers, dresses, Gallery, New York Fashion Week - Runway
By emilyborrett on September 12th, 2011
Diane Von Furstenberg Spring/Summer 2012
Yesterday the legendary Diane Von Furstenberg showed her latest Spring/Summer collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. One of the most well-loved US-based designers, DVF has a very special place in our hearts and we love seeing what she’ll come up with next.
Naturally there was a playfulness to the collection, something we’ve seen in as a trademark in Von Fursternberg designs, with graphic pop-art style prints and bold florals. We picked up on a little bit of a kitsch 60s vibe to her Spring/Summer designs, with blotchy Warhol-esque floral patterns worn on slouchy shift dresses and oriental kimono-inspired sun dresses.
The iconic designer also interpreted the renewed androgyny trend absolutely perfectly, teaming crisp men’s trousers with sharp-shouldered suit jackets and pastel-coloured blouses for a look that obviously took inspiration from menswear but at the same time remained feminine.
The whole thing was styled perfectly too, with the models wearing their pastel-coloured graphic designs with classic retro winged glasses and big old beehives. Diane Von Furstenberg knows how to turn a fashion show into a party.
Tags: 60s, diane von furstenberg, DVF, german, mercedes benz, New Fashions, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, spring/summer 2012, wrap dress
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Designer Fashions, Designers, dresses, Features, Gallery, New York Fashion Week - Runway
By emilyborrett on September 12th, 2011
Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2012
As we all know by now, Jason Wu’s runway show is always an absolute highlight for me when NYFW rolls around again. I love his cool, nonchalant approach to fashion, which is perfect for city-slickers and sleek fashion-lovers everywhere. Those people won’t be disappointed with his new Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
Like his previous collection, this collection featured heavily on contrasting shapes and silhouettes as the young designer paired form-fitting, almost Oriental structured blouses and shorts with billowing, slouchy coats for an edgy take on city dressing. Again, much like last season, Wu used the blouse as a staple in his work with an array of crisp white shirts with gem-encrusted collars. Workwear just got taken up a notch.
As for colour, the collection was a pretty myriad of soft peach-pinks with dark blue and grey prints which played off well against each other. I’ve got serious designer lust for his high-waisted, uber-sexy 50s style bikini in a dark grey and blue Eastern floral print – it manages to give a cheeky wink to pin-up girls of the past while still remaining a modern classic.
To see the highlights of Jason Wu’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection, check out the gallery above.
Tags: 2012, blouse, Designers, Gallery, hotpants, Jason Wu, mercedes benz, New Fashions, New York Fashion Week, print, spring/summer
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Designers, dresses, Events, Gallery, New Fashions, New York Fashion Week - Runway
By emilyborrett on September 8th, 2011
Steven Alan Spring/Summer 2012
If Rachel Comey’s show was all about city-slicker vibes then Steven Alan’s Spring/Summer collection transported us back to the summer again with his array of simplistic, sugary designs.
The collection was very evocative of long summer evening and idyllic childhoods as the womenswear was mainly comprised of floaty sun-dresses and simple, sugar-coloured separate pieces teamed with straw hats and ladylike purses. It very much reminded us of dressing up in our mum’s summer dresses when we were little for a grand day out, which is quite a nice memory, really. Teddy bear’s picnic, anyone?
Much like Rachel Comey’s work, Steven Alan’s designs have a nostalgic, romantic air about them while still managing to be modern at the same time. This collection is going to be one of our favourites when it comes to planning next summer’s wardrobes – we can already tell. Alan’s ice-blue chinos are gong on my fashion wishlist right now.
Check out the gallery to see the highlights from Steven Alan’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
Tags: casual, daywear, Gingham, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, spring/summer 2012, Steven Alan, straw hat, sun dress
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Designers, dresses, First Looks, Gallery, New Fashions, New York Fashion Week - Runway
By emilyborrett on September 8th, 2011
Rachel Comey Spring/Summer 2012
New York Fashion Week has begun! Thank god! We’ve been floating around in fashion limbo for ages now and finally we have something obsess over again – the new Spring/Summer collections. The big names aren’t showing til later in the week, but the week has gone off to a nice start already with some up-and-coming designers. Today we’re looking at Rachel Comey’s new collection.
I have to say that I’ve never really paid much attention to Comey’s work before, but I am definitely impressed by her new Spring/Summer collection. It’s an urban, sleek collection of casual dresses and separates spanning from draped, girlish prints, slouchy jersey T-shirts, modern sunglasses and masculine tailored pieces. I’ve always been more of a lover of decadent, ridiculous avant-garde fashion, but Comey may have just convinced me of the beauty in simplicity. There is nothing contrived or affected about any of the pieces on the collection – it is simply effortless.
The whole vibe of the collection was free-spirited and girlish without losing it’s city-living edge. Sweet floral shorts were teamed with tough sunglasses andpeppermint-coloured tailored shorts were worn with masculine Breton turtlenecks to create a clever balance between hard and soft.
As I said, I haven’t seen much of Rachel Comey’s work – but I like what I see. This girl is gonna be big.
Tags: casual, masculine, mint colours, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, Rachel Comey, runway, spring/summer 2012, tailoring
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Designer Fashions, Designers, dresses, Gallery, New York Fashion Week - Runway, Style spotlight
By emilyborrett on September 7th, 2011
Jason Wu Autumn/Winter 2011
And so the Fashion Week fun begins, girls and boys, as one of our favourite fashion months of the year starts off in New York today. I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for the NYFW mania to begin for a while now – and while I wait with baited breath to see what the USA’s finest will come up with this season, I’m taking a look at one of the Big Apple’s best designers: Jason Wu.
Wu, who has a large celebrity following including Michelle Obama and Diane Kruger, is one of my favourite Manhattan-based designers because he simply knows how to make a girl look good. His collections may not have the over-the-top couture drama of iconic designers such as Dior and Gaultier, but they are something far more important – truly stylish, wearable designs for real women. When I imagine who Wu, in his mind, designs for it is not a madcap Isabella Blow character but the average fashion-savvy woman on the street.
His last two collections or so are particularly special to me because to me, they show that Wu has really hit his stride now as a designer and found a trademark in elegant tailoring and cocktail dresses. My dream Jason Wu piece? The slate-grey men’s coat from his Autumn/Winter 2011 collection (pictured above in the gallery) with the black lace sleeve details. Such a modern take on masculine fashion.
Take a look at my favourite Jason Wu moments in the gallery above – and keep checking back on the site for NYFW updates.
Tags: Bryant Park, cocktail dress, designer spotlight, Designers, dresses, Gallery, Jason Wu, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, runway, tailoring
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Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Designers, dresses, Gossip
By emilyborrett on September 6th, 2011
Not only does she look like the girl next door, but it’s obvious that Kate Bosworth was brought up with a sense of good manners as the actress has revealed she only likes to wear fashions designed by nice people.
The blonde beauty, who is often a familiar face at Fashion Week and is always impeccably dressed, spoke out about her particular process of choosing what – and who – to wear.
Kate said: “I’ve always seen fashion as embracing the individual, although yes, I understand that there are parts of the industry that aren’t so welcoming. But I look at the Proenza Schouler boys – they’re so kind and they make such brilliant designs. The Rodarte sisters, too. It may be idealistic, but I like to think that goodness rises to the top.”
And naturally, Madamoiselle Bosworth knows the fashion industry well, with a father who’s worked extensively in the Italian fashion industry, a close friendship with the fashion house Proenza Schouler and her own ecommerce site Jewelmint.
No mean fashion snobbery for this girl, then. Hear, hear! Listen up, designers – throw a hissy fit or start name-calling and this actress will never wear your designs again. You have been warned..
Tags: actress, celebrity gossip, Designers, Fashion News, fashion week, good manners, Kate Bosworth, Red Carpet
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Affordable Fashions, dresses, Features, Gallery
By emilyborrett on September 1st, 2011
Ted Baker Orchid Print Jersey Maxi Dress
I love the minimal/eastern influences of this Ted Baker maxi. Pretty much all it needs is a pair of ballerina flats and some chandelier earrings to make this look fashion-perfect.
Maxi dresses have been in style for a while now, and their appeal doesn’t seem to be waning as we move from Summer into the Autumn/Winter fashion season. But in the winter you can’t rock those dreamy, floaty-hippy vibes in your maxi that you did in the summer – it’s just the wrong time of year. If you want to keep wearing floor-sweeping dresses then you’re going to need a new winter maxi.
In the winter, longer lengths are going to be great for keeping warm, especially longer-sleeved dresses with thick tights. It’s quite a grungey look, which is in at the moment so you don’t have to worry about looking like you’re wearing your nan’s old house-dress. The best way to brave the cold (and snow) in a maxi is to team it with ribbed tights, a slouchy cardigan worn under a biker jacket with some chunky boots for stomping the pavements. Et voila! One hot fashion look, built around your winter maxi.
Our absolute top pick has to be Ted Baker’s orchid printed dress, which we found on the Asos site today. High-necked and long sleeved with an eastern floral-printed skirt, it’s a really elegant piece that you could wear either in the day or the evening if you use some clever styling.
Check out the gallery above for our top 5 Autumn/Winter maxi dresses.
Tags: ASOS, autumn/winter, cold weather, dresses, features, orchid prin, Ted Baker, top 5 maxi dresses, warm clothes
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Designers, dresses, Events, Fashion News
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Matthew Williamson has been given the opportunity to showcase his new collection specially inside the Tate Modern during London Fashion Week (yes, it’s nearly here again, guys!)
This has never been done before, so it’s going to be a bit of a unique fashion happening. A member of Williamson’s team told Vogue: “For our spring/summer 2012 collection we have chosen to show in the turbine hall inside the Tate modern gallery on the Southbank. It’s the first time a designer has been able to show in this iconic London landmark building and we are thrilled to have this opportunity.”
Matthew said about his Tate plans: It’s an amazing space which I feel will contrast really well with the collection. I’m looking forward to creating an intimate space within the hall and seeing the intricately detailed clothes work against the stark, minimalist structure.”
Whether you have the time of day for modern art or not (I don’t at all) we think you’ll all be able to find the time for some beautiful Matthew Williamson dresses, no?
Tags: dresses, exhibition, gowns, LFW, London fashion week, Matthew Williamson, s/s collection 2012, spring/summer
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Celebrity Style, dresses, Gallery, Get the look, Style Icon
By emilyborrett on August 22nd, 2011
Red Chelsea Girl Print Jersey Dress
Jane Birkin is still one of our ultimate fashion icons, so I was excited today when I clocked this red Chelsea Girl dress (above) which is just so Birkin and bohemian. From the cool red folk-print to the thigh-skimming hemline and slight bell sleeves, this is 60s-inspired dressing at it’s best – it has a total Woodstock feel.
The dress is part of River Island’s revived Chelsea Girl line, which produces pieces inspired by the 60s era that the Chelsea Girl store was originally popular in. Also in the CG collection are brown suede hotpants, Missoni-style knits and Mick Jagger-esque blouses in eye catching shades of orange and red. We love everything in the range, but the red printed mini dress that we’ve featured has to be our absolute favourites.
Along with featuring the dress we’ve suggested a few pieces in the gallery that would go perfectly with it – just remember when styling a dress like this that Madam Birkin liked to keep things simple and carefree. Any accessories were chic, delicate and discreet. Our favourite piece to go with a dress like this is a good pair of Swedish Hasbeens; now we know that they’re not exactly cheap but a pair of their clog-style sandals are so European chic and will last forever. We also recommend with a dress like this that a simple vintage gold pendant is a pretty addition to an outfit that will compliment the folk-print of the mini dress perfectly – our favourite pendant is a pretty golden key from Nicole Richie’s jewellery line, House of Harlow, which you can find in the gallery above.
Check out the gallery to see our star buy, the red Chelsea Girl dress, along with pieces to make it an outfit.
Tags: 60s, 70s, bohemian, boho, chelsea girl, dress, get the look, Jane Birkin, River Island, star buy, vintage style
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Bargain POTW, Designer Fashions, dresses, Gallery, Runway to Reality
By emilyborrett on August 19th, 2011
Warehouse Multi Silk Bird Print Dress
We absolutely love the '40s style and elegant bird print of this dress from Warehouse - it's so similar to the dresses seen on the Miu Miu catwalk, and it's only £65.
I don’t know about you, Fashion Week lovers, but for me one of the ultimate highlights of the Autumn/Winter shows was Miu Miu’s 30s and 40s inspired collection of wrap dresses and coats. And it seems that celebrities feel the same way as I do – everyone wants to get their hands on the collection’s key piece, the elegant bird-patterned wrap dress. Hailee Steinfeld and Michelle Williams have already been papped wearing dresses from the show. You can get the real deal (pictured left) and shop the collection at Net-a-porter.com if you’re a squillionaire, but sadly most of us aren’t.
Why do I love Miu Miu’s Autumn/Winter bird printed dress so much? As a lover of vintage fashion and designs that celebrate the female shape, this dress ticks every single box to me – I love the Oriental vibe of the shimmering birds against sultry dark fabrics, which combined with the classic twisted tea-dress shape give a wink to old Hollywood glamour.
To own the real thing is the dream for me – but until then I will happily settle for Warehouse’s gorgeous high-street version, priced at £65, which is extremely similar to the designer version. Check out the dress in the gallery above – we’ve also included a few suggestions of ways to wear the dress. Thankyou, British high street.
Tags: 40s, autumn/winter, bargain alert, bird print, high street copy, miu miu, Paris Fashion Week, vintage style, Warehouse
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Designers, dresses, First Looks, Gallery, vintage
By emilyborrett on August 15th, 2011
Floral Betty Draper Dress
We’re massive fans of the relatively new Asos Marketplace here at ShinyStyle, where young independent fashion and jewellery designers can have a platform to showcase and sell their work. Today it’s pin-curls and court heels at the ready for Poppy Valentine, the vintage-inspired independent label we’ve just discovered that specialises in 40s and 50s designs.
The high street is brilliant for vintage-style pieces, but sometimes you just can’t beat a handmade piece made from genuine vintage fabrics where a lot of love and care has gone into the garment – and that’s what Poppy Valentine is all about.
Our personal favourite design from the collection is their 40s-style wrap dress, which comes in a variety of different prints and isn’t completely unlike the kind of thing Miu Miu has been making lately. They’re completely elegant and perfect for channelling your inner Dita Von Teese with some coiffed hair and red lipstick.
Check out the gallery above to see Poppy Valentine’s designs – just one of many good reasons why you should give Asos Marketplace a go.
Tags: 40s, 50s, asos marketplace, Dita Von Teese, floral print, marilyn monroe, pin up style, poppy valentine, tea dress, vintage
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Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Designers, dresses, Events
By emilyborrett on August 11th, 2011
The Slumdog Millionaire beauty Freida Pinto says she is incredibly grateful for the fashion house Chanel’s support early on in her career.
The iconic fashion house was the first to lend her couture and pieces from their current collections for her red-carpet appearances, even when she was just a little-known actress beginning her career.
Freida said: “I tell you why I like Chanel so much; when I started off, no one wanted to give me clothes to wear. Absolutely no one. All the labels said, ‘Who is she?’ Modelling was not completely satisfying. But Chanel believed in me from the very beginning. For the very first red carpet I did at the Toronto Film Festival in 2008, they dressed me up in their very current season collection. It’s a massive brand, why would they invest in someone who is nobody?”
Lucky Freida has since struck up a friendship with Chanel’s director, Karl Lagerfeld, who has had a big influence over her dress sense. She said: “I always have a good time with Karl because he’s so appreciative and wants me to try different things.”
We wish Chanel would believe in us.. go on Karl, lend us some dresses.
Tags: "fashion house", chanel, couture, Freida Pinto, Gossip, Hollywood, Karl Lagerfeld, premiere, red carpet dressing
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Designers, dresses, Gallery, Haute Couture, Paris Fashion Week
By emilyborrett on July 7th, 2011
Elie Saab Haute Couture 2011
Lebanese-originated fashion house Elie Saab has been a red-carpet hit with the likes of young lovelies such as Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart for a while now, so we were looking forward to see what they were going to show us at Couture Week yesterday in Paris. Were we surprised when we weren’t let down? No, not at all – this was always going to be a good show.
It wasn’t a drastic departure from the label’s past collections, which have always been well-known for their fluttery, girlie designs in icy pastel shades. But while in the past some collections have been very “sugar, spice and everything nice”, we found yesterday’s offering a little more simple and sophisticated than past efforts. The whole affair was extremely pretty, with crystal and flower details trailing over sheer sleeves, hemlines and necklines in nude and white sheer fabrics.
The textiles used in the designs worked beautifully within the collection. Rich-looking cream lace and sheer wisps of chiffon were delicately embroidered with tiny flowers and leaves and encrusted with sparkles, with a resulting effect that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a fairytale.
It’s a big round of applause for Elie Saab from us at ShinyStyle. We guarantee this collection is going to be loved by red carpet attendees everywhere.
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Celebrity Style, dresses, Gallery
By Andrea Petrou on July 7th, 2011
It was a white night yesterday as celebrities and models descended on the White Fairy Tale Ball at the Chateau De Wideville in Paris.
The event, which coincides with Paris Haute Couture week, was set up by Valentino and Natalia Vodianova as part of the Naked Heart Foundation charity.
It enticed Anne Hathaway who looked stunning in an ethereal long frock with a floral headpiece, while Olivia Palermo went for a silver woven white dress for the event.
Although she didn’t keep in with the white theme Eva Herzigova looked lovely in a sleek black dress, while Natalia Vodianova also decided to stand out in a gorgeous red dress.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: anne hathaway, Natalia Vodianova, olivia palermo, paris haute couture week, White Fairy Tale Ball
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From:Debenhams show us how to avoid tanning disasters this year