Day three was a rainy day so I kept it in the tents with Yigal Azrouel, Twinkle by Wenlan, Charlotte Ronson, and Monarchy. I was hoping to spot Katie Lee Joel at the Yigal show (that would be too good and juicy to be true I suppose!), but alas she was a no-show. The ethereal collection with its expertly draped tops and jackets, sexy loose boyfriend blazers, and “harness” swimsuits done mostly in a muted palette were more than enough to captivate however. The show was so light and airy and the geometric shapes of many of the pieces — particularly the linen jackets — seemed to be a continuation of the designer’s wonderful cocoon coats from last season.
Read MoreSearch Results for “coats”
Stella McCartney’s inspired by mum’s style
Stella McCartney’s collections are inspired by her late mother’s daring style. The British designer admires Linda McCartney – who died in 1998 from breast cancer – because she made brave fashion choices and refused to conform. She told Harper’s Bazaar magazine: “I love the way my mother wore clothes. She used to always cut her own hair and wore very little make-up, and she just did things differently. She used to wear odd, different-colour argyle socks – which takes balls in the public eye – but then she also wore beautiful British tailored suits and little tea dresses with platform shoes. That is sort of how people dress now, so she was very modern and ahead of her time in many ways.
Read MoreAW09 Trends: Knit Wit
This season, knitwear is no longer a support act , it’s the star turn. Colourful, adventurous and vibrant knitwear was really celebrated at the Autumn/Winter ’09 collections. Be it patterned or textured, sloppy or sleek: decorative knits made a return in multiple bold guises on the runways of designers such as Matthew Williamson, Paul Smith and Mark Fast.
Read MoreAW09 Trends: The Hard Shoulder
The fashion gods have spoken: This autumn, the sartorial spotlight is on the hard shoulder. This new focus on a well-defined shoulder represents the season’s biggest shift in silhouette. Structured pieces such as coats and jackets came with architectural and austere shoulders on the Autumn/Winter runways while exaggerated puffs and pagodas emphasised the look on dresses and blouses.
Read MoreAW09 Trends: Leather
Elegant and sophisticated are terms not often associated with leather… Until now. Soft, pliable and beautifully cut in feminine, luxurious and bourgeois silhouettes, leather takes on a fresh character this season. Tough looks get a ladylike spin this season as cut like silk, leather is now delicate enough to make the transition from the bike to the boardroom. Challenging its traditionally tough image, designers from Alexander Wang to Prada showed leather in an exciting, modern and smart light mixing butter-soft leather dresses and jackets in grown-up shapes with textured fabrics like cashmere and silk for a feminine touch.
Read MoreMy Vintage Life: I am the Resurrection
They say if you’ve lived in a city for 8 years then you can class yourself as a local. So if this is the case, then I guess I would be called a scouser? However, style wise, do I want to be? In the sixties Liverpool was known as a city at the heart of trend setting and style. Yet these days, from an outsider’s point of view, Liverpool style is viewed as over done, orange, shell suits and fake. Now, I don’t have fake hair, my eyelashes are my own and I would class myself as pale if not pasty and pretty much everyone I know, that lives here, is the same as myself. And yes, from time to time the odd orange person does pass me in the street but don’t they inhabit every town centre? So why is there such a stigma in Liverpool? I cannot answer the question, I can only raise the debate, and give you my own personal spin on why I feel it’s time the myth about Liverpool’s shops and style is broken.
Read MoreParis Couture Week AW09: Kylie seeks inspiration at Jean Paul Gaultier
Kylie Minogue sought inspiration for her stage costumes at Jean-Paul Gaultier’s haute couture show yesterday. The singer – clad in a vintage black lace cone-bra dress from the designer – was in the crowd at Paris Couture Week for the golden age of Hollywood-inspired show from the man who will co-style her forthcoming North American tour. Models were made up in the style of classic screen sirens including Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth, and took to the catwalk to music punctuated by dialogue clips and film soundtracks of the era. The range included trench coasts, pinstripe trouser suits, tight corsets, lacy bodices fur coats, mink-trimmed tailored suits and lavish velvet gowns. There were also velvet overalls, dresses made entirely out of film reel and rubber unitards.
Read MoreInterview with Fashion Blogger Arabelle from Fashion Pirates
Fashion Pirates brings you daily doses of pioneering style. We at MFL like to think of Arabelle as a fashion DJ blending all the best fashion cuts with hip new designers, her own fabulous outfits, street style looks and more. We are officially addicted! This morning, you woke up: To Yann Tierson’s soundtrack to Amelie, as usual, and my denim shorts I’ve worn religiously since summer started. How would you describe your style? Lazy eclectic. I wear pretty much exclusively vintage, not because I love it more than everything else (I mean, I’d fight over Comme des Garcons any day of the week) but basically because it’s easy to get and cheap for me. It’s got what I like: texture, history, shiny distractions. I don’t have to think too much about what I wear everyday.
Read MoreLiam Gallagher’s catwalk debut
Liam Gallagher ‘took the p**s’ at a Versace show by jumping on the catwalk. The Oasis frontman – who recently launched his own clothing label, called Pretty Green – is not a natural designer and finds some aspects of the fashion industry ridiculous. Referring to his ex-wife Patsy Kensit and label designer Donatella Versace, Liam explained: ‘It’s all a bit silly. They take themselves f***ing seriously, don’t they?
Read MoreAlice Temperley thrilled by catsuit
Alice Temperley says a leather catsuit is the ‘best thing’ she has ever worn. The British designer – who counts Eva Mendes, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Halle Berry among her fans – loved dressing in the fitted one-piece for a special party, but admits her usual look it more casual. Asked about the best outfit she has donned, Alice said: ‘A leather catsuit and blonde wig for our Temperley ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ collection party – I think that outfit may have helped me to understand my teenage son in a way I never had done before.
Read MoreZip me up before you go-go
So you may usually be on the defensive when told to to zip it – but this summer, it’s a style directive you’ll definitely want to follow. Yes, it’s time to put a zip in it and channel Siouxsie Sioux circa 1977. Zippers are popping up in some pretty unexpected places, and the effect is a tough-chic look almost anyone looks good in. Who’d have though that the humble fastening could this much of a stir? When edgy punks stormed the catwalks of Spring/Summer ‘09 the key feature on almost every piece was the zip. A slew of celebrity hipsters have embraced the look zipping up in tailored looks with chunky fasteners.
Read MoreMedical Doctors Embrace the Bow Tie
If you’ve ever ventured down past a post to read a bit about who I am as a writer, you would know that I possess an intriguing alter-ego in that I’m a biomedical researcher by day and well, an art aficionado by night (and day)! As expected, a good chunk of my day is spent poring through scientific literature, writing manuscripts or tending to research participants. The other chunk feeds that right-brain lust for fashion, art and anything where a sizeable dose of subjectivity can be thrown at it. As expected, over the course of my workday, the odd chance of coming across anything remotely fashion-related amid the scientific jargon is rare. Browsing fashion blogs and reading the latest findings in the Journal of Neuroscience are tasks that are far removed from one another—except for today!
Read MoreDressed for Success: Sir Paul Smith Unites with Manchester United
If you fancy yourself a football loyalist, you would know today is a monumental day in football as England’s Manchester United and Spain’s F.C. Barcelona square off to decide who is the European champion. A time-tested Manchester United fan, I’m confident that United is bagging the silverware. However, I’m also comforted in the fact that, win or lose, the Manchester United lads will be well decked out in Sir Paul Smith’s awfully dapper light grey Prince of Wales suits. Recently billed as the victors of the English Premiership, it was only natural that Manchester United would be in league with the iconic British designer. For the last year, Sir Smith has been at the helm of the football club’s formal wear and accessories, designing and supplying the United players, coaching staff and club officials with suits, raincoats and baggage. The union is meant to span for another two years.
Read MoreLove your style: Michelle Williams
Remember Dawson’s Creek’s Jen Lindley? The good girl gone bad, gone good, gone bad, gone good again? While my contemporaries admired Joey Potter’s laid-back style, I was all about Jen’s indie rock chick cheerleader look. There’s a complex style if ever I saw one – somehow the girl from the big city managed to swap sweet floral summerdresses in NY for ripped tights and revealing minis in Capeside. But it was Jen’s casual look that accompanied her pixie crop that I’m still fond of now – a shirt, cigarette trousers, and flats – it’s a style the actress that portrayed Jen still pulls off today.
Read MoreBalmania Skips Men This Season
Balmania—the excessive craze for anything contrived by fashion house, Balmain. Last spring, Christophe Decarnin of Balmain served up some exquisitely tailored, shoulder augmented jackets spirited by a Michael Jackson meets militaristic élan. No less than a season after Balmain’s SS09 show, did the jackets reappear in a crazed manner. Literally, Balmain coats were on the backs of close every dainty female who were, quite frankly, “head over shoulders” for Balmain. Now what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, but sadly not this time around. Snapshots from Balmain’s AW09 collection pour le homme are out and the gargantuan shoulders that sent women the world over batty is strangely absent. What we do get are some rather average motorcycle jackets (the zipper detailing is not shabby though, I’ll give them that) and a distressed leather trench (yes, the leg work is done). I know, I know…beggars can’t be choosers, then again, I would have loved to get in on the Balmania epidemic and experience some of this shoulder region accentuation. Till next season I guess… [Source]
Read MoreLiam Gallagher, a fashion designer?
So who is your fashion icon? Perhaps Victoria Beckham, or Kate Moss or maybe even Lady GaGa. If you were a guy, or perhaps you are, who is your male fashion icon? Would it ever be Liam Gallagher? Well whatever your style, be prepared for Pretty Green. That’s the name of the latest fashion line from the not so fashion designer Liam Gallagher. The Oasis star is launching a label that will include denim, footwear, casual coats and accessories.
Read MoreParis Fashion Week: RM by Roland Mouret AW09
I always look forward to seeing what Roland Mouret has in store for us. Beautifully cut, sophisticated dresses, are you kidding me? I live for his dresses and no one does effortless chic like Mouret, so of course I too was sucked into the allure of the infamous Galaxy dress as worn by every celeb starlet. Maybe that’s why I’ve been willing to let him off the hook for recycling his much loved formula ever since his major comeback to the catwalk. Showing for the first time during Paris Fashion Week (Mouret opted to show during Couture week for previous seasons) for autumn/winter 09 the French designer did of course cater to his diehard fans and offered up his signature dresses in gorgeous shades of emerald green and cerise.
Read MoreParis Fashion Week: Louis Vuitton AW09
If you have ever wondered what Marie Antoinette would have looked like as a courtesan then never fear, because Marc Jacobs can show you. With a little bit of French fancy, a sprinkling of 80s bad taste and a Playboy bunny cherry. It was quite a mix.
Read MoreParis Fashion Week: John Galliano AW09
You can always rely on John Galliano to bring some eccentricity to Fashion Week and Autumn/Winter 09 was no exception. One can only imagine his inspiration behind this show; I like to think a babushka crossed with a Russian Tsarina. Yes this was a very strange show indeed.
Read MoreParis Fashion Week: Chloe AW09
This is only the second show for Chloe’s head of design Hannah MacGibbon. And she has taken it back to its dreamier days of Phoebe Philo. To when Chloe was girly, chic and had a grown up cuteness.
Read MoreParis Fashion Week: Viktor & Rolf AW09
One of the highlights of last year was the Viktor and Rolf exhibition. It was a magical walk through the story of their designs and told rather wonderfully through giant dolls. Well this Autumn/Winter 09 show continued their flair for the creative and sent down models painted as white as porcelain dolls in clothes that were startlingly beautiful.
Read MoreMilan Fashion Week: Versace AW09
Versace brought full throttle colour to Milan Fashion Week. If you were fearing AW09 was going to be all black and grey then Versace is the designer for you. There was of course black and shades of silver, but hot pink, post box red and aqua blues made up a glorious palette. You can always rely on Donatella Versace to create ultra sexy, super skimpy gowns and this was no exception. This was a well-rounded show, with everything from cigarette trousers, belted coats; thigh high split dresses to chic shifts. Again, this Amazon theme was seen, a toughened femininity shown best by dramatic stitching, leather biker jackets and tightly belted waists. The fish scale dresses and full-length gowns were breathtaking. The other outfits were fairly simple, but I’m sure they won’t disappoint Versace fans. Versace is one of those designers you adore or loathe; you either become flustered at the sight of one of Donatella’s slinky creations or cower in fear. But all can admit she does the Versace style proud, and this screams sex, scandal and most importantly ‘look at me’. Now, if that isn’t a credit crunch remedy I don’t know what is.
Read MoreMilan Fashion Week: Marni AW09
What can you not live without? Well it has to be a pair of yeti gloves. And thanks to Consuelo Castiglioni for Marni you will be lusting over a pair of these bizarre creations. Who would have ever thought yeti accessories; heavy gold necklaces and bug eye sunglasses could work so well?!
Read MoreMilan Fashion Week: Prada AW09
Miuccia Prada is the designer everyone looks to each Fashion Week because you know what she sends down the catwalk will be reproduced a million times the following season. She is a trendsetter, a revolutionary and a damn good designer. This season was no exception. Imagine that a character from Gosford Park ran off with a fisherman and you’ll understand the feel to this collection. This is ultra glamorous, super feminine and yet tough.
Read MoreMilan Fashion Week: Missoni AW09
If you’ve ever wondered about how to layer successfully, take a note from this show. Missoni took layering to the limit and pulled it off brilliantly. The best way to describe the look is, if you told a group of fashionistas that they were going trekking across the Sahara, this is probably what they would turn up wearing.
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: William Tempest AW09
First of all, let’s just take a moment to appreciate what a great name William Tempest is. I mean, if ever there was a name to create a mystique around a person, surely Tempest would be it. And mystique there was. The sequin encrusted and ironically vintage NHS bespectacled rugby scrum that accumulated outside the show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout, was evidence enough at just how far and fast Tempest’s star has risen. Helped of course, in part, by the support of actress Emma Watson, who wore one of Tempest’s creations to the première of the film
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: Twenty8Twelve AW09
Twenty8Twelve was always going to be a wearable collection. Anyone who hoped otherwise must be sorely disappointed. But those who knew what to expect should be happy indeed. For their debut at London Fashion Week, Sienna and Savannah Miller delivered a collection of skinny jeans, tiny leather biker jackets, loose jersey tops, cropped trousers, tailored coats and a very sexy sparkly mini-dress as modelled by Jourdan Dunn. Boring? Perhaps. Actually yes. The truth is while many fashionista’s including myself could snap up many of the basics from the collection, this could easily have been an offering from Topshop.
Read MoreNew York Fashion Week: Jill Stuart AW09
If it wasn’t for Paris & Nicky Hilton and cast members from Gossip Girl sending gaggling teenagers into mass hysteria, I would have sworn I was at London Fashion week two seasons ago. Jill Stuart sent out lots of lace, ivory chiffon ruffled dress, sheer blouses with billowy sleeves, black rock-chic tailcoats and fun flirty skirts. Most of the looks were finished off with a fedora embellished with a cute lace rose. Aside from a dominate black and ivory palette, shades of steel grey and lilac made a welcome appearance. The ankle boots were gorgeous. Overall the collection was girly but a bit more grown up.
Read MoreNew York Fashion Week: Yigal Azrouel AW09
I loved this show, not only because my idol Andre Leon Talley was seated front row but because I could have worn every single piece from the collection. With our shopping habits evolving from frivolously spending to wisely investing, Yigal Azrouel carefully crafted a smallish collection packed with gems. Stovepipe jeans made a statement with added detail around the hips in the form of what looked like mini wings. Models were kept warm and snug in beautiful blanket coats. Dresses were fitted and sexy and I’ve already falling in lust with a purple one shouldered mini dress. As always Azrouel maintained his romantic streak, not sickly sweet but romantic rock-chic. Shoulders were sharp and powerful. Yes, the power dressing trend of SS09 will flow right onto AW09. Naturally the palette was dark. Deep purple, blue and olive green spiced up the collection but overall the colours were slightly sombre which is to be expected seeing as the message was to “toughen up rather than “be optimistic. Studs could be found throughout on belts, bags, shoes (created by Walter Steiger) and leather jackets. Overall a thumbs up! It’s safe to say Azrouel can give himself a big fat pat on the back.
Read MoreHaute Couture: The Highlights from Paris
The Haute Couture season began in Paris this week with John Galliano’s fantastically outlandish Christian Dior show – drawing on Flemish folklore for inspiration, Galliano‘s tremendous silk dresses were more Milkmaid than Mademoiselle.
Read MoreShow your alliance to spring: Wear brights
I know it’s grey, I know it’s freezing, I know you’re still battling the post Xmas bulge and all you want to do is stay in bed. But I urge you to mend your ways, I am telling you to stop feeling sorry for yourself in your washed out greys. It is time to look to the future, to be optimistic; soon spring will be upon us and why not embrace it a little bit early.
Read MoreMichelle Obama: The first lady of style
Yesterday was a historic moment, a moment you will tell your children about, they day the world changed. But how on earth do you do decide what to wear on such a day? Well, this was of course the unenviable task for Michelle Obama, at the centre of history in the making, she knew whatever she wore would be analysed and picked to pieces. But you know what? She got it right. With designers such as Thakoon and Christian Dior offering designs for the inauguration, it was Cuban born designer Isabel Toledo who was Michelle’s designer of choice. The gold lace shift with matching dress was beautifully cut, skimming Michelle’s figure and creating a flattering, sophisticated line. With a matching cardigan and that stunning Tom Binns crystal necklace Michelle Obama earned her style stripes. We already know from her previous choices, that she is not afraid to take risks and accessorising with muted green leather gloves and green Jason Wu that we’ve really all been talking about. Wu hadn’t even been told that Michelle would be wearing his dress to the ball. The Tapei-born designer told WWD “I found out with everyone else – which was pretty fabulous, when you think about it.” But what a dress… Like a dream, Michelle, stood in crystal encrusted chiffon one-shouldered gown. It flattered every inch of her figure and for a moment she was closer to a Hollywood star than a President’s wife. If the speech made you cry, it was this dress that did it for me. True glamour, real beauty and optimism for the future of fashion. Politics just got interesting. [
Read MoreThe recessionista’s new best friend? Vintage!
In the current climate of financial distress and eco-conscious concern, consumers are turning their backs on disposable fast-fashion and investing in classic, dependable items that will stand the test of time. For gloriously guilt-free shopping I recommend going vintage (just stay away from the fur).
Read MoreLabel Alert: A│wear
Definitely another one to add to your online favourites; established Irish label; A│wear has launched its own
Read MoreFashion Fix: Headbands, Daisy Lowe and Peaches Geldof
Are you over hippie headbands? [Fabsugar] Clutch and mirror – Celestina cracked mirror clutch [Purse Blog] Daisy Lowe is the new face of Marc Jacobs [Marie Claire] 50 ways to be a recessionista [Fashion Indie] 20 crisp winter coats and jackets [
Read MoreForever 21 now ships to the U.K.!
Any lady worth her Louboutins knows a trip to the U.S. is not complete without a visit to the crazily cheap fashion emporium Forever 21.
Read MoreLabel Alert: Alex & Eli
Every once in a while a debut collection comes along which is fresh, original and has that elusive ‘up-and-coming’ feel to it. With this in mind behold the S/S09 collection from brand-spanking new label: Alex and Eli, who if their debut is anything to go by can safely be forecast as big fashion news in the not-so-distant future.
Read MoreBeautiful clothes at Cath Kidston, who knew?
Think of Cath Kidston and flowery chintz is probably the first thing that comes to mind. She’s rightly famous for lending her signature style of traditional but modern English designs of flowers, polka dots and paisleys to endless items of home ware, and more recently tents, Nokia phone covers and retro style digital radios.
Read MoreThe curse of the enormous scarf
I have recently invested in an enormous scarf, you know like those ones you see in magazine shoots, which drown the model but nonetheless look incredibly cool. When I say enormous I actually mean gigantic, may take over the world enormous.
Read MorePurple Reign!
The Colour Purple: regal, luxurious, jewel toned, and this season’s hottest hue. Prince must be partying like it’s 1999! Purple is everywhere this winter, predominantly on the red carpet as celebrities have swapped their LBD for a little purple dress. Worn with black and gold accessories, it’s the perfect option for a Christmas party and widely available on the high street.
Read MoreGet your shop on at Pixie Market
There’s nothing like a spot of internet shopping; all the pleasures of a spree from the comfort of your own home. However as a big fan of an online splurge I was beginning to exhaust all my regular online boutiques and found myself on the hunt for some alternative internet delights. On turning my attention stateside I came across Pixie Market and to my delight I also discovered that they ship to the UK, hooray!
Read MoreGet America Ferrera’s Emmy Look!
One starlet that stood out for us at this year’s Emmy’s was America Ferrera. Her make-up was flawless, her lipstick gorgeous, and she looked radiant to say the least. Now if you loved her look just as much as we did then we have a treat for you! Read on for our exclusive interview with NARS makeup artist Vanessa Scali. Vanessa is the lady responsible for turning America into a sexy vamp for the night!
Read MoreThe Gilet: Do You Dare to Wear?
The 70s invasion has continued to dominate the catwalks. We’ve seen flares, stars and stripes, graphic t-shirts not to mention those lumberjack shirts and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a crop top or two. Well now you can welcome the shag pile, and this isn’t a shag pile for your floor oh no, this one you’re going to wear.
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: Eley Kishimoto
Eley Kishimoto showcased in the large BFC tent: on possibly one of the dreariest days of the year the collection was a lovely window into next years sunnier seasons. The show was dominated by a schoolgirl kitsch, big floaty dresses that kept the lines very simple with hardly a ruffle to be seen. Puff sleeves were probably the most endearing feature, I honestly haven’t gone near them since I was over the age of six, and it brought a certain sweet nostalgia to the show; as did the satchel bags, stripy sun hats and school-boy shorts.
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: John Rocha
Before going to John Rocha yesterday I thought I knew what to expect. I was mistaken. Rocha’s presentation was a surprise – thankfully in a good way. The collection was breathtaking, stunning, gorgeous…I could go on.
Read MoreShop Nasty Gal Vintage
Nasty Gal Vintage was always my vintage go-to on eBay when I wanted something original, on-trend, and in great condition. Selling only the very best vintage wares, they got it right every time. So imagine my dismay when I logged on one day to discover Nasty Gal Vintage was no longer….on eBay. Yes, fear not my friends, NGV have simply relocated to a bigger, better platform with their new online store
Read MoreIraina Mancini for Pop Princess
Everyone has their fashion idols. Kate is always up there, Chloe Sevigny is often a penultimate winner for pure indulgence and mine was always (secretly) Patricia Arquette in True Romance. Yes, I wanted to look like I shopped in Vegas and turned tricks. Amy Winehouse has dominated the ‘show your own bra-strap’ look, so I’ve left it behind for a bit and have found a new favourite.
Read MoreThe Polo is back…
Ok, so winter may be on its way and it’s a fact we are all well aware of. Talk of summer holiday destinations no longer dominates office lunch breaks, coats and jackets in all shapes and sizes have started to hit stores and worst of all Harrods have already started to sell Christmas gifts. But before we enter a state of despair as the days start to get shorter and our car wind screens start to get icier, relax in the fact that top designers have thought ahead this season. Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Michael Kors are among the top designers who are trying to protect us from catching a cold this winter by bringing back the polo neck top.
Read MorePetra Ecclestone’s in Pole Position
The name Ecclestone has long been synonymous with the motor racing world with its glamour, style and opulence. Today it’s becoming a well-talked about name in the fashion industry as Petra Ecclestone, [Formula 1 Head Bernie Ecclestone’s youngest daughter), takes her place in the spotlight. This season nineteen-year old Petra Ecclestone presents to the fashion world her menswear label FORM (from Formula 1, of course).
Read MoreDesigner Profile: Edward Sexton
Who:
Read More