Loving Everything Etro

I think of the Italian fashion label Etro as a kind of unsung fashion hero. Its not on the same scale as other Italian greats - Prada, Versace, Gucci, Fendi etc, yet this label has got the heritage, beauty and overall appeal to give even the big guns a run for their money. Known for their love of prints, paisley to be precise, Etro continually show beautiful, enchanting and quite bohemian collections season after season, establishing themselves as the go to designer for hippy chic dressing. I have always loved Etro for their clever colour combinations and effortless style. But is their spring/summer 2014 show which will stand out as my all time favourite of theirs.

I don't mean to harper on about the past, seeing as we are currently in spring/summer 2016, but the spring 2014 international collections in my opinion was one of the best seasons ever. I loved each and every show through NY, London, Milan and Paris and could see myself in all of the wonderful clothes on show. During Milan Fashion Week though, it was Etro who stole my imagination. Creative Director Veronica Etro delivered a show full of Arabian influences, with layers of soft silks tied and draped around the body, bright lemon yellows and bold reds, all the while sending out each and every model with a naturally radiant look about them. Since Etro was established in 1968 by Gerolamo Etro, textiles and his beloved patterns have helped the luxury label soar into mainstream fashion. All these years later, I could have literally brought the whole collection, and happily worn it while holidaying in Cannes or somewhere just as glamorous. 

Andreea Diaconu opened the show in a stunning pastel printed skirt and shirt, followed by the likes of Nadja Bender, Kasia Struss, Daria Strokous, Fei Fei Sun, Magdalena Frackowiak and Malaika Firth all wearing equally as pretty pieces. Off the shoulder dresses nipped in at the waist, floral and leopard prints combined into one, shimmery metallic tops paired with harem pants and 70s inspired maxi dresses all completely captured the spirit of summer. I know it really does depend on who's styling the show in how the clothes come across on the catwalk, but with this show the models could have walked barefoot with no make up on and the garments would have still looked amazing. The Donna Summer soundtrack also added to the relaxed feel of the show with Julia Nobis closing the show in a pastel pink, paisley jumpsuit.When Veronica came out to take her bow, it was truly well deserved and heart felt. 

What I also love about Etro is that it hasn't been sold off to LVMH or Kerring. Instead it is run by the Etro family, with Kean Etro, Jacopo Etro, Veronica Etro and Ippolito Etro all taking control of womenswear, menswear and management. This sense of family and love for beautiful fabrics and heritage shows in each and every Etro collection and I can't wait to see what they conjure up for spring/summer 2017.

Shop the Etro collection at www.etro.com/en_uk/woman/spring-summer-16/ or Net-a-Poter, Harrods and MyTheresa.com.

All hail Queen Mary Katrantzou of Prints!

 

We've had Pucci in the 60's. All bright, bold and loud embedded on scarves and mini dresses. Then Missoni. Woolen knits, in all the colours of the rainbow, just right for cold, winter evenings around the fire. Etro emerged in the 90's with their Arabian paisley prints; a key part of their heritage. And now for the 21st centurary, there is a new Queen of prints, in the form of the exciting, new London based Greek born designer: Mary Katrantzou.

Since her gradutate collection for Central Saint Martins in 2008, Katrantzou has caused quite a strom surrounding London fashion, becoming a firm favourite at fashion week (even Anna Wintour's a fan.) With her colourful display of prints on every imaginable piece of clothing, she has established herself as the new Queen of the fabulous print. The extraordinary thing about Katrantzou's designs is that, her prints really shouldn't go together, yet they do so beautifully that even Anna Dello Russo and  Rihanna have turned into devout fans. Heard of her lampshade dress? A classic Mary fashion staple, this dress looks like a lampshade (the clues in the name), billowing out at the waist to create an unusual yet flattering silhutte, coveted by editors and buyers alike. Then last spring, she presented a collection of prints inspired by postal stamps found on her travels. One word: AMAZING. Who knew that wearing an Indian stamped t shirt would look so chic? Geometric patterns and shapes featured one season while for spring 2014, Katrantzou went all girly with flower prints taking centre stage.

Spring 2014 was a more relaxed, summery collection with a main motif of flowers. Her famous lampshade dress still featured but was updated with crop tops and frills around the bust area. Pastel colours and white were the base of her colour palette while fabric was left loose, billowing as the models strutted down the catwalk. All in all, prints were not as controlling. What I mean is, the clothes weren't overpowered like they usually are with crazy prints, which was a nice change and a new look for the Katrantzou customer. This was a delightful show, with many wearable pieces that, I have no doubt have gone straight on the summer shopping list of eager fashionistas, demanding a slice of Katrantzou fashion.

Mary and the rest of the London fashion crew (Kane, Saunders, Erdem etc) are doing great things for London fashion at the moment. After a long wait, London is starting to be taken seriously with new, young, creative talent erupting out of fashion universities up and down the country, firmly making their mark in womens wardrobes. Katrantzou has also managed to inherit the crown only worn by the best print designers, who have taken the use of pattern on garments to a whole new level. Fun, energetic and bright, I can only wonder what Mary Katrantzou will do next season...

Punk, Cool and Grungy: Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Spring 2014

 

 

Just some of the best photos from the Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Spring 2014 show! Revisit the fashion magic at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqxzXndOkns

Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci Spring 2014

Dark, grungy and cool. It can only be Givenchy, featuring Kim Kardashian and Kanye West! Here are some of the best catwalk looks from the show...

The One and and Only: Chanel Spring 2014

Art was clearly on Mr Karl Lagerfeld's mind when he designed the Chanel spring 2014 collection. Art and a lot of colour (mostly baby pinks),summery pastels, multicolour chiffon dresses and wigs...Yes every model wore a blunt fringed wig in this show. Overall, Lagerfeld offered us another fantastic Chanel collection, a snippet of his ever expanding imagination, consisting of many beautiful clothes that have us fashionistas weak at the knees in delight. There is only one Chanel.

As always, pearls and tweed jackets featured in the show, with huge pearls wrapped around models necks and wrists, with necklaces looking a little like a doctors stethoscope, (you'll believe me when you see them!) In fact, all jewellery was pretty big, with some bracelets practically eclipsing both wrists. Tweeds were used in jackets and the iconic Chanel 2 piece suit had a summer make over in hot pink, white and blue.

Towards the middle of the show, Karl sent out a couple of very sporty looks with cardigans casually slung over shoulders and tied at the waist. Reds, yellows and blues were all thrown together in a reacurring square print that featured on dresses, jackets and skirts. I loved this print and can imagine these delicate tea dresses being worn on hot summer afternoons in the centre of Paris, (hopefully what Lagerfeld had in mind too!) Socks were calf high worn with heeled Mary - Janes. While the famous Chanel bags were slung across the body and quite petit, yet not as small as clutches.

What more can I say about Chanel? It's iconic, beautiful, luxurious and wonderful. Go watch the show and see for yourself. It's not one to be missed...

Elegant evening wear at Elie Saab

Beautiful, elegant and pretty. Elie Saab always manage to get it right...

The New Woman: Celine Spring 2014

Wow! That was the only word I was able to utter after watching the Celine Spring 2014 show. First of all there was colour, something that Phoebe Philo experiments with rarely. There was the same midi - skirt but updated in sweeping chiffon and jagged hems, again Celine is all about precision so this new cool, unfinished look was something of an excitement too. And, the models walked so fast. Yes, one could only catch a glimpse of the latest Philo designs before they dissapeared as quickly as they had come. Overall, Celine gave us a new woman, a new look and some very exciting fashions that will leave us floating into summer... literaly.

Usually, Celine is not one of the shows I desperately look forward to seeing at Paris fashion week. Too tailored, neat and functional for my liking. However, this Celine collection was right up my fashion street. Huge colourful brush strokes were painted onto delicate silk dresses, like children had been let loose at a pallet of paint and a Celine dress. Buttoned up shirts, tank tops and skirts all featured this exciting pattern, with colour splashes here and there, at once making a massive statement. Colour is cool. Coats were also a big part of this collection. Blue and white, sculptural and belted neatly at the waist, these were beauiful coats, falling smartly at the knee. J'adore!

Garments falling to the knee seems to be a Philo thing, as we saw last season with those divine midi - skirts bouncing at the knee. This trend was carried on into this collection with chiffon skirts and dresses cut diagonaly. Hemlines were messy with jagged edges and exposed just the right amount of leg to pass in the office. Short at the front, long at the back and the other way around. White, black and with the same colour pattern, I loved this new Celine skirt, and I expect it to be a huge hit with fashion editors and the general public alike.

As always, Celine played with minimalism with hair slicked back neatly and brows big and dark. Cheek bones were highlighed drastically and accessoires were kept minimal. The bags, as you could probably guess were lovely, and very sculptural. Oh, I could buy everything in this collection and I'm not even a Celine fan. It really was a celebration of women and a whole new look for the Celine customer, nevertheless it's impossible to dislike this collection. I've certainly been converted, and i
can guarantee you will be too!

Darling buds of May at Christian Dior...

Flower prints, precise tailoring and beautiful accessories. It could only be Dior....

Bringing bling back at Balmain: Spring 2014

Shoulder pads, mini skirts, grunge, jewels, skin tight trousers.... It can only be Balmain! This afternoon, Oliver Rousteing certainly delivered another fantastic Balmain show with the likes of Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Karlie Kloss and Georgia Jagger taking to the catwalk in beautiful, ornate designs. 

I spied check prints in black and white as well as the iconic Balmain shoulder padded jacket in pastel colours, pinks and soft blues. Chained belts sat snuggly on the waist and padded dresses looked very Chanel circa 1990. In fact this whole collection had the whole 'Chanel' monochrome effect but was done with  a completely different woman in mind. The Balmain lady is strong, powerful and very cool - not afraid to walk into a room and have every pair of eyes on her. She commands attention and the clothes today certainly did that. 

I love Balmain and can imagine Rihanna rocking a look straight off the catwalk in weeks to come. Attitude, grunge and power... Who doesn't like a bit of Balmain?  

Stylish + Chic = Dries van Noten Spring 2014

Grown up elegance at Giorgio Armani

Beautiful, Rich and Italian: Dolce and Gabbana spring 2014

You don't get more Italian than Dolce and Gabbana. And this afternoon they didn't dissapoint, proving yet again why they are my favourite designers and why they are celebrated the world over as one of the greatest luxury fashion houses ever made.

So where would we be swept off to this time? Last summer it was to a golden Italian beach full of deck chairs and yachts, moored out at sea. Last fall we were taken inside a rich, Italian palace draped with finery and golden jewels, each model wearing wonderful crowns covered in precious jewels. Well, this season Dolce and Gabbana treated us to a tour of the ancient roman ruins across Italy and payed homage to the historical archeology left to us by the Romans all those centuries ago.

Medallion coins bearing the face of famous roman rulers, were printed on dresses, worn as necklaces and were decorated on belts, cinching in the waists of ruffled dresses and tight pencil skirts. Archeological ruins were adorned on silk shirts and dresses while gold coins sculptured tiny mini dresses. Gold was a big part of this show, like last season as were the staggeringly high wedges and hooped earrings, adding that 1950's Sophia Loren look to the show. Speaking of Hollywood, faux fur stoles were wrapped around the shoulders of models in green, red and black, like the famous stars of the 1940's and 50's. In fact, fur played a big part in this collection with tops and skirts both hitting the catwalk in jewel coloured furs. Spots, flower prints and shiny leather skirts also appeared with Kasia Struss closing the show wearing a floor length tasseled, red dress with a large gold belt, excentuating her tiny waist.

As for the big Dolce and Gabbana finale, it was no less than extravagant! As models pounded the runway in a glittering show of gold, the room was filled with applause. Each model wore a different design yet gold from head to toe. Yes, extravagance is always key for a D&G finale, and this was no different. 

And who could forget the hair? Tied up in a loose chignon, hair was decorated with golden coins, flowers, leaves and clips that made the models look like angelic roman goddesses. Make up was glowing, with cheek bones highlighted with bronzer and eyes were traced with eyeliner. Bellisimo!

This was indeed a Dolce show like no other. Roman goddesses, historical influences, sexy silhouettes and divine shoes and jewelry. What's not to love about Dolce and Gabbana? Fantastico!