I'm really sorry but I don't have image credits for the first board, as my tutor sourced them all. All the images from the second board are from praytoprada.tumblr.com and style.com.
I hope you all have a great weekend in the sunshine!
Friday, 30 September 2011
Friday Moodboards
Woohoo, it's Friday! How has everyone's week been? I've been busy busy, and as mentioned in my previous post, we've finally started doing some proper work at uni. We did Photoshop moodboards today, so rather than writing a proper post (it's far too hot to think properly, and besides.. it's Friday, gotta get down) I thought I'd share my two with you. I realise they're very rookie Photoshop user but.. well, that's what I am.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
The Wonderful Wan and his Clothes RoadShow
Whew... finally a moment to update! This week has been super busy for me - I've had a few pieces of exciting news which I'll share with you in due course. That's been on top of my first proper week of university, with bits of homework thrown in there too. Bearing in mind I hadn't stepped into a classroom in almost seven years, let alone done any homework, it's been tough. I'm trying to keep up with it by finishing it the same evening - how long will that last, I wonder?
Anyway, I realise this was quite a few days ago now, but I need to share with you the excitement of my Sunday. I received an email early Saturday morning announcing that Gok Wan would be filming his Clothes RoadShow in the Trafford Centre, so immediately rang my mum (and woke her up, I think) inviting her over. She's a huge Gok fan, so of course she agreed.
It was ridiculously busy inside the Orient food hall. I naïvely thought we'd get one of the seats next to the catwalk, but it turns out those are just for the friends and family of the "makeover" ladies. We had a great view sat in the eating area however! The show started an hour and a half late (of course, fashion is never on time) and each catwalk show had to be filmed at least twice to get the right shots. It was really interesting to see how a "live" TV show was filmed. Gok is super professional, though he did have a giggle at one point, and the segment had to be filmed again. Whoops!
Again, unfortunately my camera is not the best at snapping dresses and fashion shows (though this is due to change soon - woohoo!) so these are my best pictures. I won't spoil it for you and tell you which outfits cost £250 and which cost £50, but let me tell you that you will be VERY surprised which was which. I was convinced I knew, especially as I was seeing them in the flesh. Turns out I was wrong!
Anyway, I realise this was quite a few days ago now, but I need to share with you the excitement of my Sunday. I received an email early Saturday morning announcing that Gok Wan would be filming his Clothes RoadShow in the Trafford Centre, so immediately rang my mum (and woke her up, I think) inviting her over. She's a huge Gok fan, so of course she agreed.
It was ridiculously busy inside the Orient food hall. I naïvely thought we'd get one of the seats next to the catwalk, but it turns out those are just for the friends and family of the "makeover" ladies. We had a great view sat in the eating area however! The show started an hour and a half late (of course, fashion is never on time) and each catwalk show had to be filmed at least twice to get the right shots. It was really interesting to see how a "live" TV show was filmed. Gok is super professional, though he did have a giggle at one point, and the segment had to be filmed again. Whoops!
Again, unfortunately my camera is not the best at snapping dresses and fashion shows (though this is due to change soon - woohoo!) so these are my best pictures. I won't spoil it for you and tell you which outfits cost £250 and which cost £50, but let me tell you that you will be VERY surprised which was which. I was convinced I knew, especially as I was seeing them in the flesh. Turns out I was wrong!
The lovely makeover ladies.
I wish I could have gotten a good picture of this dress. It was so fluid and floaty - looked really expensive.
Make sure you watch on the 24th October to see if you can spot me and my mum (she'll be the one clapping and cheering loudly - standard). I'm really looking forward to finding out how much each outfit cost, where it was from, and how Gok customised it!
Ooooh, PS: Special payday treat for all my lovely readers. Visit missguided.co.uk and enter PAY10 at the checkout to receive 10% off your entire order. It's only valid tomorrow, so get your skates on!
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Today I'm wearing.. Pink & Burgundy
Just a quick post to show you what I wore today. I was inspired by the spring/summer 2012 Prada show, which was amazing (naturally), but I was mainly interested in the colour combinations: cornflower blue and candy pink with burgundy. How could I possibly not love it?!
I started playing with the idea today with a burgundy top and pink skirt, plus some polka dots, which are of course on trend for this autumn/winter.
I started playing with the idea today with a burgundy top and pink skirt, plus some polka dots, which are of course on trend for this autumn/winter.
Topshop bowler hat, Glamorous dress (worn as top), 50p unknown make charity shop skirt, H&M blazer, Vivienne Westwood bag, Dr Martens boots
My lovely mum also wanted to get in on the street style snapping, so here's her outfit, perfectly on-trend in purple and teal. We love to colour block - like mother, like daughter!
Primark top, Per Una jacket, COS bag
We dressed colourfully to stand out today - and my post tomorrow will reveal exactly why!
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Manchester Window Shopping
I had some spare time one evening before I met a friend for drinks, so took a little walk along King Street to snap some window display pictures.
The trend seems to be for home-style displays; mannequins chilling out on sofas and reading books. In fact, two or three House of Fraser (who turn their lighting off at night, making it impossible to shoot) windows are home displays, and Tommy Hilfiger have a huge window cling featuring the enormous Hilfiger "family" just stylishly hanging around - you know, like you and your family often do.
The Gant display is a good example of the homely-feel; simple, but well-lit and nicely styled.
The White Company have also followed the home-scene trend.
The trend seems to be for home-style displays; mannequins chilling out on sofas and reading books. In fact, two or three House of Fraser (who turn their lighting off at night, making it impossible to shoot) windows are home displays, and Tommy Hilfiger have a huge window cling featuring the enormous Hilfiger "family" just stylishly hanging around - you know, like you and your family often do.
The Gant display is a good example of the homely-feel; simple, but well-lit and nicely styled.
The White Company have also followed the home-scene trend.
I love the window clings Boutique at Jaeger, and also their accessory display with a cute cat cut-out.
Hermes is normally one of the better displays in Manchester, but I feel this one leaves a lot to be desired. Is the merchandise on the left artfully displayed, or just dumped?!
This one's cheating a little as I took it after the Harvey Nichols show last week, but I just loved the window cling. Sadly I don't even remember which shop it was from - LK Bennett maybe?! Whoops!
What do you think of these displays? I'm a little disappointed with the city's visual merchandising at the moment. Even Zara, my greatest love, has an underwhelming display right now.
Hopefully everybody is hard at work for the big Christmas displays, and we're going to see some truly amazing windows in December!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Bloglovin'
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Just a quick post so I can "claim" my blog on Bloglovin'. Are you a user? Comment with your url and I'll follow you!
Just a quick post so I can "claim" my blog on Bloglovin'. Are you a user? Comment with your url and I'll follow you!
Monday, 19 September 2011
Heritage Trend Autumn/Winter 2011
I recently bought Company Magazine for the first time, and absolutely loved all the fashion pages. They were young, fresh, and on-trend. I was especially excited to see that you can apply to be a guest editor. Here's my entry to guest edit their fashion pages. If you like it, go tell Company over at their message boards!
Heritage is a beautifully aumtumnal look which is a key trend for this winter. Rich red, brown, and mustard hues work perfectly with tweeds, chunky knits, suedes, and waxed jackets. Add a foxy faux-fur collar and a sturdy riding boot, and you’re ready to go hunting with the Lady of the Manor (or rather, down to the shops on a Saturday afternoon). Many textural layers are the best way to make up this look. Accessories include short leather gloves, a top-handle bag (a Mulberry of course is the ultimate), and a Queen Elizabeth style knotted neckscarf.
Inspired by the 1940s country attire, this look evokes images of Princess Anne (an unlikely style icon if there ever was one) wearing her State Visit best.
Designers who showed the trend for Autumn/Winter 2011 were (L-R) Paul Smith, Mulberry, and Burberry.
I styled the look using items from my own wardrobe.
H&M waxed jacket, Dorothy Perkins chunky knit, Oasis suede skirt & belt, Liberty scarf, Primark boots & bag
Zara dress, H&M jacket, Primark tights, Office brogues, Topshop bowler, & vintage bag
A kitten is an optional accessory, but is obviously purr-ferred.
The best places on the high street to visit for this look are Oasis, Primark, Miss Selfridge, Hobbs, Phase Eight and Jigsaw – a real mixture of price points, so there’s no excuse for not getting your tweed on!
Oasis tweed skirt & cable sweater, Miss Selfridge fur collar, NW3 tartan skirt & belt, Mulberry bag, APC tweed jacket, Sandro silk scarf, Gucci leather gloves.
Heritage is a beautifully aumtumnal look which is a key trend for this winter. Rich red, brown, and mustard hues work perfectly with tweeds, chunky knits, suedes, and waxed jackets. Add a foxy faux-fur collar and a sturdy riding boot, and you’re ready to go hunting with the Lady of the Manor (or rather, down to the shops on a Saturday afternoon). Many textural layers are the best way to make up this look. Accessories include short leather gloves, a top-handle bag (a Mulberry of course is the ultimate), and a Queen Elizabeth style knotted neckscarf.
Inspired by the 1940s country attire, this look evokes images of Princess Anne (an unlikely style icon if there ever was one) wearing her State Visit best.
Designers who showed the trend for Autumn/Winter 2011 were (L-R) Paul Smith, Mulberry, and Burberry.
I styled the look using items from my own wardrobe.
A kitten is an optional accessory, but is obviously purr-ferred.
The best places on the high street to visit for this look are Oasis, Primark, Miss Selfridge, Hobbs, Phase Eight and Jigsaw – a real mixture of price points, so there’s no excuse for not getting your tweed on!
New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 Trend Round-Up
We are now well on our way into London Fashion Week, but as we all know, the different weeks represent different moods and trends. So, just for you, dear readers, I watched as many shows as I could without completely losing my mind (I was close, though, as my boyfriend will testify) to write you a little New York-specific trend report. Whether I do it for the next three weeks remains to be seen; it depends on the stability of my sanity and the amount of uni work I have to do.
Anyway, without further adieu, here are what I deem to be the key shapes, fabrics, and colours of New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012.
KEY SHAPES
The Peplum
L-R Jason Wu, Thakoon, Cushnie et Ochs
Certainly the most prevalent silhouette in NYFW featured a peplum. This cute little detail was also featured at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Rodarte. Perfect for adding curves and also hiding any lumps and bumps in the diffcult hip area, this will be a wardrobe saviour for us all next Spring.
Dropped & Low Waists
L-R Reed Krakoff, Theyskens’ Theory, Tommy Hilfiger
Has high-waist fatigue finally set in for designers? It will be interesting to me to learn how to style a low waist, both in dress and trouser form, in a chic way. The last time this rise was in fashion was when I was a skinny teenager, without a love handle to my name. I may leave this look for sixteen-year-old models, but you may want to experiment with a dropped waist next season.
Cut-out areas
L-R BCBG Max Azria, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung
Great news for those of us who don’t have a figure like Anna Selezneva (far right, in Prabal Gurung); yeah, you can show your entire midriff, as at Proenza Schouler. Or you can pick your favourite (or most toned) body part, and show it off. Cold shoulder, anyone?
Styling Notes
A couple more bits that didn’t merit their own section, but are still important in the scheme of things… Blouses are still buttoned up high, and the more interesting the collar, the better. Keep your tailoring fluid and long-lined: an essential item next Spring will be a long-line blazer, as at The Row and 3.1 Philip Lim. Your summer shower cover-up? A hooded parka. Even Victoria Beckham got in on the act.
KEY FABRICS
Mesh
L-R Alexander Wang, Theyskens’ Theory, Diane von Furstenberg
Texture was added to many looks in New York by the use of mesh panels. If you don’t fancy going for the teen goth look, work mesh accents, like the pockets at Alexander Wang. (Bit of a tangent, but mad props to one of my favourite models, Julia Nobis – far right – for walking so many shows so far this season. You go!)
Leather
L-R rag & bone, Altuzarra, Michael Kors
Now seemingly perennial, leather was a big fabric for this season. Keep your eyes peeled: it’s now so fluid and buttersoft, you may visually mistake it for silk. There’s no need to dress top-to-toe in leather; just wear a simple shift with leather detailing, like at Altuzarra.
Shiny
L-R Theyskens’ Theory, Peter Som, DKNY
You can wear your trousers like a mirror, as at Theory, or have a chic sheen to your skirt, like DKNY. Add a little texture to your outfit by means of a shiny fabric, and you’ll be bang on trend for next Spring.
Styling Notes
As mentioned earlier, peek-a-boo cut-outs will be big, but if you aren’t feeling so confident, cover them with a sheer fabric. Crochet is totally OK; even better if you can add a tasselled detail to swing from the hemline.
KEY COLOURS
I could talk about colours. I could easily talk about them for a very long time, as I’m a big fan of them. However, I think the best way to represent the colours of New York spring/summer 2012 is with this nifty image I (painstakingly) made…
Honourable Mentions
I couldn’t write a NYFW S/S 2012 trend report without recommending you check out the entire Preen collection. Gorgeous ice-cream pastel shades all mixed together in squares, checks, and origami folds. It represents everything that NYFW was: chic, understated, whilst remaining colourful and interesting, with some fabulous design details.
Finally, I had to share with you the gorgeous Theyskens’ Theory ballgown. Theory has remained in the fashion editors’ lust-list ever since the amazing Olivier Theyskens took the reins in October 2010. I’m not sure what I loved so much about this piece, maybe it was just so unexpected after the masculine tailoring of the rest of the collection. If I were an A-lister, I’d definitely consider this for a red carpet event.
I hope you enjoyed this report as much as I enjoyed making it! All images are courtesy of style.com. If you would like to use any of it, I’d really appreciate it if you’d credit me, and maybe drop me an email.
Anyway, without further adieu, here are what I deem to be the key shapes, fabrics, and colours of New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012.
KEY SHAPES
The Peplum
L-R Jason Wu, Thakoon, Cushnie et Ochs
Certainly the most prevalent silhouette in NYFW featured a peplum. This cute little detail was also featured at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Rodarte. Perfect for adding curves and also hiding any lumps and bumps in the diffcult hip area, this will be a wardrobe saviour for us all next Spring.
Dropped & Low Waists
L-R Reed Krakoff, Theyskens’ Theory, Tommy Hilfiger
Has high-waist fatigue finally set in for designers? It will be interesting to me to learn how to style a low waist, both in dress and trouser form, in a chic way. The last time this rise was in fashion was when I was a skinny teenager, without a love handle to my name. I may leave this look for sixteen-year-old models, but you may want to experiment with a dropped waist next season.
Cut-out areas
L-R BCBG Max Azria, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung
Great news for those of us who don’t have a figure like Anna Selezneva (far right, in Prabal Gurung); yeah, you can show your entire midriff, as at Proenza Schouler. Or you can pick your favourite (or most toned) body part, and show it off. Cold shoulder, anyone?
Styling Notes
A couple more bits that didn’t merit their own section, but are still important in the scheme of things… Blouses are still buttoned up high, and the more interesting the collar, the better. Keep your tailoring fluid and long-lined: an essential item next Spring will be a long-line blazer, as at The Row and 3.1 Philip Lim. Your summer shower cover-up? A hooded parka. Even Victoria Beckham got in on the act.
KEY FABRICS
Mesh
L-R Alexander Wang, Theyskens’ Theory, Diane von Furstenberg
Texture was added to many looks in New York by the use of mesh panels. If you don’t fancy going for the teen goth look, work mesh accents, like the pockets at Alexander Wang. (Bit of a tangent, but mad props to one of my favourite models, Julia Nobis – far right – for walking so many shows so far this season. You go!)
Leather
L-R rag & bone, Altuzarra, Michael Kors
Now seemingly perennial, leather was a big fabric for this season. Keep your eyes peeled: it’s now so fluid and buttersoft, you may visually mistake it for silk. There’s no need to dress top-to-toe in leather; just wear a simple shift with leather detailing, like at Altuzarra.
Shiny
L-R Theyskens’ Theory, Peter Som, DKNY
You can wear your trousers like a mirror, as at Theory, or have a chic sheen to your skirt, like DKNY. Add a little texture to your outfit by means of a shiny fabric, and you’ll be bang on trend for next Spring.
Styling Notes
As mentioned earlier, peek-a-boo cut-outs will be big, but if you aren’t feeling so confident, cover them with a sheer fabric. Crochet is totally OK; even better if you can add a tasselled detail to swing from the hemline.
KEY COLOURS
I could talk about colours. I could easily talk about them for a very long time, as I’m a big fan of them. However, I think the best way to represent the colours of New York spring/summer 2012 is with this nifty image I (painstakingly) made…
Honourable Mentions
I couldn’t write a NYFW S/S 2012 trend report without recommending you check out the entire Preen collection. Gorgeous ice-cream pastel shades all mixed together in squares, checks, and origami folds. It represents everything that NYFW was: chic, understated, whilst remaining colourful and interesting, with some fabulous design details.
Finally, I had to share with you the gorgeous Theyskens’ Theory ballgown. Theory has remained in the fashion editors’ lust-list ever since the amazing Olivier Theyskens took the reins in October 2010. I’m not sure what I loved so much about this piece, maybe it was just so unexpected after the masculine tailoring of the rest of the collection. If I were an A-lister, I’d definitely consider this for a red carpet event.
I hope you enjoyed this report as much as I enjoyed making it! All images are courtesy of style.com. If you would like to use any of it, I’d really appreciate it if you’d credit me, and maybe drop me an email.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)