Thursday 17 February 2011

NYFW Highlights: The Row

In what seems like the blink of an eye, New York Fashion Week is over and we are left to muse over what trends will be most popular in the coming season. My favourite show was undoubtedly The Row.

The Row's latest collection exuded that elegant, understated luxury that has come to define the Olsen-run label that has been so well-received within the notoriously harsh fashion community since its launch in 2007, even being nominated for a highly coveted CFDA award this year.

The famous twins relaxed on the strict monochromatic minimalism that defined their last two collections and stepped elegantly into exploring pops of colour. The quality of their clothing can most clearly be seen in the exquisite tailoring of the perfectly-cut trousers (the label's name is notably inspired by London's Savile Row), as well as their wonderfully-executed first foray into handbags. While this collection is more grown up and ladylike than collections past, a relaxed, androgynous feel can still be seen throughout. I was most excited by the velvet slippers, elbow-length leather gloves, sexy sheer layering mixed with luxe seperates, and the cute spherical bags.










Although I'm not sure how I feel about the abundant use of fur (one coat was made entirely from fox pelts) the entire collection is undeniably covetable and offered something wearable for every occasion, almost like a capsule Autumn/Winter wardrobe.

More soon.

Photos from Style.com

Tuesday 15 February 2011

The Elle Style Awards!

While most people were off enjoying candlelit dinners for two or snuggling up watching cheesy romantic comedies this Valentine's Day, the British fashion world was at the Elle Style Awards honouring the best in the business.

The award of the night, went to girl-of-the-moment Emma Watson who was declared this year's 'Style Icon'. Everyone's favourite upper East-sider, Blake Lively accepted the award for 'Best TV Star' and somewhat controversially Cheryl Cole was given the gong for 'Best Music'. The award for 'Breakthrough Talent' went to my new favourite red carpet-er, Noomi Rapace of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.

When it came to the real fashion awards of the night, Elle presented recent British Fashion Council/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient, Christopher Kane with 'Best British Designer'. 'Best Accessories Designer' went to Mulberry's Emma Hill and 'Best Jewellery Designer' went to Dominic Jones. Recognising emerging talent, the 'Next Young Designer' accolade was given to design duo Meadham Kirchhoff. Fashion darling and all-round cutie, Coco Rocha deservedly won 'Model of the Year'. Britain's First Lady, Samantha Cameron was even on hand to present Tom Ford with the award for 'Best International Designer'. Following in the footsteps of fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell at last year's awards, Helena Christensen was honoured for her 'Outstanding Contribution to British Fashion'.

Of course, with it being the 'style' awards, what people wore was of paramount importance..

Alexa Chung in Yves Saint Laurent

Presenting the awards was last year's Style Icon, Alexa Chung who looked great in blue YSL. Never one to put a proverbial sartorial foot wrong, the slit at the waist makes this relatively demure dress subtly sexy, and the mid-length is perfectly on-trend.

Caroline Sieber in Mark Fast

Stylist to the stars, Caroline Sieber looks like an absolute bombshell in this sexy Mark Fast number. Envious? Me?

Noomi Rapace in Burberry Prorsum

So far so impressed. After donning Givenchy couture at the BAFTAs, Noomi chose a stunning Spring green, ruched minidress by Burberry Prorsum, all in the same week. Definitely deserving of best red carpet breakthrough in my book. I only wish it had a couple of extra inches on the hem..

David Gandy in Dolce & Gabbana

Men take note. This is how it's done.

Emma Watson in Hakaan

Emma Watson went for flirty and fun in a cut-out Hakaan minidress. The slicked-back hair is very on-trend and adds a touch of grown-up glamour to her look.

Christopher Kane

Designer-of-the-moment, Christopher Kane went for fashion's favourite ensemble - black on black on black.

Courtney Love in Givenchy couture

Famously hit or miss, Courtney Love was most definitely a hit in this beautiful Givenchy couture gown. The sheer sleeves and decolletage give a hint of sex appeal whilst remaining demure and elegant. I also love how she didn't ruin it by over-accessorising. Kudos.

Cheryl Cole in Alexander McQueen

Cheryl looked gorgeous in a simple red McQueen dress with a plunging neckline.

Blake Lively in Pucci

Although I'm not completely sold on this boho-chic Pucci dress, I am head over heels in love with the colour, and there's no denying how stunning Blake Lively looks in it.

Thandie Newton in Louis Vuitton

For me, Thandie Newton is elegance personified. She always looks so comfortable and chic and really owns whatever she is wearing. This time the actress opted for a colourful, sexy 70's look by Louis Vuitton.

Henry Holland

Never one to shy away from a style statement, fashion darling Henry Holland wore a skinny denim effect(?) suit.

Pixie Geldof in House of Holland

Pixie Geldof donned a printed purple 70's creation from designer friend, Henry Holland's latest collection.


More soon. Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.

All photos courtesy of Elleuk.com

BAFTAs red carpet

Awards season is in full swing and this week it's come across the Atlantic to London for the BAFTAs, Elle Style Awards and the BRITs!

The King's Speech was the big winner of the night with it's stars Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush all taking home the awards in their respective categories, as well as the award for Best Film, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score. Only furthering that Oscar buzz, Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky was on hand to accept the award for Best Actress on Natalie Portman's behalf as she was too "knocked up" to fly. In a rather touching, end-of-an-era style presentation, J.K Rowling got up on stage in snake skin Lanvin as the Harry Potter franchise was honoured for it's Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema. Other winners of the night included The Social Network's David Fincher for Best Director and deservedly Inception was awarded the accolade for Best Special Visual Effects.

Of course it's wonderful to see so many talented people recognised for their achievements in their respective professions, but what we really want to know is; what did they wear?!

Noomi Rapace in Givenchy couture by Ricardo Tisci

I wasn't sure who this was at first but I've been told it's the actress from 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. This was probably my favourite look of the night so kudos to the red carpet newbie! An all-out glamour gown with the spiky belt adding some edge, this is a longer version of the one supermodel Lara Stone wore to her wedding reception last year.

Jessica Alba in Atelier Versace

Another contender for my favourite look of the night. Atelier Versace is just so spot on at the moment, everyone who has worn it so far this awards season has looked amazing (Angelina Jolie and January Jones at the Golden Globes, anyone?). The colour is a breath of fresh air and Jessica Alba is dead on trend with the wraparound braid that has been seen all over New York Fashion Week this week.

Thandie Newton in Monique Lhuillier

I always say if I absolutely had to wear a 'red carpet-y' gown I would wear Monique Lhuillier. The print on the fabric keeps it really fresh and the elegant shape adds an element of grandeur. Thandie Newton looks stunning, a definite three-way tie for my favourite look of the BAFTAs.

Amy Adams in Elie Saab

Gorgeous, simple, understated elegance. Elie Saab is proving popular this season, this dress is a pared-down version of what both Sandra Bullock and Scarlett Johansson wore to the Golden Globes.

James McAvoy in Prada

Just like Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes, I love a man in a Prada suit. I really like how James McAvoy stood out from the other men of the evening and opted for all black, with the different textures keeping it from being too boring.

Tom Ford and Julianne Moore in Tom Ford

Julianne Moore looks fantastic. Red Tom Ford lipstick with a blue velvet Tom Ford gown, combined with her beautiful fiery hair and pale skin, what's not to love?

Emma Watson in Valentino couture

Helend Bonham Carter Emma Watson in another Valentino creation at an afterparty

Emma Watson looked lovely in two different nude Valentino couture gowns. I have to say I prefer her ruffled afterparty number, it's much more flirty and fun but still has the necessary fashion clout to pull off an event as prestigious as the BAFTAs. Either way she looked gorgeous.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Emma Stone is fast becoming a fixture on the 'best-dressed' pages of celebrity weeklies the world over and you can see why. This two-tone, asymmetrical Lanvin number is flattering and elegant but the pop of colour manages to keep it young.

Helena Bonham Carter in Vivienne Westwood

No surprises here as Helena Bonham Carter wore yet another Vivienne Westwood gown. But hey, if it ain't broke..

Sam Taylor-Wood in Celine, with Aaron Johnson

I'm not 100% sold on the shape of Sam Taylor-Wood's gown but as this will be next season's It-colour I think she deserves a mention. And the fact that it is a design by Goddess all things minimalist, Celine's Phoebe Philo, doesn't hurt either.

Nicholas Hoult in Tom Ford

Just like Helena Bonham Carter, noone was surprised to see Nicholas Hoult wearing his go-to designer, Tom Ford yet again. Very dashing.

Edith Bowman in Emilia Wickstead

The surprise of the night for me was how much I loved what Edith Bowman wore! Not particularly well-known for her sartorial choices, Edith worked that Mad Men trend like a pro. And just like Jessica Alba she was spot on with her braided hair. Lovely.


I've decided not to have a 'worst-dressed' section in any future blog posts however I just had to give a special mention to Tracy Emin and Claudia Winkleman who both looked like they'd been dragged through a hedge backwards.

Tracy Emin in Vivienne Westwood

Claudia Winkleman in Topshop

Claudia, it's the BAFTAs! Strictly no leggings and no high street brands!

More soon.

All photos courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

Friday 11 February 2011

Style crush: Emmanuelle Alt

I was originally asked to write an article on my current style icon for Fashion156.com a couple weeks ago, but since they never ran it I've decided to let you guys see it here....

As the woman replacing Carine Roitfeld next month after her 10-year reign as Editor In Chief at French Vogue, Emmanuelle Alt has a lot to live up to. However, it might be said that Emmanuelle is the perfect choice for the role.

Carine Roitfeld and Emmanuelle Alt

Indeed the second news hit that Carine was stepping down, the fashion world was a-flutter with speculation that it would be this mysterious Fashion Director and sometime stylist for French Vogue, who had worked closely with Carine during her tenure (in fact they joined the magazine at around the same time), who would take her place.

Cue my new style crush.

Emmanuelle Alt

Emmanuelle is, in my mind, the perfect example of laidback French chic; a covetable mix of luxe and understatement which just makes her look like the coolest girl on the front row. A woman who favours a well-cut trouser over an attention-grabbing mini-dress gets a huge thumbs up in my book, her look could almost be described as ‘utility chic’.

Emmanuelle Alt

With my own penchant for monochromatic tomboy comfort, Emmanuelle is a great example of how this doesn’t have to equal lazy dressing. With her staples of great statement jackets, skinny leather trousers and comfortable-looking heels, I am obsessed with how easy she makes this look.

Emmanuelle Alt

Emmanuelle is akin to the Queen of all things minimalist, Phoebe Philo. Even something as simple as her lack of makeup really hits home this concept that you should never look too ‘done’, a notion I am fast falling for after months of attention-seeking, headache-inducing Gaga and Nicki Minaj lookalikes filling the nightclubs of London.

Emmanuelle Alt took the reins as Editor In Chief of French Vogue on February 1st, taking a firm step into the fashion spotlight. I, for one, will be keeping a close eye (and taking notes) on what she is papped wearing front row at fashion weeks around the world!


More soon.

Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Christopher Kane wins second annual Vogue Designer Fashion Fund!

Back in November (click here) I tipped Glaswegian designer, Christopher Kane, to win the second annual Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and today it was confirmed in an announcement made by the British Fashion Council. The fund supplies the designer with a £200,000 prize, as well as a unique mentoring programme aimed at developing young British talent into global fashion brands.

Tammy and Christopher Kane

Kane, who owns the label jointly with his sister and sometime collaborator Tammy, was selected by a panel of industry insiders, chaired by British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman, from a shortlist of 8 fledgling British designers based on the strength of his proposed business plan and a presentation of his collection. Shulman said of the choice, "I am delighted that Christopher Kane has won this year's award. His last collection was one of his best with a strong point of view but also clothes that all of us want to wear. He represents the best of British fashion talent - original, determined and influential."

Christopher Kane Resort 2011

Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2011

The seven runners up, which included Richard Nicoll, Charlotte Olympia, Jonathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Osman Yousefzada, Peter Pilotto and E.Tautz, will also receive mentoring through the scheme.

More soon.
Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.


Catwalk photo from Style.com