Search Results for “Christopher Kane”

Who said coloured jeans were dead? Here are our faves!

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Last Summer, the colour blocking trend saw us sporting bright hues all over. Even the humble jean got a colourful makeover, with bright jeans becoming one of summer 2011’s biggest hits. Then, as the evenings drew in and the colder months arrived, we swapped our crayola-coloured jeans for the more autumn-appropriate colour combinations of  trusty dark denims. But alas, now the spring/summer collections are set to return and so too, we’re pleased to announce, is the bright jean! This season, the bright jean is back, this time in pretty pastels and fabulous fluros,with everything from the trusty skinny jean to the seventies flare sporting a splash of colour. Blooming brilliant, we say! From Topshop’s ultra-flattering high waist peppermint Jaime jeans to Christopher Kane’s fantastic neon transformation of the classic pair of J Brands, we’ve selected our favourite bright jeans of the new season: Topshop high waist peppermint Jaime jeans, £40, available from Topshop. J Brand Shocking Pink Mid Rise Skinny, £205, available from my-wardrobe.com. J Brand/Christopher Kane Martini Skinny Flare Jeans, £245, available from My-Theresa.com.   Ag Highlight Blue Stilt Jeans, £165, available from Matches. Joseph orange stretch leather jeans, £745, available from my-wardrobe.com.

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5 spring trends we absolutely adore!

by on 20th October 2013 0 comments

Soon all the January sales will have finished and our favourite stores will suddenly be awash with new collections. However, it is sometimes hard to know exactly what and what we should be looking out for in the forthcoming season. Thankfully, help is at hand as MFL is here to end all your trend-forecasting woes. Here are top five spring trends- they are the ones we love, the ones we will be following and the ones you should too! PASTELS If there is one trend see in abundance on the catwalk at the last fashion weeks, it was creamy pastels. Pale lemon, mint green, candy pink and baby blue all featured heavily. Take the icy pastel blues at Christopher Kane and the ultra pale lemons at Carolina Herrera for inspiration. Ease yourself into the trend by adding a pastel piece to your wardrobe- a pale pink sweater or mint green bag for example.   FLORALS Yes they pop up every year, but this time round florals are bigger than ever. Erdem’s classic blue florals drew admiring glances all round, while Valentino’s monochrome blooms took a fresh approach to the trend. It is a simple trend to wear and might even be one you have in your wardrobe. Pair that floral tea dress with a candy coloured cardigan for ultimate fashion kudos. VINTAGE AMERICANA One of our absolute favourite trends this season was the Vintage Americana look which steamrolled in at the last shows. We mean, did you see Prada’s cute a quirky car print motifs?! Jil Sander also followed suit with retro blue and white gingham. One of the more daring trends but that’s part of the appeal! BOLD PRINTS If you are going to do prints this season, make sure they are big, bold and brash! Take a look at […]

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Our guide to shopping the Christmas sales

by on 22nd December 2011 0 comments

Some of you will be so wrapped up in Christmas presents this morning you’ll have barely remembered the Boxing day sales have started… who are we kidding? Any seasoned shopper worth her wardrobe will have set her alarm especially early this morning to sift out the savviest steals the stores have got to offer! But a sale should never be approached without a thorough plan of what’s worth stashing up on and what’s not worth the 15-people queue, and since you’ve been so busy buying presents and preparing the turkey, we’ve made one for you. With tips on what’s worth its weight in gold and what to avoid at all costs, follow our steps below to the do’s and don’t’s of Christmas sale shopping… DO buy anything floral. It’s a perennial favourite that’ll prove super versatile come spring. DON’T buy rich, boozy colours. We may have gulped them up this winter, but come next season we’ll be looking for a brighter beverage. DO buy into neon. A hot pink tee here, a fluro-striped skirt there – it’s spring’s favourite fad, and since you won’t be wearing them forever, it makes sense to snap them up cheap. DON’T buy jewel tones. Autumn loves a deep, punchy palette, but next season’s all about the softer shades. On that note, DO buy pastels for reasons above. DON’T buy heritage tweeds. Tailoring comes much softer next spring, and unless you’re a country bumpkin, it’s time to pack away the posh past. DO buy pleated skirts. We saw them everywhere from Celine to Burberry, making them spring’s key skirt shape. DON’t buy Dalmatian print. Autumn might have loved this trend, but next season there’s not a dog’s dot in sight. DO buy anything striped, especially bottoms. Pyjama pants are spring’s soft alternative to tailored trousers. […]

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Top stories this week: Marni for H&M, Stella’s star-studded Christmas Light Switch On and have a sneak peek at Alexa’s new show!

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

H&M announce collaboration with Marni H&M get us all excited about another quite frankly amazeballs designer collaboration – this time with Marni. We’ll definitely be queuing up for this one! Read more here! Stella’s Star-studded Christmas light switch on Where would you find a Beatle, a Spice Girl and a Supermodel? It can only be at Stella McCartney’s annual Christmas Light switch on. Want to hear what Jennifer Saunders aka Edina Monsoon from Ab Fab had to say about Kate Moss? Read more here! Alexa’s new show When she’s not Front Row at the Shows looking absolutely adorable in anything from Christopher Kane to an old pair of dungarees (yes, she’s the only one who can pull that off!), what else does Alexa Chung do? Well she makes TV shows, of course! Want a sneak peak of her new offering, 24 hour catwalk? Yes, we thought you might! Read more here! On the first day of Christmas… Pinch, punch! This week saw the beginning of December, and of course, the launch of our 12 days of Christmas competition. Make sure you enter each day for your chance to win our array of festive treats from Reiss, Selfridges and a whole lot more! Read more here! Amy Winehouse Dress auctions for £43,000 An unquestionable legend of our generation, this week saw Amy Winehouse’s white dress worn on her Back to Black album cover sell for over £43,000, raising money for the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Read more here! Our Ed’s Christmas Picks Attention all savvy shoppers: there are just over 20 shopping days left until Christmas! Looking for gift inspiration? Then look no further: our Editor picks her top festive gifts. Read more here!

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BFAs 2011: the best dressed

by on 29th November 2011 0 comments

Awards ceremonies are famed for focusing on the outfits of the celebrity guests just as much as the winners of the big prizes themselves, which was very much the case for last night’s British Fashion Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London. Most of the guests in attendance paid homage to British designers, which was after all, what the whole evening was about. We imagine the celebs agonised twice as much over their wardrobe choices, as they knew they would be judged even more than usual… and they weren’t wrong. We’ve put all the guests under the microscope and picked out our ten best dressed from the evening. We have to say, the decision was difficult, as most of the attendees pulled their wardrobe choices out the bag and didn’t disappoint. In no particular order, here’s our cream of the crop: Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham   Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney   Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane   Olivia Palermo in Matthew Williamson   Tali Lennox in Mulberry   Kristen McMenamy in Alexander McQueen   Georgia May Jagger in Julien Macdonald   Poppy Delevigne in Matthew Williamson   Amber Le Bon in Peter Pilotto   Laura Bailey in Burberry  

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All the winners of last night’s British Fashion Awards (plus what everyone wore) right here!

by on 29th November 2011 0 comments

Hosted by George Lamb and Lauren Laverne, last night’s British Fashion Awards at London’s Savoy Hotel received a star-studded turn out, with guests including BFC Ambassador Samantha Cameron, as well as Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Colin Firth and even Stateside celebs siuch as Kate Hudson, Olivia Palermo and Marc Jacobs (who, by the way, is officially not taking the creative director job at Christian Dior!) 

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Lunchtime buy: J Brand Oxblood red leather legging

by on 8th November 2011 0 comments

What do you get when you mix an experienced high-end denim manufacturer and a stylist? The hottest jean label around, that’s what! Created by Jeff Rudes and Susie Crippen, J Brand has been the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to well fitted and stylish denim for a while now. The label has also just announced an exciting collaboration with Christopher Kane, which has further endorsed its reputation as the most fashion savvy denim brand around. So, when we spotted these oxblood red leather leggings, we knew we were onto a winner. They may have quite a hefty price tag, but the quality of the leather, the simply stunning shade of red and the guaranteed immaculate J Brand trademark fit make this pair of leggings an investment for life. Pair with this season’s sleek pencil heels and a silk shirt for the hottest workwear ensemble, or wear them with a chunky knit and ankle boots for a rock and roll edge. We can’t wait to paint the town! J Brand Oxblood Red Leather Legging, £875, available at my-wardrobe.

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10 beauty looks we loved from London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

If there’s one place you can guarantee a designer’s look will extend all the way to their face, it’s London Fashion Week. Whether it’s Vivienne Westwood smudging rainbow colours across their cheeks or Erdem allowing them to remain romantically natural, here the models don’t just wear a look, they work it. And so, it’s only fair that we dedicate a little attention to best beauty looks we spied at London’s spring 2012 shows. Below, behold the 10 beauty looks we loved from London Fashion Week – and hey, why wait ’til next spring to try ’em? We can’t wait to give these a go now. Rose-bitten lips at Erdem Why: Who could resist this undone, romantic look? Wine-stained lips at Giles Why: Similar to Erdem’s but a little naughtier, we love the one-glass-too-many look (not least because we can guzzle a glass of wine without guilt). Elfin au naturale at Christopher Kane Why: Plain has never looked so pretty. Modern Forties smokiness at Marios Schwab Why: A cool update on the always-favourite smoky eye. Bright popping lips at Mary Katrantzou Why: Modern, fresh and simple – we’re loving Katrantzou’s popping pink and orange lips. We’re quite fond of the blue, too (even if they do look a little frozen). Colour craziness at Vivienne Westwood Why: Ok, so we might not actually try this one, but how fun does it look? Candy-floss streaks in Sixties bouffants at Mulberry Why: Volumised Sixties ‘dos are updated with candy-coloured streaks in pale pink, lemon and blue. Glitter-smudged eyes and dark berry lips at Ashish Why: The perfect disco eyes? We think so! The Nineties dark lips are a great way to make party makeup look cool, too. Strong metallic eyes and muted lips at Todd Lynn Why: Fresh and futuristic. We love the blue, […]

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10 things we loved at London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Once the chaos has calmed down on London’s cobbles and we’ve decided on our favourite shows, we like to have a sift back through the snaps to find the hidden highlights that we missed first time around. Perhaps it’s the way crushed crystals caught the light, the way light-as-air fabrics billow in the wind or just a closer look at the eye-popping prints we can’t get out of our head. We’ve scouted everything from need-them-now shoes to hot head-to-toe looks to bring you those must-see moments from the past five days. Take a look at the 10 things we loved at London Fashion Week… Nicholas Kirkwood shoes at Peter Pilotto Burberry’s murky lime-yellow beaded coat Laser-cut leather at Giles Intricate embellishment at Christopher Kane Flower-embroidered clutch bags at Christopher Kane Pin-clamped ponytails at Todd Lynn Modern Sixties eyes at Marios Schwab The most three dimensional trompe l’oeil prints we’ve ever seen at Mary Katrantzou Striped fluro flower fields at Mary Katrantzou Perfect rose-bitten lips at Erdem Images: Harper’s Bazzer; catwalking.com; Vogue UK; Cosmopolitan UK

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Our five favourite shows from London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

So London Fashion Week has wound down to a close, and boy is there a lot to take in. From Christopher Kane’s sophisticated space-age to Burberry’s wintry wonderland and Giles’ dramatic swans, we’ve witnessed some incredible collections from our home-grown guys this season, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than sitting back with a cuppa and reliving every moment. After a thorough morning spent sifting through reels of show photos, we’ve picked our favourite five collections from London Fashion Week that had us ohh-ing and ahh-ing from start to finish. See who made our cut below… Christopher Kane Why: From silver-embroidered leather mini dresses to crushed glass encrusted mini skirts, there’s not a piece we wouldn’t wear from Christopher Kane’s spring 2012 collection. Peter Pilotto Why: It’s sporty scuba meets exotic elegance, where eye-popping prints look like they’ve come straight from the ocean via a walk through the tropical jungle. Michael van der Ham Why: In what’s only his third season showing on-schedule, Michael van der Ham is competing with the big boys next spring with his exquisite patch-work prints strategically strewn across beautifully draped dresses and slinky silk separates. Giles Why: There are no words for Giles. From fabulously futuristic metallic leather to couture-esque show-stopping gowns accessorised with fully-feathered, glitter-beaked swan hats, every moment of Giles’ spring 2012 show had us gasping. Margaret Howell Why: For all the drama of other shows that Margaret Howell’s collection lacked, its simplicity was all the more stunning. Easy, wearable, elegant designs that are both pretty and practical for spring – if we could only wear one collection next season, this would be it.

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Glow in the dark denim: do you dare?

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Denim can never be praised enough. It’s fashion’s most loved staple, with an evergreen presence and the advantage of being the only item of clothing which looks increasingly beautiful with each wear. Being fashion’s chameleon means a constant overhaul for this beloved fabric; be it sequins and safety pins á la Balmain or a high-waisted and flared Seventies affair as copiously witnessed last season. But having seen the well-behaved and sexed-up guises of denim, nothing quite matched the reaction evoked in us by the outlandish invention from cult denim label Naked & Famous. Hailing from Toronto, Naked & Famous specialise in ‘rare and raw Japanese denim’, and if the Far East is anything to go by for introducing innovative techniques and trailblazing trends, Naked & Famous have excelled. The Canadian label, you see, brings us glow in the dark jeans. Injecting a bit of Christopher Kane’s Princess Margaret on acid into the emblem of contemporary dressing is a brave feat. Although we’re not rushing to sideline our J Brand favourites just yet, the concept of seeing somebody – all hips gyrating to Swedish House Mafia – in a club, donning a pair of these fluorescent fancies dipped in glow in the dark resin coating is most definitely a novel concept. The catch? They’re only available for men at the moment, but if this season’s androgynous trend is anything to go by, you can definitely justify stealing them from your guy. And for the art enthusiasts among us who wish to invest in a timeless piece, a few wears into the Naked & Famous creation and you’ll begin to notice wear patterns as the coating fades in certain areas, leaving you the proud artist and owner of a custom pair. Convinced yet?

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AW11 Trend Recap: Arresting Jewel Tones & Spellbinding Prints and Patterns

by on 20th October 2013 0 comments

Jewel Tones Deeply exotic gemstone hues replace last season’s bold fixation. Christopher Kane neon’s; seriously citrus and cerise hues and intense colour blocking have matured into glamorous, deep set jewel tones. With an emphasis on unadulterated opulence, varying textures beautifully contrasted in emerald at Emilio Pucci and Diane Von Furstenberg. Garnet garnered serious attention at Celine and Marc Jacobs, whilst citrine set the scene for the months ahead at Bottega Veneta and Valentino. Judging by this palette, it’s unsurprising then that the perennial LBD may just be sidelined in favour of its mystery evoking, colourful counterpart. Print & Pattern If you thought Prada and Stella McCartney’s madcap prints were the ghosts of season past, think again. Prints continued their haunting this season, minus the monkey business. The autumn/winter catwalks painted a sumptuous display of ornate artistry and a nod to ceramics, as designers took inspiration from precious objects of art. With an leaning towards wearable luxury – a continuing theme this season – swirls, motifs and tapestry-infused prints took centre stage at Etro, Mary Katrantzou and Viktor & Rolf, with a rather grown-up take on an unusual favourite: spots, as played out at Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs.  Last season’s ditsy florals have bloomed and are even more impactful as seen at Paul Smith and Jil Sander. The key to this trend: be as decorative as you dare.

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AW 11 Trend Recap: Romanticised Fetish & Subtle Androgyny

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Fetish If bold hues and saturated prints sent your pulses racing during spring/summer 2011, brace yourself and prepare to be doused in the sexier side of fashion. Fetishism’s were a seductively tantalising visual for autumn/winter 2011, as we saw designers so skilfully display the romanticised side of this extreme ‘sport’ into their collections. Sweet nothings were whispered at Christopher Kane, Dior and Louis Vuitton with delicate sheer inserts contrasted against stark black, whilst a lacier affair delighted at Lanvin and Antonio Berardi. But this bondage inspired look wouldn’t be complete without a touch of slick black PVC and leather as seen at Etro and Ralph Lauren. If innuendo were a dress, this would be it. Androgyny They may be impossible to live with, but the boys are being generous this season and letting us borrow from their wardrobes. Nothing brought a more mastered masculine touch than autumn/winter 2011’s softly-softly take on sharp tailoring. Injected with sexy, feminine accents in the form of sparkly trousers at Michael Kors and plunging necklines at Balmain and Chanel, tuxedos were the template. Totally transformed, with embellished lapels at Dolce & Gabbana; cropped tux jackets at The Row; rounded tailcoats at Moschino and a prevalently monochrome palette; this really is the best of both worlds.

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Top stories this week: Angelina’s Vuitton campaign, Emma Watson’s US Vogue cover, Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory video and MORE!

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

First Look: Angelina Jolie’s Louis Vuitton campaign After much speculation, Angelina Jolie is the new face of Louis Vuitton – and the luxury label released her first ‘Core Values’ campaign this week. Shot in Cambodia – where she adopted son Maddox – by Annie Leibovitz, Ange sits bare-footed on a wooden boat, next to her own monogrammed tote of six years. Read more here! Lily Allen’ wear wedding dress by Delphine Manivet and reveals she’s pregnant Last Saturday saw Lily Allen tie the knot with beau Sam Cooper – and not in a Chanel wedding dress. Lily stunned in a cleverly constructed lace empire gown from Parisian designer Delphine Manivet. Clever, we say, as it was designed to conceal her slight pregnancy bump. New hubby Sam revealed the exciting news that Lily’s expecting at the wedding breakfast. Read more here! WATCH: Lady Gaga’s new Edge of Glory video Lady Gaga is back again with her new and surprisingly stripped-back video for new single, Edge of Glory. No dance routine, no mob of monsters, and only two outfit changes; we won’t ruin the surprise totally, so check the video out for yourself here! Emma Watson stars as US Vogue’s July cover girl Worth a staggering £20million, and probably the most successful 21-year-old walking the earth’s surface right now, Emma Watson has truly fulfilled her star purpose – by landing US Vogue’s July cover. Wearing a stunning dress from Prada’s autumn/winter 2011 collection and dramatically dark lips, this appearance firmly marks her position as a fashionable force to be reckoned with across the pond. Read more here! Natalie Portman gives birth to a baby boy! Natalie Portman and fiancé Benjamin Millepied have become proud parents to a beautiful baby boy after the actress gave birth earlier this week. Details of the baby’s name, […]

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British fashion reigns at the Met Ball

by on 3rd May 2011 0 comments

For an event that usually champions the best of American fashion, last night’s Met Ball saw a surprising amount of stars wearing gowns from British designers. Perhaps it was a nod towards last night’s honouree, the late Alexander McQueen, who’s life and work was celebrated in an accompanying exhibition, Savage Beauty, or maybe the world hasn’t quite recovered from royal wedding fever just yet – but either way, the Brits ruled the red carpet. Dressing the most celebs was Stella McCartney – also clad in her own label – who decked out an impressive 14 stars in her dresses (save a jumpsuit for Iman), including Rihanna, Naomi Watts, Eva Mendes, Maggie Gyllenhaal and BFFs Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Thandie Newton and Madonna. Also high up on the most-spotted list was, unsurprisingly, Alexander McQueen. Sarah Burton wore a white dress by her own design to honour her friend and mentor, while Daphne Guinness, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Coco Rocha, Anna Dello Russo, Karen Elson, Racquel Zimmerman and Salma Hayek and Sarah Jessica Parker all paid tribute to the designer. And the list of Brits doesn’t stop there – Erdem dressed Lily Donaldson in a floor-length navy lace gown, Burberry bagged Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to wear a satin rose gown and nude python clutch, and Alexa Chung wore new-season Christopher Kane. Stay tuned for our round-up of the best and worst dressed from last night’s Met Ball.

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Deal of the day: French Connection Libby lace top

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

The catwalk was awash with ladylike trends for spring, one of the best being luxe-looking lace. As seen at Christopher Kane and Erdem, lace can be both super-feminine when paired with florals or pastels, or can check all your cool boxes when with styled with neon brights. No longer the staple of bridal parties, lace is right for all occasions this summer, and French Connection has got the trend spot on with their Sixties-inspired Libby lace top, available in cream and navy. For super sweet chic, pair with slim trousers and chunky heels and minimal make up for a modern take on the timeless material. Our favourite is the beautiful soft cream version, but we love the navy when glammed up for evening or toughened with sharp accessories. However you wear it this summer, one thing is for sure – everyone loves lace. French Connection Libby lace top, £70, available at French Connection. BUY NOW!

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What do you love about British fashion?

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Cancer Research UK is hosting its debut fashion event – curated by Henry Holland, no less – this month, where the biggest names in the industry will gather for the charity’s first-of-its-kind event to celebrate British fashion and raise money for gynaecological cancers. Called Debut, the event will also host an exhibition where a seriously covetable collection of goodies donated by some of fashion’s favourite faces will be up for auction. A Kate Moss for Longchamp bag designed by the super specifically for the event, a red bondage Christopher Kane dress from his debut SS07 collection and a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood shoes worn by Sarah Jessica Parker are just a few of the pieces on offer on March 24th – we know, right? To get involved and show your support for the cause, Henry and Cancer Research UK are asking you what you love about British fashion. Do you love its eccentricity? Its diversity? Its legacy? Whatever your reason, let us know what you love about British fashion in the comments box below to become a part of this fantastic campaign. Visit debutevent.org for more information.

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AW11 trend report

by on 20th October 2013 0 comments

We haven’t even started wearing our spring strings yet and already everyone’s talking about autumn – we don’t blame them, though, good things are coming to a closet near you next season. If you want to stay ahead of the frolic (and let’s face it, it’s no fun coming last), we’ve rounded up the hottest trends from the autumn/winter 2011 runways that you won’t want to miss. Stay psyched, we’ll be wearing them sooner than we’d like to admit… Spots Marc Jacobs, David Koma, Stella McCartney Go dotty, literally, for spots and circles next autumn as anything round rules the runway – perennial polkas and Dalmatian drops included. Marc Jacobs layered spotted separates and accessories, David Koma couldn’t resist adding pom poms and Stella McCartney’s laser-cut circles became infectious. Colour Jaeger, Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders Good news if you’re a partial to a colour pop, the autumn runways picked up where spring stopped and sent a riot of colour to rival a rainbow. Reds add a contemporary edge to classic camels while vivid primary pops break up black and brighten warm autumnal shades. Monochrome Julien Macdonald, Giles, Louis Vuitton Not braving the bold? Try black and white, instead. When colour wasn’t clattering the catwalk, monochrome was making just as much of an impact, especially at Julien Macdonald where signature jewel shades were swapped for gothic blacks and at Giles and Louis Vuitton where bondage-style straps took the darkside to the depths of dominatrix. Texture Marni, Aquascutum, Fendi If you’re partial to sequins, suede and fur, here’s your chance to wear it all at once. Texture is all or nothing next season and more, as they say, is more. Sumptuous silks, soft fur, lace and leather team together for a luxe look, tweeds and knits offer a smattering of the countryside, […]

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Introducing our LFW competition winners

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

You may remember last week we had a little competition to give two of you the chance to become fashion week reporters for us at London Fashion Week this season – well, we had masses of entries, and as much as we wish we could take you all, we can’t. We can however, take our two winners, so without further ado let us introduce to you our two new fashion week reporters: Hannah Grant and Stephen Hockaday. Congratulations, guys! They’ll be joining us at London Fashion Week as of today to help bring you the front row gossip and chatter from the cobbles as it happens, but before they do that, we thought it’d be fun to find out a little bit about them. Name: Hannah Grant Age: 27 Home city: Wellington, New Zealand, but London is my favourite home away from home. Favourite designer: Too many to choose from but to narrow it down…Christopher Kane, Balmain, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Acne Favourite spring trend: Definitely the Little White Dress Dream occupation: Fashion stylist at Vogue 3 things you love about London: The eclectic nature of London culture, especially fashion – the constantly evolving micro trends, the ability to look crazy but never out of place. The vast array of antique and vintage markets. A red velvet cupcake from Hummingbird Bakery – simply divine. Something people don’t know about you: I had an unfashionable obsession with flares for a good part of my life – hence why I’m super excited about the Seventies vibe that’s infiltrated this season’s trends so I can bring them back to life. Name: Stephen Hockaday Age: 21 Home city: Doncaster Favourite designer: Meadham Kirchhoff Favourite spring trend: the Seventies revival Dream occupation: Freelance journalist being paid a wad of cash for a paragraph. 3 things you […]

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SS11 trend recap: plisse pleats and sheer lace delight

by on 20th October 2013 0 comments

It’s Friday, and we’re in love. Yes, we do happen to be listening to the Cure, but Robert Smith’s not the only romantic round here – where spring’s concerned, romance is rife. To mark the last day in our SS11 trend recaps, we’re embracing next season’s ethereal edge and looking to pretty ballerina-inspired pleats and lashings of peek-a-boo lace to get us through the afternoon with sheer sweet delight. Plisse pleats L-R: Chloe, Lanvin, Richard Nicoll From skater to box to plisse, pleats rule the roost this spring. The perfect lightweight finish to full, floaty skirts, look for flippy shapes that skim the knee, mid-lengths that swing at your calves, or long lines that sweep the floor for full-on romance . Take sartorial inspiration from Chloe‘s soft ballet-inspired skirts, Lanvin‘s billowing leg-flashers and Richard Nicoll‘s pretty pleated playsuits. Sheer lace delight L-R: Erdem, Dolce & Gabbana, Christopher Kane If it’s worth seeing next spring, it’s worth seeing through. Lace is back for SS11, but its delight this time around is in its sheer diversity – quite literally. From frilly white shirt dresses at Erdem to stunning floor-sweeping wedding cast-offs at Dolce & Gabbana, lace embraces next season’s luxe romantic feel with an etheral edge. Looking to offset the girliness? Get your direction from Christopher Kane, who balanced feminine shapes with popping acid neons. [Images: Style.com]

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SS11 trend recap: rainbow brights and playful prints

by on 20th October 2013 0 comments

So it’s the end of January, it’s cold, it’s miserable – but something warmer is already on our doorstep. Yep, the first signs of spring have started to show – that is, the first offerings from the SS11 collections are beginning to trickle into stores – and with bright colour pops, plisse pleats and playful prints aplomb, there’s plenty to snap you out of your end of season depression. With that in mind, we’re here to recap the hottest trends for SS11 to keep you one step ahead of the crowd – and weather – and kick-starting spring style today is something guaranteed to to brighten the dullest Monday mood… Rainbow brights L-R: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, Christopher Kane Colour in spring is no new thing, it has to be said, but we can’t remember a season that’s embraced it in such an explicit way for a long time. From bold block-colour stripes at Marc by Marc Jacobs to off-the-cuff colour clashes at Jil Sander, rainbow brights are having their hey day – and the best part? It doesn’t matter if they’re neon-acid shades or sweet honeysuckles, so long as it makes a vibrant splash. Playful prints L-R: Erdem, Prada, Giles Never mind a hop, skip and a jump – spring’s playful prints are a whole school yard away from last season’s minimalism. Opt for feminine florals a la Erdem or go bananas (literally, if you’re a Prada fan) for loud abstract prints in eye-catching colours – anything and everything goes. Want to make a serious statement? Take direction from Giles and mix and match your prints for a cool clash that’s fun and fresh. [Images: Style.com]

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BFC announce Fashion Forward winners

by on 14th January 2011 0 comments

It’s nice to know young aspiring British talent isn’t going unnoticed, and with that in mind you’ll be pleased to hear the British Fashion Council has just announced that the three designers that have won this year’s Fashion Forward sponsorship – Meadham Kirchoff, Peter Pilotto and Todd Lynn. The award will give all three hot young things the funding to showcase their collections for two seasons at London Fashion Week this February and September and helps provide access to build their burgeoning businesses into a fashion empire – a pretty big scoop, non? “This year’s Fashion Forward recipients are an incredible group of designers, watched each season by the world’s media and buyers as they build their brands,” says Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council. “I am excited to see what the year ahead will bring for Edward, Ben, Peter, Chris and Todd and the collections that they will be showcasing at next month’s London Fashion Week. I thank our sponsors Coutts & Co and the London Development Agency for their continued support.” And the winners have got some pretty big fashion shoes to fill with the likes of Christopher Kane, Giles Deacon and Erdem all previously scooping the highly-coveted prize since its set up five years ago. “We are both pleased to have been awarded Fashion Forward,” Edward Meadham and Ben Kirchoff said. “It is so important that young talent is appropriately supported in this industry and Fashion Forward gives us the opportunity to further develop our work in a relevant manner.” Congratulations to all three!

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Party dresses under £100: Topshop cut-out ruched dress

by on 7th November 2010 0 comments

In a gorgeous regal red (the colour of the festive season, might we add) Topshop’s cut-out dress is the perfect ultra modern yet elegant number for the party season. We love the contrast between the delicate skirt and the edgy cut-out panels – reminiscent of a certain Christopher Kane-designed Versus dress, no less – and the ruched detailing at the chest adds a subtly feminine touch to the upper body. Pair with tough towering heels and an embellished clutch for an effortless evening look this party season, and to top it off, add a leather jacket to crank up the girly-cool contrast. Cut-out Side Ruched Dress, £50, available at Topshop. BUY NOW!

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Leighton Meester in Versus

by on 9th September 2010 0 comments

It’s one of the most highly anticipated fashion events of the season, and Tuesday night at Fashion’s Night Out in New York it was Gossip Girl Leighton Meester who made quite the statement. The actress chose to go for the daring approach in a cutaway electric blue Versus corset dress (courtesy of Christopher Kane, no less), and pairing it with Christian Louboutin shoe-boots, Leighton’s look oozed cool attitude. But what with the creme de la creme attending the show at Fashion’s Night Out, including Vogue editrix Anna Wintour, we can’t help but feel that Leighton’s racy approach didn’t quite pay off next to the more elegant of outfits.

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Fashion’s Night Out 2010

by on 9th September 2010 0 comments

With one hell of a challenge to better last year’s first Fashion’s Night Out, London played host to a huge shopping extravaganza yesterday evening for its part of the global initiative, proving to be more successful than ever – despite the drizzle.

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Weekly Round-up

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Watch Lady Gaga’s directorial debut, find out Christopher Kane’s favourite places, and which brand is designing for transvestites?… Lady Gaga makes her directorial debut on SHOWstudio’s website with a short film about the storm of publicity surrounding her (we say film, it’s more of a pocket-cam moment) – Grazia Valentino’s got a new prodigy, Mackenzie Drazan – and she’s only 15 – the Cut Ever wonder where the cool kids of fashion hang out? Well, here’s a peek inside Christopher Kane’s little black book – Telegraph Be & D is taking the military trend to a whole new level with its camouflage tote – Purseblog Here’s taking androgynous dressing to a whole new level – Acne has teamed up with Candy magazine to create a collection for cross-dressers and transvestites – Vogue UK

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British Fashion Awards 2010: the nominees

by on 2nd September 2010 0 comments

We can’t quite believe it’s that time of year again already, but the nominees are in for this year’s fashion Oscars – the British Fashion Awards 2010. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at who’ll be battling it out for their titles at the ceremony on December 7th…

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Lunchtime buy: Something Else Shattered Print Short

by on 31st August 2010 0 comments

Painterly prints have evolved from cutesy florals to something tougher this season, and we think these Something Else shorts, new to Urban Outfitters, wouldn’t look out of place at a Christopher Kane show where galactic-style prints are a signature. These culottes look positively kaleidoscopic and are just right to pair with a basic t-shirt or body to breathe new life into staple separates. Add to that your thickest opaque tights when the weather drops, and Something Else’s high-waisted shorts will show exactly what monochrome dressing can do. We just can’t decide wheter we’re looking at a vision of space, a cloud formation or er, a burst ink pen, but either way, we like what we see. Something Else Shattered Print Short, £65, available at Urban Outfitters. BUY NOW!

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Lunchtime buy: Denis Colomb Bourbon Cashmere-blend shawl

by on 23rd July 2010 0 comments

We loved the gingham trend of spring 2010 as seen at Christopher Kane and you know what, we’re not quite ready to move on from it yet. We spotted this shawl from Denis Colomb, the French knitwear designer known for his sumptuous cashmere pieces, and immediately imagined cosying up with it in the winter. Stylish, warm and reduced – this is the perfect item to kick off our autumn shopping spree. £411 £164 from The Outnet.

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First look: Mark Fast for Topshop

by on 18th June 2010 0 comments

Fashion fans will well remember us revealing last year that Mark Fast would be designing a range for Topshop, and finally, the time has come when we can begin to breathe with a little normality once again – his debut designs for the high street store have been unveiled.

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SS11 NEWGEN winners

by on 11th June 2010 0 comments

It’s celebrations all round this morning – the British Fashion Council have just announced which London-based designers will be receiving next season’s highly coveted NEWGEN sponsorship to show at September’s London Fashion Week.

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Erdem wins BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

by on 31st March 2010 0 comments

For the last few months, eight of London’s hottest designers have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of who this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner will be, but only one of them would wake up £200,000 richer this morning. That person was the editors’ favourite, Erdem.

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Topshop’s celebrity dress auction

by on 15th March 2010 0 comments

When the Fairy Godmother told Cinderella she could go to the ball, she was pretty darn happy. Well now’s your chance to turn your rags to riches. Except, in this case, there’s not a ball , but there is a gown. Lots of gowns, actually; all of them celebrity-owned, and all of them up for auction tomorrow.

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London Fashion Week: the best bits

by on 1st March 2010 0 comments

You may have noticed we’ve taken a back seat in this season’s London Fashion Week , but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been casting our eagle eye over the collections. Now that it’s well and truly over, let’s round up what we’ve seen , and loved , in London this season. Oh, the wonders of live streaming.

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Lipsy SS2010 Press Day

by on 4th February 2014 0 comments

Having already picked out the Lipsy Ruched Mac as one of our Lunchtime buys, I was excited to see what else the high street – and celebrity – favourite had in store for spring/summer 2010, at their press day this Thursday. While chomping on delicious canapes, I was pleasantly surprised at the womenswear on show. I saw said Ruched Mac (which might I add, is even better up close) and was also immediately struck by a mini bandeau dress that looks almost as if it has stepped off from the Alexander McQueen runway. Aside from the stones around the middle… but the less said about that, the better. The Brit designers are the way forward this season it seems, as Christopher Kane’s pale blue and white gingham print also made it onto a light, summery halter dress. Further inspiration came from Dolce and Gabbana’s floral, boudouir theme while spring’s muted tones popped up in Lipsy’s Grecian Goddess section, featuring nude lace and tulle skirts and a light Peter Pilloto-esque printed dress. As well as a Limited Edition collection (which will become available both in selected stores and online) featuring more luxurious fabrics, Lipsy have come up with a small range of slinky jersey vests, something which is completely new for the young, British brand. For the festival months, we can expect a smattering of denim, floral maxi dresses and fringing while the summer season offers bikini brights in tribal prints. Accessories will come in either nude colours, including large, floral headbands to match the flirty romantic theme, or in bright, feather earrings; pink cameo’s and oversized beads, to form a young, holiday-inspired selection. Other notable pieces include high-heeled clogs; a range of black, studded and zipped handbags and some rather lovely, pink strappy sandals. Lipsy’s spring 2010 range is available […]

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