Payday Purchase

So we're onto Paris and the final week of shows for our previews into whats hot for SS 2012 now, but just a little break to bring you this weeks best purchase.  Anyone who knows be knows that I am a devout blazer wearer, literally I cant think of a single thing that doesn't look better with a blazer, seriously - want to dress up jeans and Converse? Throw on a blazer.  Want to add a little bit of sophistication to that playsuit? Throw on a blazer.  Want to dress down that elegant floor length Grecian gown? Throw on a cropped blazer.  My only criticism is that you cant sleep in them (well if you don't mind the extra dry cleaning bill of course).

After watching one of the girls at bootcamp on X factor wear an electric blue blazer, I went on a man hunt.  Literally every store but nothing was to be found.  I type 'electric blue blazer' into Google and I immediately find this stunning Cobalt Mustang Blazer, at Dorothy Perkins and at only £49, I really think it has earned it's own post!

Buy it here: Dorothy Perkins Cobalt Blue Blazer

Balmain SS 2012

You know the saying 'She rocked that dress'? Balmain have always given it a meaning.  The French Fashion House are well known for being incredibly picky when it comes to lending  their dresses to celebrities, but those to whom they have lent dresses certainly have 'Rocked' them.

This year their collection was no exception.  Whilst slightly less edgy than what we have seen from them previously, this show was by no means any less powerful.  They showed a lot of Aztec prints, denim shirts and full length denim skirts, leather mini dresses, bolero's, and in true Balmain Style, plenty of metallic embellishment.  My favourtie pieces were the jackets with those angular shoulders that the house are so well known for (You wouldn't even know Olivier Rousteing had replaced Christophe Decarnin).

The models were accessorized with stunning boots and hair pulled back so tight it would make those Croydon girls lower their heads in shame.

Balenciaga SS 2012

It was all about power shoulders this years Paris Fashion Week with models walking the catwalk in severely structured garments all with broad shoulders seemingly 'built in'.  The boxy jackets that models donned in the first looks of the show had bright structured panels and seemed to draw focus away from other garments that completed the outfits.

The collection also consisted of several bold printed shirts, some shorts that would make even Kylie Minogue blush and some stunning black jackets and tailored trousers that were made of two different fabrics, for example denim at the front and twill at the back.

The final look was a bit confusing, the models had on some gorgeous midi length skirts, but the hats and colours appeared to make the finale a homage to Darth Vader.  Whilst the fashion piower house's bags are hugely popular with celebrities, I wouldn't expect to see any of this collection on the Red Carpet this season.

Paris Fashion Week

All too soon we're onto the final Fashion Week of 2011, and the one that holds arguably the most well repected brands in the industry, from Chanel and Balenciaga to Celine and YSL, it certainly is a case of last but not least here.

With Kanye West having been confirmed to show his debut collection after collaborations with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Nike, Dior still not confirming who the are replacing Galliano with (Erdem has now been thrown into the mix that previously contained Alber Elbaz, Alaia and hot favourite Marc Jacobs) and the first McQueen collection since designer Sarah Burton designed that wedding dress, this is certainly going to be a week that makes headlines.

The shows I'm most excited to see are:

Wednesday 28th
Limi Feu - 14.00
Rochas - 17.00

Thursday 29th
Balenciaga - 10.00
Balmain - 15.00

Friday 30th
Roland Mouret - 09.00
Lanvin 17.30

Saturday 1st
Viktor & Rolf - 13.30
Kanye West - 21.30

Sunday 2nd
Hermes - 14.00
Givenchy - 20.00


Monday 3rd
Emmanuel Ungaro - 11.00
Vanessa Bruno - 18.00
Yves Saint Laurent - 19.30

Tuesday 4th
Chanel - 10.30
Paul & Joe - 16.30
Alexander McQueen - 19.30

Wednesday 5th
Louis Vuitton - 10.00
Miu Miu - 14.00

Versace SS 2012

Versace has always been known for it's edgy and bold garments and with the designer working closely with Christopher Kane on the brands 'little sister' Versus range and having stated that Gaga is her muse, you'd be forgiven for thinking this collection was going to be even more 'in your face' than usual.

It appeared not to be the case as this collection could be described as the complete opposite.  It featured cutsey leather dresses (although given that tougher edge by being finished with gold studs) muted colours of lilacs and blues and has been described as a 'sea inspired collection'.

Whilst her Versus range seems set to steal the spotlight (Christopher Kane and Donatella Versace - seriously as a fashion minion what more could one wish for) this range is one that Donatella should certainly be given maximum collection for, you could see her in every garment.  When she stepped onto the runway at the end of the show, no one could deny that she looked a-maz-ing in the white leather dress herself.

Payday Purchase

So amongst all the gorgeous-ness that is Milan Fashion Week, I've still found the time to bring you my pick of the week.  I haven't completely decided whether this will be a work coat or a 'walk-through-Tatton-Park-to-see-the-Reindeer-coat' but one thing is for sure, I <3 it!

It is perfect for that androgynous feel that is going to see us through to the next few seasons.  The most important thing about a coat is it's wearbility, and this coat is going to be one that can be kept in the wardrobe for years to come.

It's from Zara and called the 'male Vigore Coat' (what a strapping name, right?) and the best bit, it's only £99.99. So come on, what are you waiting for? Get clicking now!

Buy it here at Zara Male Vigore Coat

Moschino SS 2012

Despite being an Italian brand, Moschino decided to go for a mix of Spanish and Cowgirl theme tonight.  The show started off with the models donning matador-esque hats and mega embellished jackets.  The collection seemed to focus a lot on South America, with plenty of Argentinian style dresses that were light yet covered with ruffles before moving on to the Western look of ponchos and jumpsuits that had a lot of fringing.  the accessories were spot on with the aforementioned toreador hats, chunky gold earrings and floral headpieces that would make the likes of Philip Treacy hang his head in shame.

Prada SS 2012

Miuccia Prada has done this year what she does best, shocked the crowds.  He runway had been transformed into an abandoned car park, and the seats were even foam cars.  Her quirkiness didn't end there, oh no, there were even cars on the clothes.  The kind of prints I would expect my 8 year old nephew to have up on his walls appeared on, what otherwise would have been, some of the most stunning garments.

The collection featured several oversized house coats with feminine circular patterns, some drawn in with belts, others not.  The were a line skirts, pleated skirts, elastic waists and jewelled embellishment. emphasis had had to be on the smaller things at Miucca's latest show though, with shoes that had wings, pleated skirts with flamed hems and pencil skirts with fine applique flowers, all of which show the brands fine attention to detail.

D&G SS 2012

D&G yesterday showed their bold and fruity collection after announcing that this latest show would be the lines last.  The D&G label is to fold into the main line, Dolce and Gabbana, after 17 years to give the duo more 'enerdy' to carry on with future collections.

As final shows go, this was one hell of a way to end.  D&G, the edgier little sister of Dolce & Gabbana was a show full of bright psychedelic colours, fun paisley prints and silk, luxurious fabrics.  Scarves seemed to be the biggest feature of this collection, with them being used as belts,shoe ties, and the first dress even appearing to be made simply of scarves.

The prints clashed slightly, with paisley on leopard on polka dots and even a little denim finishing to some pieces but the colours could be described as nothing more than stunning - there were blues, greens, golds, yellows and reds.  Garments included shorts, knitwear and as always - maxi dresses.

It was a fun and vibrant collection, and one that again appeared to cement the fact that pyjama's are the next big thing.

Iceberg SS 2012

Iceberg kicked off their show with what appeared to be casual knits - if you can call cashmere sweater dresses with sequin embellished faces casual that is.  But that's hardly surprising considering the label started out as a small knitwear company before becoming one of the top choices for the young Milanese metropolitan set.

The show not only featured the stunning cashmere pieces, but also plenty of see-through knits that revealed boob tube tops and string vests.  There were racer back dresses, paneling and some of the most fab shorts I've ever seen.  For the more traditional dressers there were stunning tapered trousers, silk blazers and shoes that make me reminisce to those gorgeous YSL caged shoes that were all over the red carpet not so long ago.

My favourite pieces - the sequin jackets, just perfect.

Alberta Ferretti SS 2012

 

Alberta Ferretti seemed to carry on where London Fashion Week and the likes of David Koma left off with her sheer fabrics and paneled dresses.  She kicked off her collection with a monchrome feel before introducing brighter tones of Coral, Emerald and Fuschia on her paneled dresses which created the geometric look we have seen on many different catwalks so far.

 

She followed on from Gucci with her 20's inspired drop waists and  introduced her tribal prints and earth toned garments, with multi pocketed shirts, knee high skirts, thigh high slits and a whole lot of crochet.  Her garments were light with a lot of silk and chiffon being used, before going onto heavier fabrics for her finale.

It was back to black for her final look of the show, with her beaded evening dresses that were heavy on the top before transforming into a sheer fabric that danced around the legs of the models wearing them.

 

Gucci SS 2012

Italians are known for there ultra luxe but glam way of dressing, and no brand lives up to this reputation more so than Gucci.  Fresh after stealing models and causing a whole heap of problems for the likes of Erdem and Temperly at LFW, the ever complacent Frida Giannini sent her models down the runway in an array of stunning garments that were clearly the perfect choice to open Milan Fashion Week with.

The collection featured a number of totally different looks, that somehow fit together perfectly.  From 70's inspired stripes and animal prints, to androgynous 'bellhop boy' suits to the 1920's inspired drop waist flapper dresses.  The colour was primarily black and gold, with a little green thrown into the mix.

Whilst Giannini may have angered a lot of people back in London with her arrogance, no one can deny her as an asset to the brand and fashion alike.

Moving To Milan

We're halfway through our month of Spring Summer 2012 shows now, and just as London ends, my favourite (well after London obvs..) begins.  Today see's the beginning of Milan Fashion Week.  This is one of my favourites for the nostalgia it brings me.  Not because I have ever been to Milan or have any sentimental reasons, but simply because of my memories of the brands that are being shown there.

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows how close I am to my big sister Sam (literally I write this with aching hands as I have just spent 50 minutes massaging her shoulders and arms).  Sam moved away before I was even ten, so I don't have as many memories with her as I do my brothers, however few of those that I do have centre around her clothes.

You look at her now, all sophisticated and elegant, but back then she was into Jungle music and used to go to raves with friends, she wore what I remember her referring to as 'crazy mosh' clothing (what I now know to be Moschino) and always had wacky trousers in bright colours.  Even then I remember sneaking into her room and putting on her jackets when she was at work, and whilst fashion then was very different to what it is now, she was still way ahead of the trends.

When I was about 11 she came down with a bag of hand me downs for me.  My first Versace trousers! They were an aqua blue colour, with bright pink flowers and a cheetah print.  I remember I would wear them with a white cotton Armani top she gave me, but wear the top so that the badge of the jeans would show.  This was over a decade ago, so I'm not too proud to admit that, but it is a happy memory for some reason, and even then all I wanted was to be like my big sister.

For this reason I look forward to Milan Fashion Week, I love seeing what the likes of Versace, Gucci and Moschino come up with as whilst they might not be as popular as they have been previously, I kind of feel like they are brands that have grown up with me and my sister, and like us, have evolved into much better versions of their younger selves.

My top shows to watch...

Wednesday 21st September
Gucci - 14.00
Alberta Ferretti - 17.00

Thursday 22nd September
D&G - 14.00
Prada - 18.00

Friday 23rd September
Moschino - 9.30
Iceberg - 15.00
Versace - 19.00

Saturday 24th September
Emporio Armani - 10.30
Emilio Pucci - 20.00
Moschino Cheap & Chic - 20.30

Sunday 25th September
Dolce & Gabbana - 14.00
Versus - 20.30

Monday 26th September
Giorgio Armani - 10.30

Menswear Roundup @ LFW SS 2012

Whilst the four fashion weeks are what determine the trends us females will all be wearing the following season, it isn't so easy for men.  Designers show their collections in Februrary and September, the high street imitates, and we start wearing. Whilst most of us cant afford designer prices, we still get a rough idea of what will be in trend for the coming seasons, and can begin to prepare. Men have no fashion week, and much fewer magazines, therefore are at a slight disadvantage.

The British Fashion Council have changed this, and the final day of LFW was devoted to a day of menswear shows.  There were around 20 in all, and all finished before Milan kicked off.  My favourite were:

Oliver Spencer

Having launched his own label in 2002, Oliver Spencer's designs have always had that feel of traditional British tailoring.  His clothes are increasingly popular with male celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Jason Statham (he came to public attention after being hired by Guy Ritchie as costume designer for the film Snatch).  This year he went that step further and introduced, arguably, one of his most fashion forward collections yet.

His collection was inspired by 'French Mods' according to his show notes and featured some beautiful pieces.  He introduced a lot of colours, from crimson to electric blue, even some terracotta buttons to finish.  He cut the ends off of trousers and the sleeves off of jackets and used a lot of layering to bring the right texture to his looks.  

With his first footwear store having opened in London this year, a key focus was made of the shoes his models wore, which featured everything from desert boots to loafers.

 

Topman Design

You would think that with these looks being for Spring/Summer 2012 that the mens collections with significantly feature sportswear, you know with the Olympics coming, but that was not the case and the Topman Design show couldn't have been further apart from the Sportswear look if it tried.

No instead it was all about the 1970's with plaid shirts, pyjama looking trousers and shirts and shoes with largely exaggerated tassels and shorts that I'm sure even Kitty from The Xfactor would be embarrassed to look at, seriously, think Bruce Jenner on the track - actually that's the slight sportswear influence I guess...

 

 

Aquascutum

Finally my favourite of the menswear.  Now I'm not one of those girls who dreams of her wedding day, I'm one of those people who just can't see herself settling down forever in the way that has been dictated to us by traditional values.  If I was to change my mind and want to get married, it would be for a man who dressed like this.

Considering the brand formed with the vision to create a stylish protection from the rain, they've not half done well.  This year focused on immaculate tailoring in neutral colours, with cool blues, beiges and blacks.  My favourite piece had to be the trench - a piece not men could pull off, but those who do, do so fabulously, Chuck Bass anyone??