Aldo Rise Meets LFW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bringing the catwalk to the masses, US shoe brand Aldo has created affordable and covetable collections with three of London Fashion Week’s hottest designers. Preen, Mark Fast and J.W.Anderson all launched their capsule collections with Aldo Rise in Selfridges this week.

The Aldo Rise scheme helps emerging fashion brands with the promotion and production of their catwalk shows and allows up and coming designers to create their perfect shoes to slot in with their current collections. This week, the fancy foowear hit the famous Selfridge’s Shoe Galleries in what is to be a one-month pop-up store of sartorial dreams.

Irish designer J.W.Anderson thinks collaborations like this are the future of fashion, telling Vogue:  “Collaborations help so much. Aldo offers incredibly quality for the high street – they helped me design shoes in a way I couldn’t have done on my own, from production to marketing.”

The collaberative ecollection features Preen’s show-stopping pixelated mules and Mark Fast’s sexy platform pumps with trademark ripped-stocking motif. Snap up a covetable slice of catwalk style by bagging a pair from Selfridges, Asos and Aldo Rise online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.aldorise.com

Vogue Italia QVC Spoof

If high-end fashion did TV shopping channels…

In a genius satirical statement, renowned photographer Steven Meisel has created this brilliant QVC-inspired editorial spoof film for Vogue Italia, featuring an all-star cast of impeccably dressed supermodels strutting around a hilariously tawdy 90s-style showroom in the latest designer Spring collection.

The footage accompanies the ‘Collections on IVC’ shoot, which will appear in the February issue of Vogue Italia and is described by the fashion powerhouse as “an artistically ironic simulation of telesales programs, nowadays much in vogue in the United States.”

Featuring a selection of beautiful ‘It Girl’ footwear from the Yves Saint Laurent collection and ‘Customer Favourite’ ensembles from Gucci’s Art Deco collection, the brilliantly witty attention to detail and fabulously cheesy elevator music make this one convincing spoof. It’s certainly safe to say that if IVC were real, it just might be every fashion fanatic’s favourite channel…

www.vogue.it/en

Julia Roitfeld for Kiki de Montparnasse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parisian it-girl, model, designer and daughter of French Vogue royalty Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has now released her hotly-anticipated capsule collection for luxury lingerie label Kiki de Montparnasse. Full of vintage-inspired femininity, the sophisticated collection reflects sultry Roitfeld’s emphasis on flattering womanly silhouettes.

The collection- featuring a slip, a bodysuit, a demi-bra, a corselette bra, a thong, a boyshort and a high-waisted pant – showcases lashings of French lace and silk in black and white tones, and embraces Roitfeld’s famously curvaceous figure. “My main concern was to give the best cleavage, have the most flattering lingerie bottoms, but to also be beautiful. So we designed different bras and bottoms so all women could find what flatters their body the most.”

Accompanying the launch of the collection are these wonderfully romantic shots starring Roitfeld herself , with the timeless elegance of the vintage camerawork perfectly capturing the classic retro appeal of this lust-worthy collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.kikidm.com

Acne’s Pastel Palette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falling neatly into this season’s palatable pastels trend, this soft and chalky mint-green cable offering from contemporary cult brand Acne presents the perfect solution to tricky transitional dressing. With its cropped, boxy fit and sugary sweet spearmint hue, the Lia Cable Knit marries chunky knitwear with pretty pastels and is guaranteed to add a little lightness to even the darkest rain-soaked days.

www.acnestudios.com

Fluro Fancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion’s never-ending neon fixation is certainly not dwindling any time soon, and Marc Jacobs is firmly on board with this fabulously urban Katie Enameled Brass Bracelet.

Complete with twist lock fastening adorned with the designer’s signature stamp, the gunmetal-hued woven brass chain detail teamed with bright yellow enamel pop ensures to add a flash of hard-edged glamour to any outfit.

www.net-a-porter.com

The Name Game

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Famous for its witty and offbeat perspex creations, cult jewellery brand Tatty Devine rounds up the best of English eccentricity, jumble sale kitsch and traditional craftsmanship to produce its instantly recognisable statement jewellery. Following a hugely successful year, the label will now be setting up a new Name Necklace Shop in the Selfridges Concept Store.

The shop will allow you to witness the creation of your personalised Name Necklace as you select the colour, font, chain, size and charms before the Tatty team then make it live in the workshop. The perfect springtime gift for your décolletage…

www.tattydevine.com

YSL Arty Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the ultimate luxe statement ring, look no further than Yves Saint Laurent. A symbol of 90s style high-shine glamour and outspoken opulence, this YSL Arty Oval Ring pays homage to the luxurious French label’s renowned couture jewelry collection. 

 

Fusing textured gold-finish metal with a vintage baroque glass stone, this iconic cocktail ring oozes sophistication and is fast becoming the cult jewelry must-have amongst the fashion elite.

 

www.ysl.com

Louboutin’s Lion Paw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glamourously eccentric shoe designer Christian Louboutin is bringing new meaning to taking a walk on the wild side with his furry Lion Paw heels.

Named the ‘Alex‘, these suede feline fancies are not only seriously strokable but also feature jewel encrusted black talons, injecting some high voltage glamour into those paws. Of course, no pair of Louboutin’s would be complete without a glittering Swarovski crystal studded stiletto heel and signature red sole.

Surely the perfect shoes for stalking your prey this spring…

www.christianlouboutin.com

Queen of Green

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luxury eco-designer Henrietta Ludgate has built up a formidable reputation as the star of the ethical fashion movement since her first collection debuted in 2009, bagging both the (EFF) Ethical Fashion Forum’s ‘Fashion Innovation Award’ along with Young Scottish Designer of the Year earlier this year. Last week saw the opening of her first shop/studio in London’s Queensway, which not only sells bespoke pieces from her colourful SS’12 collection but also offers workshops on fashion illustration and ‘How to make a dress in a day’ on the run up to Christmas.

Central to the Henrietta Ludgate ethos is supporting Scottish craftsmanship – all of her fabrics are sourced, cut and tailored by highly skilled British craftsmen, and she also provides sustainable training and employment for local Scottish communities.

Ludgate’s design aesthetic revolves around minimal, architectual shapes and clean, cylindrical silhouettes, and she frequently draws inspiration from her Highland heritage. The vivid colours of the Northern Lights form the basis of her vibrant sorbet palette and signature shocking pink pop which give her garments their distinctively modern edge.

Elegant, wonderfully fun and a little bit different, Ludgate’s smart designs are certainly paving the way for ethi-cool fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.henriettaludgate.com

Fine and Dandy

 

 

 

 

 

Heralding back to the days of Victorian decadence celebrated by the ultimate original dandy, Oscar Wilde, luxury accessory designer Penelope Chilvers’ Bespoke Dandy Velvet Slippers are the perfect personalised gift for loved ones.

Crafted from a traditional pattern in antiqued velvet and embellished with metallic embroidery design, these sumptuous slippers mark the evolution of the ballet pump to androgynous city slipper, and make the ideal hearthside accessory for roasting chesnuts by the fire.

Available in 10 velvet colours, with 10 shades of leather lining and 20 colours of ribbon-edge trim, there is a danger of being spoilt for choice when customising your classic smoking slipper. Shades are offered in every imaginable colour, from deepest navy through to smoky burgundy, and with a personal baroque monogram adorning each toe, your feet will be truly living in the lap of luxury.

www.penelopechilvers.com

WILBUR & GUSSIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interning at a fashion PR agency means that I have the unfortunate task of being surrounded by beautiful clothes and accessories all day. This week I have found myself developing a serious clutch crush on this foxy number from Wilbur & Gussie.

The Ruby‘s oversized envelope shape makes it the ideal sidekick for both nights out and impressing in the office (a 13 inch laptop would slip nicely inside) and the croc print is elegantly offset by the dashing gold fox head clasp, perfectly positioned to keep firm guard of your belongings.

With each bag charmingly named after a much loved pet of the designing duo’s friends and family, it’s not hard to see why Wilbur & Gussie are being hailed the new queens of the clutch!

www.wilburandgussie.com

VENDAHOLICS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vending machines have always been notorious for housing naughty and unhealthy tempting treats, and this one seen parked in the Las Vegas McCarran Airport is no different.

Beauty addicts can now satisfy their Clinique cravings for a deliciously creamy face mask or sweet berry tinted lipstick simply at the push of a button with this beauty vendor. Instant beautification! Time is often on the short side when you’re dashing to make your flight, but every girl knows it’s still important to look her best.

Now, can someone invent a vending machine of hot men next?

www.clinique.co.uk

Model Behaviour

Have you ever wondered what might be going on behind those blank catwalk stares?

Take a peek at this models.com video which meets models at a casting call for Rodarte SS’12, showing that these perfectly proportioned clothes horses are not just proud owners of carved cheekbones and a great pair of pins, but also, astoundingly, a sense of humour!

(Although I have to say, I’m not so sure Tom Hanks has penned enough rhymes/painted enough masterpieces to be considered a true ‘artist’…)

www.models.com

Lash Mob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny paper ponies? Posing as eyelashes? Those Paperself folk need to stop horsing around…

In fact, London based design company Paperself‘s paper eyelashes are the latest addition to the ever-evolving false lash market, and their delicately pretty creations are sending lash fanatics’ hearts (and lashes) aflutter. Inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting, Paperself fuses traditional culture with contemporary design to create elaborate lash adornments made entirely from paper.  

“The whole concept was inspired by ancient Chinese craft,” says brand ambassador Charlene Chang. “Historically, paper cut-outs were used to decorate windows in China, and the unique patterns had specific cultural meanings. We are doing the same thing for the eye.”

Six intricately cut styles make up the Paperself collection, with each design holding an specific symbolic meaning rooted in Chinese culture. The lash creations feature everything from galloping horses and sprouting peach blossom to complete underwater scenes (complete with seahorses and coral reefs!)

Paperself paper eyelashes spark a uniquely brilliant revival of the oversaturated lash market, and are perfect for making a statement.

Just try not to get caught in the rain.

www.paperself.com

Secret Cinema

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a unique fusion of film and live acting all shrouded under a brilliant cloak of mystery, Secret Cinema is the new revolutionary film event for movie lovers. It’s an interactive cinematic experience which pays tribute to some of the best cult film classics of our time – but shh, you musn’t tell anyone!

The whole premise of Secret Cinema is that right up until the last minute, you don’t actually know where you’re going or what you’re going to see. Members are led on a sort of cinematic treasure trail on the run up to the screening, during which you must collect cryptic clues to try and decipher the theme for the evening. Elaborate instructions signalling where to meet and what to wear are emailed/tweeted/Facebooked beforehand and obscure riddles are endless, making the whole thing feel slightly like you’ve been plunged into a secret service operation.

Movie classics are screened in fairly mundane London locations which have been transformed into weird and wonderful cinematic worlds, inspired by the chosen film. Upon arrival you are immediately immersed into the performance with open arms (willingly or unwillingly) as you mingle with characters from the film who roam the venue and act out snippets of the story, offering further pivotal clues as to what on screen delight you may be able to expect that night.

Secret Cinema gatherings occur monthly, and previous screenings have included Blade Runner, Lawrence of Arabia and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. So, if the idea of taking a seat to enjoy one of your favourite films whilst surrounded by camels and belly dancers in the heart of the Alexandra Palace sounds slightly more tempting than that familiar indent in your sofa, get yourself involved!

http://www.secretcinema.org

Simone Rocha at Topshop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week saw Irish designer Simone Rocha take on her first solo show at London Fashion Week, firmly cementing her status as the new one to watch on the fashion scene – and it’s not just her identifiable surname which is earning her some serious cool points.

Tapping into this season’s unceasing androgony trend, the 25 year old daughter of fashion legend John Rocha has been whipping up a storm with her AW’11 Topshop collection, which sees her adding touches of femininity to classic tailored staples to create novel yet wearable designs.

The collection features six beautifully tailored pieces and androgynous silhouettes with her signature feminine twist. On offer are chic, crisp white poplin shirts with gossamer thin, neon sleeves and classic black blazers with contrasting cable knit detail.

Simone Rocha at Topshop successfully ticks the box for the androgynous, heritage and colour blocking trends all in one collection – her fingers couldn’t be more on the fashion pulse if they tried.

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.topshop.com

Nailing It

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 has undoubtedly been the ‘year of the nails’.

Nail art has exploded onto the fashion scene, with a model’s manicured hand becoming equally as essential as a pair of heels. On the high street, companies such as Minx and WAH nails setting up shop in British nail bars have led to creative nail art being accessible to everyone. And amongst all of this nail hysteria, nail transfers have emerged as the latest nail thrill for everyday glamour pusses.

My favourite transfers come from DIY nail art experts Nail Rock, who have perfected the at home nail wrap and offer a whole host of quirky designs, including ‘Furry Cheetah’, ‘Studded Cover’, Swarovski crystals and their newly released ‘Jeans for Genes’ denim-inspired designs. Created by nail expert Zoe Pocock, the wraps simply need to be filed down to size and blasted with a hot hair drier to secure.

Ever since my first gel manicure which provoked a barrage of compliments from strangers and left my colour magically unaffected by scuffing/chipping/nail varnish remover, I have waved goodbye to conventional nail polish and climbed fully aboard the nail art bandwagon. So thank you Nail Rock– getting wild with the Furry Cheetah is first on my list!

Nail Rock transfers last for around seven days and are available from ASOS, River Island and Topshop.

http://www.nailrock.com

The Next Little Thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading on the tube is a tricky business. Especially when standing, which is most mornings for me. We’ve all been there – attempting to adopt a nonchalant, casual reading pose, perhaps using the chap in front of you’s back as a discreet book stand, making sure to keep elbows tucked in enough so as not to irritate the neighbours but not too much as it’s crucial to maintain your invisible square of reading space…  Geez. It’s alot to be dealing with at 8am.

As a result, the past few years has witnessed an influx of technology geeks fighting each other off to become king of the e-book, in an attempt to make the lives of travelling bookworms that little bit easier.

Publishers Hodder & Stoughton however are pioneering a return to the printed page for commuters with their Kindle-kicking invention, the Flipback book. Running out of battery just as your favourite protagonist is about to get hit by a bus (sob – oh Emma!) makes for one cross commuter, so apologies Mr Kindle, but I’m with these guys.

These dinky little things have already hit the big time over in Holland, with over 1 million copies having been sold since their unveiling in 2009, and this summer their clever creators decided to flip reverse them into Britain’s bookshops.

The collection encompasses 12 well-known titles, including Jeffery Deaver’s The Bone Collector, Jodie Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper and my absolute favourite, Stephen King’s Misery (if you are yet to witness Kathy Bates as a raging psychopath in the film version of this, stop depriving yourself now!)

The Flipback book means the end of the beefy novel bulking up your Chloe, and it also has a special spine which means it lies open like magic, saving you from having to awkwardly rearrange your fingers into some sort of spread-eagle claw as you attempt the one-handed Tube read.

The only downside to the delicate little flippers is that the paper is wafer thin (Bible style) – great for a slinky shape, not so great for rough-handed readers.

So, cherish your Flipback, be gentle and enjoy that one-handed read with ease.

http://www.flipbackbooks.com

Kobi Levi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping into Kobi Levi’s shoe studio must be like entering a sort of magical footwear playground, where feet are invited to dip themselves into tongue-poking booties or get fruity with a pair of banana slip-ons… wild.

Eccentric Israeli shoe designer Kobi Levi‘s school of thought is hey, shoes aren’t just made for walking, they’re made for staring at. And if you took a stroll down the street in a pair of these, you would attract some serious attention.

Levi marries footwear with sculpture and the result is these crazy badboys. All of the pieces are handmade in his studio, where he works in the hope of creating shoes which are ‘alive’, with or without the foot.

“The shoe is my canvas. the trigger to create a new piece comes when an idea, a concept and/or an image comes to mind. the combination of the image and footwear creates a new hybrid and the design/concept comes to life. The piece is a wearable sculpture.”

Pure genius.

My top five Kobi Levi creations:

1. Banana

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Gum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Blonde Ambition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Mallard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.kobilevidesign.blogspot.com

Brooks Brothers: A Holiday Miracle

What better way to end the year than with a group of carol-singing baby Brooks Brothers lambs decked out in the finest cashmere?

Utterly adorable!

www.brooksbrothers.com

Madewell: Holiday Video 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If planning your party outfits this season is taking up far too much headspace and sending you into a decision making meltdown, take some time out with Madewell’s ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ video and plan someone else’s instead!

The interactive fashion adventure film lets you play stylist by helping model Dree Hemingway and stylist Marina Muñoz decide on dress code, accessories and party decorations – geek chic or glam adventurer? Sparkle or confetti? With 5 seconds to make each choice, time is short but fashion fun is endless.

“What makes the video so amazing is that you control it,” says Madewell’s head of design, Kin Ying Lee. “You choose every direction the video takes — from what pieces she wears to which party she goes to — the options are endless. It’s completely addictive.”

Showcasing dazzling gold sequin skirts, furry trapper hats and cropped boyfriend blazers, be warned: the more versions you watch, the more Madewell you’ll want to buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.madewell.com

A Lanvin Christmas at Claridge’s

Harvey Nichols: Freeze Frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas has frozen over at Harvey Nichols this month with the eerily enchanting winter wonderland seen nestled in the windows of its iconic Knighstbridge flagship store.  

‘A Frozen Christmas’ captures an abandoned workshop frozen in time, complete with majestic arctic animals halted in their tracks, impeccably dressed mannequins encased in giant blocks of ice and a backdrop of glittering icicles, oversized snowflakes and mermaid-hued neon lights – a wonderfully novel example of a captivating contemporary Christmas.

www.harveynichols.com

Tommy Knows How To Party

Nothing gets you in the mood for Christmas quite like a gaggle of half dressed, tartan-clad beauties partying in their Hilfiger pjs.

And this is exactly what Tommy Hilfiger is offering in an effort to spread some preppy Christmas cheer this December. Staged in the Hilfiger family mansion and styled by Karl Templer, the ‘Holiday Par-tay’ campaign celebrates the American sportswear brand’s Preppy Holidays collection, and subsequently makes everyone else’s Christmas work parties appear hugely sensible and uncool.

www.tommy.com

Givenchy Spring 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Givenchy’s new ‘Black Surfers’ Spring 2012 ad campaign presents a deliciously dark and brooding start to the year. Italian designer Riccardo Tisci envokes a stormy atmosphere with the season-appropriate beach setting juxtaposed against darkening skies and gothic black surfboards, in order to convey the typically romantic theme behind the collection: ‘the expression of a love story between a surfer and a mermaid.’

Largely inspired by underwater elements, the Givenchy Spring 2012 collection offers opulent shell-pink tailoring in the shape of form-fitting silhouettes, with curved lapels, low-slung shapes and surprise touches of eel skin, as well as an abundance of sea-foam ruffles, chiffon sequins and luxe metallics. In menswear, olive green military-inspired outerwear is offset by the continued repetition of Tisci’s strikingly exotic Birds of Paradise print (undoubtedly one of my favourite prints of the season) which will be exploding onto t-shirts, jackets and accessories this spring.

www.givenchy.com

Gucci Gets Tough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring 2012 is welcoming an influx of sturdy, structured mini bags, and this opulent offering from Gucci represents all that is divinely decadent about the upcoming box clutch trend.

Heavily inspired by ‘the opulence of the era of hedonism’, the clutch is part of Gucci’s Hard Deco Spring 2012 collection, and its gold equestrian tassel, crystal embellishment and vintage perfume bottle shape result in one fiesty clutch packed full of Gucci glamour.

www.gucci.com

Glove Is In The Air

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glove weather is officially upon us.  

 

Kurt Geiger has done a superb job of sexing up the ever-cozy traditional mitten with their new 

KG Isla gloves – a stylish and sophisticated pair of mittens featuring sleek black leather, snuggly knit cuff and gold hardware, and providing firm proof that maximum hand warmth need not be sacrificed in the face of fashion.

 

In a delicate balance of form and function, the KG Isla mittens are not only a treat on the eyes but also have the additional benefit of practicality. The soft leather unzips to reveal knitted fingerless gloves, solving that age-old mitten dilemma of trapped fingers. Fashionable and iPhone-friendly!

 

www.kurtgeiger.com

 

 

Karl Lagerfeld launches ‘Karl’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know the next vital date for your style diary? Mouses at the ready, because January 25th 2012 will mark the day when monochrome-loving Chanel director Karl Lagerfeld will be launching his new affordable ‘Karl’ line exclusively at Net-a-Porter.

The 100 piece rock-and-roll themed collection will include everyone’s favourite Lagerfeld staples: leather skirts, bib-front shirts, detachable collars, luxe sportswear and plenty of black black black, but the difference will be in the affordability, with price points starting as low as £50.

Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-A-Porter, says of the new line: ‘The collection will speak to every woman who wants a bit of the inimitable fabulous street chic that Karl Lagerfeld is known for.’ The luxury online retailer will carry the label exclusively for the first four weeks following the launch, after which they will continue to be the only online seller of the collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.net-a-porter.com/Karl_Lagerfeld

Carven Resort 2012 Collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Carven, what you do to me! The new Carven Resort 2012 collection has truly swept me off me feet with its abundance of bowed shoes, neat collars and beautiful geographical and Heidi-esque prints.

Inspired by the Alpine landscapes of Bavaria and Switzerland, designer Guillaume Henry said the collection was about embodying “crispness quality of all the things coming from those mountains”. Henry’s recent revival of the long standing fashion label has seen him bringing to the fore the traditional Carven hallmarks of tiny shoulders, prim pinafores and abbreviated ballerina skirts with an additional element of cool, offbeat playfulness. And this collection certainly follows suit.

Fresh, light and all things nice – the Carven Resort 2012 collection is picture postcard perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.carven.fr

IN LØV WITH VANESSA BRUNO

Vanessa Bruno‘s new AW’11 look book comes in the form of this dreamily surreal piece of cinematography which follows an effortlessly ethereal Kate Bosworth as she embarks on a far-reaching adventure across snow capped mountains and expanses of lake.

Filmed in reversed slow motion, the visually evocative lookbook showcases Vanessa Bruno‘s stylish collection which is heavily influenced by her Norwegian heritage. Kate is captured in emerald green velvet flares, metallic brocade frocks and lashings of Nordic fur, all to the rousing sounds of remixed Tchaikovsky.

A wonderfully quirky fashion fairytale.

www.vanessabruno.com