Friday, 24 October 2014

Giambattista Vali Haute Couture - Shanghai Edition

giambattistapr, Instagram
Having debuted his line ‘Giamba’ at MFW, Giambattista Valli has taken Haute couture to China. On Tuesday, the designer unveiled a 40 look show in Shanghai, predominantly in an aim to introduce the Chinese market to remarkable luxury pieces. Although the market is seemingly saturated with high desire for branded logos and ‘wants of the West’, Valli took a more artistic approach in guiding Asia into fashion via the more intrinsic aspects of design.

The magnificent extravaganza took place with a pretty and feminine collective of floor length gowns and skirts; the use of embellishment impeccable and a handful of textures to lift them. Model Du Juan proved Valli’s talent in one of many train balloon skirts, a mammoth of ruffles in multiple shades of blue, pieced with a daintily patterned blouse a head wrap. Head wrap’s were the consistent vice of Valli throughout the show, translating the Italian routes of the designer and European culture. Liu Wen also wore a feathered skirt of the same shape, Ostrich like in lilac.

Giambattistapr, Instagram
All sewn and placed together by hand in Paris, the designer’s craftsman ship has been perceived as a glamorous dynasty take on porcelain, modifying tradition in a glittering adaptation. Amal Alamuddin makes this all SO evident, having worn a short dress by the designer after her wedding to George Clooney. The iridescent detailing of Amal’s dress is reflected in the entirety of the couture line, and is embedded in the true value of Giambattista’s Parisian team.



Overall, the colour palette is typical of a Spring collection, and the textures and lines make for a perfect Easter gown, whether a dress or shirt skirt arrangement. The Chinese market is constantly regarded as wanting to match the West in terms of commerciality; however Valli’s floristry theme emulates the stunning springs of China,
and all things blossom. Giambattista has executed
a graceful entrance to Shanghai.

A fashion icon, artist and gentleman; farewell Oscar.

Bergdorfs

Positively Blooming!

PA
We sat, we gazed, we adored as Kate Middleton seamlessly paraded across London, pregnant with baby No.1 (gawks over the thought of Baby George!) back in 2012. We now replicate ourselves two years on, as Kate flawlessly executes her second bump in an even more stunning wardrobe! As if that would be even be possible, right?!

A pregnancy favourite of Kate’s has been Jenny Packham, and in one of her first appearances pregnant with baby number two she wore an elegant JP gown, dressed with simple pearlescent  accessories and heels – it almost seems a timely and honourable acknowledgment to the sweet swing dress made by the designer post George birth! Kate stayed loyal to her staple Issa-ish waist gather, and gleamed in her enviable frame. The bump was perhaps less visible, but what justice she did regardless! Very fresh, and very crisp for the wintry season ahead.

Tim Rooke
Another signature ‘Kate’ look was seen earlier this week at the Royal Welcoming Ceremony. Kate wore McQueen in the form of a single breasted, grey, Herringbone coat together with a Jane Taylor tear drop hat. Relentlessly smart, Kate showed little sign of a traumatic hospital experience prior as she looked a busy, vibrant and goal orientated woman – not to mention comfortable and as her bump rested calmly beneath the lashings of wool. I can only imagine how cosy that baby is!Alcoming Ceremony. Kate wore McQueen in the form of a single breasted, grey, Herringbone coat together with a Jane Taylor tear drop hat. Relentlessly smart, Kate showed little sign of a traumatic hospital experience prior as she looked a busy, vibrant and goal orientated woman – not to mention comfortable and as her bump rested calmly beneath the lashings of wool. I can only imagine how cosy that baby is!


Last night we saw Kate’s pregnancy evening wear; and Alice Temperley was the magician of choice. The designer herself once cast Kate as ‘The perfect Modern Woman’, and so she was in a black, emblem flare dress. Temperley often creates more sophisticated black pieces, and a sweet alice band around the waist captured Kate’s stunning and evolving shape. The pattern, whilst very Azzedine Alaia esque, captured youth and taste. Something of a timeless ‘go to’ dress, I’m sure we’re bound to see Kate in this again, particularly due to its free flowing and unrestrictive nature; a pregnancy necessity!

Moschino Spring/Summer 2015: Barbie!

Style.com
If Jeremy Scott could send Moschino into more triumphant levels of true commercial fashion, his Spring/Summer 2015 collection has some serious business to answer for!

“HELLO BARBIE!” the words on every honourable guests lips when opening the invitation to Moschino’s Milan Fashion Week show; a giant plastic comb meant one thing only, an abundance of platinum blonde, bubblegum pink and dazzling audience eyes, all predictably reverting back to their five year old selves.

Style.com
Scott’s sophomore collection is a devotion to Mattel’s greatest export, yet it stays completely faithful to Moschino's innovative culture. The Cowgirl Barbie, Workout Barbie, Malibu Barbie, even the 80’s Rodeo Drive Barbs were translated throughout the 15 minute show. A matter of Perspex mini skirts and classic pink biker jacket was the first ensemble to set up the whimsical nature of the show. Although the ultimate object of femininity, Scott’s pieces were strong with low hemlines, high waists and prominent shoulders. Take the ‘Totally Moschino’ line. Barbie is fierce and energetic; her playful personality is alive with lashing of flesh but kept to a tee of class in the classic stiletto.


As for Work Out Barbie, she play’s nice in loose attire with a whisp of 80’s chic, fitted and practical – Well sweep me up off the cross trainer! As we prepare ourselves for the sunny season ahead, there will be some serious gym envy – and that’s before we even arrive in Malibu! Poolside Barbie is tropical, citrus yellow and deep blue in an array of block pattern upon teeny weeny bikini’s – she even has a blow up bag guys! How 90’s is THAT.

Style.com
By night, Rodeo Drive is planet 80’s. Dresses assembled with iconic taffeta bow’s, fish tail drops, colossal ruffles and never without voluminous hair; Moschino will have every Ken crying ‘Barbie, wanna go for a ride?!’. In the climate of a constant demand for MORE MORE MORE pop culture, Moschino sells itself as the pinnacle. “She's had every job. She's even been an astronaut. Barbie basically is the full package - plus she loves an evening dress which is very important for Moschino." 

Jeremy’s message is to loosen up with Fashion. The endless criticism surrounding Barbie in regards to her impossible measurements amongst others are simply eliminated when perceiving the buoyant spirit the collection possesses. Plastic, but so fantastic; every girl can finally experience the dream of being their very own Barbie.


Sold exclusively at Browns! 

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Summer Moss

Shimmer and... Snake?


More Easter weekend events called for more silk, satin and all things luster. I was fortunate enough to attend the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Barbican in London (open until the 25th of August for the likes of you fashion bunnies) (POST TO FOLLOW SOON!) on Easter sunday with my equally fashion enthused Mother. If easter weekend weather was going to be wet, it would of course be on the sunday, and oh did the heavens open! Months prior however, I was stuck in one of those 'I just need a new, something smart to wear' phases, and similar to previous post, knew it would be a matter of conveying the brightness of spring in a weather appropriate ensemble. 

Inevitably, I found myself in Topshop. Admittedly, I hand't had my eye, nor even seen this Snake Jacquard Tee on the website, which is unusual, and knowing Topshop's wonderful efforts to be constant in producing more and more updated fashions, it must have been on the market for a while as I found it hidden at the very back of a rail; and what a fantastic find it was too! The top is jacquard with a unique snakeskin pattern, lifted by soft polyester and laid upon shimmering viscose. The contrast between a glowing gold and duck egg blue also immediately says easter and spring. I paired it with neutral cord ankle grazers... and yes, I can proudly say that I felt comfortable and stylish!

The tee comes in at £38. Perhaps not so student friendly, but with the fortunate student discount and adaptability for all season weather, I can definitely call this one a worthwhile asset to the wardrobe. Don't be put off by sizing either. I fluctuate between an 8 and 10 in Topshop, and although frustrated (always frustrated when it comes to sizing) with the lack of 10's, a 12 fitted seamlessly well thanks to the soft fabric. Without being superfluously emotive with this evidently beautiful tee, it's the type of top that emulates elegance and subtle allure, and is seriously fitting for the 'smart casual' occasions that most of us lend ourselves to. Be it work, a party or a slightly dressier occasion on the other hand, it's really is adaptable with the power to be dressed up or down. Isn't that the ultimate deal breaker that crosses our minds when trying to fight guilt when purchasing something?