#MFW - Versace, Pucci, Etro and more...

Dsquared2

There was a Navajo cum military theme happening at Dsquared for their fall 2015 show. Dean and Dan Caten certainly kept up their reputation as 'more is more' kings of Milan, but mixed cultures and shapes together to create something a lot more interesting. The brocade jackets with gold frogging were very stylish, the fur stoles and gilets perfectly complimented the khaki undertones and the colourful poncho's were lovely too.

Emilio Pucci

Not as chic as past Pucci shows, yet Peter Dundas knows exactly what his customer wants to wear. The monochrome jumpsuits which opened the show had a psychedelic 60's feel about them which gave way to classic roll necks and flared trousers. I loved the glamorous dresses worn by Joan Smalls and Gigi Hadid, while the emergence of capes on the Pucci catwalk added a touch of drama. Mr Emilio Pucci was first and foremost the 'Prince of Prints' and no show is complete with out them. I loved the pink and black ones at the end of the collection.

Roberto Cavalli 

Etro 

This show had a Moorish, Arabian them with some beautiful colours seeping through the collection. There was a little bit of metallic shimmer and a touch of riviera chic with black sunglasses and patchwork clutch bags which was lovely to see in Milan. But it was the earthy colours which stood out for me. This was a real Autumnal show with all the necessary ingredients for Winter. Navy, gold, burnt orange, tan, yellow... the colours spoke for themselves.

Emporio Armani 

Versace 

Fashionably charged, high in glamour, sexy and sophisticated...Donatella Versace lived up to the iconic name of Versace once again with a fab show full of some signature pieces. I loved the clingy midi dresses inspired by Ancient Greek, the huge silver belts which cinched in waists and of course, the dramatically wonderful trademark dresses in popping yellows and pinks. The sheer black looks at the end of the show were embellished in brightly coloured letters sewn onto sleeves and around the skirt area; a clear nod that these dresses will be seen everywhere next season on magazines covers and editorials alike. A really amazing show which sums up the glam of Milan Fashion Week.

Millan Fashion Week: Day 3

Moschino
You can always rely on Jeremy Scott to provide some much needed fun at fashion week. Compared to the Barbie doll extravaganza as seen last season, this show was centered around the Looney Tunes instead. The collection started with bright puffa jackets in primary colours, which gave way to graffiti dresses, sports shirts, gold chains and a sense of 90's glam via the New York streets. And with medallions with Tweety Pie's face, Bugs Bunny jackets and Daffy Duck dresses, this collection couldn't help but make you smile!

Prada
Some describe Miuccia's style as 'Ugly Chic,' and this show was no different. The boxy buttoned jackets, a favourite of Prada, came in icy blue and pastel pink, trousers were cropped at the ankle and flared giving way to big boots. Little pinafore dresses were decorated with delicate brooches of flowers, dragon flies and insects. If anything, this was more of a spring collection rather than one for winter. And as for the gloves, which are turning into a big thing for next winter, they were extremely long, creeping up the arm almost to the shoulder.

Just Cavalli
The younger, fresher, more fun version of the Roberto Cavalli chain delivered plenty of fashion moments yesterday. I love this label because it represents the young Italian women, who is not yet old enough to fit into the immaculate, Milanese luxury lady of leisure. Models walked down the catwalk with wet hair and minimal make up. While for the clothes, there was fur, tassels, mini puff ball skirts, parka coats and high glam. Very va va voom.

MaxMara
A brand best known for their coats delivered a show full of... coats! Opened by Gigi Hadid, this show was beautiful and very lady like. With a classic 50's spin, camel and beige wool coats were paired with boxy handbags and knee length skirts. I loved the 'sexy secretary' look of the whole thing, with cats eye sunglasses and bobbed hair cuts. Models strolled down the catwalk with their arms folded strongly across their chests, perhaps warding off the soon to come winter chill.

Alberta Ferretti
Folky and a tad Tudor, this Alberta Ferretti show was whimsical and romantic. The prints were strong in red, gold and green while patterns had a 70's feel about them, plenty of intertwined flowers and embroidered skirts. There were plenty of frills and lace details on dresses, while models' hair was loose and gently curled adding to the soft theme of the collection. As always, very feminine.

Fendi
I loved this show! It was pristine, very sculptural, minimal and elegant. Pristine white coats, white shirts, white skirts... it was a wash out. But then came colour. Tan, burgundy, grey and cream were geometrically placed next to each other in a patchwork kind of effect. Leather tops and skirts were laser cut dead straight and had over sized pockets which highlighted the craftsmanship of Fendi. Skirts were pretty short and boots were chunky and furry. One of my highlights of MFW.

Gucci
Since Frida Giannini left the brand at the start of this year, Gucci has received a massive overhaul in the form of new creative director, Allessandro Michele. Gone are the sexy leather skirts, the 70's boho chic, the amazing crocodile skin coats and of course, that effortless Italian luxe style only Gucci can do. This 'new' Gucci is more androgynous, more dark and definitely more youthful with a nod to the urban street culture. I think everyone was a little shocked at this collection, but everything always changes in fashion and we'll just have to get used to this new Gucci.

London Fashion Week: Best in Show

Burberry
This show was something quite different from Burberry. Yes, there were a couple of their classic trench coats and few compy capes (a huge hit last season) but the prints were incredibly bright and fun. Every garment was adorned with 70's inspired boho patterns, in azul blue, dusty red and camel. There were plenty of tassels and pieces which will be copied everywhere next season such as the buttoned bomber jackets, and even a leopard print coat thrown in for good measure. As always, Burberry attracts a lot of international clients and a scurry of excitement from the fashion press. Yet for me, this show was not as good as previous seasons. 

Holly Fulton
London designer Holly Fulton seems to stay below the radar at fashion week yet she has been showing at LFW for a number of years now. I picked out her show as one of my highlights of  LFW simply because it was pretty and delicate, and I could see my self wearing these clothes! The colours were pastel and soft while the draping of the fabric was flattering and elegant, perfect for dressing up for evening. It reminded me of a very English tea party at The Dorchester, complete with ice pink cupcakes and sweet jam scones!

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Preen always experiment with colour; a lot of colour. For autumn/winter 2016 patchwork patterns and intricate swirling patterns were adorned on loose dressed and long sleeved crop tops. I loved the 70's feel (a big thing for next season apparently) and the understated cool the model's possessed. I also loved the hair and make up which was youthful and chic.

Christopher Kane
It was those unique printed dresses at the end of the show which did it for me. Sketched by Christopher Kane himself, dresses featured naked men and women entwined together in a Pop Arty display of affection. Yes, a little weird and controversial but that's what makes Kane stand out from the pack. The rest of the collection was good, with some very wearable black pieces. 

Joseph
Since making a triumphant comeback to the catwalk scene last year, Joseph certainly put on a great show at a Soho car park for their fall 2016 collection. Similar to what Celine did last season, knitted jumpers were over sized and baggy while silhouettes were minimal and simple. I loved the column dresses and wrap knits in beige, neutrals and khaki green. On top of that, the pretty summer dresses at the end of the show were lovely and perfect to wear in the autumnal months. Overall, a great collection with an understated Parisian elegance.

Roksanda Illinic

Fuzzy, colourful, fun and loud. Roksanda knows how to bring her designs to life. Everything had colour, whether that be eye popping yellow, bright blue or fuchsia pink - none of these clothes shied away from the camera. The use of fur was tasteful and blogger friendly while the bold pink lipstick really stood out with the clothes. Belts were chunky and tightly cinched in waists while patterns were kept simple yet a little psychedelic. It was a collection which put you in a good mood.

 

 Topshop Unique

With Sir Philip Green sitting proudly beside Cara Delevingne, Kendall Jenner and Kate Moss the Topshop Unique show as a fav of mine at LFW. Topshop are fantastic at styling out an outfit to perfection, pairing pieces together which are cool and fun. I loved the use of fuzzy fur on collars, cuffs and dresses as well as the simple tea dresses and cocktail designs. Very relaxed and chic.

 Tom Ford
Yes, even though Tom Ford showed his collection in Los Angeles and not London, I thought I would still feature it because frankly it was amazing. One thing that Ford does to perfection is sexy. This man knows how to make a woman look seriously good in what proved to be another fab collection. From the aviator looks and the leopard print coats to the black sheer dresses and chunky jewelery, these clothes really do scream jet set glamour. And with Joan Smalls, Gigi Hadid and Karmen Pedaru strutting their stuff down the runway, no doubt these clothes will fly out of the showroom and into wardrobes fast!

Oscars 2015: Best Dressed

It's the biggest night of the year. It's the night when Hollywood glamour conquers all. And above all, its the one night of the year which truly celebrates cinema and those who make movies into the hits they are. The 2015 87th Academy Awards was a night to remember. Not only did Eddie Redmaybe scoop the Oscar for Best Actor and Julianne Moore the same award for Best Actress, but the red carpet glam was absoulty sublime.

But first, to the winners. Birdman scooped 4 awards, including best picture while supporting actor and actress went to J.K Simmons and Patricia Arquette for Whiplash and Boyhood. Best Director was awarded to Birdman's Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu while 'Ida', the black and white Polish movie was aclaimed as Best Foreign Film. It was a great night for Brits, with Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike all nominated, but the clear winner was Eddie Redmayne and his portryal of Professor Steven Hawking. In an emotional speech, Redmayne overcome with emotion dedicated his award to those suffering from motor neurone disease which led to a huge round of applause from the star studded audience. Julianne Moore was also equally grateful and emotional after winning Best Actress award - her first Oscar after her many nominations in previous years.

And now, for the fashion! Neutrals, dusky pinks and monochrome were the main colours seen on the red carpet in some amazing stand out dresses. The belle of the ball had to be Jennifer Lopez, who arrived wearing an absolutely beautiful beige Elie Saab number, showing off plenty of clevage and a huge train of material. Her make up was flawless and she most definatly gave her younger competition a run for their money. Rosamund Pike looked lovely in red Givenchy, Keira Knightley opted for a spell binding Valentino Couture creation while Julianne Moore wore a classic Chanel empire dress, which had so much intricate beading it sparkled in the many camera flashes. Emma Stone looked ravishing in a canary Elie Saab gown, Felicity Jones (a fav of mine) rocked a grey Alexander McQueen gown, Reese Witherspoon wowed in ice blue Tom Ford and Jenna Dewan Tatum stole the show in a plunging white dress. Other stars who looked amazing were Jennifer Annison, who even though was snubbed of a nomination for her role in 'Cake' silenced her critics in a sparkly Versace gown which showed off her curves and fab figure. And I thought that Sienna Miller looked great in a black Oscar de la Renta gown, which was literally only seen on the catwalk 4 days ago at NYFW. Rita Ora split critics also with her black and gold Marchesa gown as did Lady Gaga who wore a very big and bold Azzedine Alaia dress, complete with red gloves and immaculate make up. Lady Gaga later sang a note perfect medley from The Sound of Music celebrating 50 years since the iconic musical was made, and was then surprised by Julie Andrews herself.

Chrissy Teigan looked great in a pastel blue Zuhair Murad dress while I loved the simplicity of Gwenyth Paltrow's pink column gown. And as for the Vanity Fair after party...everyone from Beyonce and Selena Gomez to Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Miranda Kerr turned up, flashing the flesh at any opportunity they got - Irina Shayk, Heidi Klum and Gigi Hadid I'm talking to you! But nevertheless, all the girls looked incredible in what is truly the most glamorous night of the year...

#NYFW: Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren

Marc Jacobs
With a chilling and powerful soundtrack (Requiem for a Dream), a black catwalk and a dramatic atmosphere engulfing the fashion front row, Marc Jacobs unveiled his fall 2015 collection. Erin O'Connor opened the show, setting the scene for what was a very dark runway. In homage to Vogue editor, Diana Vreeland, there were plenty of stand out sequin dresses, sheer panels and black leather gloves. Skirts had a 50's feel about them billowing out at the waist and dropping to mid calf and fur was neatly styled along collars and on arms. As for the coats, they were fitted with huge buttons and large lapels. Overall, its clear to state that Marc is most definitely back!

Ralph Lauren
Wintery, warm and cosy, Ralph Lauren gave us a fantastic show wrapping up the end of New York Fashion Week. From the fedora hats to the Navajo style cardigans and jumpers, layers swamped models' complete with the iconic 'Ricky' bags and accessories. Colours were subdued and earthy- grey, brown and beige which eventually gave way to smart black suits, with fur around the lapels. And of course, towards the end of the show, in came the jaw dropping, Hollywood glam dresses. Nobody does new Americana chic like Lauren, and this show was just another stunner.

#NYFW - Day 6

Marchesa
As light as a feather - this collection was, as always with Marchesa, absolutely beautiful. With a strong 1920's theme, ostrich feather dresses were soft and light while the decorative lace column dresses had Oscars written all over them. The tassels were amazing as were the sweeping dresses and glam earrings which the models wore, complete with 20's cropped hair styles. I also sensed a little flamenco style seeping through some opening looks, with fiery red and black ensembles adding a touch of drama for next season.

Anna Sui
Gigi Hadid added a touch of Californian chic as she opened this very 70's Anna Sui show. If anything, this was a classically warm, winter show full of fur hats, cosy coats, cardigans and lots of woolly layers. There was a care free, Navajo spirit to some of the looks while bohemian necklaces and harem pants gave us a bit of hippy cool. Peace man!

Micahel Kors
Opened by Russian supermodel Natasha Poly, this Kors show was awash with only the best models. Karlie Kloss, Karmen Pedaru, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Hanne Gaby Odiele all took their turn on the catwalk probing what a huge name at NYFW Michael Kors has proved to be. This was a very autumnal collection with all the right beige and camel shades with plenty of fur. Grey was also a key colour, with the everyday working woman being a centre point of this show. From the trench coats to the smart suits, the floor skimming evening gowns to the natural, dewy make up of the models; this collection oozed American style.

Oscar de la Renta
This show should have been tinged with sadness at the passing of such an amazing designer as de la Renta was, but instead the clothes brought back so many beautiful memories celebrating his incredible fashion life by new designer Peter Copping. From the floral embroidered dresses to the slender coats in dark navy, this was grown up and elegant. The taffeta ball gowns at the end, reminiscent of Christian Lacroix, were bright and bold as were the striped suit ensembles. Necklines were high and unrevealing yet skirts showed off plenty of leg below the knee, resulting in a feminine silhouette which captured the essence of Oscar.

 

Rodarte

In recent years, Kate and Laura Mullevy of Rodarte have never seized to inspire. And yet again with their fall 2016 collection, there were plenty of amazing pieces. I loved the fur parka coats styled with simple silk tops and skinny leather trousers while the cut-out mini skirts added a touch of biker chic. If anything, some shapes were quite similar to Parisian heavy weight Balmain, but the colours and style were overall sci-fi and beautiful. A fab collection and the styling was spot on.

 

 

 

Badgley Mischka

With a hint of 60's va va voom and a touch of Bardot (hair wise) this collection was fun yet elegant. From the metallic mermaid gowns to the tweed A-line suits and the a-symmetric dresses, these clothes were defiantly red carpet ready. Some colours were sumptuous such as the rich golds and reds while others were sheer and delicate with appliques patterns sewn neatly onto shoulders and arms. I really enjoyed looking through the looks of this show and loved the closing dresses.

 

 

Donna Karan

Is there anything this lady can't do? Even though there was a lot of black throughout this collection, nothing could distract the fashion press from the gorgeous khaki coats and elegant belted trousers. Everything came with a belt in this show, nipping in the waist to accentuate the big shoulders and tiny frames of the models. It was slick and powerful, especially the brown fur bomber jacket and the over sized coat which opened the show. If only I was rich...

 

 

 

#NYFW - Alex Wang, Altuzarra, DKNY and more...

Alexander Wang

For next season, Alex Wang is most defiantly feeling punk. From the studded boots to the long black coats, 'de-con re-con' was a strong theme throughout. The models' hair was wet and sticky while make up was dark and mysterious. Very grungy and rebellious. And those dominatrix transparent dresses at the end of the show were a sexy nod to the new Fifty Shades of Grey movie which hit cinemas last Friday. As always, there was a strong nod to sportswear and a more oversized silhouette, but that is what makes Wang stand out from the crowd; he is a visionary.

Altuzarra

Fur, fur, fur...and more fur! This collection was a homage to the great English hunting days of old, with fox fur stoles, camel man coats and tweed jackets taking centre stage. The colours were classically autumnal with some very beautiful lace dresses standing out as a great option for evenings. I love Joseph Altuzarra and this show was spectacularly crisp, clean and elegant with some amazing clothes for the fall.

DKNY

There were bright pops of colour, strong lines and a fun motif running throughout. It's fair to say the younger, cooler label to Donna Karen has a trendy outlook for next season. I loved the simple shapes and those roll neck jumpers looked so cosy warm for winter. A very sharp collection from Donna K.

Diane Von Furstenberg

I wasn't expecting a show like this one from DvF. COmpared to the cute gingham dresses and frilly skirts from last season, this collection was dark and mysterious. With Kendall Jenner opening the show wearing a white wrap dress, the clothes were beautiful with a work-wear outlook. Pinstripe suits, floral tea dresses and knitted jumpers were chic and stylish with some bright crimson reds and neon blue thrown in. Overall, another great show.

 Prabul Gurung

Again, fur was another stand out moment at NYFW but this time with a more elegant touch. Prabul Gurung sent glam fur lined coats down the runway, along with boxy shapes and simplistic pieces perfect to dress up or down. The grey looks that opened the show completely drew me in with how chic they were styled and then the colours from there were just gorgeous; off white, beige and burnt orange. Stand out piece? That amazing white fur stole layered effortlessly over a knitted jumper and mini skirt.