Image source: http://www.vogue.co.uk
Monday 19 August 2013
AW 13/14 Texture
Trends in texture this season include vinyl, ponyskin, fur and feathers:
Image source: http://www.vogue.co.uk
Thursday 15 August 2013
AW 13/14 Print and Pattern
Trends in print and pattern this season include plaid, animal print and moody florals.
Wednesday 14 August 2013
AW 13/14 Silhouette: Hourglass
Curves are back with cinched waists, rounded shoulders and hips. This elegant look is a key silhouette for AW13/14.
My Top Picks For AW 13/14
Two of my favourite collections this Autumn/Winter are from Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino:
This season’s collections showcased a lot of beautiful outerwear, here are two favourites from Burberry Prorsum and Simone Rocha:
Image source: http://www.vogue.co.uk
Tuesday 13 August 2013
AW13/14 Trend: Powder Pink
This season designers collections were prominent in pink. From delicate pastels to dusky rose hues, this dainty palette embraces autumn/winter’s trend for all things soft and feminine. A key piece this season is the pink coat.
Saturday 10 August 2013
Textile Designer: Inge Jacobsen
Inge Jacobsen is an artist who describes her practise as an ‘intervention into the photographic image.’ She uses embroidery as a way to physically interact with and alter an image. The use of embroidery is a way to connect femininity from the past with the present, ‘My concerns as an artist are the photographic image as an object and the way women are objectified through photography.’ Inge Jacobsen wants the viewer to acknowledge the surface of the image rather than look through it and see it as an object.
To learn more about Inge Jacobsen’s work visit her website: http://ingejacobsen.com/
Friday 9 August 2013
SS13 Trend: All White
This season white is an essential wardrobe staple; it’s clean, chic and sophisticated. Create a bold fashion forward look by dressing in top to toe white and try a bright contrast accessory to add a pop of colour. For a sleek monochrome look add a dash of black.
Thursday 8 August 2013
SS13 Trend: Metallic Sheen
A futuristic trend involving metallic finishes and shiny plastics. These mirror-like materials reflect light and accentuate curves. A luxe look with a fluid finish.
SS13 Trend: Stripes
This classic trend is back and it’s bigger and bolder than ever. From black and white tailored looks to colour clashes, there’s a striped style to suit everyone’s taste. This season mix it up by wearing vertical with horizontal, try diagonal or curved.
Dramatic Eyes
At Chanel AW13 it was all about the jewelled eyes. Take inspiration from this and create a dramatic metallic eye effect in bronze, silver, and gold.
Or, why not try an edgy look with this season’s punk trend, as seen at Rodarte.
All images by Sunna Naseer
Wednesday 7 August 2013
Colour Pop
Stark natural beauty contrasts a pop of colour on the lips or eyes. Keep skin youthful and dewy.
Opt for bright pinks and oranges for lips or try a nude lip with a neon eye.
For a more subtle look, create a futuristic line above the lid as seen at Michael Kors SS13 or try under liner.
All images by Sunna Naseer
Monday 5 August 2013
These Heels Weren't Made for Walking
Ever wondered about the ridiculously impractical design of a high heeled shoe? The answer lies in its intriguing past where the shoe was not only designed to not be walked in at all, but was originally fashioned for men…
In an article for the BBC, Elizabeth Semmelhack, from Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum explains, “The high heel was worn for centuries throughout the near east as a form of riding footwear. When the soldier stood up in his stirrups, the heel helped him to secure his stance so that he could shoot his bow and arrow more effectively.”
At the end of the 16th Century, Persia –which is now modern day Iran – had the largest cavalry in the world. In 1599, a group of Persian diplomats visited Europe to recruit allies to help them defeat the Turkish Empire. It was from here that the Western world first adopted style from the Persian culture. In particular, their high heeled shoes became very popular amongst aristocrats, who donned the unusual footwear in an effort to appear more masculine.
And it didn’t stop there. As if it wasn’t impractical enough, the height of the heel grew even higher as the aristocracy attempted to stay superior from the civilians who took a liking to the new fashion. “One of the best ways that status can be conveyed is through impracticality… They aren’t in the fields and they don’t have to work hard,” says Semmelhack.
So at what point did the heel begin to symbolise femininity?
A new trend for women dressing like men began in the 1630s. They cut their hair short, they smoked pipes and they took on the high heel. A unisex shoe fashion was born and lasted until the end of the 17thCentury. As men’s heels evolved to become squarer, lower and more robust, women’s heels became rounder, more slender and tapered at the toe in an effort to make the foot look smaller and daintier.
As men became more involved in the work place, men’s fashion shifted towards a more practical style. They discarded their bright colours and jewellery in favour of darker, more simplified and practical clothing. As women continued to favour the heel, men’s heel wearing days disappeared into history.
Sunday 4 August 2013
Rise of the Maxi Dress
Unlike its hemline, the popularity of the maxi dress just keeps on rising. Whether worn day or night, it is an effortlessly stylish look that makes a statement.
Commonly believed to derive from the 70s hippie era, it did in fact start in the late 60s, as a counter culture to the miniskirt. The very first maxi dress is considered to be a creation from designer, Oscar de la Renta, whose design was commended in the New York Times, in 1968. 60s film, Dr Zhivago, also popularised the maxi, with viewers replicating the style of lead actress, Julie Christie. The 70s embraced the trend with designers such as Ossie Clark and Biba leading the way. Maxi dresses of the 70s encapsulated bohemian style with psychedelic paisley prints.
Today, the maxi dress has become more chic, with lightweight fabrics in cotton, silk and chiffon. The silhouette is sleeker and more elegant. Model, Kate Moss, is a devoted fan of the trend, looking elegant in the day and glamorous in the evening.
The maxi dress is a summer wardrobe essential, perfect for summer’s hot days and cool nights. It flatters any figure as it’s usually form fitting on top and the skirt flows over the body, accentuating your waist. For a daytime look, wear your maxi with flats and minimal accessories – the hem should fall at your ankles. Transform to an evening look by adding heels and elegant jewellery. Don’t be afraid to go bold with a maxi if you’re petite, stick to more tailored silhouettes which will compliment your figure. Make the most of the trend by wearing a maxi skirt paired with different tops, giving you a whole range of outfits from just one item.
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