Leopard prints continue to charge full steam ahead as one of the top trends of the A/W 2010 season but the majority of them tend to be quite literal translations of the motif.
An interesting take on the theme is coloured leopard prints, or more specifically, blue leopard. It's more funky and playful than the usual brown leopard print but the cool tone of the blue keeps it easy on the eyes.
If you're feeling the blue leopard print as much as I am, check out the gorgeous, stylish pieces below.
Victoria Beckham certainly knows how to travel in style as she arrived at London Heathrow Airport on March 23 in a chic, menswear-inspired ensemble.
The former Spice Girl and current fashion designer takes on the utilitarian trend in a sharp black blazer, olive green cuffed trousers and a heather grey tank top. She accessorized the look with nude platform heels, a statement gold men's watch, a gold ring and her trademark Aviator sunglasses.
photo courtesy justjared.com
Replicate this stylish look with the much more affordable alternatives below:
So, I went to London Fashion Weekend last weekend and since it was my second time attending a major London fashion event (the other was Clothes Show Live), I was excited to see what it was all about.
As you all may have realized by now, I do love a good shopping deal and the outfit I wore to the show was comprised of items I picked up from various places at bargain prices.
Below is what I wore to the show - a blue Jacques Vert blouse that I picked up at a car boot sale for 50p, a red Hobbs skirt that was on sale for £19, a black belt that came with a top I bought from New Look and an Aldo necklace that was on sale with a 'two for the price of one' offer (I also got the black and silver version).
(Please excuse the facial expression - I wasn't even a little ready for that photo and sadly, it was the best one of the bunch.)
Even though the designer label prices at London Fashion Weekend were heavily discounted, I had a hard time finding items that I liked, were my size and were in my budget range. However, I did manage to pick up this SS08 Luella T-shirt for £25 which I think is really adorable.
What I was looking forward to more than anything else was the catwalk presentation and with looks from designers such as Betty Jackson, Herve Leger, Jasper Conran and Twenty8Twelve, I was not disappointed.
The show was presented by fashion journalist and TV presenter Louise Roe and was a compilation of designer looks from the SS10 runways which reflect some of the biggest trends of the season. Below are a few videos I made of the runway shows.
The first trend to hit the runway was 'Candy Rock' - soft, pastel colours and light, airy fabrics and romantic silhouettes. Featured designers included Jasper Conran, Herve Leger and Jaeger.
The second trend was Swallows & Amazons - described as 'Arthur Ransome meets Tim Burton', this trend 'combines layered mismatched pieces of luxe and denim with classic nautical tailoring and gothic leather'. Featured designers included Twenty8Twelve, Eley Kishimoto and Vivienne Westwood.
The final trend covered was Vintage Glamour - elegant, timeless vintage pieces that would fit seamlessly in the modern fashion world. Featured designers included Ossie Clarke, Zandra Rhodes and Biba.
We also got the pleasure of viewing Betty Jackson's entire Spring/Summer 2010 collection which was feminine, flirty and perfect for the upcoming warm weather.
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.
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 the 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.
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.
photos courtesy justjared.com and yahoo.com
If you think this trend is for you, take a look at the clothing suggestions below to help you zap the colour but pump up the style in your wardrobes this Spring.
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.
Butterflies are exquisite, beautiful creatures and the butterfly motif is a perfect addition to the summer wardrobe. The butterfly is symbolic of many good things to various people such as love, freedom, rebirth, and good luck - all great things to feel and experience when summer comes around.
photo courtesy ces.ncsu.edu
When it comes to fashion, the butterfly motif can be interpreted in ways that caters either to those with extravagant tastes or those who prefer things a bit more subtle.
For me, the allure of the butterfly is in the subtlety of its thin delicate wings, the eye-catching designs and colours on its wings and the graceful, playful way it flies through the air. Any fashion piece that I wear which features the butterfly's likeness should reflect these qualities.
On the other hand, Mariah Carey, who is well known for her butterfly obsession, simply prefers her butterflies shiny and bedazzled.
photos courtesy nimony.com and eurweb.com
My feelings towards butterflies haven't ventured into obsession zone but I definitely have a love for them. When I was a child, there was an area behind my house where an abundance of gorgeous butterflies would gather and I would spend long hours observing and playing with them. Unfortunately, this area was cleared some time later and I haven't seen such a large group of butterflies since. In fact, I'm lucky if I even see one. Butterflies are much like rainbows for me. They are such amazing, lovely creations that I rarely get the chance to see, so I can't help but smile and feel a sense of happiness when I do.
The pretty and playful butterfly motif was featured in the Spring/Summer 09 collections of designers like Badgley Mischka, Collette Dinnigan and Diane von Furstenburg (below).
photos courtesy style.com
These two ladies (below) who attended this year's Royal Ascot races proudly displayed their love for butterflies where everyone could easily see it - on their heads.
photos courtesy dailymail.co.uk
Below are some cute, stylish butterfly options that will have you set for the summer.
I am a Graphic Design graduate from Barbados currently living in England and working in the Fashion Industry. I have a love for all types of art and design but I am a self-proclaimed fashion fanatic. My style is always 'under construction' as I am constantly learning more about myself and the things I like. I love statement accessories as they put the 'extra' in an otherwise ordinary outfit. My income is not very high so I have to find the chicest and least expensive route to obtaining clothing to suit my style. I decided to create this blog to share my findings with you!
If you like something here, I'd like to know!
Leopard Print Scarf
