Feature: What are this Autumn’s fashion trends?

Feature: The UK’s Fall 2008 fashion trends
By: Alexa Williamson

Yet another season is upon us and the runway – and eventually the high street shops – are looking much better than this past spring (link to spring fashion feature). Ie the garish patterns earlier this year, such as the loud flower and flag prints, will thankfully be dying in the colder months.

The upcoming season heralds the following trends, which have all been done before, but overall are at least fairly pretty this time round:

My favourites
Regal evening wear – some gorgeous Renaissance and Elizabethan designs (with gorgeous drapings of fabric) from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and the queen of such romantic period pieces – Vivienne Westwood.

Gothic – it’s been to done the ‘undead’ since the Eighties. However, this time around things are very simple and chic. Designers with a good grasp include Givenchy and Rick Owens.

Enjoyable
Rich colours – Prada, Lanvin, Versace, Alexander McQueen and many others are going for deep reds, oranges, yellows and blues.

Boho – some gorgeous Eastern and gypsy patterns are out there (from houses such as Hermes and Anna Sui), mixed in with some hideously loud and scary tat too.

Take it or leave
The trouser cuts – two styles are apparently in this season – the bootleg cut is back (no biggie as it was the rage a few years ago), but this time the trousers are high-wasted, and a weird ‘80s-style’ of trousers, which are fitted at the waist, baggy over the hips, then tapered at the ankle.

Skirts – midi and ankle-length this season.

Military – jackets and trousers, cut into chic uniforms, are back. Always a nice-to-have as the buttons, trim and jackets that cinch at the waist tend to have a timeless look.

Why did they bother?
Lace – unless you’re a big fan of ‘Chantilly’, the pictures of runway attire from many houses (including Prada and Stella McCartney) are gagtastic. The busy patterns are made even worse by the poorly cut pieces.

Knits – if you want to look like a big, baggy Irish-knit sweater, this is your chance.

Checks and sequins – reasons to be afraid to enter a department store? Very loud pieces you just want to put straight into a recycling bin.

Read Full Post »

Heads-up: Where to shop in the UK’s (and London’s) summer sales

Summer sales guide
By: Alexa Williamson

My pick of some of the best sales now on…

The brands/shops I like and think are good quality:

‘Top of the shops’

Debenhams
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7529 0172

Harrods
Details: up to 50% off, until 26 July, 020 730 1234

House of Fraser
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7003 4000

John Lewis
Details: until 20 July, 08456 049 049

Manolo Blahnik
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7352 8622

Prada
Details: 30-45% off, 01865 881 986

Selfridges
Details: up to 50% off, 0800 123 400

The rest:

Argos
Details: final deals now on

Bicester Village
Details: 70-80% reductions through August, 018969 323 200

Birkenstock
Details: 30% + off, 020 7240 2783

Diesel
Details: 30-50% off, 020 7833 2255

Habitat
Details: sale now on, generally about 25% off

Harvey Nichols
Details: 50% off all items, until 25 July only, tel 020 7235 5000

H&M
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7323 2211

Hobbs
Details: up to 50% off, 0207 586 5550
Comment: although I’m generally a big fan of Marilyn Anselm’s designs for Hobbs, not too keen on the current collection – ie not crazy about the viscose (part in navy!), and big flowers everywhere. Although, fortunately the suits and trouser maintain their classy elegance.

Homebase
Details: up to 50% off

Kookai
Details: up to 60% off, 020 7239 1070

Liberty
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7734 1234

Pepe Jeans
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7313 3800

The Pier
Details: up to 70% off

Other popular brands/shops:

Bally
Details: up to 50% off, 0207 408 9878

Diane Von Furstenburg
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7499 0886

Gucci
Details: 30-50% off, 020 7629 2716

Laura Ashley
Details: up to 50% off, ends 3 August, 0871 230 2301
Comment: I don’t really like the clothes anymore, however am listing this as others like it and the homewares are still of reasonable quality (although am not crazy, personally, about the styles).

Mango
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7434 3694

Miu Miu
Details: 30-45% off, 0207 409 0000

Mulberry
Details: up to 50% off, 020 7491 3900

Nine West
Details: up to 50% off, 01865 881 986

Oasis
Details: up to 50% off, 01856 881 986

Office
Details: up to 50% off, 08450 580 777

Trilogy
Details: up to 50% off, has a good range of various

YSL (ie Yves St Laurent)
Details: up to 50% off

Read Full Post »

Fashion tip-off: The wonderful 1950s-style clothing by Laura Lees

After visiting Edinburgh this weekend, and meeting a new acquaintance in a stunning dress and doing the girly thing of having to ask her who it’s by, I’ve been introduced to the wonderful work of Laura Lees.

Refreshingly original, fortunately not over-exposed yet, and something which gives the designers in the high fashion mags a run for their money, Lees is known and coveted for her embroidered icons – such as skulls*, dice, flowers, hearts, cherries – on her patterned women’s clothes.

Yes, the patterns and colours can be loud, but there’s still something endearing about them. The cuts of the dresses and the icons on the clothes are very 1950s and I can see the stuff crossing over into rockabilly or lindy hop/swing music culture.

Lees does two lines at the moment, expensive pieces, which are available at places like Asos.com, and a less expensive line for TopShop.

* In the interview below, Lees mentions that she her work has also been inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, which the way her skull icons are drawn, exemplifies.

Further information:
Laura Lees (Official site)
Examples of Laura Lees clothing (Ebay – best resource to date)
Interview with Laura Lees (fuk.co.uk)

Read Full Post »

Fashion feature: Spring 2008 trends and ‘best of’ the designers

Fashion feature: Spring 2008 trends and ‘best of’ the designers
By: Alexa Williamson

As any creative and kinda It-sy girl, who appreciates beautiful things, will notice, this season’s trends and creations have some stunning items and others, which of course you can’t help but wonder why they were ever created.

So here’s my take** on the upcoming UK trends and strong designers this time around.

The trends:

* Abstract designs (as per image below) – as if someone did a bit of Jackson Pollack slap-dash.

* Voluminous, flouncy and short, skater-type skirts – with pleats or without, knee-length being the longest.

* Safari wear – various khaki, beige and cream items (mainly belted, trench-coat type tops and some skirts, trousers and shorts) .

* Shades of violet – one of the few things I didn’t cringe at this season, with the end result being many pretty-coloured dresses.

* All-in-ones – suddenly dungarees (aka overalls in American English) and things that zip down the front are popular. Why? They get half a star for being easy to wear – and that’s it.

* Floral patterns – these never truly go away and are back with a vengeance this year. Be afraid, be very afraid…

* Ethnic fashion – you may see random Indian, American Indian, African, Middle Easter, Japanese, etc pieces popping up in all the A-list department stores.

Polka dots, stripes and ‘stars and stripes’ – the designers have lost their heads with these overly busy patterns incorporating all three things named. The only good piece from this trend is by Stefano Pilati for Yves St Laurent – a top made of black/dark blue stars cut from what looks like crystal.

Sheer layers – lots of muslin, chiffon and organza floating over various creations.

Lingerie as clothing – corsets, skimpy satin things and bloomers have suddenly become normal outfits – um, on what planet though? (Some innovative stuff, but the general public will think that you’ve forgotten to finish dressing.)

‘Warrior’ dresses – some interesting necklines that look like they’re from the Amazon or gladiatorial Rome (which are accessorised with thick belts and lace-up shoes).

Strong designers this season***:

* Miu miu – clever and fun ‘short’ stuff – particularly skater skirts, and also some nice bloomers that slide nicely into the lingerie style.

* Gianfranco Ferre – some great, long, flowing gowns and awesomely innovative top -and-trouser ensembles.

* Calvin Klein – for their well cut suits – simplicity amongst this season’s disarray is literally a much appreciated sight for sore eyes.

* Hermes – fab if you’re looking for elegant ‘safari’ and ‘ethnic’ ware.
And finally…

* Bottega Veneta – high class elegance in all pieces from this season’s collection shows why they are a worldwide icon that can demand high prices.

Plus the fashion accessory I recommend for this season:

* Any of Chloé‘s black, classic, Paddington bags.

Further information:
Style.com – to view all of these designers – and many others’ current collections. Also, a huge and comprehensive site, in general, which is well worth a visit.

_________________________

* That’s how I perceive fashion, – as “wearable art” – and I swear to you I didn’t take this straight out of Devil Wear’s Prada. I was actually an art history major at university ; )

** I get complimented a lot on what I wear so promise not to lead you astray. As a further testament to my ‘good taste’ this is an example of something I would never wear or recommend anyone to wear. Doesn’t matter that it’s by Dolce & Gabbana, looking like a bizarrely coloured meringue with legs is always ‘out’.

NB: This photo is by Marcio Madeira. I looked everywhere for a link to this photo as I don’t want to ‘steal’ it (and despise that kind of thing). However, I would like to prove a point, so I’m very sorry if I’ve acted wrongly and if you’d like this photo removed from this blog, please leave a comment and will do so immediately.

*** Or moreover, those who don’t embarass themselves.

Read Full Post »

Fashion review: studio 8 boutique (London NW1)

Fashion review: studio 8 boutique (London NW1)
83 Regent’s Park Road – map
London NW1 8UY
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson

Well placed on Regent’s Park Road, the slow-paced ‘high street’ that runs through Primrose Hill Village, this is a lovely little boutique, which carries both popular and cutting-edge fashion designers. Visiting this shop for the first time, right before Christmas 2007, I was lucky enough to come across a gorgeous, black, corseted raw silk dress.

On sale for RRP of about £260, I couldn’t help but consider it a lovely ‘little black dress*’. The price was a little bit steep for me at the time, therefore I asked the very helpful and well-dressed sales associate, Christalla, if there was any chance of getting a pre-January sales discount. Suprisingly kindly, she said, yes, should could reduce it by 20%!
After that, I had to have it – and later learned it was from actress Sienna Miller‘s new fashion line Twenty 8 Twelve. Being slightly too big around the bust, I was in need of a seamstress and was relieved when Christalla recommended studio 8’s, who had done the work to another of this exact dress before. Not only was Christalla kind enough to take the measurements for the work right away, after the dress came back, she kindly only charged me £10 for the alterations (I expected £20-30).

Due to the interesting mix of designers studio 8 carries, including Maurice & Francois Girbaud and Lilith among others, and superior customer service, I shall be coming back here to shop again.

The studio 8 website is also worth a visit as it has a ‘look book’ of the designers they carry and also states they can place orders, with these, on your behalf.

Further information:
studio 8 (official site)

Read Full Post »

Fashion exhibit review: The Golden Age of Couture (Paris and London 1947-1957)

Fashion exhibit review: The Golden Age of Couture (Paris and London 1947-1957)
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
London, SW1
Until 6 January 2008
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Following the end of World War II – and the practical garments that were designed for that lean period – the fashion world again began to whirl with excitement, creativity and lavishness as there was once more the freedom and resource to create spendid clothing.

In this well thought out exhibit that spans several rooms at the V&A, we explore, as Christian Dior called it, The Golden Age of Couture, which kicked off with his New Look style on 12 February 1947and centred around ladies’ suits that comprised a jacket with sloping shoulders and long pencil skirt that was cinched high at the waist. According to fashion experts, Dior’s aim with this style suit was for it to be the antithesis of the “masculine” wartime fashion and the look was summed up by London couturier John Cavanagh, as “a total glorification of the female form”.

After the exhibit begins with an exploration of the New Look, it delves into the world of high couture – the dazzling and ornate dresses from the period. Mainly a sumptuous display of ballgowns and cocktail dresses, this is the most exciting part of the exhibit with offerings from the leading Parisian fashion houses of the time – Christobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Jacques Fath. Each dress, seems to have been created in a painstaking manner as if it were a delicate and richly decorated cake. However these creations are made of mouthwatering layers of heavy silk, organza, velvet, chiffon, satin or chenille, which are bedecked in pearls, diamante, feathers, and lace.

Shoes of the period are also explored including the invention of the comma heel (which literally looks like one) by Roger Vivier and interestingly, that the stiletto was created by Dior. Plus, other exhibit highlights include Theatre de la Mode dolls, photography, and the legacy of the period (ie how The New Look has affected today’s fashions).

For those who are looking for a delightful afternoon, looking at pretty things and learning something historic, then this exhibit is worth checking out.

Further interest:
The Golden Age of Couture exhibit – official site
Design a shoe
Create a couture inspired dress

Read Full Post »

Fashion review: Jeannie Nitro (designer)

Fashion review: Jeannie Nitro (designer)
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa WilliamsonFor those who want some to own some beautiful noir items, which are all the rage after burlesque performance artist Dita Von Teese’s climb into the A-list celeb set, then check out Jeannie Nitro, who has been producing gorgeous velvet, PVC and satin clothing since the late Nineties.

Her many dresses, tops and other social-events apparel are made to order via her website. Women can order anything from a romantic wedding dress to a long, medieval court-style dress for a special outing to something short, form-fitting and frivilous for a night of clubbing or a hen night (ie bachelorette party). And there are numerous outfits for men, whether they want a long, white, billowing Victorian shirt and trousers to a morning suit for a wedding or just something different and stylish for a club.

Personally, I bought two dresses – a long, black PVC and tulle one for a ball and another short black and red velvet one for clubbing, plus a black, velvet, top, which laces up the back with a black satin ribbon. They were quickly made-to-order and then dispatched. Email communication with the customer services manager was also excellent – as she quickly and happily answered any questions I had regarding measurements or delivery. For the good quality of the made-to-measure and innovatively designed clothes, I think the prices were more-than-reasonable (particularly as the dresses, which cost about $100, equate to much less in British pounds.)

I highly recommend Jeannie Nitro if you’re looking for clothes with a unique twist for fun or formal occasions.

Further information:
Jeannie Nitro (official site)

Read Full Post »

Fashion review: The Looking Glass Boutique (designer)

Fashion review: The Looking Glass Boutique (designer)
Rating: *** (out of 5) for their fall collection, 2007
*I’ve given this collection a middling rating as some of the pieces were excellent, some a little bland
Review by: Alexa Williamson

This brand, which can be found at select boutiques, describe themselves perfectly as “fairytale femininity with a vintage essence… and a sprinkle of romance”.

I came across them at a small shop in Whitby, North Yorkshire and was delighted to find that many of their pieces have a 1920s-50s vintage twist to them. Now owning a couple tops and skirts, that you’d swear come from the 1930s-40s, I can say I’m very pleased with my purchases and recommend them to anyone who is looking for well-made and innovative ‘vintage’ apparel.

Further information:
Looking Glass Boutique (official site)

Read Full Post »

Fashion review: Hoss Intropia (designer)

Fashion review: Hoss Intropia (designer)
Alexa’s rating: **** (out of 5) for their winter collection, 2007
Review by: Alexa Williamson

If you’re a woman that likes clothes that are romantic, vintage-style (some of the pieces are very 1940s-esque), stylishly form fitting and are a touch boho, then you’ll probably like the new (as of 2007) Spanish designer Hoss Intropia.

Stepping into their Chelsea branch in London, which has only been open two months, there were some very nice dresses that could interchangeably be worn either in the office in a formal/smart casual environment or out for the night.

The colours were generally dark (purples, blacks and navy) or muted (slate greys, cranberry, umbre and sand tones). Therefore, they’ll appeal to a woman who thinks the little black dress is a sophistiqué must-have, but also likes a splash of colour without it being loud.

I’ve found this to be a designer to watch and eagerly await their forthcoming collections. Hoss Intropia describe their clothing as: “slightly bohemian, smart and sexy*” and I agree, it sums them up well.

Further information:
Hoss Intropia (official site)

Read Full Post »