Michael Kors Fall 2015

Michael Kors is now the king of New York Fashion Week! 

Yesterday we were treated to a dazzling, autumnal jaunt in the English countryside. We had a mixture of the opulent 30s with post-war 40s and of course an All- American vibe throughout. 

It was a totally classic collection with a strong sense of romanticism. 

                      

The 40s silouhette was adopted; long pencil skirts, military'esque tweed jackets with peplum waists, draped in copious amounts of fur. Fur like nothing else; sheared mink, striped fox- dyed in sea-blue and fur collars in every colour imagined, emblazoned on a smock dress or an embellished pant-suit. Giving luxury it's name. 

                       

   

          

                      

                       

                      

One dress in particular stood out for me. An autumnal brown with the most intricate gold floral embellishments and appliqués, which gradually fragmented up the torso. It was truly stunning!

There was, however, a slight modernity shown through certain pieces. For example, the caped heritage trench and the caped version of a tweed blazer. It made a heavy, durable fabric have a sense of lightness. 

                       

Hard brogue-like shoes added a sense of practicality and extreme classicism, as well as the Gladstone bags in dark-toned orchid and tan to give a refined feel.

                        

There were hints of masculinity from the menswear checks which covered the outerwear and sharply tailored pieces. For example, an absolutely beautiful pair of black pyjamas showered in miniscule paisley crystals, served with a generous helping of black mink. So sumptuously delicate and beautiful it baffles me.

                       

The last two evening gowns worn by supermodels Karlie Kloss and Karmen Pedaru, shimmered in the spotlight. Which ended the show on a sensational high.

                     

                                                  

Personally, this was one of the most beautiful Michael Kors collections he has ever produced, infact out of all shows this New York Fashion Week, this one was my favourite. 

If you haven't watched it already, I would encourage you to do so!

Picture courtesy of fashiongonerogue.com, style.com, zimbio.com

College Street Style Part 3

Firstly, apologies about how late this instalment is. It is fashion week, therefore reviews are taking presidency at the moment. Secondly, I'm trying to spread the series out for as long as possible, hence the amount of people I haven't done yet. My apologies. Rest assured all will get done in due course!

Emily

When I think of Emily's style, I think Studio 54. Mixing old school glitz and glamour with a modern edge. Take this equation; a vintage fur + a velveteen top = effortless luxury. 

Here, we see Emily wearing a vintage sheepskin coat over a gypsy'esque embroidered top- this is Vogue, defined.  The ripped jeans mitigate the look ever so slightly, pushing it into the 'smart-casual' category. It is incredibly difficult to pull off smart casual. However, only a select handful of people can accomplish the look to the level of perfection, Emily is a great example of one of those people. Dressing like this is a talent, and you all know it!

                       

   

Describe your style in 3 words...

Vintage, Parisian and eclectic

Do you have a style inspiration?

I guess I take inspiration a lot of different people, but the only thing they have in common is their  individuality, for example I am hugely inspired by Marilyn Manson (although I don't dress like him!) and Vivienne Westwood because I think originality and expression is what inspires me about fashion, that is what I think its for.

Favourite place/s to shop:

I love charity shops and second-hand shop, but if we are talking more high-street then All Saints and Urban Outfitters.

                      

                        

Emily wears:

Vintage sheepskin coat

Boots- New Look

Jeans- Boohoo.com

Top- French Connection

Ruby

Ah now Ruby. This girl is effortlessly stunning, you can tell that her eternal style has already been bestowed in her. There is never a day when Ruby looks badly dressed, in fact she could probably wear the new Margiela or Comme Des Garçons and pull it off with so much ease. 

I would say Ruby has the classic style. When I say classic; I mean putting your own twist onto wardrobe staples. For example an overcoat; now would you invest in a MaxMara Teddy Bear Coat? Or perhaps just a well-tailored black overcoat? The epitome of chic. It is not about the pieces themselves, it's also about the person who wears them. As Marc Jacobs once said 'clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them', personality is key for timeless style, and in Ruby's case, with her bubbly personality she is able to achieve a high-order classic style. I applaude her!

                       

  

Describe your style in 3 words...

Simple, casual but sophisticated

Do you have a style inspiration?

I don't really have one but I do love Vanessa Hudgens' style!

Favourite place/s to shop:

Topshop, River Island and Urban Outfitters

                       

Ruby wears:

Top- Topshop

Jeans- River Island

Boots- Topshop

Becca

Edgy, eclectic and fun- 3 words to describe Becca's style, rolled up into one. This girl's got style, there is no denying about that. This very outfit pictured was the outfit that made me want to worship her manner of dressing. Let me break it down for you; firstly a last season Topshop jumper. I can tell you something- I want that jumper, and that's saying something! Secondly, the combination of the boyfriend jeans and that jumper; it's effortless edge with a hint of the je ne sais quoi factor. Adding the shoes in, perfects this outfit. It's laid-back, in the moment and full of charisma. Love it!

                      

Describe your style in 3 words...

Casual, current and eclectic

Do you have a style inspiration?

I'm afraid I don't.. I literally just see something I like and looks good and I wear it... I mean I look around at what people are wearing at the moment but I'd much rather I wore something I was confident and comfortable in than dressing how everyone else does just to fit in.

Favourite place/s to shop:

Topshop by far, Urban Outfitters for the basics and I have always been a New Look fan.

 

Becca wears:

Jumper- Topshop

Jeans- New Look

Shoes- Vans

               Credit to Immy Done and Stella Botes for the photography

Zac Posen Fall 2015

I have always admired Zac Posen's work. He is able to produce the most beautiful evening wear which is always red carpert worthy.

This collection was dramatically glamorous. On the one hand, we had the Grace Kelly influence; cinched in waists, silky foulards and volumizing skirts. True elegance. 


 

                

 

 

On the other hand, I felt that this collection was targeted at the more mature, sophisticated woman; seen through the fitted sage green suits (very Christian Dior in the late 40s) and the complexity of the built up appliqué on the evening wear pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was made apparent that Posen had prepped this collection with the thinking that A-listers will choose his brand ahead of the Oscars.

I can tell you one thing, my readers, that that ball gown which Naomi Campbell closed the show wearing. I predict that someone will be wearing that in a couple of weeks time.

 

 

Picture Courtesy of Style.com

 

 

The collection had body. More strong, elegant glamour than sweet, sexy and seductive (a trend for this current season).

 

 

 

Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2015

Three words to describe yesterday's DVF show; confident, sexy and seductive. With Kendall Jenner opening the show and Jourdan Dunn closing, it was safe to say power was on Diane's mind.

 

 

Kendall Jenner

 

 

Jourdan Dunn

 

 

A subdued palette was applied, consisting of: neutrals, monochrome, scarlet, (a popular choice this season)a deep royal blue and a variety of colourful prints. One motif used in the collection was oriental- portrayed through the use of prints, the layering and the execution of specific looks. The wrap dress (a DVF signature) in itself has a slight oriental quality about it. Therefore it was, of course, the centrepiece of the collection.

 

 

 

 

Wrap Dress

Hints of the 80s spread through the collection, for example the pinstripes and the grey textures that covered the waistcoats and suit trousers. 

 

 

The more seductive DVF woman certainly had more of a menacing feel about her. Perhaps the construction of the black lace bodices or the more masculine tailoring of the tuxedo pieces (power shoulders especially).

 

 

 

 

Picture Courtesy Style.com

Alexander Wang Fall 2015

Dark, gothic goddesses at Alexander Wang last night. Wang produced an entirely black collection, featuring grungey plaid, Frankenstein boots (double-soled) and a myriad of heavy metal hardware that doused black silk robes and boxy tailored suits. 

 

There were influences from Marilyn Manson and Gene Simmons of The Kiss; figures who lived their lives covered in notorious noire. Japanese references fluctuated loosely through the collection. Perhaps the masculine silhouette: cropped trousers which sat loosely on the hip paired with a heavy, square jacket decorated with miniscule metal plates to create the look of a bulletproof jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hints of the dominatrix described the evening wear. The iridescent fabrics which layered over sheer skirts, tied together with an obi belt; had quite a menacing quality about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Courtesy Style.com

 

 

 

Normally an all black collection has a tendency to be quite safe. However, with the right amount of styling and attention to detail, as shown, we see a extremely dark and powerful portrayal of the Alexander Wang Woman.   

 

 

 

 

Trend Forecast for Fall 2015

As New York Fashion Week has kicked off, I think it is time to give you, my readers, my predictions of the upcoming trends for the colder months.

              

For Spring, we had the utilitarian in contrast to a tender, light amorous look. We had androgyny in thread-bearing tailoring (Prada and Celine)and Safari chic from suede shift-dresses at Chanel.




 

          
                                                                 
                                 Prada Spring 2015

 

 

From the handful of shows I have viewed so far, this new season is all about the outerwear (when is it not?) - fur, raffia and textured wool coats swathe over copious layers of chunky knits. Another trend I think will be significant this season is the strongly structured tailoring (seen at Jason Wu) - fitted trousers and sharp court shoes or a wool biker jacket juxtaposed by some textured culottes-sophistication to the maximum, alongside an amount of sheer luxury.

At Lacoste, we saw a more sporty woman: tennis skirts, pinstripes and trackies enclosed inside of a bulky Kim Kardashian'esque teddy bear coats. The colour palette has been muted, military greens, rich camels and sanguine scarlets are now on the agenda for many designers. 

 

Jason Wu

 

 I think a trend will be the 30s. Think Coco Chanel. Think the Café Society- an illustrious group of aristocracy who socialised in cafes and restaurants in Paris. Members included Ernest Hemingway and Coco Chanel. In terms of fashion at this time, glitz and glamour was big- cinched in waists from Christian Dior's 'New Look', that revolutionised fashion forever. Also Coco Chanel's lavish eveningwear was introduced to modern women. It combined a sporty feel with a sense of flamboyancy. Think culottes and a knitted cricket jumper which sat nicely on top of a pair of monochrome Mary Jane's. This was the Jazz era.

 

Lacoste

 

 

Picture Courtesy Style.com 

Kanye West x Adidas Originals

As New York Fashion Week has now begun, I will be posting a variety of show reviews this month, alongside my other installations of the college street style series. Do enjoy!

At last that long awaited collaboration between Kanye West and Adidas was finally unveiled last night and was it certainly intriguing. The collection was titled 'Yeezy' in relation to Kanye West's sixth album 'Yeezus'.

West explored both men and women's apparel this season. There was a strong, ultilitarian and military feel throughout, conceptualized by this sense of solidarity; perhaps portrayed through the delivery of this spectacle. 

We saw many pieces that we would see Kanye or Kim Kardashian wearing for themselves. For example, a distressed military green bomber jacket or an oversized black shearling jacket (worn by Kylie Jenner) covering a nude Vanessa Beecroft'esque bodysuit, leggings or leotard. An array of knit jumpers were featured with slashes and frays.

The shoes were a disaster in themselves. Grey suede heeled boots were the latter until we were introduced to the horrors of the 'Yeezy Boosts', which seemed to be some sort of platformed snow boot combined with a sports shoe. I just cringe at that concept.

In my opinion, I found that the collection lacked in any sense of general aesthetic. It was all about the spectacle; the way in which the models paraded in a tight group, the footage and the advertisement of his new songs. However, the clothes; I hate to say, lacked any personality or being. It was all minimalistic, there was no clear attempt to step out of the box; therefore making it just plain dull. The hype was definitely wasted.

Picture courtesy Style.com