Monthly Archives: July 2010

Last night the infamous Chateau Marmont in LA played host to a little star studded soiree; with Alexa Chung as DJ, giant glittering leopards and a plethora of fabulous bags present – it was of course in honour of Mulberry. This English Heritage brand has come a long way since its mid nineties slump, and thanks to the invention of the ‘it bag’, they are one of the favourite names to be seen adorning the shoulders and elbows of fashion’s elite. Here Alexa wears the classic ‘Roxanne’ in oak, but for something from their more recent collections look no further than the Fashion Editors obsession – the consistently sold out ‘Alexa’, which also comes in at £595. It may be a hefty price tag but with only the finest leathers (that actually look better as they age), these bags are mighty clever investments; and far more attractive than stocks and shares surely?

This season has been all about the maxi – bodycon, bountiful or boyish, we’ve fully embraced full length. Now with autumn rearing its chilly head once more, what to do with all the dresses with their hems dipping in the secret dust at the bottom of your wardrobe? Wear them of course. This failsafe recipe for economic and stylish success sees the ditching of the sandals, in favour of some chunky, flat boots – teamed with a casually flung on jumper for effortless cool. Make like Wang and Jacobs and prove that fashion isn’t as fickle as it’s made out to be.

1)      Boo Hoo – Maddy Pop Print Maxi Dress £15

2)      Oasis – Dark Blue Maxi T-Shirt Dress £35

3)      T by Alexander Wang – Cropped Jersey Sweater £102.18

4)      Caterpillar – Mardy Fur Calf Boots £70

Although we’re still, arguably, in the midst of our cherished British summer, the fashion pack are always one step ahead. Now, believe it or not, is the time to start thinking about your Autumn/Winter wardrobe. As identified at the Shows this February, shearling is set to be big news, having already been circulating around those in the know for a few seasons. Burberry Prorsum championed this trend with enough Aviator jackets to rival Pearl Harbour – as a distressing consequence, empty space now fills the racks in charity shops where these previously overlooked items used to hang.

There is little doubt that the high street will be churning out some excellent versions of the trend once the weather turns nippy, but until then, indulge your sheepish side with these gorgeous Opening Ceremony boots which, joyfully, are currently more than half price in the summer sales.

Opening Ceremony – Shearling Boots £168

It was all a bit Marlene Dietrich meets Grace Jones this season at Jean-Paul Gaultier’s stellar show in Paris. An awe-struck crowd looked on as models stalked out, cigarette in hand, wearing all that an art-deco fantasist could dream of and more. Upwards thrusting, turban-clad heads were ensconced in geometrically striking hoods that wound their way down the body with dizzying perfection. Legs came swathed in noir sequins and dresses seemed to sigh their way down the catwalk in the finest satins, silks and sheer organza’s. Skirts hugged fishnet bound stems in the snuggest of chocolate velvet, whilst one of the standout pieces took shape in the form of an achingly beautiful gold, oversized, draping jumpsuit with gathered batwing sleeves and cinched waist. There were injections of a few brighter hues, such as an apple green satin take on the classic safari dress; and surprise came in the form of modern day siren Dita von Teese, performing a striptease in the middle of the runway, removing her black pieced dress to reveal stunning La Perla lingerie and a cheeky bare behind. However, with clothes these divine, you’d never really want to take them off at all…

It feels very much like summer 2005 at the moment, what with Jude and Sienna back together and looking very similar to their old selves. Gone are the shorts crops and different coloured do’s – it’s back in with wavy blonde hair and a distinctly luxe-boho feel.  Here they were out and about in Camden on Saturday night – recreate Sienna’s look with these gorgeous See by Chloe Shorts for a bargain priced £49, along with oh-so-cool Alexander Wang Tee for £71 and finish it all off with these bang on trend Surface to Air Suede Peep Toe Boots for £244. Now, I wonder where we can get our hands on a Jude lookylikey?

While the catwalk spoke of Autumn/Winter in decadent, heavy fabrics – the celebrities in attendance were the embodiment of chic summer dressing as it’s finest. All decked out in Chanel, as you would expect, they showcased delicate straps and girlish romantic swathing, bar Leighton Meester who wowed in a black leather mini dress from the 2010 pre-autumn collection, complete with gold embellishment and military inspired skyscraper platforms.

Continue reading →

It was an execution of change, this season at Chanel. While the young, hot things of Hollywood such as Jessica, Blake and Leighton, looked on from the front row, they bore witness to one of the most pivotal shifts in direction that has come for a while. Length, is what seems to be making the biggest transcendence from coquette to lady – gone are the insinuating girlish crops of recent seasons, and in their place lies a grown up elegance born of new proportions.

For the first time in a long time, skirts and thick woollen coats finished just shy of mid-calf, whilst demi-ruched boots snuck up to meet them – leaving a relatively modest flash of leg looking as sensual as exposing ones wrists in the shroud of Victoriana. On top, jackets came boxy and stunted, seemingly armour like in their sturdy cuts, yet offering at the same time the fragility of the relatively unprotected midriff to counterbalance too masculine a connotation.

Cocoon sleeves with a reverse tulip tapering to the bottom of the garment turned the voluminous trends of recent years literally on their head, whilst the progression into delicate evening dresses borrowed from the slouch of the 20’s whilst incorporating the minimalist clean lines and shift style of the 60’s.

In a spectrum of rich, dark hues, burgundy’s cajoled with inks, mochas, plums, sages and the most screaming of scarlet shot taffeta. The latter half of the collection delving into Dostoyevsky inspired eastern European folklore, a series of wispy black canvasses decorated with the most vivacious of floral insignia, whilst other dresses looked almost as if they could be made of stars as they glinted and shimmered under the bright, white lights of the catwalk. To reiterate, it was a change, from the futuristic blanche of last season, and from all other trends we have seen in recent years – Lagerfeld may always wear the same thing himself, but he certainly knows how to mix it up.

Kate Moss is once again the star of another exhibition; from sculpture to photography she’s taken centre stage at more gallery’s than we can count. Last night at the Phillips de Pury Gallery in London, Moss wowed as the guest of honour in a little black Stella McCartney number, teamed with some classic Louboutin heels. What else should one wear when honoured as someone’s muse than a classic LBD?

1. Miss Selfridge, Black One Shoulder Dress, £32

2. Christian Louboutin, Pigalle patent court shoes, £362.72

Exciting news straight in from Paris, Blair and Serena are taking the city by storm in a series of fabulous outfits. From donning their finest attire to walk the Seine, or slipping into something a little more comfortable to sight see, this pair are making us very eager to see the new season. Take Blair’s cue and incorporate some good enough to eat cherry print into your summer wardrobe; or make like Serena in pastel shades with caged detailing.

Lastly, Serena looks laid-back and lovely in this green, seventies feel get-up; longer length dresses in jewel tones add a sophisticated edge to a practical outfit, whilst the large floppy hat is a flattering alternative to the usual straw trilby of the season.

Off duty, Leighton Meester looks effortlessly chic as she does a spot of shopping at Celine, wearing summer’s must have denim cut-offs with staple gladiator sandals and a retro Hawaiian print Tee; snap up something similar to add a little je ne sais quoi to your everyday look.

While Galliano’s creations for Christian Dior’s AW10 couture collections may have been full of clashing violets, buttercups and fuchsias, complete with vertiginous hair and make up resplendent as a Venetian mask; the guests took a different tack. With their soft edges, muted palettes and sweet details, Jessica Alba, Lily Cole and Lou Doillon kept things very low key – perhaps realising that to try and compete with such startling creations on the catwalk in front of them would have been a mistake.

Lou dressed up her faded 7/8^th jeans with an ice toned silk blouse, chunky black heels added a sturdy touch and stopped the look from being too delicate, in keeping with her shambolic-chic style.

Jessica opted for blush toned florals in this frothy strapless gown – with subtly dishevelled hair and minimal accessories she looked fresh, clean and elegant, yet without distracting from the main event – the perfect option for a wedding guest perhaps?

Lastly, Lily Cole channelled 70’s maximalism in oversized amber shades paired with a little black number. The lace overlay reduced the potential harshness of the dark dress, replacing it instead with a whimsical element. With her hair loose and relatively untouched, she oozed effortless glamour. So far so good for the fashion event of the year!