Materials, Fabrics and Textures at London Fashion Week Day One

Done a bit of a different type of fashion week post. I've put together an image board of close ups of clothing so you can get an idea of what colours, textures and fabrics were used. There were lots of sequins, beads and glitter to add sparkle. Bright prints showed up on quite a few catwalks. The prints were very graphic with flowing white lines cutting through bleeding oranges, greens and purples. Rough tweed suits and big knits on jumpers appeared on several catwalks too. Liked the use of ruffles and feathers to give a bit of volume and texture. As you can see the main colours were navy, black, purple with splashes of oranges and reds.

I think this type of post is an easier way to get an idea of what is on the runways. Let me know if you like it and i'll do more!


All images from Vogue.

New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012 - 2013 (15.02)

Only a quick post today!

Michael Kors

Douglas Hannant

Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti

Victoria by Victoria Beckham

Vivenne Tam

J.Mendel

Jeremy Scott

Most of the fashion was similar in the sense that knits, furs and leathers were all mixed into outfits. It was all about contrasting textures; thick rough knits paired with soft furs. There were lots of neat lines as jackets were well tailored and belts were used to accentuate waists. I love the minimalism of Victoria by Victoria Beckham and Philosophy by Alberta Ferritti. Really love the Michael Kors collection (that red fur coat is fabulous) and J.Mendel's collection is so luxurious. I couldn't leave out Jeremy Scott's futuristic, hippy clowns!

So excited as London Fashion Week starts tomorrow.
All images from Vogue.

New York Fashion Week A/W 2012 - 2013 (14.02)

Absolutely loving what designers have to offer from New York Fashion Week. Here's my picks from February 14th's catwalks.

Alexandre Herchcovitch

Reds, burnt oranges and golds warmed up the runway at Alexandre Herchcovitch's show. Picking up from the colours of autumn leaves models glowed whilst wearing gold metallic skirts, jackets, dresses, earthy red jackets with touches of tartan and luxurious lace. This collection would warm up any wardrobe.

Josie Natori

Models were turned into street wise and glamorous geishas for Josie Natori's A/W collection. I have always had an interest in the orient and i love when designers look to the east for inspiration. From oriental floral prints, thick belts like traditional obi's and kimono like jackets and shawls to the up-dos and dark lipstick Josie showed that anyone can get in touch with their inner geisha.

Naeem Khan

There was nothing shy or retiring about Naeem Khan's show. It was all about graphic swirls, lines and patterns, metal and sequin embellishments, feathers skirts and dangly earrings. There was lots of mixing textures whilst keeping a similar colour palette of black, greys, silvers and golds. It was rich and regal. No doubt high street evening wear will mimic Khan's creations.

Sachin + Babi

Very much like Khan, Sachin + Babi mixed textures whilst sticking to a palette of neutrals and adding richness with dark greens and purples. Alligator jackets and skirts were paired with leather and ruffles. Cosy knits and furs were placed next to each other. I love that rich green jacket complete with dark green fur in the fourth image. I'm looking forward to seeing how this collection will influence the high street.

Bebe

I love the rockabilly style so I was so excited to see that Bebe looked to that era for inspiration. This is clothing a rockabilly lady would wear in the office. I love the tartan capes and jackets, the smart 'v' collars and boxy pencil skirts. Like other shows shoulders were sharp and waists were tailored showing a womanly shape. If I worked in a place where the uniform was suits I'd be wearing this collection.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs went back to school for A/W. Knee length pleated tartan skirts, baggy jumpers, crisp white blouses and thick rimmed glasses make for a geek chic look. Train conductor hats were placed on models heads adding a smartness to outfits. Like Victoria Beckham long socks were paired with boots. I love that coat in the first image and the outfit in the second photo.

Sophie Theallet

Sophie went seventies for her A/W. Muted colours mixed with loud colours and garish prints with a hint of India makes for an interesting collection. I liked the contrast between flashes of colour such as bright red and pink and earthy browns and mustard yellows to tone the outfit. Also love the polo necks under tops and dresses. There were also very feminine pieces such a the black dress in the second image paired with red shoes for a pop of colour.

Oscar De La Renta

Posh, preppy, prim and proper are all words that come to mind when viewing Oscar's A/W collection. Jewelled headbands, heavily embellished matching blazers and skirts, preppy knitted sweaters, fur coats with brooches and ruffled necklines mean the models were oh so ladylike. Invitation to tea and scones at the Ritz then to watch a spot of polo? This is the collection you would wear.

RAD by Rad Hourani

The complete opposite of the Marc collection. RAD was all about military from the boxy shoulders to the dark army green and blacks used. It's also very androgynous. Men and women marched down the runway wearing similar pieces. The women could've snatched their jackets from their boyfriend's closet adding a belt to pull the look together. I love the neat lines and uniformity of this collection.

What autumn/winter collections have you loved?

New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012-2013 (08.02-13.02)

I wondered onto Vogue.co.uk to check out some fashion and get some inspiration when I clicked through to their New York Fashion Week coverage. I ended up spending over an hour drooling over all the autumn/winter 2012-2013 offerings. I had a lot to catch up on as NYFW started on the 8th so I've put together some images from the shows up until yesterday that I feel will influence what's in my wardrobe this coming autumn/winter.

Kimberley Ovitz

If you have read some of my previous posts you may know that I am a slight colour phobe when it comes to clothes. My wardrobe is made up of mainly black, grey and white and I tend to stick to those colours especially in winter. Consisting of mainly black and some neutrals this collection is something I could take straight from the runway out onto the street. Black dresses, black trousers, black jackets paired with black ankle boots owned the catwalk. It was tough but with a slight femininity. Very Girl With The Dragon Tattoo-esque. You could easily take pieces from this collection and insert into your wardrobe.

Ruffian

Almost polar opposite to Kimberley, Ruffian oozed 1920's and 1940's fashion. Figure hugging dresses cinched in at the waist to give the impression of curves, ruffled necklines, pencil skirts and waist skimming, tailored jackets showed that ladies could be smart and still look every bit the woman. Love the trilby hats and the hairstyles. In my dream world this is what I would wear everyday.

Herve Leger by Max Azaria

It was all about the waist at Herve. Near enough every outfit was accessorised with a waist cinching belt almost like a harness adding an almost armour feel to the dresses. There was a Roman/Gladiator feel with gladiator sandals wrapped around calves all the way to the knee. Fur was used on arms, skirts and shoulders as if these ladies had been hunting and used animal furs to keep them warm. These women were dressed and ready for war.

Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham went military for autumn/winter. Gold buttons, shoulder detailing, long boots and army green and black made the models turn into a fashionable brigade. Waists again were highlighted with belts and stripes helping to give femininity to outfits. I love the woolly socks under the boots, the v collars adding a pop of colour and the mix of masculine shoulders with womanly waists.

DKNY

I felt like I'd been transported to a fashionable future when looking through the DKNY runway photos. Shiny leather, alligator skirts, thick belts and sunglasses made me instantly think of The Matrix - but more fashionable. The fact that most of the collection was black means I can instantly see myself wearing most of these pieces. I liked the flash of colour with that gorgeous shade of red.

Giulietta

This collection is oh so girly. Models hair cupped the face in low ponytails to transform them into real life russian dolls. The palette was a mixture of warm reds, muted browns, luxurious creams and classic monochrome. I love the contrasting light collars against dark backgrounds, the material belts that blend in to the outfit with rounded edged buckles and white buttons and tights. A nice mix of prim and proper with cute girlishness. 

Jenny Packham

I was in love with this collection from the moment I layed eyes on it. Play suits and wet look, floor skimming dresses are right up my street. Attention was drawn to shoulders whether it be because they're on show or by some delicate embellishments and hair was swept up so the shape of shoulder were on show.  Again waists were accentuated to balance out the shoulders. Materials draped in colours ranging from black to beige.

Donna Karen

You know the song 'this is a man world' when I see this collection I imagine the sound track would be opposing to that. Trilby hats, shoulders so sharp you could get a cut, smart cuffs and material wrapped around the waist to show of curves would convince anyone that these women are ruling, whether that be in a board room or running some kind of fashion mafia.

Thom Browne

Thom Browne is one of those designers that you know is going to have a show full of eccentricities and quirks and his autumn/winter collection didn't disappoint. Woollen foxes and cone adornments probably won't be making an appearance in my wardrobe any time soon but there are elements of the collection that will not doubt filter down to the high street and onto my back. There is something so tactile about the clothes. Rough wool and soft knits are perfect materials and textures for autumn winter and anyone could wear a woollen jacket or skirt plus the muted colours makes the pieces even more wearable.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey's collection screams swinging sixties Britain. Neon pink and oranges paired with tartan suits and capes are a scary thought but there is something so right about them. The bright pink shirt with the tartan suit is certainly a bold statement but could definitely be worn. The black and white looks with a splash of red is something I would wear. I love those striped tights! The collection is adventurous, fun and captures the eccentricity Britain is loved for.

Gregory Parkinson

I never really paid attention to Gregory Parkinson before so when I seen his collection i questioned why that was because this collection is so nice! Purples and blues are the main colours with accents of browns and greens. It's got a freshness and youthfulness to it and I could easily see these clothes being sold in shops such as H&M. I love that purple fur coat and the green shoes. Gregory is firmly on my fashion radar.

What shows have attracted your attention? What shows are you looking forward to?
All images collected from Vogue UK

84th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon

On Monday 6th February film stars gathered at The Beverly Hilton Hotel for the annual star studded Oscar nominees luncheon. Less glitzy then the Awards show the luncheon gives the stars a chance to show off their  formal style.

Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer, Bérénice Béjo and Melissa McCarthy.

Love this pink J.C. Obando silk halter dress on Viola though i wasn't keen on her choice of shoe, the colour looked dull and ashy. Her hair and make up looks good though! 
Rooney works the androgynous look with a black ASOS jumpsuit and a white Thierry Mugler blazer . 
Meryl is one lady who normally ends up on the worst dressed list but this black dress paired with black tights and heels was a great choice.
How amazing Octavia look in this David Meister wrap dress? Love the leopard print clutch too.

Newcomer Bérénice Béjo looks lovely in this purple Elie Saab dress. It's the perfect mix of formal and dressy.

This navy dress looks gorgeous on Melissa. The colour is perfect for her skin tone. Great accessorising with the clutch and beads too. 

Normally i hate 'worst dressed lists' but i wasn't a fan of Glenn Close's and Michelle Williams' outfits.

Glenn wears Stella McCartney and Michelle opted for this cloud dress by Victoria Beckham. 

First of all let me say that i applaud Glenn for taking a risk, she looks so well and I like her trousers but i really don't like the jacket. If she had worn a white blazer with some small blue detailing i think this outfit would look so much better. 

Now onto Michelle, I want to like this dress but i just can't. I get it's supposed to be cute and quirky with the clouds but it doesn't appeal to me at all. I like the shape of the dress with the collar but those clouds ruin it for me.


And it would be rude of me to leave out the lads.

Gary Oldman, Jean Dujardin, Demián Bichir, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

How dapper do these gentlemen look? All of these photos have got me excited and intrigued to see what everyone will be wearing on the big day. I don't think i can choose a favourite look from this event as everyone looked so good. What outfit do you think outshines the others?

All images from different sources found through google image search.

New Look Pretty Pastel Patterns

Went shopping yesterday and popped into New Look. I have quite a love/hate relationship with the shop. Sometimes i'll go in and love loads of clothes and other times i leave dissatisfied. This visit i was pleasantly surprised by what they had. Here's a few pretty spring/summer pieces that i liked:

1. I love this Candy Geo Skater Dress, £22.99. With geometric shapes and bright colours it's perfect for summer. You can wear it with a pair of flat shoes during the day then jazz it up for night with some killer heels and bright lipstick.

2. I am a such a fan of playsuits and this Ditsy Print Peter Pan Collar Playsuit, £22.99 is no exception. The peter pan collar paired with the dainty floral pattern makes for a cute daytime outfit.

3. I can't live without jeans and these Coloured Skinny Jeans, £16.99 are great for those chilly spring days. They come in a variety of pastel shades so you can be covered up yet colourful and are a great choice for those of us who aren't a fans of wearing lots of colour.

4. This Rose Print Chiffon Maxi Skirt £24.99 looks a bit grannyish in the picture but in real life the material is gorgeous. It's flowy texture and floral pattern is fab for summer and for those who want to wear a skirt but also cover their legs.

5. Bird prints were all over the spring/summer 2012 catwalks so this Floral Bird Print Tie Front Top £12.99 is great for trend lovers. It'd look great paired with some denim shorts.

6. Belts are a great way of incorporated splashes of different colours and patterns and can add an extra dimension to an outfit. This Floral Print Belt would look lovely on a pair of denims and for £4.99 you can't really go wrong!

7. Jewellery is another great way to add colour. Sometimes i shy away from colour so bangles like these Bright Floral Print Bangle Set, £6.99 adds a splash of colour to any outfit.

Spring/Summer Statement Shoes

Recently i've become completely obssesed with shoes. Here are some of my faves from the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks.

Smoking hot Prada stilettos.

Shattered mirror at Rocha.

Sophisticated sparkle at Gorgio Armani Prive.

Completely impractical but i do love these McQueens.

Mirror soles at YSL.

Thick heels and solid colours at Celine.

Tattoo inspired shoes at Jean Paul Gaultier.

Animal print and geometric shapes ruled Balenciaga's catwalk.

Cavalli's carved creations.

Strappy, solid, shiny shoes at Bottega Veneta.

Rodarte metallics.

Most shoes were strappy with solid colours, geometric shapes and shiny materials. I think my favourite is a tie between the Prada stilettos and those amazing Cavalli's. What one's caught your eye?

All images courtesy of Vogue.com