Tribal

A tribal/safari theme was seen all over the Ready-to-wear SS '09 collections and this has evidently been filtering through to the High Street stores. Here are some of the designer labels which are pushing the look.

Louis Vuitton:

DKNY:

(I began to select a few images from all the designers but it turned out there were just too many so here are a few more shots. Top l-r: Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Christopher Kane, bottom l-r: Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Alexander McQueen.)

High Street retailers need to know their customer well in order to successfully interpret catwalk trends. (It might look good to Marc Jacobs but the truth is the typical UK lady will not wear a short grass skirt.) 

Denim galore!

I have been a huge fan of Balmain's last couple of collections. Look at their ripped stone washed jeans (which cost over £1000) and new take on a military  and denim jacket. I want them!

Topshop and Miss Selfridge (see previous post) seem to have been influenced hugely by Balmain's AW '08 collection and now their SS '09 collection. I have my light wash, ripped skinnies from last year so I'll be digging them out but have a look at what Urban Outfitters have just came up with:

I'll be in Glasgow on Saturday so I think I'll go check these out. I wonder if American Apparel will pick up on these...

London Calling.

Last night I got back from my very short trip to London where I met up with my ex flatmate (and long lost love) Kirsty and stayed in her student halls. I didn't get to do much shopping but I did get to look about Spitalfields again and went into the All Saints original store to look at what they're doing with their visual merchandising since my last visit.

Kirsty is doing a Masters in Art at the legendary Central Saint Martins (check out her blog of her amazing work) and it was great to go for dinner with her in SoHo and wander past her new uni.

I also managed to pop along to the impressive Marks & Spencer HQ (below) again where I got to speak to some of their buyers about their Spring Summer '09 trends and the current market. I did a placement during the summer with the Buying teams for Ladies Holiday wear and Leisurewear. The whole experience was amazing and I learned a lot. It was great to even revisit the building and be given the opportunity to work inside the building of the UK's biggest high street retailer. 

My only purchase of the entire trip was this vintage dress but I am so happy with it because it was such a bargain. Bought for £8 just round the corner from the M&S HQ. It looks as if it has been hand made. I don't suit long things because I'm pretty small so I am going to have it taken up. I love the sheer sleeves and the back is a great deal lower than the front. Watch this space for the finished garment.

Mystery catwalk show...

Years ago I cut this image out of a magazine. I remember reading that guests sat at a long white dining table which was then cleared for models to walk down as a runway. I love the chandeliers and the reflected delicacy of the clothing (very appropriate for the upcoming trends for Spring Summer '09).

The only problem is I cut out the image and don't remember whose show this was. If anyone knows let me know because I have searched all over the internet for this.