Topshop Introduces Second bPay Wearables Collection

Topshop has launched a second collection of accessories activated for payments thanks to a partnership with Barclays’ bPay contactless technology.

Hot off the heels of its successful November iteration of bPay wearables, which featured brightly coloured pieces in a monster motif, the new items target a more luxe aesthetic.

The six-piece collection features bracelets, phone cases and robot-themed keyrings in gold metallics and faux snakeskin detailing. The price point comes in slightly higher than the original £15 by dropping stickers from the line and adding in better quality materials. For £25-£35, a shopper can pick up the new wares both in-store or online.

Learn more here.

Fall/Winter 2016/17 Trend Report

If fashion once worked in defined clockwork cycles, this season is proving the fluidity of today’s runways and trends. While two of our dominant themes prevail from the ’70s, the rest of our designers are spanning the timeline making pitstops in every decade (skip the 1950s) from the ’20s through the late ’90s.

Unique designer inspirations from the late David Bowie to Tim Burton’s cult classic Beetlejuice leave the runways teaming with a striking contrast of wearable garments to obscene styling.

While some collections prove comically avant-garde *cough, cough Comme Des Garcons*, the bulk of the productions put drool-worthy context to the term “ready to wear”.

Leisured Sophisticate

Whether it’s the Studio 54 gold lamé deep-v fitted jumpsuit or the olive green velveteen leisure suit resting a top a paisley pointed collar shirt, the 1970’s is a time period full of audacious dressing. For fall/winter 2016/17, looks hop right off the tour buses of the Vinyl decade from the rockers themselves straight through to the girls that swoon at their feet. Daily leisure to nightly lavishness, the trends endure.

A.P.C.

Derek Lam

Mara Hoffman

Kaelen

The details: Suedes, crushed velvets, corduroys, chenilles, silks and lamés make up the luxuriousness of this era of dress. Muted-half tones are often paired with highly bold color calling to vibrancy of the decade. Pattern is not something designers shy away from, dipping lightly into the trends of the decade prior. Lessening the psychedelia, and upping the sophistication with softer folkloric prints, the ’70s is marked by the beginning of decadence in fashion and lifestyle.

Aalto

Leonard

Vetements

Mara Hoffman

Another major change coming out of the seventies is the start of “sexy”. Plunging neck lines, tight fitting turtleneck sweaters, hot pants, cinched waists – it’s all about showing off the body. Fit-and-flare dominates  with the bell sleeve and bell bottom at the helm of most wardrobes.

Alice + Olivia

Area

Derek Lam 10 Crosby

Roksanda

A marker of societal change with the early start of the “career woman”, singular modes of dress for women are left behind. Skirts now come in three lengths; short, midi and maxi. Jumpsuits and high-waisted pants topped off by massive belt buckles are the height of popularity.

Akris

Missoni

Vanessa Seward

Vivienne Tam

*Accessories note: The beveled-square toe platform boot is back and it’s begging for a dig through mom and dad’s record collection for some Nancy Sinatra. These boots were made for walkin’ and they’re doing it from ankle booties through to thigh-highs.

Balenciaga

Marc Jacobs

Balenciaga

Maison Margiela

*Beauty note: The shag rests atop most heads in this trend, with the odd break for an obvious Farah Fawcett flip.

Chloe

Michael Kors Collection

Chloe

Boss

Prairie Savant

If rocker socialite defines the first ’70s trend, Prairie Savant is the sweet and naive cousin visiting for the week from South Dakota. This trend occupies the softer side of the ’70s as it is categorized by the rural muting of modes of dress, the step back from the rise to self-indulgence and an inclination to stick to a strongly feminine aesthetic.

Sonia Rykiel

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Kenzo

The Details: Thin cottons, sheers, linens, laces, satins and tulles make up the fabric selection on these delicate garments. Softer hues and washed out floral prints bring a delicate beauty to the long-flowing garments. Primarily maxi frocks, the prairie look is one easily identified by the mass of ruffles.

Chloe

Simone Rocha

Toga

Erdem

Hints of romanticism sweep through this trend with ruffled collar bibs, cape build-ins and flouncing details that key in the English Rose aesthetic. Ruffles appear in all forms from lining dresses and maxi skirts to dangling at the high-hip of a loose fitting bohemian blouse.

Francesco Scognamiglio

Fendi

Kenzo

Sonia Rykiel

Recalling the first decade to touch upon the prairie-look, the ’30s leg of mutton sleeve offers body to the otherwise subdued trend. The effect is used at varying degrees allowing a designer to play around with the drama of the look. The female necktie also makes a reappearance offering a lighter segue into the trend without the risk of going matronly.

Brock Collection

Manish Arora

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Ulla Johnson

*Beauty note: Hair styles favor the tapered quiff, with an elevated semi-roll in front and the gelled front “greaser”.

Kenzo

Kenzo

Miu Miu

Miu Miu

Mawkish Escapism

The romance dips deeper into the historical waters with the Mawkish Escapism trend. Influences pull from the Renaissance era, touch upon the ’20s and even go darker with the 17th century coven-laden garments. This trend runs the gamut of poetic nostalgia, with draping and femininity as its mainstays.

Elie Saab

Naeem Khan

Reem Acra

Antonio Marras

The Details: Luxe textiles include velour, chantilly lace, brocade, georgette, damask and various other sheer fabrics. The use of textile contrast from the rigid to the flowing in a mass of jewel tones and blacks establishes a refined grandeur in the designs. At times touched with a chromatic abstract print, the opulence grows all the greater.

Andrew Gn

Etro

Marchesa

Monique Lhuillier

Feminine silhouettes hold a certain delicacy, even whilst the design elements go in a slightly villainous direction. Crumpled features, sheer elements, high collars, capes and a flare for the dramatics create a sense of intrigue taking the looks beyond the sickeningly sweet and into the realms of a compelling world ‘beyond’.

Roberto Cavalli

Valentin Yudashkin

Zimmermann

Monique Lhuillier

Though suiting, blouses and lengthier skirts can certainly fall into this category, gowns and cocktail dresses are the defining garments.

Lanvin

Blumarine

Marchesa

Valentino

*Accessories note: Two shoes currently en vogue match up with this trend. The pointed-toe stiletto amps up the theatrics, while the ballerina shoe (flat or heeled) mutes the brooding right out of the ensemble.

Loewe

Michael Kors Collection

Valentino

Miu Miu

*Beauty note: Styling takes even the softer looks in a moodier direction. Alternating emphasis, eyes are dark and graphic, while lips are going from berry all the way through black.

Chanel

Fendi

Louis Vuitton

Rodarte

Alt. Eclecticism

Somewhere between the birth of punk music in the 1980’s and the grungy garage-band days of the 1990’s, streetwear came to be. The Alt Eclecticism trend blurs the lines of the two generations, mixing the electric with the apathetic and resulting in next-level layering. The looks seem to pair items haphazardly, but the aesthetic is punishingly “cool”. Vibing heavily on the underground art scene and channeling a disenfranchised youth, Alt. Eclecticism treats fashion unapologetically like it doesn’t matter (while making it look better than most).

Phelan

Public School

Sportmax

Alexander Wang

The Details: Anything and everything goes so long as it’s layered, artfully cluttered and confidently adorned. Denim, leather, cotton, furs and rigid fabrics occupy valuable real estate on these catwalks. Palettes combine neutrals with pops of vibrant colors. Pattern is not common, though it is present in smaller doses.

J.W. Anderson

Moschino

Public School

Toga

Silhouettes borrow from sportswear, bordering on athleisure. With hints of heritage in the mix, the combination is wholly incongruent, but somehow works. Oversized, well-tailored, but deconstructed garments rest atop other oversized, well-tailored but deconstructed garments. The only nods to femininity fall in a few peaks of skin consistent with this season’s overall love of the conspicuous cutout.

A Detacher

Au Jour Le Jour

Jacquemus

Off-White

Items on command include athletic puffer coats, tousled denim anything and sweatshirts.

Nicopanda

Y/Project

Yang Li

VFiles

*Accessories note: All is to be styled with the clunkiest of footwear, metal anything and a beanie.

Alexander Wang

Versace

Michael Kors Collection

Alexander Wang

*Beauty note:  Welcome back nude to browned lips, excessive (non-cat) eyeliner and spider mascara.

Christian Dior

Marc Jacobs

Roberto Cavalli

Stella McCartney

Militant Forces

As a (non-patriotic) tribute to the defence forces that protect and serve, the runways are once again cluttered with military influences. From the modern garb, to the ’40s looks that speak to a world at war, fall/winter 2016/17 climbs right into the trenches. Land, sky and sea are all targeted in color scheme and overall feel.

Ermanno Scervino

Tommy Hilfiger

Zac Posen

Anrealage

The Details: Boiled wool, suiting fabric, cotton, canvas, and fur accents support many of these pieces. Colors predominately settle in at Army greens, Navy/Air Force blues and the reds of the Queen’s Guard.

Burberry

Dolce & Gabbana

Topshop Unique

Versace

Construction is paramount to the Militant Forces trend. Rigid garments are still made flattering and their bulk is met with aesthetic purpose. Though silhouettes are less form-fitting, this season’s favorite cinched waist returns to bring back shape in a woman’s body.

Burberry

Dsquared2

Haider Ackermann

Maison Margiela

Details include squared shoulders, epaulettes, tassels and hook-and-eyes. Though the trend is interpreted into wearable suits and dresses, the military jackets are the foundation of the trend.

Andrew Gn

Dolce & Gabanna

Louis Vuitton

John Galliano

*Accessories note: While some designers go literal, pairing their looks with military accessories such as the vintage Navy hat, others merely suggest structure with the additions of corset overlays.

Prada

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Prada

City Scape

As another trend with a high focus on construction, City Scape delves into the world of Architecture. Clean lines are paired with drapery to evoke the feel of an urban city from the tallest sky-scrapers to the gentle arcs of the bridges. Minimalism is challenged to new heights where it can utilize layering and asymmetry to establish unexpected compilations.

Rick Owens

BCBG Max Azria

Sportmax

Narciso Rodriguez

The Details: Crisp linens, cashmeres, jerseys, cottons, suedes and peau de soie are the most frequent textile choices. Color palettes highly favor neutrals, with shades of white and grey dominating. Colors can be present as well, though they tend to be a focus point.

1205

Dion Lee

Les Copains

Ports 1961

Silhouettes vary greatly, with the only commonality being elongating the body. Lines are very clear throughout these looks for the purpose of guiding the eye. Often these looks pair a highly structured garment with a lightly draped counterpart. The simplicity in the contrast leaves an overall concluding feel of effortless elegance.

Maticevski

Vera Wang

Esteban Cortazar

Dion Lee

Layered pieces prove open to all sorts of garments. The wide-leg pant and cross-over skirt take lead as trend “must-haves”.

ADEAM

Damir Doma

Eckhaus Latta

Ji Oh

*Beauty note: A continuation of the geometric form of the trend, hair is sleeked back with extreme left side-parts.

Calvin Klein Collection

Celine

Calvin Klein Collection

Celine

While some of the season’s contenders are not a “one style fits all”, there seems to be a little something wearable for everyone. Those afflicted with a hefty bust may stay away from the ruffled-bib of the Prairie Savant, but the necktie is an easy buy in. If you weren’t born into long supermodel legs, you could keep off the midi skirt and swap in the mini cross-over.

Whether you’re in search of a little whimsy or aiming to strike a look of elite luxury, the trends will accommodate. Perhaps most important is to recall the lack of boundary in today’s world of dress. If it fits, if it makes you happy… wear it! You can always find a way to roll it into a trend category with a good accessory closet and a keen eye for beauty.

 

Milan Fashion Week Roundup

Another perfect week of fashion is behind us. Three cities in and the trends seem to be falling neatly into place. That macrotrend report will be coming your way in a few weeks time. For now, let’s have a closer look at what came our way from the Italian runways this fall/winter 2015/16 ready-to-wear fashion week.

Collection Perfection

Trussardi

style.com

Trussardi came out strong this season with a leather finish to her usual dose of militarism meets minimalism. Fabric play of sheen to matte offered all the drama the collection needed while allowing the pieces to stand out for their sporty chic tailoring.

Key pieces in the collection included tapered pants, cropped jackets, jumpsuits both with and without sleeves, patchwork sweaters in heavy sweater material and simple sheath dresses.

Details such as fold-over waistbands and exaggerated rounded lapel rolls were pivotal to Gaia Trussardi’s sticking the landing. The real star of the show; however, was her fabric choice. Loose stitch velvety knits and chunky cable knits provided a lightened relief to dramatic leathers in a movable glove-like leather.

style.com

The collection’s palette was true to its modernist aesthetic with dense colors and a host of neutrals including several shades of grey, sumptuous chocolate browns, cafe au lait, sand, deep emerald, forest green, prussian blue and bronze.

Styling choices really held the clothing together with twisted and knotted low-hanging up dos and deep purple lips. Belts appeared as part of the collection and matched the shows v-opening ankle booties.

Etro

style.com

Pretty in prints as per usual! Veronica Etro did not stray far from her bottom line with this stunning collection of folkloric prints in exotic desert hues. Though florals and paisley play a part, the emphasis was clearly on geo prints and patchwork. In a way that only Etro can pull off, the collection was pure organized chaos!

The interiors inspiration was felt throughout the loud prints, leaving simplicity of shapes and subduing the sex appeal. Peakaboo slits were seen in the collection’s key long-sleeve jumpsuits. Also crucial to Etro’s fw15 ready-to-wear line are overcoats, vests, cropped bootleg trousers, floor-sweeping dresses in simple silhouettes and illusion pleated skirts.

Aside from the dazzling production of all the mixed prints, Etro threw in a little lustre every few pieces for a touch more wow-factor. Silhouettes were kept clean and simple to not fight with the bold textiles.

style.com

Colors were all over the map with this dreamy paint set collection of chroma. The subtle neutrals of sand, brown, grey, taupe and black contrast the clay-based art colors of rust, orange, teal, peacock, mustard and wine.

Loose long locks were middle-parted and accompanied by clean makeup looks. Metal based chokers rested on the necks of the models. Footwear consisted of rounded and slightly square toed boots matching the palette of the looks.

Strange and Beautiful

Angelos Frentzos

 nowfashion.com

Though clearly eccentrically styled, Angelos Frentzos delivered some pretty ready-to-wear clothing. The collection is American sportswear meets 1920’s with a mix of silhouettes and textiles. Fringe and flapper overwhelm the beginning of the show, androgyny comes in midway with layered shorts and bombers and the show finished with feather embellishments merging the two styles into one.

Silhouettes were overall loose fitting with boxy skirt and short suits dominating the runway. Other key pieces included lounge-fit tunic shirts and A-line tube tops.

Geo prints factor in as well along with bird embellished textiles and colorful painterly micro blocks. Still, it’s the balance of texture that really sets the mood on the collection from the ribbed jackets to the feathered skirts.

 nowfashion.com

A palette consists mainly of black, white and grey, but with pops of multicolor and moments where red shines through.

Frentzos made a bold choice to block out the models faces with black baseball caps holding feathers in place. The decision to eliminate the model from the runway so to speak allowed the clothing to come up on its own merit. Other styling decisions were kept minimalistic with tied gladiator style sandals.

Jacquemus

style.com

Subtlety may not be the strong suit here, but artistic license is in full force. Jacquemus certainly got crafty for this collection that plays up the female form. For the purposes of keeping this PG, I’ve left off the countless looks that prominently feature the bare breast, but it’s likely the overalls pictured below will leave you with the main idea.

This piecework collection compiles what appear to be near scraps of fabric into composed pieces. There’s a healthy dose of drapery on the nondistinctive silhouettes. Loose and fluid would explain most including a dress meant to represent the human hand, misplaced sleeves with a mid-chest start point and pants with a waistline large enough for three.

If all of the outlandish traits weren’t enough, Jacquemus threw in a few extra details. Colorful metal grommets, asymmetric leg of mutton sleeves and overgrown knots finish looks in this bold collection.

 style.com

Somehow, amidst the insanity, a tasteful palette (slightly) reins it in. White, navy, black, tan, taupe and army green dominate with only mild peaks of orange, yellow and sky blue.

Styling in this collection is definitely worth noting with a half-face drawn onto some models’ cheeks to compensate for hair covering their right sides. Other faces were covered completely with round paper masks. With all that going on up above, it’s no wonder that footwear was left off altogether!

Skillful Styling

Luisa Beccaria

style.com

Luisa Beccaria presented a collection perhaps better fit for the Parisian runways with her stunning vintage French styling. Elbow length gloves and berets offer a softness complimentary to the collection that’s supremely feminine in its form fitting silhouettes and delicate feathered and printed detail. Fishnet tights and a deep burgundy lip give an vixen-like toughness to the looks, offering a hardened contrast equipped for modern Italian women.

Marco de Vincenzo

style.com

Slips of color were crucial to both the collection and styling of Marco de Vincenzo’s fw15 rtw collection. With multicolored strips lining of much of his collection, Vincenzo used styling to highlight the effect. Rainbow rounded glasses came down the catwalk on some models while others wore color saturated puff satin braided sandals. Plastic chain-linked belts also set the standard for this psychedelic 70’s meets futuristic collection.

On My Wish List

Nº 21

                                                       style.com

Nº 21 just got this one right with the variant monochromatic palette and the contrasting layers and textures. From the boiled wool sand colored coat to the cafe au lait lingerie inspired satin dress adorned over pants, it’s layers the way we all wish we could pull them off!

Tod’s

                                                       style.com

There’s something so striking about the perfect white blouse. With a jacket fit and styling, this thin piece breaks all the expectations for outwear. Paired with a digitized geo print pleated leather skirt, this look is the under the radar chic we’ve come to associate with Tod’s.

Well ¾’s of fashion month is behind us and we’ve seen a great deal worth justifying an elaborate clothing budget. Paris fashion week is in full swing at the moment. Click here to live stream some shows. Otherwise, check back in a few days to read up on the final triumphs of fw15 rtw!

London Fashion Week Roundup

Well, London Fashion Week came and went rather quickly. The five day fashion frenzy brought its fair share of excitement and drama. From the eerily quirky model walks at the Giles show to the blogger crashing the final model walk at Jean-Pierre Braganza, marvellous curiosities were everywhere. Not the least of which, why did Cara trade in walking Topshop Unique for a frow seat with Kendall Jenner? Alas, some mysteries are better left unsolved. Instead, I think I’ll direct our focus on the fashions themselves. The sweet, sweet glorious fashion.

Covetable Collections

J. JS Lee

theglassmagazine.com / katiechutzpah.com

The magic of J. JS Lee’s fall/winter 2015/16 collection begins with the styling of a pageboy-bowl cut mashup and an orangey red lip. This strikingly simple look bounces brilliantly off of the minimalist clean aesthetics coming down her catwalk. A cheeky tailoring theme throughout features sewing details such as mock needles gathering fabric and visible threading. Beyond the structured garments; however, is a softening that comes from this season’s trim of choice; fur.

The collection is very dress heavy with sheaths, shifts and sleeved/sleeveless trapeze cuts showing up throughout. Overcoats play an important role as do cinched waist trousers and slouchy turtleneck sweaters.

theglassmagazine.com / katiechutzpah.com

The color palette is subdued with blacks, whites and greys at the forefront. Blush weaves its way in and out, always on a canvas of fur. Limited geo prints in the collection bring a yellowed gold color as well as rhodolite. Full collection here.

Mother of Pearl

style.com

Classic American sportswear took a turn for the better with romantic prints, luxe color combinations and textural interplay at the Mother of Pearl show. Combinations of furs, leathers, taffetas, perforated textiles and sheer fabrics allow for simplistic loose fitting silhouettes.

Key pieces in the collection include bomber jackets, raglan coats and bespoke suiting with an urban twist.

style.com

A warm color palette for the collection includes many seasonal favorites including dusty pink, deep chocolate brown, camel, cognac, deep teal, mustard and orange. Pale yellow and pea green guest star briefly in a gingam print. Finally, a lesser dose of the standard black, white and navy are included throughout. For the full collection, check out style.com.

Sublime, with a Side of Eccentricity

Christopher Kane

style.com

Mostly in the realm of wearable, Christopher Kane’s FW15/16 collection holds its eccentricity in its encompassing of the human form (and I’m not talking about sharp tailoring). Prints inspired by a woman’s body fly off the dresses in a fringe-like fashion. Cameos live in vibrant colored velvet. Even nudity is included in smaller details, making the avant garde pieces more of an art tribute than wearable works.

style.com

Pieces not dealing in anatomy; however, are still playful with fabric “scribble” style strips. The balance of the collection is entirely pret-a-porter with stunning bespoke suiting and mid-waist dresses. Click here for the full collection.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

  style.com

True to her persona, Vivienne Westwood styled this catwalk in the most peculiar of ways with red and black paint fight style makeup and neck hugging braided hair cozies. The clothing; however, need not such drama to stand out. Fantastical silhouettes play up volume and geometric shapes as they turn heads over and over again. Wallpaper florals are paired with tweed plaids, leg of mutton pants paired with multicolored fringe trimmed leg warmers, Yin Yang cut blazers with origami neck ties and dress capes are given massive hoods. This is not a collection for the faint of heart.

 style.com

Still within the absurdity is a glimmer of “I’d love to get my hands on that Westwood jacket”. Severing the looks and breaking them down by item leaves just the right amount of bold statement piece. Menswear silhouettes in womenswear fabrics and colors are also offered in this collection for the lighter touch. See full collection here.

Strange and Spot on Styling

Ashish

style.com

So here’s a collection that absolutely oozes grunge with a side helping of sex. 90’s patchwork, hardware, rhinestones, camo print and acid washed tie-dye denim are all over this collection. Add in sequin heavy lingerie for outdoor wear and Ashish’s (likely) accidental nod to Broadway’s Kinky Boots and you’ve got a proper SHOW. Whether or not the word “fashion” should be its prefix is still up for debate. One thing is for certain though; the styling was right on the money. Two-toned hair featured puffy front bangs and messy half-dos in back. Lips were all given a hit of the same vibrant red featured throughout the collection. Love it or hate it, the styling really did channel Courtney Love in its intended fashion. See more of the wonderful insanity here.

Marques’Almeida

style.com

For a collection full of frayed edge denim, tinfoil dresses and layer-heavy drapery, Marques’Almeida’s fresh out of the pouring rain styling somehow works. Hair is near glued to the models’ faces with a streaky greased up appearance and eyeliner has melted dramatically as if post-breakup. Is it beautiful? Certainly not, but then neither is the literal interpretation of streetwear collection. Various pieces teeter on wearable, but the overall feel is much more MOMA than it is MET. See all the looks from the runway here.

Future Items in My Dream Wardrobe

Jean-Pierre Braganza

                                                      style.com

Pairing Jean-Pierre Braganza’s thematic origami shapes with a minimalist overall silhouette made this piece a standout. A neutral palette of navy and white is livened by a sleek silver in forming an uneven stripe print. Sporty, yet classic and elegant in its own right, this piece would be welcome in most any wardrobe without causing a stir. See more elaborate pieces from the same collection here.

Mary Katrantzou

                                                       style.com

Mary Katrantzou offered a completely unique collection at this season’s London Fashion Week with mixed media looks. Well beyond the standard textural blends, Katrantzou took her textiles to the next level with foam triangles, ruffled plastic elements, metallic disks and paisley embossed leather. While the entire collection is certainly worth a glance, this shift coat dress is at the top of my LFW want list. Matted and glossed feathers lead into wool-covered foam blocks followed by sparkling paisley embroidery all in a sophisticated fall palette. Completely unlike anything else out there, this piece has serious pass down to your future granddaughter potential.

Two cities down, two to go! Milan Fashion Week is well underway on day one. Check in next week for another roundup.

New York Fashion Week Round Up

Alright devout readers. As you all know, tonight is the final night of New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2015/16. Before we cross the pond to London tomorrow, I thought we were due in for a little show reviewing. The real trend talk will be coming up post-Paris fashion week, but little macro trend seeds will be planted throughout my weekly roundups for those who simply can’t wait. First we’re going to look at shows that are so good, they remind us why we follow fashion. Then we’re going to peer into some incredible styling choices. We’ll take a look at a few all around favorite pieces and of course, finish with a few shows that remind people who don’t follow fashion why they shouldn’t.

Collections Worth Committing Crimes

Jonathan Simkhai

    style.com

Caged, crackled, weeded and woven, Jonathan Simkhai’s fw15 collection was streetwear at its absolute finest. A variety of textures intermix from supple knits to a fine sheer mesh as they play off a multitude of geo prints.

Boxy tops and slim fit skirts make up major silhouettes in this collection. Crop tops of various lengths also occupied prime real estate on that runway with many peak a boos and sheer panels.

   style.com

The color palette favored blacks, whites and greys with hints of sheer olive, peach, light ancient pink and taupe.

Yigal Azrouël

 style.com

On the more sophisticated side of streetwear, Yigal Azrouël takes traditional bespoke suiting for women and redefines it into menswear cuts with funky geo and linear prints. The collection flawlessly mixes prints, silhouettes and cutouts in a wholly alluring visual puzzle.

Key items include oversized menswear cut vests and printed bomber jackets. Asymmetrical dresses shy one sleeve were also big players this season.

 style.com

Another subdued palette, Azrouël focused on black, white, shades of grey and silver. As a major seasonal color for fw15, teal made it onto a few items of this collection alongside cherry oak and chocolate brown.

Styling That Makes a Statement

Nicholas K

    style.com

In addition to a billowy perfection collection, Nicholas K makes it on this list for his 40’s aviation styling. With rounded sunnies reminiscent of flying goggles and vintage pilot hats, models on this catwalk seemed to resurrect and modernize the amazing Amelia Earhart.

Marchesa

    style.com

Watch out Daisy Buchanan, Marchesa models are definitely stepping on your turf! Flapper dresses, pearls and 20’s styling made for decadent runway of old Hollywood glam. Dark sultry lips were paired with pinned back fingerwaves on all models strutting down the runway.

A Few Perfect Pieces

Idan Cohen

                                                      wgsn.tumblr.com

Delicate, sophisticated and completely ethereal, this is the dream ballerina dress that my fairy godmother would bestow on me if the time ever came that I should head to my pumpkin.

3.1 Phillip Lim

                                                      style.com

Grungry in the best possible way, this look pairs bespoke suiting with an oversized trench to show why layers exist. In a sumptuous palette of muted half-tones with just the right amount of print, this simple look really drives the point home.

It Wouldn’t Be NYFW without the Weird

Hood by Air

    style.com

We’ve come to expect it, but this may be at a new level. Androgyny is often a plus in the fashion world, but when difficulty goes into deciphering the genders on the runway, we may have pushed a tad too far. Deconstructed garments, puffer… well… everything, garments shuffling their rightful place on the human body and nylon stocking face masks. This is one for the history books.

Degen

    printallover.me / newnownext.com

From breast oriented design details to asymmetric makeup looks that bring to question if the models have had strokes, this collection is less than normal. While I certainly applaud the decision to bring on (real) plus size models, there is something to be said for fit…

That’s a wrap on NYFW FW15! Check back in a few days time for a rundown on the London offers.

Before Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015 Kicks Off…

Ah, the glorious time of year is upon us. Fashion week (nay, month) for the fall/winter collections takes place every February through to March. The kick off is of course in New York City, followed by London, Milan and finally Paris. Each city brings with it a different grouping of designers, but more importantly, a distinctive ora. Some show goers will be stamping their passports four times over the month, but many will be amongst the unique flavor of just one city’s crowds. Anyone lucky enough to have been in attendance, or hungry enough to have loitered outside of the show venues will have borne witness to street style in its most primal setting. Here, amongst a community of like minded individuals, we can unleash our most daring looks; the boldest of the fashions we possess. Accordingly, the grand production of it all often falls to be more interesting than your average sub-par show.

After three seasons in attendance in New York City, I’ve traded in Lincoln Center for the center of my living room in Montreal, Canada. That having been said, I’ve got my hands right on the pulse of the events as I co-run the Tumblr and Pinterest of global trend forecaster WGSN for my second season. Check in for some fabulous close-ups, runway details and street style.

At the end of each city, look forward to a write up of the best shows, the major flops, the deliciously quirky (yet completely unwearable… I’m looking at you Jeremy Scott) and the key trends spotted.

Until then, a quick reminder of some hot trends spotted last season for the upcoming spring/summer 2015.

Garments

• Culottes – At the crux of sporty and sultry, these seemingly overgrown shorts with plenty of flare out are all the rage
• Boxy tees – As a standalone item or as part of a layered effort, the boxy tee (especially in a shade of white) was all over the runways

Design Details

• Fringe – Full force or as a micro detail, fringe is back in a big way. Load it up on your accessories or rock it on your jacket, it’s allowable in all forms
• Asymmetry – One shoulder, uneven hemlines and offset prints offer up asymmetry as a key theme

Prints

• Multi-directional stripes – Horizontal, vertical, on the bias – all working  together in blissful harmony
• Painterly florals – Crisp and clean is out, broad strokes and artful abstracts are in

Colors

• Bleached Pastels – A range of pastels that are only slightly colored beyond white will reign supreme this coming season
• Naval colors – For the season of yachting (I wish), fashion takes sail on colors of the Navy with navys, crisp whites and a little contrast from bright orange

Looking forward to a new season of fashion finds. Start your engines ladies and gents, fashion week fall/winter 2015 kicks off tonight with VFILES at Lincoln Center.

Red Carpet Stealers – Grammys Edition

On Sunday, February 8th, television sets around the globe were tuned in to catch the Grammy Awards for talent in the music industry. Some couch planters do it for the musical performances, others to watch host LL Cool J try and stay relevant, few may even just have a yearning to watch Sam Smith win basically every award up for grabs. To many who will likely find themselves reading this post, we’re in it for the fashion.

The Red Carpet offers up the best of designer gowns, painfully beautiful (emphasis on the pain) footwear and all the glittery jewelry one could never afford. It provides a glimpse into the life of the luxe. Perhaps more appealing; however, is assessing the delicate balance celebrities try and maintain between extravagant and “I woke up like this”. The subtleties of standing out versus blending in. Not only do their outfit selections speak to their personality, but define their affinity for risk. Dare to try to make best dressed and you’re likely to risk the worst.

Though each of these three looks hail from very different categories, I’d have no issue putting any on my event playlist.

Artful Design

Gwen Stefani never fails to deliver on originality. Though she currently judges on the more mainstream show, The Voice, we mustn’t forget Stefani’s role in Ska music and the perfection that is Grunge in the ’90s band No Doubt. Her look has always paid tribute to her genres, but in 2015, she seems to have finally hit the perfect equilibrium between edgy and sophisticated. The architectural build of her Versace jumpsuit blends structured minimalism with exquisite details. A combination of the more feminine black lace and delicate makeup once again work in contrast to her somewhat androgynous hair styling. Round of applause for the woman that still holds to her guns “underneath it all“.

The Princess Revamp

In a world where the princess look is attributed to pristine styling, hefty gown volume, mass embellishments and all the glitter imaginable, Katy Perry proves times for a rewrite. Though we could do without the purple locks, this “California Gurl” really does look unforgettable in Zuhair Murad. The crystal embellished frock has all the makings of a modern day princess look. The dress absolutely glistens in the light, has volume in the form of fringe (a must have for spring/summer 2015), a delicate embellishment at the waist and forms to the body brilliantly. Though significantly more covered up than usual, the sheer body of the gown allows for the suggestion of sexiness; a quality I’d argue is much more dignified. We could have done without the yellow underwear though Katy, next time, opt for nude!

What’s Old is New

Alright, so clearly she could have covered up more, but then she wouldn’t be Kim Kardashian, would she? We could do with a slightly less plunging neck line and a much lower slit, but somehow, this Jean Paul Gaultier gown still astonishes. The gown has all the makings of a Gatsby party outfit with 1920’s flare and decadence. The robe styling is met with gold iridescent fabric that seems almost liquid as Paper Magazine‘s recent conquest struts her stuff down the carpet. Floral embellishments take the gown from simple to sublime on the pockets and shoulders. The weight of the gown; however, was slightly less successful. Post Red Carpet presentation, one of the pockets escaped her and safety pins became her godsend for their quick fix. Better luck next time Kim!

Another successful award show is now behind us. Though less gasp moments took over this round, fear not my fellow fashionistas/fashionistos. We’re less than two weeks away from the Red Carpet be all end all; The Oscars.

A Proper Way to Moon Walk

One small step for man, one giant leap for adidas! Creative Director for Christian Dior, Raf Simons welcomes his fifth collaboration with German sportswear brand adidas. After the success of his former footwear designs Response Trail and Ozweego, Simons tacked the word “robot” to the end of each shoe name in tandem with a NASA theme.

Response Trail Robot

The two-style collection for fall 2015 borrows inspiration from vintage astronaut suits and backpacks; specifically those adorned on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.

 

Mercury Mission

The Response Trail Robot with its silver body is a closer representation of the garbs of the Mercury Mission carried out between ’61 and 63’. The Ozweego Robot takes its influences more from the white fabric suits of the Gemini Mission with the red and blue detailing made more apparent on the Apollo Mission suits.

 

Apollo 11 Mission

In a statement about the collaboration, Adidas claimed the shoes include “moulded and machined details similar to authentic closures, zippers and straps are added… Shiny versus matte distressed materials complete the look of outer space.”

 

Ozweego Robot

All things considered $455-$730 is not a bad price tag for a quasi trip to space. If you’re looking to hitch a ride on the next flight out; however, you may have to make a connection or two. The fancy footwear will be selling exclusively in adidas concept stores in major fashion cities such as Paris and Berlin. A few specialty boutiques may have them in stock as well, but finding them may be a task likened to rocket science.

Wearables & Techcessories

In the era of smartphone domination in which I can bring this post to you by way of creation on the subway, it seemed only a matter of time until our arm extension tech would be turned accessory demanding to be adorned. Yes, Google glass and the Apple watch exist for those at a heightened level of tech, but where does fashion come in? While holding mega cool points for exclusivity, the aesthetics of these items really fall no further than the belt clip for Blackberry that my father swears by. Therein lies opportunity a plenty; a vast unsaturated hole in the market waiting to be cluttered by numerous competitors.

Wearable tech has been played around with in the minor leagues for a while now. Ear muffs or sweaters with headphones strung in – more of a seating chart for tech than anything else. It grew in confidence with the implementation of cell phone chargers into wallets and plastic bracelets that track steps and sleep patterns. But here we are in 2015, well past the back to the future future date. If I’m not going to be riding a hovercraft to work (albeit a blessing on my hair), I want to be sporting some swankified gear that’s just mind boggling enough that even a 5 page essay couldn’t do well to explain it to my grandparents. That having been said, as a fashion lover, I need my wearable to look… well… wearable!

While most fashion brands have yet to sink their teeth into the market, here’s a look at a few fantastic items already up for grabs on the market.

Diane von Furstenberg

It’s no surprise that the wrap dress queen herself would continue her reign on bold fashion. DVF has partnered with the good folks of Google and online luxury retailer Net a Porter in coming to an impressive offering of designer frames for Google Glass. While a standard glass costs $1500, a premium of anywhere between $200-$400 is added for the DVF logo and flair.

Still a little on the dorky side, the DVF Google Glass appears to be part chic glasses and part cyborg. Perhaps that mess may be better cleaned up by the brands of reported future partner Luxottica. Look out for Ray Bans and Oakleys with minds of their own soon!

Rebecca Minkoff

In collaboration with Case-Mate, Rebecca Minkoff is doing anything but treading lightly into the market. The trendy and youthful brand has launched all sorts of wearables from bracelets with call and text alerts for $120 to bracelets that charge your phone on the go. All chic. All done through USB. All right up in the sweet spot of the market. All the good are available for purchase from Nordstrom or Rebecca Minkoff online/brick and mortar.

Tory Burch

Tory Burch released several fashion fortified versions of the Fitbit Flex. For only $38, you can get a simple bracelet in a quirky print. For someone really hankering to hide their activity/sleep tracker, they can spend between $175 and $195 to score themselves Fitbit holder bracelets or necklaces that truly make the tech a covert operation.

Opening Ceremony

Partnered with Intel, Opening Ceremony just launched their MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory) bangles released in store and at Barneys New York this past holiday season. The “fashion first” design of these bracelets include semi-precious stones, intricate textures such as snakeskin and a 1.5-inch sapphire touch screen. They may run you $1000, but these cuffs both look and act smart!

Ralph Lauren

Having made its public debut at the US open in August, the Ralph Lauren Polo Tech bio-sensing shirt will be tested on the market this spring. Not only does this compression top look the part of trendy activewear, but it also monitors heart rate and calories burned. The cost remains a mystery at the moment as does the potential for success of this wearable that occupies a lot more body real estate than a minor bracelet.

 

Tommy Hilfiger

For a very different kind of wearable tech, Tommy Hilfiger has taken to solar paneled jackets. These $600 pieces contain two USB charging hubs in the pocket to channel the energy of the sun. The paneled components could also be removed if desired, rendering the jacket just another quirky designed item by Tommy Hilfiger with a slightly confusing (yet oddly intriguing) mix of color and pattern. When the sun fails you, you can also take out the charging dock and give it a good wall charge at home, allowing the sun to just sustain the charge power throughout the day. Seems a lot of effort for a simple phone charge though, doesn’t it?

The jury still seems to be out on whether these items are little more than novelty. As the market continues to grow, it’ll be a fascinating area to keep an eye on. Technology companies are fighting to figure out the logistics of what’s really in demand as fashion companies fight to make the wearables and techcessories something worth purchase. It seems it may still be a while until the cohesion brings companies to a favorable ROI. The first mover advantage of the above companies can only last so long once the formula has been adapted to fit the mass market. Time will tell (from a very fancy and tech-savvy Apple watch) what’s to come!

Supersized Scarves

The ever sexy Lenny Kravitz (more recently beloved as Cinna), has become subject to a substantial amount of mockery for his comically large scarf. Now, it goes without saying that he may have gone in for an extra stitch too many with his cozy scarf , but it is founded in some pretty on-it fashion logic.

Scarves have long served as a great accessory, multitasking in both style and warmth. The Chernobyl exploded scarf just exaggerates both of these roles. The larger, the better when it comes to cold climates. For my back and forth from my home base of Montreal, Canada and current residence of New York City, I take in my fair share of chills. The East Coast existence loves a scarf that can essentially double as a blanket when the heater (that may as well double as an antique) breaks down.

Perhaps an even stronger selling point (cuz let’s be honest, you’re not here for a mommy-style “don’t forget to take a coat” lecture), more scarf means more statement. Unlike a shirt where extra fabric makes you appear dumpy as it adds on unwanted poundage, scarf excess works in your favor. You’re not going to walk out the door in jeans, a navy tee and a tiny checkered scarf and call it an OUTFIT. It would fall more to the category of being dressed. Simple clothing to keep you presentable. The overgrown scarf; however, serves as an outfit maker.

My favorite pairing: My plaid Uniqlo stole, black sweater, black midi length pencil skirt, Ash studded booties and MAC’s Russian Red matte lipstick to tie the color scheme together.