STYLE | H&M Spring Preview

Escape the dullness of winter by embracing the looks for next spring by H&M.  It may be cold and dreary outside but taking a peek at what is to come when the temperatures climb back up again is kind of fun.  Check out this spring lookbook video from H&M featuring some the items we can expect to see in stores as early as late January.

White Obesessed

Christian Louboutin.

Go white.  It's a new season and what better way to freshen up your shoe wardrobe than with white.  Some are afraid of wearing a white shoe because they think it can be limiting.  But it's actually one of the most versatile you could wear this season.  

White captoe by Chinese Laundry.

Pick a white pump to wear with a classic suit for work.  They also look great with a pair of cropped pants or a slim pencil skirt.  Up the ante at night by wearing a steel captoe pump like the ones pictured above.  You'll find it in a range of brands from Kate Spade to Aldo and Chinese Laundry.

This season don't be afraid to put white on your feet.  If you do, be sure to get the right cleaners to keep them crisp and clean.     

Pamella Roland Spring 2013

Pamella Roland's spring 2013 collection was another example of the black and white trend in fashion this season.  Her collection was inspired by the artwork of American artist Ellsworth Kelly.  The clothing was filled with simple, clean lines and geometric shapes.

Gucci Spring 2013

Frida Giannini brought a soft flirtatiousness to Gucci for its spring 2013 collection.  Taking cues from the 1970s, tunic suits, loose trousers and caftans were the core ingredients in this collection.  Silhouettes were Japanese-inspired with billowing ruffles and bell sleeves.

(Photo: vogue.com)

Giannini said she was inspired by the portraits shot by photographers Richard Avedon and Gian Paolo Barbieri.  The color story included salmon, cobalt blue, crisp white and yellow.  Styling throughout the show was minimal however, necklines were decorated with brightly colored, chunky necklaces.  

The few printed items were vivid, over-sized patterns on simple styles.  This was a collection about living in vivid color and comfort with an air of easy elegance.  A certain gracefulness to each piece as the models strutted down the runway with ruffles floating.

Overall Gucci's spring had a consistent theme.  It didn't have a wide variety of design elements but rather, a strong sense of  a few ideas.  A sense of ease, it was all about the sleeve, ruffle and clean lines.  Trousers were fluid yet lean, dresses feminine and simple while the suits were classy with a leisure inspired feel.  It was an illustration of a bright and breezy lifestyle. 

(Photo: vogue.com)

London Fashion Week Wrap Up

Spring at London Fashion Week

At Mulberry runway show.  Anna Wintour sits among fashion elite.  (Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

After a week of frenzied shows, London Fashion Week wrapped up on Tuesday.  London usually sets the stage as the most cutting edge when it comes to experimenting with street style and creativity.

Vivienne Westwood used her show to make her views and statements known.

 Vivienne Westwood, best known for her punk roots, street-edge clothing, and references to old-English style, used her show to proclaim her stance about the climate and her environmental position.  She also had some in the front row wear shirts that declared her support of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks.  Her Red Label collection could be described as having an edgy sophistication.

Throughout the week of shows there was no definite strong theme but rather serveral smaller trends that would echo from one show to the next; color, texture, shine, layers, cut-outs and of course retro.  London always has a way of defining it's style using retro or street influences.

Burberry, known for the traditional trench coat and classic tartan print, brought us to the future with its metallic leathers through their collection.  Elements of the future through shiny fabrics, foil textures, metallic gold and silver was one of the trends for next year.  

The softness of the season came through light feminine sheers, chiffon and layers of organza.  Residual influences of the Olympic games came through a sportswear influence seen on the runways of Rag & Bone and Richard Nicholl.
   

New designer Simone Rocha, spring 2013. (Photo: Carl Court/AFP Getty/Getty Images)

Sheer panels, gold, floral patterns and neon brights were all part of Simone Rocha's spring collection.  Color dominated again for next season. Bright lemon yellow, citrus orange, Olympic blue, pink and emerald were all highlights on the runway.

Orange, yellow and mustard continued to dominate for spring. (Photo: PR/PA/PR)

Kate Moss sits in the front row at Mulberry.  (Photo: Dave M Benett/Getty Images)

No shortage of celebrities at the shows, Kate Moss took in the show at Mulberry.  Other celebrities included Lady Gaga (who appeared on the runway for Philip Treacy), Emma Watson, Mischa Barton, and Naomi Campbell.

Metallics were a big trend on the runway.  

Sportswear influence at London Fashion Week.  Antonio Berardi, Richard Nicoll, Rage & Bone.

Metallics at Burberry Show

Burberry show at London Fashion Week for spring 2013.

A white cape over a pink metallic corset swimsuit opened the spring 2013 runway show for Burberry.  Followed by a white trench coat with cape-let detail over the shoulders and a sea of metallics.  A rainbow of metallic trench-coats tightly belted that made their way down the runway along with cocoon shaped sleeves, coats and capes.  

Christopher Bailey, head of design at Burberry, said the collection was inspired by photographer Norman Parkinson's images from the 1940s and 50s.  The collection had models in pencil skirts, corseted bodices and dresses in pinks, sapphire blue and shades of beige.  Body-hugging, slim silhouettes were paired with cropped jackets or capes.  

  

Bailey also told the press he looked at the Burberry archives for an added source of inpiration.  The trench is a signiature Burberry item that goes back to its beginnings.  It was seen throughout this collection restyled for the modern woman and with the cutting edge touch of metallic color.

Watch the full runway show below:

STYLE | London Fashion Week: Bora Aksu

As quickly as New York Fashion Week came to a close, London Fashion Week opened with an ecclectic range of designers.

          

The romantic inspired collection by Bora Aksu was made fit for a queen.  Aksu, who is a London-based Turkish designer, told the press he was inspired by the queen of Romania who was also Queen Victoria's grand-daughter, Marie.  Models were adorned with paper crowns with a child-like feel of innocence.

The fabrics were soft, flowing, and delicate.  The color palette was in soft shades of lavender, ivory, grey and yellow.  Some models legs were covered in patterned hosiery that looked like tattoos.  The collection was feminine with patterns printed on organza that seemed influenced by the Art Deco period.

http://boraaksu.com/

Victoria Beckham Spring 2013

Victoria Beckham takes her moment after her spring 2013 showing at New York Fashion Week.
(Photo: Getty Images)

This past Sunday (Sept 9, 2012), Victoria Beckham proved once again that she is not just another pop star who ventured into the fashion arena.  She is a true bonafide designer.  Beckham, who catapulted to worldwide fame as a member of The Spice Girls, has often said that she designs clothing that she would actually wear.  Her attention to detail and creating items that frame a woman's figure are what she's known for.

Victoria Beckham spring 2013. (Photo: Peter Michael Dills - Getty Images)

For her spring 2013 collection models wore shirt-dresses, light a-line skirts and lingerie-inspired pieces.  Color was reduced to a minimum with black, white and light neutrals being the focus with a few pops of color.  Fabrics were lightweight and very feminine; perfect for spring.  She told the New York Daily News, "It's the first time I've gone so delicate, but I wanted the design elements."

London Calling

With New York Fashion Week wrapping up in a couple of days London is preparing for fashion's elite to descend upon them.  London Fashion Week will be September 14-18 and is sure to be packed with the UK's best in design.  Known for it's street edge, creativity and outrageous style, the city of London promises to deliver the best for spring 2013.

Click here for the show schedules.

Diane Von Furstenberg Brings Google Glass to the Runway

Diane von Furstenberg wearing Google Glass

Diane von Furstenberg will forever be known as the designer who brought women the figure-flattering wrap dress nearly four decades ago.  This weekend she presented her spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week.  

Not only did she show a beautiful collection for next season but she also introduced fashion's finest to Google Glass, the latest hi-tech glasses that Google has introduced.  Models wore them while strutting down the runway.  Even the designer herself came out wearing a pair with orange detailing at the end of the show.  

Even though the glasses have been dubbed as looking geeky, they are being hailed as the next thing.  Google co-founder Sergey Brin made an appearance on the runway with von Furstenberg.  She pulled him out of the audience to join her in the finale.  He told the Hindustan Times, "Beauty, style and comfort are as important to Glass as the latest technology. We are delighted to bring Glass to the runway together with DVF."

You might be asking what exactly is Google Glass anyway?  It's a product that Google is still developing and plans to have on the market by 2014.  Worn like glasses, they have functions very similar to smart-phones.  With only a piece of glass over the right eye, they have the ability to take photos, check calendars, record video and much more.  Each pair worn on the runway was designed to match the colors in the model's outfits.  Some models even turned on the device to record footage during the show.  DVF plans to release the video as a short film on Google+ this week.    

As innovative as the new product is, it didn't take away from the collection DVF presented for next season.  It dubbed with the name 'Palazzo'; the color palette of brights like blue, coral, yellow and green were both confident and full of life.  A mixture of caftans, draped dresses and layering, the clothing was soft and fluid with layers framing a woman's figure.  

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                           

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                           

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                          

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com                           

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                       

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                       

Photo: Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com

                       
www.dvf.com


Watch the runway show below:

Zac Posen Spring 2013

Naomi Campbell in Zac Posen (Photo: graziadaily.co.uk)

(Left to right) Coco Rocha, Karlina Kurkova,
Zac Posen and Naomi Campbell
Photo: Patrick McMullen

Zac Posen brought the super in model as Naomi Campbell strutted down the runway for his spring 2013 show at New York Fashion Week yesterday.  Before stepping on the runway, Campbell, who just joined twitter tweeted, "About to walk the @ZacPosen show at #NYFW...you ready for me?"

Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova were also power players on Posen's runway.  The clothing was all about ladylike style.  He brought back the pretty details of femininity in a woman with pretty cocktail dresses using tulle, taffeta and organza.  Full fluid skirts, trumpet hems, peplums, delicate patterns and details like ruffles, pintucks and tiers dominated the collection.  Of course the body-hugging silhouettes of the slim skirts and dresses were also looks that certainly bring love to the female form.

Coco Rocha who rarely does runway these days closed the show in the gown.

Watch the runway show in the video below:

Jason Wu Spring 2013

Jason Wu has been fashion's darling over the last few years.  The Taiwanese-Canadian designer continues to produce clothing that looks great both on and off the runway.  The spring 2013 runway show at New York Fashion Week opened with black items that complemented a woman's body.  From the classic shift silhouette to the flared skirt with pretty details at the hem.  The mix of black and white was also a classic combination that is both timeless and sophisticated.  Minimized peplum details on the pencil skirts were both modern and retro.

This collection was certainly sexier than he what he's done in the past.  He mixed leathers, lace and harness detailing to create some of the looks he says were inspired by photographer Helmut Newton.   

Watch the video below where he spoke about what inspired him this season.

www.jasonwustudio.com

Body Conscious Dressing: Herve Leger at NY Fashion Week

Herve Leger is best known for its famous body hugging 'bandage style' dresses made famous by supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford who were often seen wearing the dresses.  The last few years fashion has seen a revival of this bandage style from high end to the lower priced knock-offs.  Today at New York Fashion Week the collection for spring 2013 was still true to the label's tradition of body conscious dressing. 

Leger, which is now owned by Max Azria, showed a collection that was inspired by the south.  With details that took references from traditional patchwork, appliques and quilting, it was smart and very sexy.  The silhouette's hugged a woman's curves and some included this season's flared trumpet style skirt.  But for the most part all the dresses were snug on the body with no room for any error.  You definitely can't eat that second piece of cake wearing one of these garments.  

Click here to view the full runway show. 

Behind The Scenes with Zang Toi

New York Fashion Week features some of the world's best designers.  Even though most runway shows are done within 15 minutes, it takes months of preparation to get a collection together.  Watch as Zang Toi gives a behind the scenes look at what went into creating his latest line.

The award-winning designer has been in the business for over 20 years.  Originally from Malaysia, he studied fashion at Parsons School of Design.  It wasn't too long after launching his label that he was recognized by one of fashion's most powerful, Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine.  He's dressed some of Hollywood's best known including Eva Longoria, Fergie and Farrah Fawcell.

Toi will show his spring 2013 collection during New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Sunday September 9th.

New York Fashion Week: Nicholas K

 

 New York Fashion Week is underway and designers are showing us what's coming for spring 2013. Even though we are getting ready for the cool, crisp fall weather, it's still fun to see what we might be wearing next year.  Silhouettes were fluid and I saw some hints of mid-east influence in some of the garments including scarves wrapped over model's heads like those worn by women in the middle east.  Check out the latest video of Nicholas K's collection for next season.

Pointy Toes

Franco Sarto Spring 2013 (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

The pointy-toe shoe usually comes in the form of a sexy high heel.  When it comes to flats, the last few seasons the ballerina inspired style has been the trend.  Coming next spring designers are bringing back the pointy-toe flat.  You'll find metal-cap toes and other little details making them the next big thing for spring 2013.  You might even find some in stores now to get ahead of the style game.

Joan & David  (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

See by Chloe (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

It's Wedding Season

 

It's wedding season!  I really enjoyed watching this video from the State of Style Channel.  Bridal season offers so many options for women.  Everything from classic to sexy to vintage goes when it comes to your wedding dress.  Check out all these beautiful gowns.  On your wedding day you want to be the most beautiful you can be.  But make sure that no matter what you do, you're still representing who you are.

The Cap-toe

Cap-toe pumps by Schultz. (Photo: Lauren DiLello)

The metallic cap-toe is the latest trend in ladies footwear.  They have a little bit of retro inspiration that sort of has that ode to the 80's feel to them.  This is one trend that goes from feminine to edgy.  It all depends on your personality for what works for you in your wardrobe.  A variety of styles are available from the high end down to low priced styles.

Nearly every designer from Manolo Blahnik to Sam Edelman have their own version of the captoe.  You don't have to be a celebrity to slip into a pair of these; stars like Solange Knowles and Gwyneth Paltrow have been spotted wearing them.  Anyone can pick up a pair.  It's the perfect accessory to add something to your outfit.  Whether you're wearing jeans or all dressed up, it doesn't matter, it's a look you can work.

Stuart Weitzman captoe Mary-Janes.

Petal Power

Petal power is where it's at for the summer season.  There's nothing prettier than stepping out on the town in a pretty floral printed dress.  It's the time of year when mixing brights and patterns is the way to get noticed.  You'll find everything from small prints to large sunflower patters on flowing sundresses.

Now that it's mid-season it's the best time to find these dresses on sale.  Get yours while the summer heat is still here.