Well I'm sure you've all heard about the impressive show Burberry put on last week to showcase their Autumn/Winter collection but if you haven't, here's a quick review.
Taking place in a marquee in the beautiful Hyde Park, Burberry welcomed a host of fashion and Hollywood's finest.
There was obviously a big focus on outerwear, with coats and jackets coming quilted, belted or cropped, with peplums (short pieces of fabric attached to create a frill) becoming a recurring theme both in the jackets and pencil skirts.
The collection was kept playful with owl motif jumpers (Kate Bosworth already had hers), and fox clasps or bows on the belts, however I believe that the Burberry remains a more grown-up and sophisticated brand, for a women aged late twenties and above (so I'm not really sure why Cara Delevingne and Emma Watson have been chosen as faces for the brand).
Kate Bosworth head-to-toe in Burberry's latest collection
For the Grand Finale? A simulated rain storm fell down outside the marquee whilst gold ticker-tape fell onto the models as they all processed together donning beautiful striped umbrellas.
'I love the British weather, so it was to celebrate that.' says Christopher Bailey, the Chief Creative Officer at Burberry. I do have to admit that rainy days put me into a much better mood than any sunny one can.
The full show can be seen here, but if you're in a hurry skip to 14 mins to see the downpour.
Black skinnies and a statement designer handbag seem to be the winning formula for models as they are snapped leaving the shows at London Fashion Week.
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Alison Nix
"I'm wearing a jumper by Topshop, an American Apparel hat, a shirt and jacket by Rag & Bone, J Brand jeans, vintage boots and a Phillip Lim bag."
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I'm in France this year so it's so nice to see the black cabs and damp pavements!
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Rose Smith
"I'm wearing Topshop jeans and a Phillip Lim bag."
London Fashion Week is already into it's 4th day today, but let's look at a high-street brand's contribution to the week - Topshop Unique.
The collection was rather toned down compared to previous collections (you can remind yourself of the SS11 collection here) with colours kept neutral and cuts bold and tough. Dungarees, high-waisted skirts, silky blouses, floor length trench coats and a few sparkly evening-wear dresses were the main pieces of the collection.
There was an underlying military theme, and colours never strayed far from khaki, navy, and olive green.
Hair was simply parted and left to dangle, while skin was dewy and fresh with just some bold eyeliner (all using Topshop's own collection of make-up).
Ultimately, the collection was wearable, which is the most important thing for me, however I'd mix up this collection with some coloured separates.
Floral, tribal, psychedelic, this season go print crazy!
Thakoon SS 12
Diane von Furstenburg SS12
I find many of the catwalk looks just a little too much and I would therefore wear just one key piece in the trend with neutral accessories. However, if you're brave just do it and dress up completely in some powerful print, or, if you are incredibly talented you will be able to mix your prints without your outfit being physically tiring to look at - Solange Knowles is particularly talented in this area.
I first spotted this curious creation when I saw Michelle Williams sporting one at the Baftas...
Michelle Williams arriving at the Baftas
A custom-made tribute to Arthur Miller's 'The Misfits'
...however, after a little research I realised that they've been in circulation for decades and you can pick up your own vintage version, like these ones below, on sites such as etsy.com.
Vintage Bag Clutch - about £28
Vintage Bag Clutch - about £41
If you're after la crème de la crème then it has to be an Olympia Le Tan clutch, which will set you back about £900. Le Tan's creations have been seen in the hands of stars such as Tilda Swinton and Natalie Portman, though in the designer's words, 'I rather like to see someone I don’t know wearing my bag in the street and I have no idea how they got it'. Take a look at her blog here. As for actually getting your hands on one - good luck! Every single book design (of which there are a good 20) is already sold out on her site.
Book clutch by Le Tan - perfect for this season's 20's trend
(read about it here)
I'm really struggling to find a high-street version of the bag. Asos did attempt it, but failed miserably in my opinion with the bag being made from plastic-y leather, and being stamped with 'Book Club' rather than with the name of a much loved classic or author. (That said the bag has sold out so clearly some thought was put into it).
If you're really crafty, then why not make one yourself? There's a fantastic tutorial on DIY blog runwaydiy, which just makes it look so easy!
Following the release of her sister line, 'Victoria, by Victoria Beckham', I thought I'd dedicate a post to the lady herself.
When I was at primary school in the late nineties, me and my friends were absolutely Spice Girl obsessed, and would spend break times rehearsing their songs and dance routines in the playground (I was deemed to most resemble Scary Spice much to my loathing, and always wanted to be the girly, fashionable Posh Spice). In hindsight, Victoria really was no fashion icon back then, but that most certainly cannot be said of her today.
My childhood idol!
Victoria seems to have slowly emerged as a key fashion figure, something which has suddenly gained momentum in recent years. Left behind are her typical WAG looks - tacky extensions and highlights, too much (orange) skin on show, blinging jewellery and distateful big designer branding, and she has emerged as a sleek, chic and demure icon, holding true to her former nickname.
Victoria Beckham dressed as a WAG
Her new line, 'Victoria, by Victoria Beckham' is a less pricey sister line of her main brand (never-the-less, prices start at £395), but instead of the more sophisticated dresses from the main line, 'Victoria' is all about fun cuts, pretty girly details and a 60's vibe - in short, it's made to suit a younger generation of VB fans.
The sophisticated VB we know and love today
Victoria won 'Designer Brand of the Year', an honour which she clearly found humbling which is so refreshing when celebrities these days can become so easily conceited.
The collection is exclusive to Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and Birmingham, but if you don't live close then you can mail order.
Victoria has collaborated with film-maker Quentin Jones (Cambridge educated, former-model, already created a video for Chanel, you know, the usual) to showcase the collection. Take a look here:
Personally, I find the video a bit tedious and far to 'manufactured' - I really feel I need to see some green grass or something after 3 minutes of this, but that's just me.
However, the collection is fabulous and boasted a waiting-list before it was released, and now the Harvey Nics stores are waiting for fresh supplies of some of the most popular designs (namely the pink tunic dress Mrs Beckham is sporting (ha-ha) below.
VB in one of the pieces for the new collection
Well done to Victoria Beckham for defeating her critics and reinventing herself as a major player in the fashion world.
Following a string of designer collaborations, H&M is now to join forces with Marni.
The television campaign has been posted online after much anticipation, after all, it was directed by Sofia Coppola (who also directed Marie Antoinette, Lost in Translation, the Virgin Suicides...), features Imogen Poots (seen in last year's film version of Jane Eyre), and features a host of other young stars of the fashion world.
Imogen Poots in Marni for H&M
Set in a rustic home in Marrakech which Coppola had once used when on holiday with friends, the video follows the dream of the young Imogen, who enters the beautiful house to find an equally beautiful host of guests, one of which catches her eye. Later, after swimming in the pool, the couple kiss under the moonlight following which Imogen wakes from her dream. The feel of the short-film is glamourous and yet relaxed, with scenes of leisurely car journeys, lazing by the pool and cuddling up in candle-lit salons. This reflects the collaboration well; high-glamour (Marni) mixed with functionality (H&M).
A shot of Imogen in the Marrakech house
True to the brand's roots, the collection features vintage tailoring, juxtapositions of textures and colours, and bold unusual patterns. The collection has therefore been cleverly released in time for S/S 2012, when prints are very much in, be they African, Aztec or psychedelic, with models seen on the catwalks dressed head-to-toe in clashing prints and accessorised with chunky tribal jewellery.
A shot of the poolside from the film
The collection will become available in stores worldwide from the 8th March (so get in quick if the sales of the H&M-Versace collection were anything to go by).
Refresh your spring wardrobe with a new colour palette of pretty pastels. Seen throughout the catwalks such as at Mulberry and Tibi, this is a really easy trend to follow, and you can simply wear a flash of pastel in the form of shoes or a handbag, or dress yourself head to toe in ice-cream shades.
An upcoming trend for us this Spring/Summer is 1920's Jazz Age fashion.
Actress Alice Joyce
The 20's in the US saw a time of great prosperity following the end of WW1, and with it evolved the flapper girl - think scandalously short skirts (that is, knee-length and longer), bob hair cuts and cloche hats.
Seen at many of the big fashion houses including Ralph Lauren, Marchesa and Gucci, garments such as silk slip dresses and fully beaded pleated dresses took centre stage, accessorised with cloche hats, long beads and a fur strewn over the shoulders.
Gucci SS 2012
The 1920's overturned many conventions in womenswear such as the corset being abandoned for a simple camisole, leading to a much more boyish figure, and women even went so far as to wear trousers (Coco Chanel was a notable pioneer of this.) Therefore, opt for a close fitting dress if you still wish for an accentuated waist, rather than adding a belt to a piece which needs no further adornment.
Marchesa SS 2012
French Connection
The trend is totally wearable, with not-too-much skin on show and a relatively loose fit to the body. Keep it modern with ballet flats (providing the dress is knee-length or shorter) and a cropped jacket.
