Sunday, February 7, 2010

Low on Colour, High on Style

After a dark and dreary winter, there's one thing that most people look forward to when Spring rolls around: bright, mood-enhancing colours.

However, this Spring will see many fashionistas in neutral tones and muted colours as this is a hot trend for the upcoming season.

Nude, grey, brown, khaki and other similar tones and colours were featured prominently at various Spring 2010 runway shows such as Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Celine and Balmain (below).


photos courtesy style.com

The trend has been dubbed utilitarian chic and is seen by some as a statement in response to the current economic state of the world.

According to designer Phillip Lim,
"The utilitarian cycle is at a time when we are living in survival mode in terms of the economy."

Many individuals who can afford to be flashy and flaunt their ability to afford frills are now taking a more minimal approach to fashion, perhaps out of respect for those who can't.

This may or may not actually be the case but one thing is for certain - what
the desaturated looks of the season lack in colour impact, they most certainly make up for in statement-making style.

The utilitarian fashion of 2010 ranges from soft and fluid feminine shapes to sharp and tailored menswear inspired pieces and t
he hottest trends such as harem pants, safari jackets as well as classic pieces such as the trench and oxford shirts are all being interpreted in an array of neutrals and subdued colours.

When colour is removed from the equation, it really forces you to observe and appreciate the actual design of the garment.

The high street and department stores have wasted no time in adapting the trend and some have even made this look a key feature in their new collections.
Below are some of the clothing stores around London displaying their stylish but desaturated Spring looks.


Uniqlo


United Colors of Benetton



Fenwick


Basler


Pinko


Zara




Jigsaw


Of course, there are incredibly fashionable women on the streets of Paris, London and Stockholm, among others, who have interpreted this trend in their own distinctive ways and have been snapped on a number of street-style and fashion blogs.

Photobucket
photos courtesy style.com, blogs.elleuk.com, copenhagenstreetstyle.dk,
easyfashion.blogspot.com, stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se,
vanessajackman.blogspot.com and waynetippets.com



Plenty of stylish celebs have also been spotted at various events in dresses and ensembles which are only one or two shades away from their own skin tones.

Anne Hathaway wore a cream suit with a light brown blouse to announce the Academy Award Nominations 2010, Keri Hilson wore a nude mermaid-hem gown to the Grammy Awards 2010, Drew Barrymore donned an embellished champagne gown at the Golden Globes 2010 and Ginnifer Goodwin wore a light taupe dress to the Calvin Klein Men’s and Women’s Spring 2010 Collections Preview Benefit.


Photobucket
photos courtesy justjared.com and yahoo.com


Grey Lace Peep Toe Shoe Boot
Price: UK£45.00 (US$70.37)


ASOS Jersey Cuffed Trousers
Price: UK£20.00 (US$33.99)


Silk Cargo Skirt
Price: US$49.50



Interlock Stud Belt
Price: US$19.99

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

London Calling

Hey everyone!

Since moving to England in November, I'm still very into doing 'tourist-y' stuff and I've managed to do a bit of sightseeing around London in the past couple months. It really is an exciting city - there's so much to do and see and what I've seen so far is only a very small percentage of what is available.

As an aspiring Fashion Visual Merchandiser, it's the shop window displays that grab my attention the most because they're so beautiful and creative, they're all over London and I don't have to spend any money at all to appreciate them.

Over the holidays, I took some snaps of a few Christmas displays that I liked and I thought I'd share them with you.


Harvey Nichols






Harrods








Pinko




Zara





As I previously mentioned, I also visited the Fashion & Textile Museum in London a while ago where there was a small exhibition featuring the works of Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, influential fashion design duo of the 1960s.

As everyone knows, in the fashion world, what goes around comes around and many of the pieces on display could, with some minor adjustments, very well fit into the wardrobes of today's fashionable women.


Foale & Tuffin Exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum


Tabitha Big Sleeve Floral Tea Dress
Price: UK£20.00 (US$31.90)



Price: UK£40.00 (US$67.99)



Domino Print Dress
Currently out of stock



Below are a Foale & Tuffin photo spread and some of their fashion sketches.





Thursday, January 28, 2010

Love this - Asos Wiggle Hem Dress

Taking inspiration from the Spring 2010 Couture runways of Givenchy and Armani Prive (below), structured ruffles are a lovely, chic addition to Spring dresses.



photos courtesy style.com


However, it can be very difficult to find clothing with avant garde details that won't completely break the bank. The gorgeous Asos Wiggle Hem Dress below is such a beautiful, budget-friendly alternative that will be an amazing statement piece for stylish Spring wardrobes.


Asos Wiggle Hem Dress
Price: UK£55.00 (US$93.48)


It's fun, fresh, flirty and feminine. It has a simple, comfortable stretch-cotton body with a fashion-forward, structured ruffle fabric hem.

The bold blue will be perfect for the warmer months to come but it's also available in black for those who prefer a more classic colour palette.

This
amazing dress can be used to achieve a couture designer look that amounts to much less than even a quarter of the couture price tag.