Category: Fashion Week
The Star Stella Jean.. x
Here we go! The vibrant, eclectic, charismatic Collection from Stella Jean AW14..
Full of bohemian chic, Stella Jean draws her inspiration from her two diametrically opposite cultures.
The Wax material represents her maternal roots – her Creole heritage from Haiti, the first independent black republic in the world.
The stripes stand for her father, Italy, Turin and convention.
More than a simple apology on behalf of competing factions, she sucks the marrow from both to create a diversity that is utterly thrilling as it weaves and wefts together.
She dances away from the Dinner party generality that has rather bled our souls of colour.
Till the cold tug of winter has been burnt away.
So elegantly put together..it’s about embracing what you love and living life to the full.
Laters, Kate x
Throw on the Throws..
The stand out item on the Burberry AW14 Collection was the blanket cape thrown with nonchalant ease around the models shoulders. You just know it’s going to be a big look next winter as the perfect armour against even the thought of another onslaught from the Polar Vortex, stylishly layering layers on layers. But I do have a little confession….I thought Christopher Bailey was making a political statement against the treatment of cows in the UK..or maybe in support of vegetarians? Who knows – but I just thought..jeez..this is radical!!
You could hear the penny clang when I read later they were actually Cara’s initials..which, honest to God, is a totally awesome concept….just maybe her’s weren’t the best to send out first!
Laters, Kate x
Oh Joy! x
The thing I ask myself when looking at a Collection for the first time is ‘what is the intrinsic quality that makes my heart beat faster’? For Peter Pilotto AW14 it’s all wrapped up like a beautiful multi-layered present, a waterfall of ideas whose soul is dedicated to colour, texture and verve. Pour yourself a large glass and just revel in the visual delight of a show that sings and delights at every turn.
The colour choices are unexpected..as if my daughter has reached into her dressing up box and paint box at the same time whilst wearing a blindfold..but the patterns of dominance and submission, empathy and detachment are all so smoothly integrated that they appear utterly cohesive and complete.
The colours, patterns and proportions are perfectly balanced so the right spotlight falls on the best accent to compliment the silhouette and the feeling of movement.
When the unexpected is brought together there’s a special magic – ideas that should repel instead harmonise in union. It’s true mastery and workmanship.
This coat could live in my wardrobe for decades and I’d never tire of it. That’s great design.
Or this one. Dress it down or dress it up, it would always turn heads.
Oh. My. Heart….
There’s hardly time to breathe as the wonder just keeps coming…we should be suffocating under a sea of colour clash and texture overload. Except it feels refreshing, desirable and exciting.
(All photos from Style.com)
When I dream, these clothes are there….an now I’m off to buy a winning lottery ticket..
Laters, Kate x
Woolly Wonders..
Halfway through the winter and I’ve reached that point where my jumpers are no longer in a good place; The life and soul has been worn and washed out of their sorry, bobbly seams. And it certainly doesn’t help when I see objects of desire like these from Pringle of Scotland AW14.
Which is odd, because when I was at Secondary school we were all divided into tribes depending on what we wore, the main two being ‘Trendies’ and ‘casuals’ – Trendies were the middle class kids who wore their baggy, ripped, holey clothes as a source of pride. Whilst the Casuals – the rougher kids on free school meals – revelled in the allure of Designer labels. Their uniform of choice was a Burberry-check box-pleat skirt, Pringle twin set and knee high riding boots set off with layers and layers of heavy gold chains, worn with the same intent as medieval weaponry.
But after nearly two hundred years in the business, Pringle is moving with the times. Massimo Nicosia is pushing boundaries and experimenting with innovation whilst still retaining a relatable Collection.
He’s recruited Architect and material engineer Richard Beckett and started working with 3d printing.
(All photos from Style.com)
Weaving together heritage with modern flair he’s made a seamless leap to the future.
I think it’s time I looked ahead too….
Laters, Kate x
Tracing Traceloops..
Artist/graphic designer/ Animator Mathias Brownis re-working the art of rotoscoping – an animation technique where animations trace real footage from by frame to create live-action animations with a hand-drawn feel – and then mashing it up with gifs to surprising effect.
Tumble also choose him as one of their Talents with special access to New York Fashion Week.
A new set of eyes is always liberating.
For more pictures and insights check out his website. I so want to play…
Laters, Kate x
Coming up Roses..
I am a speck of dust hanging gently in the air as I breathe in the expectation of this Collection: Rosie Assoulin AW14, eager to get close to the flame.
Waiting to feel that magic touch of satisfaction.
She doesn’t disappoint: She has a knack of designing wearable hyper-potent scene stealing pieces that ooze cool glamour like a smoking tea infused cocktail.
This I would happily waft the rest of my days in. Rolled up and poshed with kitten heels or laid back with white sneakers.
There are more pieces in this Collection than SS14 and (as Julius Caesar flashes neon in my mind) it’s not all perfect, but I tell myself: Don’t linger on the negatives…and I love the trousers.
There’s always a reference to the classics but then the heat gets turned up with unexpected references and clever tailoring.
Until I find myself dancing in a light and sun-drenched land, where puddles are figments of the imagination and umbrellas are objects of curiosity…
Laters, Kate x
Edun Mark 2 x
The most attractive thing is always talent.
Danielle Sherman Creative Director of Edun is, season by season creating and expanding the visual language of this ethical label.
Building it block by block – the inspiration Africa, the journey a clear path: Her palette is clean, simple and continuous which means that like the materials she uses, pieces can be woven together.
Take her SS14 Collection..everything can be seamlessly added as an extra, rich layer – more shapes to play with. More weather changes to adapt to. It’s clever, it’s thoughtful. It’s sustainable in your wardrobe.
She answers ‘Who am I?’ before ‘What shall I buy?
And 85% of the this Season was made in Africa.
Unlike Karl, Danielle gets the sneaker aesthetic to perfection.
Simple but with intelligent, creative twists – a juxtaposition here, the unexpected there. She’s not trendy..she’s effortless.
Laters, Kate x
Relaxed Rachel x
If Rachel Comey and I met we’d be BFs. Seriously.
Her latest AW14 Collection is full of laid back loucheness that manages to sing of both ease and statement.
Neoprene? No. Let’s beautifully quilt everything that moves.
The masculine elements lured away, replaced by feminine curves.
(NB: Wearing brogues without socks is an art form..get it wrong and an unfortunate sucking sound echoes with you down the street frightening small furry animals….just saying)
The colours..
The coat..
It takes nerve to be so every day, but this Collection packs a punch and leaves a powerful sense of self.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 