You may not feel it, but spring is most definitely on its way, at least on the highstreet anyway. This season there’s a huge range of styles to choose from and we can’t wait until the frost thaws and rain goes, so we can begin to channel these looks.
The first trend we can’t wait to get into is the 20s flapper look, which has been given a summer make over. Gone are the feathers seen in AW 2011 and in come the sequins, drop waisted dresses and light fabrics, which really emulate this era.
If you’re a girly girl then the cute and sweet Sugar Doll look is also a must-have trend. Florals and girly colours fashioned into lace and simple cut frocks make up this style for the SS 2012 and was hot on the Louis Vuitton catwalk, while pastels also compliment this trend.
Those who like to show their casual side will also love the glam sports trend. Shown by Victoria Beckham, amongst others, this smart take on the sporty look – think sleek trackies, metallic vests and cute trainers – is great for those chilling out days.
It is undisputable that Mr Marc Jacobs is the king of fashion right now. With his own hugely successful self-titled lines, as well as creative directorship at Louis Vuitton and rumours that he may also be taking over Dior, he’s got a finger in every one of the yummiest fashion pies right now.
Yesterday’s Marc for Marc Jacobs show at NYFW was one of the hottest tickets around – it always is – and the Tattooed One didn’t let us down with a cool collection of sportswear-inspired casual pieces. Each piece was beautifully simple with a modern, clean feel to it that reminds us of European designers such as Jil Sander, mixing utilitarian slate-greys with little splashes of Crayola colour here and there for a playful twist.
There was a clear “boyfriend” vibe about the collection as Jacobs had opted for masculine, simple styles that when worn looked like they might have been pinched from a fashionable boyfriend’s wardrobe. From crisp, oversized shirt dresses to pink-and-white striped short suits, it seemed to us to be a very masculine take on casual womenswear.
Our favourite thing about the collection were the accessories – Monsieur Jacobs is, after all, the king of accessory design – fresh 90s-style hi-top trainers in childish, primary colours which added a carefree twist to some of the more austere-looking designs.
Viva Marc! Check out the gallery above to see the new Marc for Marc Jacobs collection.
My crush on Christian Siriano might just be getting serious now – in fact I think it might be love thanks to his new Spring 2012 collection which totally and utterly blew me away. He may have started out as a reality TV diva in Project Runway but now there can’t be any dispute over Siriano’s talents. He really is incredibly creative and gifted.
Those familiar with Christian’s designs know that most of all he likes to work in an incredibly dramatic avant-garde vein of design which is to me is reminiscent of classic, old Paris couture from the 1950s. Anyone who was hoping for another spectacular, fantastical collection won’t be disappointed by this one.
There was a lot more use of bright colours in this collection, surprisingly, as normally Siriano works with a darkly glamorous palette of gloomy colours, but this season the dresses zinged in bright lime, coral and peach. He seems to have found his way more as well in his use of silhouette – in place of his usual explosions of chiffon-balls and giant shoulders we instead had cool, breezy sportswear styles that were reminiscent of the work of other great American designers.
Naturally no Siriano collection would be complete without his ridiculous old-school couture gowns, though – I was especially breathtaken by his hot coral-red ball gown which seemed to sweep along the model’s body in dreamy, fluffy chiffon whisps.
J’adore Christian. He has a little way to go before he is perfect – but he’s damn close right now.
Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson are teaming up for a new clothing line.
The singing sisters are to collaborate on a line of tween apparel featuring sportswear, denim and activewear in their first fashion venture together, which will be part of the Jessica Simpson Collection.
Jessica – whose fashion empire is set to be worth an estimated $1 billion this year – told WWD: “Creating a tween apparel collection was a natural extension for the brand. I’m excited to bring my sister, Ashlee, along as co-creative director of this division, because she brings a savvy rocker edge that defines today’s tweens.”?
Ashlee hopes her venture into fashion will be inspirational for young girls wanting to experiment with their personal style.
She said: “My goal as co-creative director will be to design clothes that will help inspire young girls to express their personalities and creativity through fashion.”
Jessica is set to see her empire expand further this year, with new ready-to-wear and career separates lines also planned.
When she launched the collection, she sold just handbags, shoes and boots, but gradually expanded to include watches, clothing, cosmetics, luggage, fragrances and swimwear, which is all sold in major department stores in the US.
If Paris Fashion Week is the mecca of elegant couture, and Milan Fashion Week the source of all high-octane glamour, then New York Fashion Week is the home of cool. And it doesn’t come much cooler than the gritty, slick designs of Alexander Wang, whose shows we absolutely always look forward to the moment when NYFW rolls around again.
The young designer exploded into our consciousness a few seasons ago with his tough, punk aesthetic. Did you rock a fishtail plait last year, covet a studded leather jacket or embrace sportwear as the pinnacle of cool? If so then you’ve got Mr. Wang to thank for it, whose raw and modern take on rock and roll has turned fashion around. Following his last Spring/Summer show, which was an unexpected collection of laid-back separates and a complete departure from his signature look, we breathed a sigh of relief to see him return to what he does best at NY Fashion Week yesterday.
The models were definitely dressed for a cold and rainy New York winter as they stomped down the runway in an interesting mix of quilted leather, knitted black and grey ponchos, metal jewellery and fur collars. There was a pretty balance between hard and soft in the textures and shapes used in the collection – we especially loved his buttery, black biker-girl jacket with a huge fur collar teamed up with beautifully tailored silk trousers. Is this what Joan Jett would look like if she grew up and got a job in an art gallery in the Big Apple? We hope so.
Though the collection was more subtle than some of Wang’s past collections (we didn’t see a single stud anywhere), there were still plenty of his signature quirk and charm in the accessories. Fur headbands, metal bracelets and fluffy shoes may only be for the brave, but at Fashion Week it was pure New York perfection.
Earlier today, I told you about my trials and tribulations with gym motivation and gave those of you who have the same problem some celebrity inspiration.
However, once that motivation comes there’s another problem and that’s what to wear on that treadmill or cross-trainer. A few decades ago and it would have been simple to stroll into the gym in creased trackie bottoms, a long tee and trainers, which looked as though they’d followed Forest Gump around the world.
However, with exercise now becoming a “fashionable” part of life, plus it’s celeb following, this has now changed. Celebrities have been snapped in a range of gym outfits from the sensible sports leggings to more stylish get ups such as printed tees, designer trackie bottoms and of course bang up-to-date bright trainers.
So I’ve decided it’s time to ditch that traditional sportswear and give my fellow buddies some celebrity style gym fashion. It may not be the most practical, but at least you’ll look like a fashionista when you’re panting along that treadmill.
January is the month where many of us vow to get fit, or look at quick fix solutions to banish and hide that post Christmas bulge.
If you’re someone who has chosen to take up the first option and sign up to the gym, then you’ll know the importance of having proper sportswear instead of using those old tracksuit bottoms, which have a habit of falling down every two minutes (or is that just me?).
There is a range of good and fashionable fitness wear in the shops, however if you want to go that step further and be a designer gym bunny, there’s only one collection to buy. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Stella McCartney’s Adidas range.
We got quite excited when we saw a glipse of the new SS2010 range last year, which is due out in February. However, if you missed it, we’ve got a video showcasing the latest must have gym wear, which now also includes Triathalon and cylcling wear too.
Stella said: “This collection continues to be a great success, and I’m very excited to introduce Triathalon and Cycling as new categories.
“I’m always trying to push myself and this new collection has everything you need in sports today; it’s sleek, stylish and super sporty!”
Alexander McQueen is set to go beyond shoes with his Puma collection for fall 09. The clothing and accessories line for men and women will debut in Milan next week with a short film “Ghost.”
McQueen and the director Saam Faramond made the film around the collection. “Power” is said to be a theme in the collection, and this season’s sports inspiration is boxing.
The line will include T-shirts and jackets priced from $72 to $790.
I know it seems a little soon for bathing suits, but Lands End‘s swimwear collection comes out in January, and they have some very stylish pieces you just have to see. Their beachwear accessories are super cute–in all different shades to match the swimwear. Find totes, towels, hats, and sandals in solid, polka dot and floral patterns. The major theme Lands End has going for this year’s swimwear collection is adjustable. They feature adjustable bottoms like the berry colored ones above, so at the pull of a string, you can make the sides high for a bikini cut or low for boy shorts. And I love the white full-piece suit with gathered front and hardware at the straps–very chic. For more swimsuit designs, continue to the jump.
For his spring collection, Israeli designer Yigal Azrouel created slouchy, sporty clothing one could wear on a beach vacation or over a hot weekend in the city. Both his men’s and women’s looks consisted mainly of neutrals with a few pops of color. Shorts or loose trousers were paired with equally loose shirts, and dresses ranged in length from mid-thigh to floor length in both evening and day styles with bucket hats perched on model’s heads, shielding their eyes. In the look above, Azrouel pairs a men’s-style button down shirt with ’70s inspired hi-waist short-shorts for a casual, comfortable American sportswear outfit.
I know it seems a little soon for bathing suits, but 
From:Debenhams show us how to avoid tanning disasters this year