Wednesday, July 15, 2009

As you've never seen Kate before.

Friend of Kate Moss, Swedish designer Lovisa Burfitt has the priviledge of being able to see her friend how nobody else does. She has recently created 3 quirky illustrations of the supermodel dressed as a clown, a court jester and as Charlie Chaplin. The illustrations will appear on jersey dresses sold online at my-wardrobe.com

Buyer for my-wardrobe.com, Joanne Watkinson said "Owning a piece from her collection, and it being limited edition, felt like buying a piece of wearable art. The Kate Moss connection made it even more exciting."

Hosiery


Look at some of the fab examples of hosiery for Fall. These look great with all the mini skirts that are about but also - like with Stella McCartney (bottom left) - with calf length skirts. Can't wait to see how the high street interprets these embellished styles.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Balmain handbags.

So the news has just broke the edgiest label in Paris, Balmain are to launch their own handbag collection. WWD has just dished the dirt: Retailers are in Paris for viewings of the pre-collections showing a half dozen styles. Like their clothes, expect a lot of silver, black leather, studs, crystals and fringing.


Miss Watson's wardrobe.

On Sunday, I watched a T4 special on “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.” Footage and interviews with the cast on the red carpet in London left me in awe of Emma Watson's dress. Turns out it was vintage Ossie Clark. 
Emma now has the most enviable wardrobe and has bearly been away from the front rows at Fashion Weeks. Further promoting of the new film saw her wearing Proenza Schouler and Christopher Kane (respectively):
But Emma has spoken plainly about the possibility of fashion overshadowing her career and the idea of celebrity branding: 

“That’s my worst nightmare. First and foremost, I’m an actress. I’m not a designer. If someone asked me to do something that was beneficial to a cause, then maybe I’d consider it, but not just [to be able to say] ‘Look at me! I’ve got my own line!’”

Monday, July 13, 2009

Topshop sells Choolips.

This summer, CHOOLIPS’ fairtrade summer dresses - playful, pretty silhouettes featuring colourful Ghanaian batik prints - will be sold exclusively at Topshop’s Oxford Circus flagship store.

The label offers garments made in Ghana by local batikers, tailors and seamstresses, all of whom earn eleven times the average national wage for their work.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Christian Lacroix Fall '09 Couture

One of the most wearable couture collections Christian Lacroix has ever created, this season's last couture installment was possibly a commercial plee for financial backing. The Lacroix business went into administration and all but 12 workers were laid off. (Due to legal issues, the models had to be paid and were reportedly paid €50 each.) The ateliers loyal to Christian donated their time in order to pull off a collection to follow (though by no means match) the opulent fantasies he has been creating since 1987.

As the whole audience stood in ovation for him walking out with a model donning his bridal creation, Christian (who had personally financed the collection himself) stated, "I didn't want to cry. I want to continue, maybe in a different way, with a small atelier. What I really care about is the women who do this work."
Without access to extravagant hues and embellished materials, he pared the collection back to mainly black and midnight blue (a huge trend when placed together for Fall '09), concentrating on shape and wearability. 

Footwear Fall '09 continued.

"Sandals? In Fall?" I hear you say. But yes, your eyes are not deceiving you so don't pack away your summer ones just yet. Designers have this season taken into consideration that some climates don't require boots. (And yes, that is a sock underneath those sandals so we can no longer cringe at our fathers.)As stated previously, the runway saw lots of new forms and interesting shapes. The "basic" pump was not excluded from this emphasis place on the heels. Shooties are not quite ankle boots and play a strong role in the transition from Spring/Summer to Fall. 
As expected, the ankle boot made its return. Notice the use of cut-out sections and straps which add a bit of sex appeal. As well as this, lace-ups are having their moment again with slight variances in the placement of the laces. I liked the subtle neon pink lace used in the top left example from Paul Smith - a more managable approach to neon brights for Fall.


Footwear Fall '09

This season's footwear is anything but bland, whether studded, crystallised, ruffled or cut out, there are so many new styles to explore.
Possibly the most important style for the upcoming season are the thigh-high boots which were seen all over the runway. I still have a pair of Topshop black suede ones from a couple of years ago although they are flat so no doubt I'll be tempted to invest in a smarter pair. My favourite ones were from Hussein Chalayan, second from the left. 

Designers really went all out when it came to designing the platform and heels this season. It's all about interesting forms and a new spin on giving height including  very vertical needle thin heels.
Black PVC, snake skin and lots and lots of straps. Perhaps a tougher look to the gladiator sandals of Summer. Can't wait to see what the high street has to offer. 

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Urban Outfitters Bike Shop

Design your very own bike with Urban Outfitters! (Unfortunately only in America).

"We assemble custom bicycles based on shared design. We offer component and color selection curated for quality, value and aesthetics. Pick, choose, swap and decide and we'll build it, box it, and ship it out. Built by us and you."

Think Pink

And we thought the Devil Wears Prada was original...