Forget dainty blooms and freshly mown lawns and think bountiful overgrown back garden.
Catwalks came alive for spring, with a fully fertilised reference to all things natural – bold fruits, super-sized blooms, birds in flight and oh-so fashionable bug infestations.
Celebrities Alexa Chung, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all been sporting garden-esque print gowns on the red carpets.
Essentially, this is a trend that's all about having fun with prints.
Steer well clear if you're more of a wallflower, an injection of these larger-than-life patterns is the easiest way to wake up your wardrobe this season.
British summertime is officially under way so take inspiration from the great outdoors and pack a punch with your favourite print. Whether you're a fruity girl or a floral fanatic, there's a mini trend to suit.
If you usually stick to block colour, go wild this season and follow fashion's nature trail. No hiking boots necessary.
Fruit cocktail
Tangerine, lime and lemon aren't only hot colours for this season, the fruit brigade have made their mark on prints too.
While Prada had fun with bold bananas, Stella McCartney wowed with citrus fruits and things got a little juicy at Betsey Johnson with strawberry, pineapple and grape references.
These mouth-watering fruity prints add a retro edge to spring pieces. Think Katy Perry kitsch and you're on the right track.
Go as bold as you dare with this look, from dainty berries and cherries to super-sized lemons and apples.
If you like the concept but think you'll look more ‘fruitcake' than fruity fashionista, use accessories. And if Charlotte Olympia's £950 fruit platforms push your budget, try the affordable range of fruity trinkets and charms on the high street to add a quirky edge.
Winged wonder
Creatures of the sky will have you flying to the top of the style charts this summer.
Butterflies and birds are the carefree way to do this season's natural selection.
Alexander McQueen's catwalk gowns and heels flaunted life-sized butterfly appliqués and Miu Miu showcased a graceful swan print dress.
Fear not if you feel like a shy fashion chrysalis, these prints are much more subtle than other nature-inspired trends with repetitive mini swallow patterns or sheer, delicate butterfly looks.
Forget structured workwear style pieces, this trend works best with casual looks like floaty summer dresses or blouses for a nod to Seventies hippy chic.
Watch the birdie; if you want to go more adventurous with the aviary obsession, you'll be tweeting for joy with bolder bird of prey prints.
Bug life
No matter if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies. Keep the bug spray and fly swat at bay because insects are this season's surprise fashion hit.
With flowers and fruits big on the nature trail of prints, it's no surprise that insects have crawled their way into this season's fashion agenda.
Fun and unusual, even arachnophobics and insect squealers can indulge in this quirky print trend.
From teeny ladybirds and dainty dragonflies to eye-catching bugs and beetles, just make sure your insects are colourful. Go too monochromatic or dark and you're at risk of stepping into spooky Halloween territory.
This season's insects are ideal for curvy girls who should avoid extremely busy prints and opt for scattered styles to flatter your figure.
Floral bouquet
There's only one way to come up smelling of roses this season… super-sized blooms. These floral prints look like they've spent a Mediterranean summer growing in a hothouse.
Erdem, D&G and Cacharel's catwalks were blooming with vibrant colour using uber-bold florals, and the high street have followed suit with overgrown-style prints.
Just like a wild bouquet, this is one trend where mixing up your blooms by clashing two different prints can look like a professional arrangement if put together well – just make sure the colours and tones still complement each other without being too matchy-matchy.
Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen's applique and try pop-up flower details on occasionwear dresses or shoes for a real summer talking point.
Who needs a man to buy you flowers when you've got a whole fashion garden to pick from?
Get the look
Soon-to-drop Natalie Portman accessorises her bump in a Mamas & Papas denim shirt. Be quick, her maternity staple is currently on sale half price at £18.
Buy it now
Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis is putting his business acumen to good use with the launch of his new lingerie destination, Boux Avenue. Launching April 1, the brand has a focus on fit with sizing options ranging from 30A to 40G initially, and later all the way to K.
2011年3月31日星期四
2011年3月30日星期三
No shirt, no shoes, no class
LBCC is a school rich with student diversity. Every student contributes a different style to the school making it more colorful and multi-factious.
Each student has the opportunity to express oneself as they please. Many identify themselves with the fad they express. Without the variety we all possess on campus, the school just might be boring. The person and there style is what gives that extra touch we need on campus that makes our school glow.
As of now LBCC does not possess a dress code prohibiting student's freedom of fashion on campus. Students are able to dress freely without having a consequence. But would a dress code be needed for LBCC? Is the way students are dressing prohibiting them from learning?
The truth is we don't think it matters. It doesn't seem to be a big issue as long as it does not offend other students. The clothing does not make the student. We do not see how a fashion can affect a student's academic capacity.
The capacity is within the student and there should not be any other factor that a student might be critiqued by. We should all be proud that LBCC does not have such standards that prohibit us from our expression, as some of us recall the uniform look some of us adopted in elementary making us feel imprisoned and just simply bland. Imagine going back to a white collard shirt and blue bottoms.
We're pretty sure nobody wants to go back to that.
This is why as students we should not abuse this right we possess on campus. Common sense should be used we obviously know that a bathing suit will cause controversy and even racy t-shirts can cause a stir.
Yet we see students doing it everyday. Someone mentioned how they can not stand seeing how girls dress up for school looking like its saturday night and they are ready for the club.
As much as some students might not like this, there is nothing that can be done because it is that person's right to wear whatever pleases themselves and not anyone else.
As long as everyone respects each other and every one's unique way of dressing we have nothing to worry about.
We can all continue wearing what makes us who we are. And enlighten LBCC with our colorful clothing that paves the way to new students and the new trends that are here to come.
Each student has the opportunity to express oneself as they please. Many identify themselves with the fad they express. Without the variety we all possess on campus, the school just might be boring. The person and there style is what gives that extra touch we need on campus that makes our school glow.
As of now LBCC does not possess a dress code prohibiting student's freedom of fashion on campus. Students are able to dress freely without having a consequence. But would a dress code be needed for LBCC? Is the way students are dressing prohibiting them from learning?
The truth is we don't think it matters. It doesn't seem to be a big issue as long as it does not offend other students. The clothing does not make the student. We do not see how a fashion can affect a student's academic capacity.
The capacity is within the student and there should not be any other factor that a student might be critiqued by. We should all be proud that LBCC does not have such standards that prohibit us from our expression, as some of us recall the uniform look some of us adopted in elementary making us feel imprisoned and just simply bland. Imagine going back to a white collard shirt and blue bottoms.
We're pretty sure nobody wants to go back to that.
This is why as students we should not abuse this right we possess on campus. Common sense should be used we obviously know that a bathing suit will cause controversy and even racy t-shirts can cause a stir.
Yet we see students doing it everyday. Someone mentioned how they can not stand seeing how girls dress up for school looking like its saturday night and they are ready for the club.
As much as some students might not like this, there is nothing that can be done because it is that person's right to wear whatever pleases themselves and not anyone else.
As long as everyone respects each other and every one's unique way of dressing we have nothing to worry about.
We can all continue wearing what makes us who we are. And enlighten LBCC with our colorful clothing that paves the way to new students and the new trends that are here to come.
In Praise of High Heels
Even before Cinderella's step-sisters tried to squeeze their feet into her glass slipper, women's shoes were already the schizophrenic icon of female subjugation and folly, as well as sexuality and power.
Folklore around the world has various versions of the Cinderella story, dating even as far back as the ancient Greeks. The female foot has been bound, twisted and fetishized over millennia, and this practice continues today with the eternal popularity of the high-heeled shoe.
On Saturday, a Singapore radio station, will stage a Stiletto Race at 11am at the Singapore Flyer, where participants will have to run 100m in three-inch high heels. The race is akin in spirit to similar events in Milan, New York, Sydney and even in Tenerife, where the race is run by drag queens.
At the peril of sprained ankles and shattered tarsals, there will emerge an eventual winner on Saturday. But of what? Of negotiating urban terrain in impossible footwear? It is a Pyrrhic victory, some cry, one that reinforces the stereotype of the woman as a hobbled, tethered creature of man's and now her own volition.
Feminists have long vilified the high-heeled shoe as the devil's work, leading many strong and successful women to have a somewhat conflicted love-hate relationship with their vertiginous indulgences in luscious Pierre Hardy or the latest Giuseppe Zanotti number.
Feminist arguments aside, any woman in high heels understands the power she immediately wields. Her posture changes as she straightens up, her back arches and her shoulders are pulled back. She is automatically elevated, physically, to stand shoulder to shoulder with a man, if not towering over him. High heels, with a suit, convey sexuality, femininity and power - an intoxicating combination in the boardroom.
However, Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, in an interview with Collectors Weekly last year, expressed her reservations about this common perception: "It seems like what wins for women in the culture is not the Harvard education that you have and how many cases you correctly argue in court; it's whether or not when you walk into a room, you make all the men want to drop to their knees. For me that's very problematic, because if the high heel is an accessory of female power - and if the definition of female power is sexual - that power has a very short shelf life."
Semmelhack is right, but only up to a point. Shoewise, a woman's power is derived not just from her high heels, but from the fact that she has many choices today. No woman lives in stilettos exclusively. She is likely also to own sneakers, flip-flops and ballerina flats, among others. Her shoe collection reflects her many personality aspects and roles - as CEO, mother or sportswoman.
High-heeled shoes have long signified power and status, even among men. In the French court and in Europe of the 17th century, men wore heels to mark themselves as part of the elite (prompting women to hike their heels up even higher). In the early 1700s, Louis XIV, the Sun King, who wore heels as high as five inches, decreed that red heels were to be worn only by nobility and that no one's heels could be higher than his.
Today, with more women earning their own money, heels have inadvertently become a sign of empowerment and emancipation. It is little surprise, therefore, that this trend has dovetailed with the rise of the celebrity shoe designer in the 1990s. The high-priced creations of Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik go beyond mere footwear, approximating near works of art.
While my Chinese ancestors had their feet cruelly mangled in lotus shoes, women today enjoy the benefits of 21st century engineering and research that have created towering wonders that raise us up even as they encase our feet securely and safely.
Most importantly, a woman wears high heels today because she is allowed to celebrate her sexual power. In the past, her sexual appeal came from the perception of frailty symbolized by restrictive footwear and curtailed movements.
So the fact that we can take part in stiletto races today is progress indeed. There is also smug satisfaction to be had in the knowledge that very few men can sprint 100m in high heels with the same balance, style and power as we can.
Drag queens excepted, of course.
Folklore around the world has various versions of the Cinderella story, dating even as far back as the ancient Greeks. The female foot has been bound, twisted and fetishized over millennia, and this practice continues today with the eternal popularity of the high-heeled shoe.
On Saturday, a Singapore radio station, will stage a Stiletto Race at 11am at the Singapore Flyer, where participants will have to run 100m in three-inch high heels. The race is akin in spirit to similar events in Milan, New York, Sydney and even in Tenerife, where the race is run by drag queens.
At the peril of sprained ankles and shattered tarsals, there will emerge an eventual winner on Saturday. But of what? Of negotiating urban terrain in impossible footwear? It is a Pyrrhic victory, some cry, one that reinforces the stereotype of the woman as a hobbled, tethered creature of man's and now her own volition.
Feminists have long vilified the high-heeled shoe as the devil's work, leading many strong and successful women to have a somewhat conflicted love-hate relationship with their vertiginous indulgences in luscious Pierre Hardy or the latest Giuseppe Zanotti number.
Feminist arguments aside, any woman in high heels understands the power she immediately wields. Her posture changes as she straightens up, her back arches and her shoulders are pulled back. She is automatically elevated, physically, to stand shoulder to shoulder with a man, if not towering over him. High heels, with a suit, convey sexuality, femininity and power - an intoxicating combination in the boardroom.
However, Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, in an interview with Collectors Weekly last year, expressed her reservations about this common perception: "It seems like what wins for women in the culture is not the Harvard education that you have and how many cases you correctly argue in court; it's whether or not when you walk into a room, you make all the men want to drop to their knees. For me that's very problematic, because if the high heel is an accessory of female power - and if the definition of female power is sexual - that power has a very short shelf life."
Semmelhack is right, but only up to a point. Shoewise, a woman's power is derived not just from her high heels, but from the fact that she has many choices today. No woman lives in stilettos exclusively. She is likely also to own sneakers, flip-flops and ballerina flats, among others. Her shoe collection reflects her many personality aspects and roles - as CEO, mother or sportswoman.
High-heeled shoes have long signified power and status, even among men. In the French court and in Europe of the 17th century, men wore heels to mark themselves as part of the elite (prompting women to hike their heels up even higher). In the early 1700s, Louis XIV, the Sun King, who wore heels as high as five inches, decreed that red heels were to be worn only by nobility and that no one's heels could be higher than his.
Today, with more women earning their own money, heels have inadvertently become a sign of empowerment and emancipation. It is little surprise, therefore, that this trend has dovetailed with the rise of the celebrity shoe designer in the 1990s. The high-priced creations of Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik go beyond mere footwear, approximating near works of art.
While my Chinese ancestors had their feet cruelly mangled in lotus shoes, women today enjoy the benefits of 21st century engineering and research that have created towering wonders that raise us up even as they encase our feet securely and safely.
Most importantly, a woman wears high heels today because she is allowed to celebrate her sexual power. In the past, her sexual appeal came from the perception of frailty symbolized by restrictive footwear and curtailed movements.
So the fact that we can take part in stiletto races today is progress indeed. There is also smug satisfaction to be had in the knowledge that very few men can sprint 100m in high heels with the same balance, style and power as we can.
Drag queens excepted, of course.
2011年3月29日星期二
Lady Gaga celebrates her birthday at Staples Center
Lady Gaga brought her Monster Ball tour to Los Angeles' Staples Center on Monday night -- and celebrated her birthday with her crew and dancers onstage. As the video above shows, they brought out a cake and all of the pop singer's "little monsters" in the crowd sang her a song. No word on who the cake designer was (no doubt the most celebrated, innovative one in the world), but if the number of candles atop it is any indication, the woman born Stefani Germanotta turned 6 Monday night.
It was, in fact, Lady Gaga's 25th birthday, and Pop & Hiss's Margaret Wappler was at the show. Later Tuesday morning she'll offer an overview of this installment of the neverending Monster Ball, which has twirled through Los Angeles at least four times in the last two years. The difference, besides Monday night being Gaga's birthday? It was the first time in L.A. she has performed her recent hit, "Born This Way," since its official release.
It was, in fact, Lady Gaga's 25th birthday, and Pop & Hiss's Margaret Wappler was at the show. Later Tuesday morning she'll offer an overview of this installment of the neverending Monster Ball, which has twirled through Los Angeles at least four times in the last two years. The difference, besides Monday night being Gaga's birthday? It was the first time in L.A. she has performed her recent hit, "Born This Way," since its official release.
2011年3月28日星期一
Who says rural elements of fashion
By now, even people who do not like country style, probably can not ignore its existence! Chanticleer launched a strong brand Chanel handbags woven clogs and almost all of the moment becomes a fashion magazine "Must Buy", together with YSL, Chloe and other fuel to the flames, he just let the wind become a country not with the season not to hot frenzy . Of course, this season is no longer a traditional country style Floral Plaid skirt or shirt, Bottega Veneta white cotton in the most primitive expression of spirituality; YSL printing to reflect the sweet strawberry; play was undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the Dolce & Gabbana, their main and lines were demonstrated to the Older version of our version of the village and the Maiden Style ... ... No matter what type you belong to, in this season, I think you can find the most fashionable Look to the corresponding country.
A hand-knitting grandmothers wardrobe pressure Po Box
Yes, you read right, old-fashioned knitting equipment and back! This crochet way, once popular, but popular in just a few years, hate the old woman who gave it aside. Unexpectedly, in this season Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and other brands of strong blessing, the hand-knitted even once again "re-energized" and return to the field of fashion, but also with the most traditional flower decoration, antique clothing to is this tone. Therefore, the fashion girls, do not hurry to go home looking through my grandmother's closet, surprise waiting for you in there!
Hand taste, hollow, flower decoration, thick lines
Simple, solid, basic models
Burberry
Life Style suggestions may be good to hear
T stage of the Total Look inevitably exaggerated, it may be, and Camilla Belle, the choice of boots with a rugged flavor to dilute the Floral Skirt openwork knit with a "rural flavor" can instantly change from the old-fashioned fashion.
● rural flavor of the hollow sweaters, need to shape Zhuopu wooden bracelets, sweet romance flowers decorative, rather than aggressive in recent years, those extremely hot rivets, metal and other rock style accessories.
● filled with big Logo, and Bling Bling or handbag, not suitable for use with hollow with a sweater, knitting bag or vintage leather satchel taste very strong, is the appropriate choice.
● The more old-fashioned style to the more need to reconcile the youthful temperament, so if you are no longer twenty-eight Love the girl, or try to carefully choose.
B 70's teen idol born naturally white
Now you also believe that the pastoral = Saika, that this season in white dress playing in the garden, should give you a thorough update of this idea. Faction was represented by simple Bottega Veneta and YSL, with almost no processed white cotton cloth, but using Chouzhe, straps and other decorations, simply stylish interpretation of a rare taste. Go girl Zeyi line D & G lotus leaf and lace layered, with cowboy boots and tough, with a sweet Lolita tower rebellious temperament. As for Chloe's fairy veil, as if the 70s fantasy art films heroine, if there is not enough beauty and temperament, in fact more difficult to manage.
A hand-knitting grandmothers wardrobe pressure Po Box
Yes, you read right, old-fashioned knitting equipment and back! This crochet way, once popular, but popular in just a few years, hate the old woman who gave it aside. Unexpectedly, in this season Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and other brands of strong blessing, the hand-knitted even once again "re-energized" and return to the field of fashion, but also with the most traditional flower decoration, antique clothing to is this tone. Therefore, the fashion girls, do not hurry to go home looking through my grandmother's closet, surprise waiting for you in there!
Hand taste, hollow, flower decoration, thick lines
Simple, solid, basic models
Burberry
Life Style suggestions may be good to hear
T stage of the Total Look inevitably exaggerated, it may be, and Camilla Belle, the choice of boots with a rugged flavor to dilute the Floral Skirt openwork knit with a "rural flavor" can instantly change from the old-fashioned fashion.
● rural flavor of the hollow sweaters, need to shape Zhuopu wooden bracelets, sweet romance flowers decorative, rather than aggressive in recent years, those extremely hot rivets, metal and other rock style accessories.
● filled with big Logo, and Bling Bling or handbag, not suitable for use with hollow with a sweater, knitting bag or vintage leather satchel taste very strong, is the appropriate choice.
● The more old-fashioned style to the more need to reconcile the youthful temperament, so if you are no longer twenty-eight Love the girl, or try to carefully choose.
B 70's teen idol born naturally white
Now you also believe that the pastoral = Saika, that this season in white dress playing in the garden, should give you a thorough update of this idea. Faction was represented by simple Bottega Veneta and YSL, with almost no processed white cotton cloth, but using Chouzhe, straps and other decorations, simply stylish interpretation of a rare taste. Go girl Zeyi line D & G lotus leaf and lace layered, with cowboy boots and tough, with a sweet Lolita tower rebellious temperament. As for Chloe's fairy veil, as if the 70s fantasy art films heroine, if there is not enough beauty and temperament, in fact more difficult to manage.
2011年3月22日星期二
Mad Men January Jones Poses for Versace Fashion Sunglasses
Mad about Mad Men? Then you definitely know about January Jones! She is so chic, elegant and sexy! Now Versace has launched a new line of eyewear named after January Jones for spring. Among various fashion sunglasses in this spring, January J will very competitive with its simple but elegant design.
Donatella Versace, as a Mad Men fan, has a great admiration of January Jones's temperament.
"She is chic and elegant but deeply sensual too—it is a dramatic combination. January has been a good friend to the house of Versace and she looks wonderful in our Spring/Summer accessories campaign, so I thought it would be fun to name my new eyewear collection after her," Versace said in a press release.
The January J. collection includes three styles- two styles of fashion sunglasses and one optical style, each with medusa head metal detailing on the front of the temple.
The ad has been injected with the 50's and 60's star glamour, looking rather appealing. Unlike others like D&G, Versace launches the black-and-white campaign, set in London. For the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign, January Jones wears nothing but a pair of sexy high-heeled shoes, oversized fashion sunglasses, and a delicately placed handbag. Photographed by Mario Testino in London, January Jones looks incredibly beautiful and charming.
"Versace is an iconic brand that has always represented women in the most flattering way," Jones said in a statement. "Its appeal to me is that they make women look and feel sexy, classic, and timeless."
It is said that the January J collection will hit stores in April. For those who are into fashion sunglasses, it may be a great option.
Donatella Versace, as a Mad Men fan, has a great admiration of January Jones's temperament.
"She is chic and elegant but deeply sensual too—it is a dramatic combination. January has been a good friend to the house of Versace and she looks wonderful in our Spring/Summer accessories campaign, so I thought it would be fun to name my new eyewear collection after her," Versace said in a press release.
The January J. collection includes three styles- two styles of fashion sunglasses and one optical style, each with medusa head metal detailing on the front of the temple.
The ad has been injected with the 50's and 60's star glamour, looking rather appealing. Unlike others like D&G, Versace launches the black-and-white campaign, set in London. For the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign, January Jones wears nothing but a pair of sexy high-heeled shoes, oversized fashion sunglasses, and a delicately placed handbag. Photographed by Mario Testino in London, January Jones looks incredibly beautiful and charming.
"Versace is an iconic brand that has always represented women in the most flattering way," Jones said in a statement. "Its appeal to me is that they make women look and feel sexy, classic, and timeless."
It is said that the January J collection will hit stores in April. For those who are into fashion sunglasses, it may be a great option.
2011年3月20日星期日
Sample sales and discounts: March 21-27
BGN Paris: March 22-26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 202 W. 40th St. (suite 902), at Seventh Ave. Women's jackets, tops, pants and dresses are up to 90 percent off. Items from past collections and current merchandise are available.
3.1 phillip lim: March 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 260 W. 39th St. (17th fl.), btwn Seventh and Eighth aves. Women's and men's ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes are well below retail prices. Proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid Japan's relief efforts.
Dolce & Gabbana and D&G: March 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; March 25-26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves. (fourth fl.), 877-70-DGUSA. Women can grab up cocktail dresses, tailored pants, jackets bags and shoes from Dolce & Gabbana and dresses, jeans and accessories from D&G. Men can find suits, shirts, pants and coats from Dolce & Gabbana and shirts and jeans from D&G.
3.1 phillip lim: March 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 260 W. 39th St. (17th fl.), btwn Seventh and Eighth aves. Women's and men's ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes are well below retail prices. Proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid Japan's relief efforts.
Dolce & Gabbana and D&G: March 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; March 25-26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves. (fourth fl.), 877-70-DGUSA. Women can grab up cocktail dresses, tailored pants, jackets bags and shoes from Dolce & Gabbana and dresses, jeans and accessories from D&G. Men can find suits, shirts, pants and coats from Dolce & Gabbana and shirts and jeans from D&G.
2011年3月15日星期二
Prom attire: Making the grade on a budget
Maria Vriniotis has dreamt of her prom night for years. That is why she volunteered to head the graduation committee at Windemere Secondary. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shopruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional grad-type dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-the-thigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shopruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional grad-type dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-the-thigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
2011年3月13日星期日
"What I'll Be Wearing at Meydan"
Christy Wong was thrilled when she scooped the award for Best Dressed Woman at last year's Dubai World Cup. Winning style kudos and a Range Rover for a year, the fashionista is already planning her wardrobe for this year's event, and amazingly she's prepared to share her styling secrets with us. Listen up, ladies, you're onto a winner...
Christy says...
WEAR WHITE: This season will see a riot of colour and rainbow brights hit the stores, but my hot tip for a winning outfit at this year's Dubai World Cup Style Stakes will be to use a little white magic. For spring/summer 2011, designers from D&G, Chloe, Celine, to Stella McCartney sent their models down the runway in pure white. The key is to keep the cut of the dress simple and the silhouette crisp for maximum impact.
LACE UP: If clinical minimalism is not your style, try combining white with another hot trend for the summer: lace. Detailing like lace and broderie anglaise will add a little romance to your look, but if you're going to go for this, make sure that the dress is knee length to avoid the risk of looking too bridal.
MAD HATS: A pure white outfit will act as the perfect canvas to showcase a flamboyant hat, so you can really stand out from the crowds. Have fun with this part of your outfit as a brightly coloured headpiece will ‘pop' against a white dress. My favourite styles are sculptural and modern, but be sure to pick a hat which reflects the look you're going for.
WINNING ACCESSORIES: For your shoes, simple nude heels are always a safe bet, or alternatively, be adventurous and try matching your heels with the colour of your hat. Mid-height heels are always best for the races as you'll be on your feet all day. With a striking outfit, keep jewellery to a minimum and accessorise simply with a sparkling smile.
See you at the races!
How to Enter the Style Stakes Competition
There are three categories: Best Dressed Lady (with runner-up), Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat and for the first time Best Dressed Man. Prizes on offer include a year's free lease of a Jaguar – see below for a full list of prizes. Registration forms will be available from all Jaguar Style Stakes Registration desks located at Level 1, Concourses A, C and D, and from the Style Arena. Contestants must present themselves with a completed registration form at the Style Arena located in Apron Views.
Jaguar Style Stakes Schedule
2-4.45pm Registration
5.05pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Ladies
5.50pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Couples
6.20pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Man
6.45pm Final Judging & Prize Presentation
Best Dressed Lady
.One year lease of a Jaguar*
.6 nights' accommodation for up to eight people in one of The Hideaways Club's properties of the winner's choice, complemented by five-star Concierge Services.
.HTC Desire Mobile Phone
.1 night stay at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa for two people inclusive of breakfast
* The jaguar car is not transferable to other countries.
Runner-up
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire Mobile Phone
.Dinner for two people at Al Hadheerah restaurant, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Best Dressed Couple
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire mobile phone
.One night stay at The Meydan Hotel for two people inclusive of breakfast
Best Dressed Man
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire mobile phone
.Pool Day package at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, inclusive of lunch for two people
Christy says...
WEAR WHITE: This season will see a riot of colour and rainbow brights hit the stores, but my hot tip for a winning outfit at this year's Dubai World Cup Style Stakes will be to use a little white magic. For spring/summer 2011, designers from D&G, Chloe, Celine, to Stella McCartney sent their models down the runway in pure white. The key is to keep the cut of the dress simple and the silhouette crisp for maximum impact.
LACE UP: If clinical minimalism is not your style, try combining white with another hot trend for the summer: lace. Detailing like lace and broderie anglaise will add a little romance to your look, but if you're going to go for this, make sure that the dress is knee length to avoid the risk of looking too bridal.
MAD HATS: A pure white outfit will act as the perfect canvas to showcase a flamboyant hat, so you can really stand out from the crowds. Have fun with this part of your outfit as a brightly coloured headpiece will ‘pop' against a white dress. My favourite styles are sculptural and modern, but be sure to pick a hat which reflects the look you're going for.
WINNING ACCESSORIES: For your shoes, simple nude heels are always a safe bet, or alternatively, be adventurous and try matching your heels with the colour of your hat. Mid-height heels are always best for the races as you'll be on your feet all day. With a striking outfit, keep jewellery to a minimum and accessorise simply with a sparkling smile.
See you at the races!
How to Enter the Style Stakes Competition
There are three categories: Best Dressed Lady (with runner-up), Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat and for the first time Best Dressed Man. Prizes on offer include a year's free lease of a Jaguar – see below for a full list of prizes. Registration forms will be available from all Jaguar Style Stakes Registration desks located at Level 1, Concourses A, C and D, and from the Style Arena. Contestants must present themselves with a completed registration form at the Style Arena located in Apron Views.
Jaguar Style Stakes Schedule
2-4.45pm Registration
5.05pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Ladies
5.50pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Couples
6.20pm Preliminary Judging of Style Stakes Man
6.45pm Final Judging & Prize Presentation
Best Dressed Lady
.One year lease of a Jaguar*
.6 nights' accommodation for up to eight people in one of The Hideaways Club's properties of the winner's choice, complemented by five-star Concierge Services.
.HTC Desire Mobile Phone
.1 night stay at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa for two people inclusive of breakfast
* The jaguar car is not transferable to other countries.
Runner-up
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire Mobile Phone
.Dinner for two people at Al Hadheerah restaurant, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Best Dressed Couple
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire mobile phone
.One night stay at The Meydan Hotel for two people inclusive of breakfast
Best Dressed Man
.Jaguar for a weekend: pick up your Jaguar and enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the luxury of Jaguar
.HTC Desire mobile phone
.Pool Day package at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, inclusive of lunch for two people
2011年3月8日星期二
Prom attire: Making the grade on a budget
Maria Vriniotis has dreamed of her prom night for years. That is why she volunteered to head the graduation committee at Windemere Secondary. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shop ruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional gradtype dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-thethigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
SUITS YOU: TIPS FOR BOYS
Kyle Vucko, Vancouver-based cofounder of an online custom menswear line called Indochino.com, says if guys want to look good in a suit, they should make sure it fits.
"You can get somebody in a cheap suit that is well cut and it trumps somebody who is wearing a $2,000 suit that doesn't fit well," he says, adding the style now is for a slim silhouette.
He gives some pointers on how to achieve a great look in a suit.
. Avoid the football look by making sure the shoulders of the jacket fit the natural curve of your shoulders.
. Create a nice curve through the torso by bringing it in tighter at the waist. If you have very broad shoulders, reduce this curve so you don't look like an inverted triangle.
. Give the illusion of a balanced body using the break in the leg of the trousers. The break is where the fabric naturally folds just about the ankle. The longer the leg, the more important the break is. It creates the illusion of a shorter leg. If the leg is short, however, no break gives the illusion of length because there is nothing interrupting the view from the shoe to the waist.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shop ruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional gradtype dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-thethigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
SUITS YOU: TIPS FOR BOYS
Kyle Vucko, Vancouver-based cofounder of an online custom menswear line called Indochino.com, says if guys want to look good in a suit, they should make sure it fits.
"You can get somebody in a cheap suit that is well cut and it trumps somebody who is wearing a $2,000 suit that doesn't fit well," he says, adding the style now is for a slim silhouette.
He gives some pointers on how to achieve a great look in a suit.
. Avoid the football look by making sure the shoulders of the jacket fit the natural curve of your shoulders.
. Create a nice curve through the torso by bringing it in tighter at the waist. If you have very broad shoulders, reduce this curve so you don't look like an inverted triangle.
. Give the illusion of a balanced body using the break in the leg of the trousers. The break is where the fabric naturally folds just about the ankle. The longer the leg, the more important the break is. It creates the illusion of a shorter leg. If the leg is short, however, no break gives the illusion of length because there is nothing interrupting the view from the shoe to the waist.
2011年3月6日星期日
Living the dolce vita: Milan's glamorous catwalks
Italian fashion's raison d'etre has always been wearable luxury, ever since plucky young things like Emilio Pucci first made their way across the Atlantic in the mid-20th century to provide an international market with chic, simple couture that could be produced and bought at a fraction of Parisian prices.
Last week in Milan, the country's top fashion houses stayed true to this heritage. Okay, okay, not everyone is going to be able to pull off – or afford – one of Gucci's bright purple furs, Prada's roomy python jackets or Dolce & Gabbana's bedazzling golden evening gowns (luxury comes with a capital "L" for autumn/winter 2011/12, by the way), but it seems likely that a lot of people will want to. And why? Because it all just seemed fun, plain and simple – high-end without being too high concept, upmarket but not too uptight. In fact, a lot of the collections seemed to have a sense of optimism, colour and freshness that is more characteristic of the spring/summer season – take the D&G show, for example, possibly the most youthful, fluorescent and irreverent collection that Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce have produced in years. Or Angela Missoni's offering – a bright pastel paean to leisurely outdoorsiness, replete with what looked like suede and snake wellies. Of course this is Milan so, like it or lump it, there was a huge amount of fur. But, moral problems aside, even the most extravagant of these were far from heavy or dowdy. Karl Lagerfeld stuffed his full of glitter at Fendi. Gucci seemed to go twice round the rainbow in mink. Add a sense of cinematic mystery – Emporio Armani did spies, Gucci did femme fatale, the Jil Sander girls could have been female Bond villains – a pretty thrilling first foot into the new season.
Collage/Clash
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* Search the news archive for more stories
All over Milan runways, designers played with eye-grabbing clashes of texture, colour and mood, both in looks and individual pieces. The first evidence of this was at Fendi, where what looked like a wall-sized collage of papery swatches formed the backdrop for a collection that was all about unexpected mixtures and chic assemblage. Voluminous coats, gathered daintily at the elbow, looked as if they'd been assembled from a series of disparate elements, garnished as they were with coloured patches, false lapels, piping, shawl necks and unexpected cutaways. At Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier was also playing a sartorial Frankenstein. Commenting that designing his 1960s-tinged but undoubtedly forward-looking winter collection "was like being in a laboratory" he did his best to create some sublime mismatches of textile, pattern and style. Fur and nylon met on an oversized, amber-coloured parka; spidery prints in deep yellow, green and orange vied against each other in clashing twinsets; delicate, neutral silk blouses were paired with mottled orange suits in a blotchy, thick wool weave. At Salvatore Ferragamo, Massimiliano Giornetti also got his clash on, playing with classic menswear textiles – houndstooth, pinstripe, woven wool – by setting them against each other (and black and white leopard print) in composite dresses and mix-and-match suiting. Meanwhile at Dolce & Gabbana – a superbly entertaining, surprisingly youthful show in which masculine tailoring and star prints were the defining elements – the designers proudly proclaimed that "clothes and accessories are mixed almost randomly, with no rules".
Iridescent
Nothing draws attention like a sparkly dress and it seemed like Milan was keen to push this 1980s favourite for winter 2011/12. Dolce & Gabbana produced the most bombastic expression of this: a knee-length, long-sleeved gold number in sequins and stars; answered in separates by similar skirts, trousers and oversized dinner jackets. But there was a range of intriguing takes on the trend, from the futuristic, metallic gleam of the heavily layered looks at Roberto Cavalli to the rhinestone-bedecked dresses at Emilio Pucci and the intricately woven, geometric glitter shifts at Marni. At Versus, Versace protégé Christopher Kane used sequins and iridescent glitter as a counterbalance to his winter collection's somewhat surprising sobriety. In Kane's predominantly black looks, which mixed simple, tailored shapes with corsetry and boning at the midriff, glitter became a jarring accent, splashed over the front of dresses in a triangle check pattern and encrusted upon the thick heels of clunky platform shoes. Miuccia Prada, of course, didn't present anything so obvious as a sequin in her fascinating, 1920s-meets-1960s Prada collection, but towards the end of the show she fielded a series of dresses (worn with fur and intricately textured plastic bathing caps) in which pearlescent fish scales (not unlike something that Paco Rabanne might have come up with in his heyday) swished and tinkled against each other for a delightfully shimmery effect. It was half cocktail party, half synchronised swimming gala – and all the better for the confusion between the two.
Green
The Autumn/winter palette in Milan was full of loud, arresting shades, continuing a trend for colour-blocking that has been on and off the runways for the past five years. But if there was one colour that predominated for winter (last season we had orange) it had to be green. Frida Giannini got the ball rolling with her astoundingly luxurious, darkly mysterious collection for Gucci, which was a riot of colour, fur and glamour; spot-on, not just for the brand, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, but for the season. The opening looks said it all: a teal goat shawl, a deep green chiffon dress, an emerald python blazer and a bulky, turquoise fur coat trailing equally bright foxtails. Though Giannini went through some gorgeous shades of amber, mauve, pink and red, it was those deep greens that she returned to for the finale piece – a sheer, halternecked evening gown topped by an elaborate set of handmade green flowers that seemed to burst into bloom across the shoulders. And where Giannini began, others seemed to follow: at Prada, green was a dominant colour in the maxi-tartan print, low-belted dresses (wryly cut with a swooping back), as well as the snakeskin jackets, furs and boots (which came served up with a tromp l'oeuil dance shoe on the foot). Marni, too, had its fair share of green in its geometric-print, cropped-sleeve jackets, deep-green fur coats and contrasting jewelled neckpieces. And Peter Dundas's Emilio Pucci collection, inspired in part by the rustic colours of Tyrolean dress, was almost green all over, beginning with the kaleidoscopic, lace-embellished print dress that he opened with.
Oversize
Alongside all the rather upfront glitter and glamour of the Milan collections, several of the more forward-thinking designers were getting a bit tricksy with the shape of the human body, playing with proportions and creating an interesting, slightly hulking silhouette. At one more wearable end of the spectrum, there was D&G, where a renewed vigour for all things 1980s called for masculine, oversized blazers. The feminine/masculine mix-up also made for broad shoulders at Salvatore Ferragamo, where models donned suit jackets with veryWall Street shoulder pads. But the most exciting developments came from Milan's intellectuals, namely Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. The former tailored her jackets with a wide armhole and an odd, curving seam that wound around the back of the arm to a cropped sleeve. The result was lobsterish in the best sense possible – one of those unique frumpy/chic touches that have become Prada's unmistakable trademark. Raf Simons, meanwhile, was all about extending the body in the most extreme ways possible in his Jil Sander collection, which featured simple, massive jackets with a sleeve that was turned and dropped to the front – resulting in a sandwich-board-like flat back. It's probable there might not be many takers for his satin, padded duvet dress (the challenge of the season will be to see if anyone can wear it and not look like a walking bolster) but the rest of his silhouettes had a graphic impact that made this one of the strongest Jil Sander collections since he started.
Florals
A bit of a surprise for winter, this, but what can you do? Gucci did flowers, Just Cavalli did flowers, Jil Sander did flowers: it's undeniable. But the concept of extravagant blooms suddenly opening in winter chimed nicely with the rest of the colour and glitter that marked the season and has a nice, irreverent sense of humour to it. This, of course, was the whole point at Moschino, where the brand's logo above the catwalk was rendered in red roses; the flowers dictating the colour palette of white, navy and bright scarlet. In a collection that took many cues from naval dress – visored caps, gold rope and aviators were all in play – the roses provided a shock of romanticism and towards the end were rolled out in a maxi print for dresses and dinner jacket lapels, as well as a humorous headpiece (there was also a chicken hat kicking about – though it's anyone's guess as to what trend that's part of).
Raf Simon's flowers – printed on the neat surfaces of his spacious dresses – were similarly large and bold, though of a darker variety.
Last week in Milan, the country's top fashion houses stayed true to this heritage. Okay, okay, not everyone is going to be able to pull off – or afford – one of Gucci's bright purple furs, Prada's roomy python jackets or Dolce & Gabbana's bedazzling golden evening gowns (luxury comes with a capital "L" for autumn/winter 2011/12, by the way), but it seems likely that a lot of people will want to. And why? Because it all just seemed fun, plain and simple – high-end without being too high concept, upmarket but not too uptight. In fact, a lot of the collections seemed to have a sense of optimism, colour and freshness that is more characteristic of the spring/summer season – take the D&G show, for example, possibly the most youthful, fluorescent and irreverent collection that Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce have produced in years. Or Angela Missoni's offering – a bright pastel paean to leisurely outdoorsiness, replete with what looked like suede and snake wellies. Of course this is Milan so, like it or lump it, there was a huge amount of fur. But, moral problems aside, even the most extravagant of these were far from heavy or dowdy. Karl Lagerfeld stuffed his full of glitter at Fendi. Gucci seemed to go twice round the rainbow in mink. Add a sense of cinematic mystery – Emporio Armani did spies, Gucci did femme fatale, the Jil Sander girls could have been female Bond villains – a pretty thrilling first foot into the new season.
Collage/Clash
Related articles
* Ready To Wear: Yves Saint Laurent's influence is everywhere
* End of Galliano affair – but the fighting goes on
* Get back in your strides
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All over Milan runways, designers played with eye-grabbing clashes of texture, colour and mood, both in looks and individual pieces. The first evidence of this was at Fendi, where what looked like a wall-sized collage of papery swatches formed the backdrop for a collection that was all about unexpected mixtures and chic assemblage. Voluminous coats, gathered daintily at the elbow, looked as if they'd been assembled from a series of disparate elements, garnished as they were with coloured patches, false lapels, piping, shawl necks and unexpected cutaways. At Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier was also playing a sartorial Frankenstein. Commenting that designing his 1960s-tinged but undoubtedly forward-looking winter collection "was like being in a laboratory" he did his best to create some sublime mismatches of textile, pattern and style. Fur and nylon met on an oversized, amber-coloured parka; spidery prints in deep yellow, green and orange vied against each other in clashing twinsets; delicate, neutral silk blouses were paired with mottled orange suits in a blotchy, thick wool weave. At Salvatore Ferragamo, Massimiliano Giornetti also got his clash on, playing with classic menswear textiles – houndstooth, pinstripe, woven wool – by setting them against each other (and black and white leopard print) in composite dresses and mix-and-match suiting. Meanwhile at Dolce & Gabbana – a superbly entertaining, surprisingly youthful show in which masculine tailoring and star prints were the defining elements – the designers proudly proclaimed that "clothes and accessories are mixed almost randomly, with no rules".
Iridescent
Nothing draws attention like a sparkly dress and it seemed like Milan was keen to push this 1980s favourite for winter 2011/12. Dolce & Gabbana produced the most bombastic expression of this: a knee-length, long-sleeved gold number in sequins and stars; answered in separates by similar skirts, trousers and oversized dinner jackets. But there was a range of intriguing takes on the trend, from the futuristic, metallic gleam of the heavily layered looks at Roberto Cavalli to the rhinestone-bedecked dresses at Emilio Pucci and the intricately woven, geometric glitter shifts at Marni. At Versus, Versace protégé Christopher Kane used sequins and iridescent glitter as a counterbalance to his winter collection's somewhat surprising sobriety. In Kane's predominantly black looks, which mixed simple, tailored shapes with corsetry and boning at the midriff, glitter became a jarring accent, splashed over the front of dresses in a triangle check pattern and encrusted upon the thick heels of clunky platform shoes. Miuccia Prada, of course, didn't present anything so obvious as a sequin in her fascinating, 1920s-meets-1960s Prada collection, but towards the end of the show she fielded a series of dresses (worn with fur and intricately textured plastic bathing caps) in which pearlescent fish scales (not unlike something that Paco Rabanne might have come up with in his heyday) swished and tinkled against each other for a delightfully shimmery effect. It was half cocktail party, half synchronised swimming gala – and all the better for the confusion between the two.
Green
The Autumn/winter palette in Milan was full of loud, arresting shades, continuing a trend for colour-blocking that has been on and off the runways for the past five years. But if there was one colour that predominated for winter (last season we had orange) it had to be green. Frida Giannini got the ball rolling with her astoundingly luxurious, darkly mysterious collection for Gucci, which was a riot of colour, fur and glamour; spot-on, not just for the brand, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, but for the season. The opening looks said it all: a teal goat shawl, a deep green chiffon dress, an emerald python blazer and a bulky, turquoise fur coat trailing equally bright foxtails. Though Giannini went through some gorgeous shades of amber, mauve, pink and red, it was those deep greens that she returned to for the finale piece – a sheer, halternecked evening gown topped by an elaborate set of handmade green flowers that seemed to burst into bloom across the shoulders. And where Giannini began, others seemed to follow: at Prada, green was a dominant colour in the maxi-tartan print, low-belted dresses (wryly cut with a swooping back), as well as the snakeskin jackets, furs and boots (which came served up with a tromp l'oeuil dance shoe on the foot). Marni, too, had its fair share of green in its geometric-print, cropped-sleeve jackets, deep-green fur coats and contrasting jewelled neckpieces. And Peter Dundas's Emilio Pucci collection, inspired in part by the rustic colours of Tyrolean dress, was almost green all over, beginning with the kaleidoscopic, lace-embellished print dress that he opened with.
Oversize
Alongside all the rather upfront glitter and glamour of the Milan collections, several of the more forward-thinking designers were getting a bit tricksy with the shape of the human body, playing with proportions and creating an interesting, slightly hulking silhouette. At one more wearable end of the spectrum, there was D&G, where a renewed vigour for all things 1980s called for masculine, oversized blazers. The feminine/masculine mix-up also made for broad shoulders at Salvatore Ferragamo, where models donned suit jackets with veryWall Street shoulder pads. But the most exciting developments came from Milan's intellectuals, namely Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. The former tailored her jackets with a wide armhole and an odd, curving seam that wound around the back of the arm to a cropped sleeve. The result was lobsterish in the best sense possible – one of those unique frumpy/chic touches that have become Prada's unmistakable trademark. Raf Simons, meanwhile, was all about extending the body in the most extreme ways possible in his Jil Sander collection, which featured simple, massive jackets with a sleeve that was turned and dropped to the front – resulting in a sandwich-board-like flat back. It's probable there might not be many takers for his satin, padded duvet dress (the challenge of the season will be to see if anyone can wear it and not look like a walking bolster) but the rest of his silhouettes had a graphic impact that made this one of the strongest Jil Sander collections since he started.
Florals
A bit of a surprise for winter, this, but what can you do? Gucci did flowers, Just Cavalli did flowers, Jil Sander did flowers: it's undeniable. But the concept of extravagant blooms suddenly opening in winter chimed nicely with the rest of the colour and glitter that marked the season and has a nice, irreverent sense of humour to it. This, of course, was the whole point at Moschino, where the brand's logo above the catwalk was rendered in red roses; the flowers dictating the colour palette of white, navy and bright scarlet. In a collection that took many cues from naval dress – visored caps, gold rope and aviators were all in play – the roses provided a shock of romanticism and towards the end were rolled out in a maxi print for dresses and dinner jacket lapels, as well as a humorous headpiece (there was also a chicken hat kicking about – though it's anyone's guess as to what trend that's part of).
Raf Simon's flowers – printed on the neat surfaces of his spacious dresses – were similarly large and bold, though of a darker variety.
2011年3月2日星期三
MFW frontline reports: Jodie Ball, WGSN fashion editor
Fashion week might be an endless parade of parties, paparazzi and freebies for some, but it's a different story for the people running the show. In our fashion week blogger series, industry insiders tell us what it's really like to be a part of the fashion week whirlwind.
Jodie Ball, WGSN fashion editor, talks us through her day at Milan Fashion Week.
The day begins with one of my favourite shows of the week, Marni. Wacky colour mixes, bold patterns – this season inspired by Constructivist geometrics, and a hefty dose of sequinned shimmer is probably one of the best ways to kick start a grey and drizzly morning in Milan. In honour of Marni's always upbeat mood, I decide to slip on my current favourite fashion week item – a vintage shantung silk pencil skirt in the most eye watering neon pink you've ever seen. But this after all is Milan, and you're nobody unless you wear a little black, so I pair it with a sheer black D&G shirt with a mad fluffy ruffled front, a camel coat from Zara and black spike-heeled Nicholas Kirkwood ankle boots. I actually got snapped for Grazia's street style pages wearing this skirt which was fun, but it made me cringe when a copy got passed round the WGSN offices!
It was a great collection, perhaps fewer sequins than usual so when the show finishes I nip backstage to get a closer look. I find glittery knits – which have been cropping up everywhere this season, and dyed furs – mink, fox, beaver and racoon. Italy loves fur but most of the British press have anti-fur policies so it doesn't get much editorial over here. Marni is also great for accessories – a core focus for my work at WGSN as I am responsible for all the catwalk trend analysis across footwear and accessories (including bags, jewellery and eyewear). I have to work out the key items, colours and materials for the season ahead by the time Paris finishes, so I am already forming my ideas now. Marni accessories have a very distinctive modular look but I'm feeling a real return to chunky heels this season, and the shoes with platform and block heel cut from one piece of wood would fit perfectly within this trend.
I realise I'm running late for my appointment at Emporio Armani and dash out to find my driver Luca. Luca is my company for the week as I travel alone for work; he encourages me to eat pizza (his favourite food) and plays James Brown on repeat all week. I don't have the heart to tell to tell him I can't bear listening to Sex Machine AGAIN. We pull up to the Armani showroom which is an oasis of calm after the chaos of Saturday's show – Armani draws big crowds in Milan and the nearby roads are always packed with people. It's important for me to schedule what we call "re-see appointments" after a show, as I get to see the collection in detail – I can touch the fabrics, examine the details and really get to grips with looks you see for just 30 seconds on the runway.
After a quick slice of pizza (Luca was finally satisfied) we head over to Bottega Veneta for another re-see. Co-incidentally I saw pizza being delivered to the showroom... it seems even super chic people eat pizza too! The show on Saturday was beautiful but you simply cannot appreciate the exquisite detailing until you get to hold it in your hands. There were purposely bobbled wools, suede-threaded crochet knits, oil-polished staining, crackled wax prints and eight different types of lace.
Then it's show time again and I head over to Dolce & Gabbana which is a hive of activity. I arrive just in time to grab my seat before the Teddy boys and ritzy glitzy girls dressed in the shiniest sequins you can imagine start their parade. It's a big show with multiple models on the runway at once, making it really hard for me to catch each look individually which is important as I have to write a detailed collection review for WGSN. But it was kitsch and fun with some great commercial print directions; expect to see pussy-bow blouses in star prints everywhere next season.
In quick succession I hit up the Missoni, Versus and Salvatore Ferragamo shows. Missoni offered beautiful colour – candy pastels that gently faded into one another on super soft knits while Ferragamo swapped the 70s of last season for a strong 80s look with power dressed city girls who looked ready to make some serious money on Wall Street in their pinstriped tailoring.
MyDaily's contributing editor Christopher Kane offered a small and focused collection for Versace's sister label Versus. He is obviously obsessed with Little Black Dresses at the moment – first presenting ones decorated with colourful gel-filled squiggles for his own line in London last week and now here, with glittery geometric prints and sexy cut-away panels that revealed sheer corsets with rigid boning. It's a strong season for LBDs which is great news because it's such a commercially viable trend.
And so my last day in Milan is over and I head straight for the airport, my head buzzing with everything I've seen. But before I can consider the trends, there is just enough flight time to settle down with a Bloody Mary (my in-flight drink), open the laptop and wonder how on earth I'm going to wrap up my whole day's activities into one blog post for MyDaily. Now let's see, what shall I cut out? My interview with Angela Missoni or the fact I saw boxed pizzas being delivered to the Bottega Veneta showroom... Hmmm, I know which I think is juicier!
Jodie Ball, WGSN fashion editor, talks us through her day at Milan Fashion Week.
The day begins with one of my favourite shows of the week, Marni. Wacky colour mixes, bold patterns – this season inspired by Constructivist geometrics, and a hefty dose of sequinned shimmer is probably one of the best ways to kick start a grey and drizzly morning in Milan. In honour of Marni's always upbeat mood, I decide to slip on my current favourite fashion week item – a vintage shantung silk pencil skirt in the most eye watering neon pink you've ever seen. But this after all is Milan, and you're nobody unless you wear a little black, so I pair it with a sheer black D&G shirt with a mad fluffy ruffled front, a camel coat from Zara and black spike-heeled Nicholas Kirkwood ankle boots. I actually got snapped for Grazia's street style pages wearing this skirt which was fun, but it made me cringe when a copy got passed round the WGSN offices!
It was a great collection, perhaps fewer sequins than usual so when the show finishes I nip backstage to get a closer look. I find glittery knits – which have been cropping up everywhere this season, and dyed furs – mink, fox, beaver and racoon. Italy loves fur but most of the British press have anti-fur policies so it doesn't get much editorial over here. Marni is also great for accessories – a core focus for my work at WGSN as I am responsible for all the catwalk trend analysis across footwear and accessories (including bags, jewellery and eyewear). I have to work out the key items, colours and materials for the season ahead by the time Paris finishes, so I am already forming my ideas now. Marni accessories have a very distinctive modular look but I'm feeling a real return to chunky heels this season, and the shoes with platform and block heel cut from one piece of wood would fit perfectly within this trend.
I realise I'm running late for my appointment at Emporio Armani and dash out to find my driver Luca. Luca is my company for the week as I travel alone for work; he encourages me to eat pizza (his favourite food) and plays James Brown on repeat all week. I don't have the heart to tell to tell him I can't bear listening to Sex Machine AGAIN. We pull up to the Armani showroom which is an oasis of calm after the chaos of Saturday's show – Armani draws big crowds in Milan and the nearby roads are always packed with people. It's important for me to schedule what we call "re-see appointments" after a show, as I get to see the collection in detail – I can touch the fabrics, examine the details and really get to grips with looks you see for just 30 seconds on the runway.
After a quick slice of pizza (Luca was finally satisfied) we head over to Bottega Veneta for another re-see. Co-incidentally I saw pizza being delivered to the showroom... it seems even super chic people eat pizza too! The show on Saturday was beautiful but you simply cannot appreciate the exquisite detailing until you get to hold it in your hands. There were purposely bobbled wools, suede-threaded crochet knits, oil-polished staining, crackled wax prints and eight different types of lace.
Then it's show time again and I head over to Dolce & Gabbana which is a hive of activity. I arrive just in time to grab my seat before the Teddy boys and ritzy glitzy girls dressed in the shiniest sequins you can imagine start their parade. It's a big show with multiple models on the runway at once, making it really hard for me to catch each look individually which is important as I have to write a detailed collection review for WGSN. But it was kitsch and fun with some great commercial print directions; expect to see pussy-bow blouses in star prints everywhere next season.
In quick succession I hit up the Missoni, Versus and Salvatore Ferragamo shows. Missoni offered beautiful colour – candy pastels that gently faded into one another on super soft knits while Ferragamo swapped the 70s of last season for a strong 80s look with power dressed city girls who looked ready to make some serious money on Wall Street in their pinstriped tailoring.
MyDaily's contributing editor Christopher Kane offered a small and focused collection for Versace's sister label Versus. He is obviously obsessed with Little Black Dresses at the moment – first presenting ones decorated with colourful gel-filled squiggles for his own line in London last week and now here, with glittery geometric prints and sexy cut-away panels that revealed sheer corsets with rigid boning. It's a strong season for LBDs which is great news because it's such a commercially viable trend.
And so my last day in Milan is over and I head straight for the airport, my head buzzing with everything I've seen. But before I can consider the trends, there is just enough flight time to settle down with a Bloody Mary (my in-flight drink), open the laptop and wonder how on earth I'm going to wrap up my whole day's activities into one blog post for MyDaily. Now let's see, what shall I cut out? My interview with Angela Missoni or the fact I saw boxed pizzas being delivered to the Bottega Veneta showroom... Hmmm, I know which I think is juicier!
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