Category: Designer Brands

January 29, 2015

Hot Fuzz x

Karen Walker has managed to capture the sex-factor in her new campaign..with a dog. A dog called Toast with a strong sense of self who doesn’t let anyone walk over her, but is more than happy to throw us a bone..

Sassy and sweet, flashing the flesh and dealing with aplomb with this meaty dish..

Like Karen Walker’s previous campaigns, it’s humourous, cheeky and rather wonderful, with just the perfect combination of wit and gristle.

The glasses aren’t bad either…

Laters, Kate x

January 28, 2015

Treading Lightly..

Yesterday I went to see the lovely Claire from Air and Grace at her new pop-up store on the Kings Road to catch up on all her latest news and styles. Claire started her label after spotting a gap in the market – she wanted shoes made for women, designed by a woman who understood what we really want – the true concept of beauty: style and comfort. It’s that word comfort that gnaws at something primal..

Her shoes are gloriously re-thought and inventively told, the tone is juicy streetstyle: classics with more than a twist..These are the Coachella’s with their glorious tan souls and beautiful stacked heels..the perfect ankle boot that’s been a hole in my wardrobe for forever…dress up, dress down..they cover all the bases..

And they have to be the most comfortable boot I’ve ever tried on. It’s rare you can walk a shoe out of a shop and spend all day urbanly running in them..but that is the beauty of these babies..

It’s all to do with the quality of the leather, the clever design..and what goes on inside each shoe..the focus of quality engineering that give feet what they really need.

Her range is impressive..but there’s more to come – The long stretch boots of my dreams? She’s doing them! the Coachella in ox-bood? Yes! The Coachella in leopard? Yes, yes, YES! Claire has a waiting list already..and I’m not surprised.

Seductive talking, well-heeled shoes for walking..dancing..and living. Isn’t the identified love the most powerful of all?

If you get the chance, all I can say is pop down to Kth & Kin boutique at 330 Kings Road and see for yourself..

Laters, Kate x

January 26, 2015

Hey, Goodlooking..

Chloe SS15: If the seventies are being re-invented for Summer 2015, then the detail is in the pockets..large, luscious and lovely..

Groovy threads to hang loose and take you to the maxi..

Far out ‘n’ foxy..

Dream on, cool beans with peace, love and harmony..

Catch you on the flipside for a boogie..

Laters, Kate x

January 24, 2015

Pretty in Pink x

Spotted: Fabulous piece of walking art on Rita Ora.

Tracked down: To House of Holland SS15

Dreaming: Of tropical paradises, sun, sea and..sand.

Thinking: Are they crochet flowers? And could I do this??

Laters, Kate x

January 21, 2015

Dolce and Delicious x

I have a sentimental weakness for the advertising campaigns of Dolce & Gabbana and the way they always manage to capture charisma, lust and a sense of humour, all tied up with the rich heat of the mediterranean – much needed in these bone-chilling, frosty days of January (there’s even a rumour of snow today..)

There’s a tangy taste of the world, new and old (which is probably best not analysed too closely..who knew that Sicily was so rich in the tradition of Flamenco?) But the silhouettes are delicious..

However, the true stars of the show are the Nonnas, even modelling pop socks that steal the limelight..

Bright eyed, worldly-wise..and having the time of their lives..I bet they could cook a up mean pasta..

I want to be there. Like now.

Laters, Kate x

January 19, 2015

Tinker, Tailor..

A piece of denim with a kick and a wink..

By Sibling and currently reduced from £270 to £108..

The irony is in the puffed sleeves: Incredible how short sleeved jackets, once such a fashion faux-pas are worming their way back into the subconscious..

The heady joy is in the detail..

Laters, Kate x

January 16, 2015

AG for Alexa..

Alexa Chung has made her first foray into serious fashion by designing a 20 piece collection for the Californian label AG. It’s a career she’s always dressed for – but is being famous enough?

My expectations were high..I wanted frank and forthright with a street awareness…and a determination to do her own thing, all delivered with a kick and a wink..

Well..I like the buttons. But if this really is a throw back collection honouring the late sixties and seventies, I’d have preferred them in brass..

You could say it’s nice and polite..which would be polite..

Or you could say this looks like something you could stumble into on a rack in the deepest, darkest depths of Marks and Sparks..not even Per Una label..

And if you said this was from Gap, I would believe you.

Tame and lacking flair..the collection is like going to taste a beautiful rich merlot..and finding it’s slightly warm water from a plastic cup instead. There’s going to be a lot of seriously good denim this year – Sonya Rykiel and Gucci being just two casing points. In comparison, this collection falls way off the mark. It will sell out..but that says more about our society than good design…

Laters, Kate x

January 14, 2015

Dancing Queen x

There’s a theme emerging: Timelessness is now, meaning pick something from the seventies..and it will immediately look cool and new..

Saddle bags (referring to handbags..), flares, midi denim skirts, large sunnies, colour and wacky print..it’s a heady combination..

And Gucci – a stalwart of the fashion world, but not a label that hits the hip headlines – has captured the look to perfection..

Beautiful, strange and compelling..

But already feels familiar..

With a little touch of acid..

(All photos Gucci)

Makes we want to hit the nearest vintage shop. Pronto.

Laters, Kate x

January 13, 2015

Savvy Sonya..

Julie de Libran, the relatively new Designer at Sonya Rykiel has come up with some glorious and gutsy vocals for her 2015 Pre-fall Collection, including a masterclass in how to wear flares..

The proportions are magnificent, with classic details on sleeve lengths, cuffs and pockets.

She imbues the most mundane textures with emotion.

This clash of cobalt and animal mixed with the perfect updated boot and a flash of patterned tight..

(All photos Style.com)

A classy act from a Designer one step ahead of perceptions and preconceptions.

You can hear it glow.

Laters, Kate x

January 10, 2015

Mih – Damn Fine x

There’s a great sale on at MiH with some damn fine denim…I went for a pair of Marrakesh flares reduced from £174 to £52.20, they arrived true to size, beautiful fit with suede soft denim with just enough elastic for a good cling – what’s more, even though they were a sale item, they arrived with a gift of a midnight blue canvas tote bag with silver..I’d show you a picture ‘cept Bella’s already run away with it. Top Marks.