Saturday, 3 November 2012

Leather Lux


Leather trend board by JUST, incorporating images from: www.topshop.com, www.vogue.co.uk and www.asos.com

Aside from the catwalks, celebrities and musicians have played their part in bringing this trend to the 
high streets. The Kills launched their retrospective in London's Hoxton Gallery with images taken from their recently published book, 'Dream and Drive'. The Kills' Alison Mosshart once compared the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to... 

"waking up in the morning, putting on your boots and shooting yourself out of a canon"

...now 10 years later, the band have decided to mark the decade of musical history with a trip down memory lane, of which guests to the launch displayed their inner rocker through leather. 

Topshop Inside-Out, www.insideout.topshop.com

Topshop Inside-Out, www.insideout.topshop.com
This season leather doesn't have to mean moto jackets and rocker trousers, battered and worn. This trend is evokes gothic glamour and is rich with suggestions of rebel, vixen and dominatrix; glossy black leather offers a sleek take on autumn's new decadent air.

From a Eurostar tourist booklet, 2012

The presence of leather is not limited to the typical jackets and separates, but extends to visions of sleek gowns in full black leather, in the cleanest silhouettes, as seen in Valentino and Calvin Klein collections.

Knee-length leather coats were created by Loewe, Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg and Givenchy, the cover-up to covet this season - just opt for classic shapes with little to no detailing, save for a neat belt.

Loewe AW12, www.style.com

Diane von Furstenberg AW12, www.style.com

Fendi AW12, www.style.com

Givenchy, AW12, www.style.com

To tame the trend for a day-to-day look, take inspiration from Alexa Chung and team a leather skirt with a chunky knit:


Here are a few of my favourite skirts this season:

Oasis, http://www.oasis-stores.com

Whistles, www.whistles.co.uk

Oasis, www.oasis-stores.com

Warehouse, www.warehouse.co.uk




Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Spooky Style-Out


Halloween has hit just as the Gothic trend has been released in all it's gloomy glory! It was no secret that leather, lace and tones of black and oxblood were the season's go to fashion fix but the trend has been fully exploited this Halloween.

Aquilano Rimondi

The merge of this intense trend with the dress-up event of year has encouraged consumers to emerge themselves in the bewitching trend and given them the confidence to create bold and beautiful looks.

See below for some of Halloween's hottest looks:

Topshop, www.topshop.com

ASOS, www.asos.com

ASOS, www.asos.com
River Island, www.riverisland.com

As the palette is somewhat limited its all about playing with textures and throwing together contrasting pieces.

As well as taking advantage of the Trick or Treat phenomena in store, Topshop has created a social media advertising campaign from Halloween:

Topshop, www.topshop.com

See below for the Harper's Bazaar interpretation:
"In anticipation of his retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art, filmmaker Tim Burton reimagines the season's dark delights" Harper's Bazaar
Photographs by Tim Walker

Read more: Tim Burton Halloween Fashion - Tim Burton Fashion Shoot - Harper's BAZAAR 
















I myself chose to go with the Black Swan as inspiration for my goolish guise, incorporating the trend of black, satin, net and, most importantly, feathers:

  


Saturday, 27 October 2012

It's still about the collar!

Since my 'Just Collars' post on 22nd July it is obvious that this trend is sticking around to see Christmas in...

Metal collar tips help to transfer the the trend of studding and embellishment into office-friendly-wear. Alternatively it's an easy and effective way to bring an old shirt up to date - whatever your reason these creative collars come ready-made or you can buy the tips for a DIY job:

Option 1 : Ready-made

Topshop, www.topshop.com

Topshop, www.topshop.com

Zara, www.zara.com

Zara, www.zara.com


Option 2 : DIY
ASOS, www.asos.com
ASOS, www.asos.com


ebay, www.ebay.com

ebay, www.ebay.com
Topshop, www.topshop.com

Topshop, www.topshop.com

For a slightly bolder look you can go for an all over embellished collar, the focus on the neck of the shirt means you don't have to accessorise with a necklace - ideal for a smart/casual look.

Option 3 : Embellished
Urban Outfitters,  www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Urban Outfitters,  www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Topshop, www.topshop.com

Topshop, www.topshop.com

Zara, www.zara.com

Zara, www.zara.com
A further way to ensure your collar forms the focus of you outfit is to layer it under a contrasting colour or pattern. You could also try experimenting with textures, why not layer a silk/chiffon shirt under a chunky, fishnet knit?

Option 4 : Layering


American Apparel, www.store.americanapparel.co.uk