Clipitty Clog.

As far as new season trends go, I invariably rejoice at the versatility and imagination of the designer collections. Picturing myself in high street versions as soon as Penny’s (Primark) or Topshop can get the looks in store. I will however admit, that much like a newly-released pop-song, there is always one trend that starts as a ‘grower’. This year, it was the clog. Chanel’s country-philic SS10 rtw show was the final catalyst, moving the humble surgeons shoe away from operating theatres (and Dutch windmills – see below) and into the 2010 fashion-conscience.

Personally, I am hoping that I’m not as shallow as to warm to the frankly clunky, clog, only after seeing Alexa Chung in a pair for the latest UK Vogue cover. In fact it’s probably a culmination of seeing the shoe there as well as on numerous pages inside the monthly glossies, that has made the shoe more appealing. I.e. in the true sense of the ‘grower’ pop-song, the more you hear it the more you like it; the more I’ve seen the clog, the more I like it. I have decided, after rekindling my love for the heel in general last weekend, that I shall probably indulge in a pair and probably one of these styles:

I say one of these styles, what I mean is one of the non-designer versions. Both the Miss Selfridge / Topshop ones are great, the Jeffrey Campbell’s look nearly exactly like the Chanel ones and thus I’m craving them. Then there’s the Hobbs ones that look like they would be great for running around the city in. I shall have to wait and see which I can get my fickle fashion fingers on! Clockwise from bottom left: Lottie clog mules £65 Topshop; Charlie clog, €95 Jeffrey Campbell; Slingback clog, £75 Asos.com, NW3 Wydles fringed clog, £119 Hobbs; Purple leather clog, £270 Christian Dior; Tassel mule, Alexander Wang; Slip on Clog £460, Yves Saint Laurent; Bow sandal clog, €70 Miss Selfridge; Centre image, Chanel SS1o runway, via style.com.

I’m sorry to say that clogs always remind me of this adorable children’s song too. (Written by Dicks & Rudge)

Verse:

A mouse lived in a windmill in old Amsterdam
A windmill with a mouse in and he wasn’t grousin’
He sang every morning, “How lucky I am,
Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam!”

Chorus:
I saw a mouse!
Where?
There on the stair!
Where on the stair?
Right there!
A little mouse with clogs on
Well I declare!
Going clip-clippety-clop on the stair
Oh yeah

Does that Mean I can Ice Skate Home Now?

I have wanted these ’skater’ boots since Arcadia sent me an email showing them off about 6 months ago…

They have finally come in store in Dorothy Perkins. I showed no hesitation this afternoon in grabbing the display shoe (in my size) and heading straight for the counter. I am lucky enough to have the universal-shoe-size, kind of feet. I know what size I am and shoes invariably fit me so don’t have to try before I buy. On the other hand I have size 4 feet, which means that usually only one pair of a style in my size come in store. I.e. I need to get in there early.

Anyway, I did and I took them straight home to try them on with various outfits (as you do).  I haven’t really been wearing heels recently, ice, snow and heels is just madness; I had completely forgotten how great they feel on, at 5 inches these heels make me about 6 foot. It’s fantastic, the higher the heel the better; wearing them I can always spot people in a crowd, I know exactly which is the shortest queue and it’s just fab being so tall!

I here-by solemnly swear that I shall never again renege my heels to the bottom of the shoe pile like I have for the last two months.

AWear SS10 Collection – Girls Rule O.K.

Now February is here, the bleakest time in high street fashion, the January sales, are now officially over. There may be a few straggling rails of clothes that haven’t quite managed to limp out of store, but the SS10 collections are definitely, firmly in place. Hoorah.

A|wear is no different and they showcased their lastest collection yesterday. Their new season has three elements; frilly pretty, pastels interspersed with denims and slouchy knits; an urban / utility element and a tropical / neon element that will be stores in time for high summer.

The pretty ‘Dakota‘ collection, (pictures left and below) is the main body of the collection. With its feminine pieces, in soft pastels it has a very on-trend feel. The denim and faux suede pieces serve to toughen a look slightly but I think mixing some elements from the utility collection would be more convincing.

I know this may be jumping the gun slightly seeing as it is only February, but A|wear’s high Summer collection (pics below) is a neon, tropical-print cacophony of frilly, floaty, sunshine-suited pieces.  I’m just delighted to see that for the next 6 months or so, it’s absolutely the on-trend thing to go all-out feminine and girly. From pretty pink to vibrant lilacs and blue in all shades, ladieswear hasn’t been as ladylike since the ‘Bo-ho’ boom. But it’s definitely a different look, with this slightly harder edge; think sheer and floaty floor-lengths rather than stiff embroidered cottons. Think bold bright prints instead of paisley and, of course, the more layers the better.

Pastels and Black / Knits and Leather

Or, layered up for in-between seasons…

Pastels have already become a massive hit this season; it might just be because they are such a massive change from the rock-chick, studded / sequinned looks that were so massive last season.

After a bit of window shopping last week, I saw that most of the high street stores have pretty pieces in dozens of shades; from off-white to dark pink and mink, and everything in-between. A lot of the looks / visual merchandising that featured the lighter pieces are put together with darker toned and black elements. I think this way of wearing pastels is a perfect for coming out of winter, before the weather warms up.

I’m not getting into that whole, not wearing white out of season thing, but some paler colours can look a bit to summery for winter. The fabrics that are used are also quite light; lace and sheer viscose need to be layered up with warmer fabrics in colder months.

So I mixed up these little cotton-lace culottes and polka-dot vest (worn backwards) with a leather jacket and boots, and a woollen scarf and cardigan. It also meant that the pastel colours of the shorts and vest was set off against the dark leather. The hand-knitted, Arran cardi mixed the two elements together perfectly.

More pics and outfit details at HerApparel.wordpress.com

New Look’s Fashion Gossip

Ever since New Look enlisted the modelling talents of Luke Worral for their menswear ad campaign, their womenswear range, it seemed, was lacking an equivalent. Today,however, they announced that teeny tiny Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen would be stepping in to fill the stylish gap.

The ads are simple and focus equally on both the clothes and Taylor Momsen. Her quintessentially rock chick, grunge look is perfectly prettied-up to create a more mainstream look for the High Street market. I really like this first image, the washed out images serves to enhance the paleness of her skin and hair and along with the dress it all makes her trademark khol-lined eyes and dark nail varnish really stand out.

I’m looking at the campaign images aesthetically here, but as far as marketing goes, recruiting a popular actress from a very popular TV show is a stroke of genius. New Look has its followers, but the fashion-forward crowd would just as quickly shop in H&M or Topshop as they would New Look. So in grabbing Taylor Momsen for this seasons campaign, will New Look succeed in making their stores first point of call for shoppers? That remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly created quite a fashion coup, I for one can’t wait to see the posters in-store. It’s refreshing to think that some of the pieces she’s wearing actually look like she would wear them through choice.

Fashion Ads and Photo ops from Last Week

Couture Fashion took centre stage last week (images from Valentino, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier below), creating a host of photo ops in Paris, but I’m starting with the first look at Alexander McQueens SS10 Ad campaign. His LFW show was one of the most important this season and has seen fashion forward ladies like Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness getting those shoes. This snake ad is definitely the most dramatic I’ve seen in a long time, let alone this season. Amazing.

Alexander McQueen SS10 Ad Campaign, first look.

Claudia Schiffer snaps Kanye West and Amber Rose at the Chanel Couture FRow, Couture SS10 Fashion Week, Paris. (Image via WWD.com)

Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri for Valentino created a feminine, vibrant wearable collection. Mixing neon and nude tones, both the long and short dresses were the epitome of subtle, summertime glamour. The trouser-suits were equally summery but with a less glamorous, more edgy feel. Hair was as simple as make-up was striking, the neon theme was striped across eyes in thick bands of colour. A beautiful collection.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s Couture collection was an extraordinarily eclectic mix, he infused Mexican with armoured shoulders and tropical floral prints and appliques. creating a collection that stood out as exciting but completely wearable. I loved the leaf fronds that protruded from headdresses, gowns and bags and the armoured knees and shoulders created a fabulous balance to the heavily floral pieces.

The internet has been a-buzzin’ with talk of the “Minnie Mouse“ hair as seen at the Chanel couture show (see below) last week. I’m sorry Karl, but I’ve seen that somewhere before… I always knew Gary Oldman was a style icon and here he is as Bram Stoker’s Dracula sporting a pretty similar look, non?

All catwalk images via. Style.com. Last image via Fabsugar.co.uk

Alexa Chung, Pepe SS2010 Campaign

Ah, who cares whether Alexa Chung was axed or she quit from her MTV US show ‘It’s on with Alexa Chung‘. I certainly couldn’t give two hoots. As far as the Transatlantic trendsetter is concerned, all I care about is;

1. The fact that I want that flippin’ Mulberry ‘Alexa‘ bag more than I have ever wanted a bag before in my life; I saw it in Brown Thomas last week and could only marvel at its magnificence. Upon clutching it in my grabby mitts, the sales assistant asked me if I needed “assistance” (!) I told her, ruefully that I was only playing dress up with it…

2. She’s a bit on the skinny side since the move (please don’t lose any more dear girl); but 3. and most importantly, I love that she still manages to look so ridiculously fabulous after four years on the top of the style stakes.

Take her new ad campaign for Pepe jeans par example. These candid / behind the scenes shots (whether real or staged) show just how utterly fantastic the Chung is, especially in this first pic.

You can Ring my bell Erin Wasson.

From Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, to style bloggers like Fashion Toast, it seems that rings are the thing.

Ashley

MK

Fashion Toast

Good thing then that Erin Wasson’s new Low Luv X jewellery range is about to go on sale on-line at Mywardrobe.com and it’s delish; if covering your digits in ugly-pretty is your thing. It’s certainly mine – oh, make a note: if you can find a skull ring that fits, buy it immediately, it took me a year to find mine – anyway the collection comprises rings, bracelets and awesome silver crucifixes to complement the collection.

The collection launches this month and prices range from £60 – £230.

Olsen pics via flickr.com

Happy Australia Day!

Because I need no further excuse to post photos from films by Australia’s greatest film director, Baz Luhrmann. The man is a visual genius; he can turn dour tradition in to vibrant modernity see (neon crosses below) and no-one else does as much over-the-top razzle, glitz and glamour on the big screen with as many sequins as he does and get away with it. His soundtracks are fantastic, the casting divine, the writing is perfect, the costumes and set designs outstanding whatever this post says, you’ll only know what I’m on about if you’ve seen these movies.

First, only because it stars fellow Antipodeans, Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue; Moulin Rouge! 2001.

Second, Romeo + Juiet 1996, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes in the lead roles, in one of the most perfect films I’ve seen.

Third, Strictly Ballroom, 1992, not yet quite in the same league as his next, and previously posted, two films, but still fantastic; Luhrmann’s first movie was a tiny taste of what was to come. Starring fellow Aussies, Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice.

NB: I use to live just up to the left of this enormous Coca-Cola billboard in Kings Cross Sydney…

I’m leaving you with one of my favourite scenes from Romeo + Juliet, where Mercutio dresses in drag and mines along to a remix of Candi Staton’s disco anthem, Young Hearts Run Free. Absolute Bliss.

Irish Designer, Joanne Hynes, to be NYFDA 2010 Student Mentor

Joanne Hynes, one of Ireland’s leading fashion and jewellery designers, has taken on the challenge of mentoring the student finalists in this years coveted Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award. Last years awards saw hundreds of fashionable types gather in the old Habitat building on Dame Street to see NCAD student, Aoife Gallagher, win the prestigious award having been mentored by Irish knitwear designer Tim Ryan. The fashion event was definitely one of my favourites in Dublin last year, the atmosphere in the room as well as the quality and originality of the designers’ collections made it a fantastic event.

This years students met their mentor over breakfast at the Morrison Hotel last week as she shared design tips and advice. One piece of fashion advice she gave was, to divide the price of an item of clothing by the number of times you think you will wear it, to make it a worthwhile purchase. I love this piece of advice, I was only saying to a friend earlier today, that there is nothing better than paying a little bit more for something to find yourself still loving and wearing it years later. I have a beautiful Versace top that I bout about 12 years ago that I now estimate to have cost me 0.07p. That’s what you call a worthwhile purchase.

Of the collaboration with the awards, Joanne said, “I am extremely excited at the opportunity to mentor these young designers. I love hearing their ideas and helping them transition brilliant thoughts into works of art. I am very much looking forward to seeing what [they] come up with. The motivation and creativity of this year’s finalists is exceptionally inspiring”. It sounds as though this years event is going to be yet another fantastic show, I can’t wait to see the designs, let alone the final show pieces. Photo: Joanne Hynes with model Yomiko in one of the designers pieces.

The inspiration for this years designs is www.ovi.com, Nokia’s information portal.