31/01/2010

I’ll Make It Through Each Day, Singing Death Or Glory

I contemplated for a while whether I should attempt a kind of review of the Spring Couture shows hence why I am so late. Turned out that indeed I had quite a few opinions and unfortunately not all of them positive. Before my I unleash my critique I thought I'd share who, in my opinion, made the best of Couture Week. Givenchy is one of my top 5 brands I look forward to seeing no matter what season or occasion so to no surprise I was extremely in love with many of the looks. It wasn't a departure from the 'usual' look of darkness and gothic love but Tisci built on it to create looks that would be coveted by women across the age ranges and not just teens who are desperate for Givenchy's over sized studs (I know I am). It was somewhat out of character to present the sequined jumpsuits, it looks a tad like Lanvin, although they made a great addition to the over all aesthetic.
I never really took notice of Armani Privé because I perceived it to be a brand about heavy beading and 'expected' Oscar dress choices for many starlets. Upon seeing the spring collection I somewhat changed my mind. It wasn't couture as one imagines it, theatrical and over the top, but wearable and ever so beautiful. I just want to run my hand along the seams of the silky fabrics as they look so perfectly constructed! Simple, clean and covetable.
Dior did what it did best: melodramatics. I'm not a particular fan because I cannot see anyone wearing this (many will say Lady Gaga or Daphne Guinness) however one day the collections will make a great museum exhibit. Still, this is couture and there's enough whimsy and creative ideas to make it interesting. Also this collection at least attempted to look different from the previous 2 or 3 that, in my mind, were no different from one another.
Elie Saab. It was all I anticipated the collection to be, in a good way. Must we always push boundaries and try to make something outrageous and expensive that looses its worth in over-the-top silhouettes? JUST NO! There is still beauty in exquisite dresses and nude palettes adorned with lace and intricate details. To me, Saab is much a classic couturier. There's a sense of history and couture is just that, not clothing to be worn but to be admired. Style.com was, in my opinion, incompetent to write that 'it was just a bit too fantasy-prom to cut it in Couture week'. The collection was angelic. To me couture should forever try and play on a fantasy for a woman that wants to escape the dreary pavements of the ordinary world and Saab succeeded in transporting a fragment of the sky into his creations.

29/01/2010

Leave My Door Open Just A Crack

Chloe Pre-Fall 10
Celine Pre-Fall 10

25/01/2010

Whimsical Beauty

I just wanted to let people know to be on the lookout for this amazing shoe designer, Beatrix Ong. Her shoes are not the 'deathly' spikes of Louboutin but something a little more out there and full of whimsy. The shoes are expensive but wait till the sale if you feel like purchasing a pair, prices are often reduced by up to 70%. Her designs can be bought from her website, Carnaby Street store or some branches of Jaeger.
Do not underestimate the heel height of these! This is Ong's take on the Victorian boot completed with a 12.5cm heel...basically, nightmare to walk in.
Dress(underneath): Kate Moss for Topshop
Blouse: Camden Market
Tights: H&M
Fashion&Flesh Fashion&Flesh by Z♥LDN (Join.My.Blog.) featuring Fendi
Soundtrack: OneRepublic - All The Right Moves

23/01/2010

I Painted It Red

I picked up this jumpsuit on sale and it isn't very flattering but it makes me feel happy so I shall wear it with a smile. I'm now very much looking forward to Spring and an opportunity to wear mt red velvet wedges.
Jumpsuit: River Island
Shoes: H&M
Belt/necklace: Dorothy Perkins
Lips/nails: Rimmel
Soundtrack: Owl City - Fireflies

21/01/2010

Show Us Your Flesh

TopShop's beautifully nude accessories caught my eye! Nudes are generally extremely wearable so the trend for them will never actually die. Note: nude ballet pumps make legs look longer.
Lace has, too, moved into a nude territory from the gothic interpretation of autumn/winter. Only one thing is needed now: SPRING!

18/01/2010

Flowers In My Hair

Today I visited Asos for the first time in a while and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it has moved on from nu-rave and is now selling really great looking fashion pieces. I took a screen print of the look book of their new collection. I have to to a special mention of these trousers as they are beautiful. I love the print and I think I'd love the fabric too. I'm not sure whether I or anybody with hips over 34" should attempt these but when they look that good how can one resist!

17/01/2010

Darling, You Must Try A Cupcake

I did a photo shoot a while back with Oscar May and the whole concept was based around bright coloured cupcakes. The images were only beauty shots so I decided to style them for my imaginary editorial. The colours are inspired by the cupcakes and I also tried to show off my styling preferences just a little bit.

09/01/2010

This Is It

This is taken from the H&M lookbook with my favourite model, Natasha Poly. I'm keeping this short: I need this dress. I have been searching for the perfect LRD for months on end. This is perfect. It's feminine, flirtatious and Oh-So-Valentino!
Check out H&M's The Garden collection on Fashion Gone Rogue.

07/01/2010

Body Art

We have reached a point in fashion where it is no longer enough to covet dresses or bags. Expensive jewellery is out too, currently it's about body art. On various catwalks transfer tattoos made an interesting appearance but it was Chanel that really caused a stir. You see, they're actually going to sell them. It all reminds me of when I was 6 and LOVED having a colourful butterfly somewhere on my arm, it only cost about 50p too. Undoubtedly Chanel's tattoos aren't half as trashy as my then butterfly. They have cleverly made them to look like some of their iconic accessories branded with those double c's. You can purchase your tattoos exclusively from Chanel boutiques from March 12. The cost of such fashion innovation/experimentation? £49 for five sheets that will include 55 designs.
P.S. The waiting list is already open so good luck!
(Information from Vogue UK Feb 10)

06/01/2010

Yup, I Was At A Fashion Museum

I'm sorry the images are of such a disgusting quality but I only, currently, have a crappy digital! Nonetheless, these pictures were taken at The Fashion Museum in Bath. I really loved seeing Chanel's star-printed jumpsuit up close as well as Ossie Clark's ultimate bohemian creation!
Prada and Giles
Versace Chanel, circa 1991 (I think)
Ossie Clark
Chanel 2008