Monday, September 13, 2010

Queen V

Victoria Beckham, once famous for her husband and miming skills, is now climbing the fashion ladder one show at a time.

Known primarily for her elegant, minimalist style her collections are clearly inspired by herself! Dresses are the order of the day and each piece is cut to flatter the female form. Last season saw draping as a key feature, and indeed many celebrities were seen draped in VB at various award ceremonies from NYC to LA.

Although first receiving quite harsh criticisms it is now clear that VB is not just a passing fad. Her pieces are timeless and elegant, the styles not fad-orientated. The capsule collections, consisting of a handful of dresses, showcase the quality of fabric and the attention to detail that has become synonimous with this brand.

In short, Long live the Queen!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The new lace

Lace, once associated only with tablecloths and embroidery, is the fabric of the minute!

Stella McCartneys S/S 10 collection featured a number of dresses made solely of lace.
Some may find a pure lace dress difficult to pull off or dress up so in that case I would advise lace accessories.
Lace gloves may once have been seen as slightly Morticia Addams-esque but thanks to the likes of Lady Gaga and Tim Burton's 'Alice', they are the accessory de jour for the fashion forward.

Lace tights or over the knee socks in lace, are both highly accessible. Worn with a plain dress, they transform a regular outfit into one with more interest- they can either dress an outfit up or down depending on the colour or style...

Leap into Spring, embrace the lace!



"Fashions fade, style is forever"

Yves St Laurent

Pretty-in-Pink

The latest collections showcase many pieces in the most delicate shades of pink, nude and oyster.
Flattering to all skintones, nude is the colour of the season.

Nude dresses in floaty chiffons and silks are particularly becoming in the nicer weather. The 2010 Oscars showcased a dress by Atelier Versace, seen on Demi Moore, which is the perfect example. Minimal make-up and a light dressing of jewellery make sure these dresses are a statement piece on their own.

For day-to-day wear, nude cardigans or ballet flats add a delicate touch to any outfit.
Pearls in shades of sugar pink are of the moment and can be picked up very cheaply on the high street.

Nudes can also be paired with another big Spring hit- lace. Stella McCartney produced a range of light-as-air lace dresses in the colour of the minute. Both elegant and versatile, nude is the only thing to be seen in this season!



"Fashions fade, style is forever"

Yves St Laurent

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sailor Stripes

The return of nautical themed womenswear is a welcome distraction from the compulsory S/S florals and pastels!

The striped Breton top, made iconic by the likes of Brigitte Bardot to the modern-day Ashley Olsen, is both elegant and versatile. Worn with a high-waisted black skirt or a pair of well-cut jeans and a string of pearls, the Breton top makes a seamless transition from day to evening.

While this black/white piece is a wardrobe staple for most, versions in grey/black and navy/white provide a fresher take on this key look for Spring. This seasons Chanel Resort collection brought us the nautical theme which was also evident in their line of accessories. The infamous chain-handle Chanel bag was brought up to date with navy and white stripes and a fiery red CC logo.

Although sadly not all of us can afford a Chanel handbag, rest assured that the nautical trend can be found in any store or shop. Striped Vest tops, scarves, necklaces and the Breton top can be added to your wardrobe staples and mixed and matched every which way! One cautionary tip- striped trousers are not for the faint-hearted but for the slim-thighed!


"Fashions fade, style is forever"

Yves St. Laurent

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Socks for Spring/Summer 2010

As seen on the catwalks of both Gaspard Yurkievich and designer-of-the-moment Alexander Wang, socks are officially the new opaques.

Although over the knee socks may be reminiscent of the spoilt teenagers in Clueless, they also give a fresh take on the covered leg. Over the knee socks are guaranteed to funk up any skirt, LBD or LD for that matter. Worn with flats, aviators and a tea dress during the day, these socks give coverage from April showers but give a slight glimpse of skin, reassuring you that Summer is on its way!

Party animals can rest easy knowing that these socks are versatile enough to wear anywhere in the small hours! Mix them up with coloured peep-toes and a plain dress or wear with a statement dress, chain hairband and black shoeboots.

These socks are all over the high street at the minute and River Island have a particularly good selection. Choose from plain black, ribbons, diamantes, patterened and many more.

The combination of socks and the January air may well induce purple skin and goosebumps but never fear, until the sun rears its head these socks can also be worn with tights and knee-high boots. If the boots are brown and the tights black, make sure the socks are a plain colour- grey perhaps- and slouch down around the tops of the boots.


" Fashions fade, style is eternal"
Yves St. Laurent.