SS14 TREND WATCH : NEW PROPORTIONS

SS14 TREND WATCH : BONBON HUES

BURBERRY AW14 REVIEW

Arriving at the picturesque surroundings of Kensington Gardens, Burberry Prorsum’s AW14 guests were greeted by a watercolour backdrop of the London skyline – an instant reminder of the label’s British heritage. This painterly aesthetic was reflected on the runway, which opened with a myriad of lace and chiffon dresses in expressionist floral prints. Elegantly draped and layered fabrics were cinched at the waist and complemented with distinguishable hand-painted leather accessories. The label’s hallmark trench coats grounded the (somewhat unexpected) romanticism of the first half, re-worked in fluid silhouettes and printed with artistic brush-strokes.

As the show evolved, so did the theme, with heavier fabrics introduced in the second half. Shearling coats, knitted scarves and a darker, somewhat more mysterious colour palette nodded to an Aztec influence. Fall was in full swing. Spring’s highly coveted sheer lace skirts were re-imagined in rich burgundy, gold and black hues, and the runway played host to the label’s signature faces. Suki Waterhouse, Jourdan Dunn and Malika Firth were led (naturally) by Cara Delevingne. Live music from Paloma Faith, Ed Harcourt and Rhodes set the tone, and the front row was characteristically littered with familiar celebrity faces; Bradley Cooper, Tinie Tempah and Harry Styles creating almost as much hype as the collection itself.

For the icing on the cake, Christopher Bailey dressed his models in personalised blankets, boldly embroidered with their initials. Walking as one for the finale, the beautiful Burberry tribe created a lasting impact. Could this be the season’s trophy piece?

Marks and Spencer Christmas Advert 2013

"Tut, tut, child!" said the Duchess. "Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it."

(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 9)

Every year we await the two adverts that announce the start of the festive season. The sound of the Coco Cola chimes ringing out of the television is - undoubtedly - a classic. But in recent years it has been Marks and Spencer that I most look forward to seeing. 

This year the brand looks to traditional fairytales for inspiration. As one of my most favored themes, be it fashion, styling, interiors or events, I was especially intrigued to see the outcome. 

Littered with an all-star cast, this two minute-long ad sees Rosie Huntington Whiteley as Alice in Wonderland and David Gandy as the Mad Hatter. After a trip to Wonderland, the story turns to a magic carpet ride and finally sees Helena Bonham-Carter as the mighty Wizard of Oz. An enchanting way to display the new season styles, each 'character' wears a selection of easy to wear outfits from the daytime, evening and lingerie collections. 

The final tagline ; 'Magic and Sparkle' links it all together nicely. A truly artistic interpretation.

Kate Moss : Roll - 1 David Ross

This week marks the 40th birthday of British fashion icon, Kate Moss. In celebration, the Lawrence Alkin Gallery in Soho showcased never-before seen imagery of her first ever photo shoot. I couldn't resist taking a trip to see these original shots for myself.

First pictured by David Ross at 14 years of age, the model is fresh-faced and angelic.  Showcased in a dark room as though in the original studio, the prints were hung from the ceiling and piled atop one another for artistic effect. Below are some of my pictures from the event. 

Chinti and Parker for Matches : Neon Exclusives

This season, Chinti and Parker have designed an exclusive collection for MATCHESFASHION.COM inspired by vintage neon signs. Cosy knits in sugary hues feature slogans and pattern that nod towards '70s disco. 

Described by the label as being 'Varsity Queen meets Roller Girl', these charming pieces are sure to brighten up dull autumn days. Embrace your all-American side and wear them with distressed denim and Peter Pan shirt collars. 

Below are images of the Grid sweater - inspired by flouro dance floors - and the 'Bisous' sweater, emblazoned with the french translation for 'kisses'.

MAD ABOUT PLAID

Céline and Stella set the tone with their AW runway collections, and dutifully, everyone followed suit. This season the must-have print is plaid and plenty of it. If you're brave enough to wear it head-to-toe, clash your colours to channel the catwalk. 
Alternatively, a knitted scarf or sporty pumps are a subtle way to work the look. 

SHOP THE LOOK:

Stella McCartney Tartan mohair sweater at MATCHESFASHION.COM

ZARA brings head-to-toe check to the highstreet

FOREVER FASHION ICONS

The Olsens on the Net-a-Porter Style Report this week :

http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/217/contents

LEATHER INSPIRATION

It's that time of year again. The nights draw close and the days get darker. It can only mean one thing: leather looks are back. Sleek and sophisticated or rough and ready - there's no better place to start building your transeasonal wardrobe. This autumn sees the fashion set experimenting with textures, clashing this fabric-du-jour with chunky knitwear and sheer silk. For subtle hits, opt for accessories like leather gloves or a timeless tote.

THE KENZO EYE

Another season another enchanting Kenzo motif. In previous collections, the design duo have looked to the skies and explored the jungle for inspiration. For now, the focus shifts to the Lotus eye - a symbol inspired by the mystery of cults and superstition. Highly present across both men and womenswear, it adorns everything from statement knits to low-top sneakers. MATCHESFASHION.COM, Harvey Nicols and Net-a-Porter have all bought into the trend. On my personal wish list are the printed skinny jeans - an urban-cool round-the-clock pair.

Kenzo at MATCHESFASHION.COM

MADRID

September : the perfect time for a weekend getaway. The Summer is officially over and its the perfect pick-me-up. This year, I paid my first ever visit to Madrid for a long weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect but what a beautiful city! The perfect combination of culture and commerce - the architecture was steeped in history and the food as Spannish as you like. We walked, we shopped, we ate, we drank, we even watched a live game. The perfect antidote to autumn blues.