If you haven’t already sussed it yet, the S/S’13 trend most heavily represented so far on the high street is inches-wide stripes.
Stripes make regular appearances year after year, but something about this season’s stripes feels fresh and unique. Their width definitely feels new, the fact that the pieces are tailored yet loose feels new, but mostly I think it’s the way that the stripes clash. By that I mean they’re worn going in different directions. Horizontal, vertical, diagonal stripes meet and twist and repel each other on dresses, separates and suits. See Marc Jacobs and PPQ, Jonathan Saunders and Acne…
Top Row: Jonathan Saunders, Acne, PPQ
Bottom Row: Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders
Here’s my take on it in this month’s Metro Herald column
At the first spring/summer fashion preview I attended last autumn, a single trend got me immediately; bold, brilliant, black and white stripes. Inches wide and perfectly defined these stripes are inspired by Marc Jacobs’ bold, multi-directional black and white pieces, PPQ’s nautical inspired, off the shoulder dress, and the way Acne and Jonathan Saunders mixed perfect banded tops with plain white trousers. Graphic, monochromatic stripes are here in a big way for SS’13.
Not only are they unique and current, these stripes are definite and dramatic; not pretty, not fine and definitely not subtle. Too fine and from a distance your stripes merge into a dirty shade of grey, but you’re making a monochrome statement everywhere with this season’s take on stripes. Forget school-days, grunge-inspired faded stripes, these are well-defined lines to be worn with cool confidence, not scuffed-up Doc Martens.
Don’t believe that stripes aren’t flattering either; loose fitting dresses, separates and jackets, skim off shoulders and hips. These stripes don’t cling to your shape they merely highlight your angles. They’re easier to wear than you think; team vertical striped trousers with horizontal striped tops, and plain white or black outerwear. Mix up your stripes with accessories in neutral leather, bright patents, and top off the look with luscious red lips.
A key way that stripes were worn on the catwalk was with a flash of flesh, at midriffs, ankles and scoop necklines. These Warehouse trousers (pictured €63) combine this season’s stripes with an ankle-grazing length – a glimpse of flesh makes the stripes less aggressive. This New Look thick stripe jumper (pictured €29.99) is a casual way to combine horizontal stripes with plain white trousers. The chicest way to rock bold spring summer stripes is to team this high waisted ASOS skirt (pictured £40) with 1940’s inspired make up. If you didn’t do your fashion homework, then you’ve got detention, and you’re doing lines.
Here I am, yes… I’m in actual flats. I saw a great friend of mine a week ago, I was wearing these boots and she didn’t recognise me at first. Which I quite like for some reason; I mean better that she didn’t recognise me out of heels than recognise me in Crocs, right?
Anyway, the riding boots are a rare pair of non-heels in my wardrobe; I walk in and out of the city as much as I can, and so they’re great for wet and chilly weather… only I can’t pack them in my handbag when I get to where I’m going like I can with ballet flats…
Bold, brash and in a myriad of prints, this month’s trend focus is the statement trouser. All about shape, colour and prints, it’s the most exciting way to bring your wardrobe into the new season. Prada and Miu Miu, Balmain and Prabal Gurung, all featured printed trousers in their A/W’12 collections.
Statement trousers may look a bit intimidating but they will be your best friend this season.
If pastel florals and earthy tribal prints are great for spring and summer, mild September needs something more vibrant. Indeed, the trick to wearing this season’s statement trousers is about being bold. Choose paisley, damask, Art Nouveau or geo-print, just make sure your choice can be seen. No wishy washy pastels here please and definitely no leggings. Slim fit, cigarette pants, or wide-leg palazzo styles give you plenty of alternative options. Not only are the print and shape of your trousers key, but the colours and fabric are even more so; deep purple, bright green or rich blue; wool, silk or brocade will ensure your pins make the perfect on-trend statement.
The high street has great budget-friendly versions. River Island’s cigarette pant (pictured left £35/€47) will give you an abstract paisley print, in metallic Jacquard. There’s a bit of last minute S/S’12 bargain hunting online at ASOS with these oriental print, acid yellow, palazzo pants (pictured middle now £17.50/€24.88). However if you like your prints of the more traditional floral nature, choose this tapered-leg trouser at Warehouse in a midnight-blue and purple floral print (pictured right £50/€65).
Perfect for autumnal days, but teamed up with a fitted cashmere polo neck and a pair of Kurt Geiger’s Lady Bell patent flats, any of these trousers will provide a perfect look for winter too. No one will be saying you are lacking in the trouser department this September, that’s for sure.
Juno Temple is on the cover of this month’s ASOS magazine. In a mix of winter coats; a fur-trimmed oversized hooded Parka, Marni‘s Houndstooth crombi-style coat with jewelled collars and a longline brown military maxi coat, styled up with sharp leather and cool prints. The cover shot in the House of Holland striped Raglan dress being particularly special.
Juno Temple gives an positive, breezy insight into how a girl from Somerset manages to make Hollywood feel like home. ‘It was an adventure. I’ve always thought that an adventure is something that, if it tickles your toes a little bit, then you should go with it. And I like it out here… I never thought I’d say this, because I love rain, but actually waking up to sunshine does wonders for your brain.”
Her attitude to shopping is pretty rad to; “I’m a really good shopper, I don’t question things, If I like something, then I’m taking it home. It just come to a moment where it’s 20 bucks in a thrift store for a one-of-a-kind thing. You should relish those moments of finding amazing pieces. I just don’t think people should walk away from those things.“
But, as far as her career is concerned, whether she’s playing the flirtatious Lola Quincey opposite Benedict Cumberbatch, in Atonement, or starring as the ‘Dirty Girl’ in the film of the same name, it is this she is most passionate about. “I love it, I don’t want to stop, ever. I’m going to fight for it as long as possible”.
If you haven’t seen Dirty Girl yet, it’s worth a watch if you like a quirky, independent movies that are coming of age, road movies set in the 80′s. Clip…
In case you missed it, here’s this month’s Metro Herald style column.
Metro Life is taking style advice from the people who really know their stuff, with a rotating panel of bloggers giving their top style tips. This week style connoisseur Whisty of whisty.wordpress.com returns
“ONE of the most interesting things about fashion blogging is getting to see clothing collections before they’re released into stores. Shops like Oasis, Penneys / Primark and River Island get in touch twice a year and invite bloggers, fashion editors and stylists to view their collections for the coming season.
If you’ve ever watched The Devil Wears Prada, you will know the cerulean speech – when magazine boss Miranda Priestly tells assistant Andy exactly how it was that she came to wear a blue sweater that day. The gist of it being, that although Andy thinks she has made a sartorial choice that separates her from her fashion mag colleagues, as Miranda explains, she is in fact, very much a part of the fashion chain, albeit the weakest link.
Another point about the speech is how trends filter down from designers to the high street and so on. Collections are shown at international fashion weeks about six months in advance of the season. From there you can see how trends, styles and colours have all been translated from the designer collections to the high street a month or two later.
For example, one trend that was big on the catwalks for SS2012 was the peplum; a kind of mini frill attached to a top or a skirt that sits on the hips. Designers like Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Nina Ricci and Jason Wu all did versions of the peplum.
By the time the high street collections were launched, just about every shop had a version in their collections.
The City of London, from Highgate Bridge, London N6 – The invasion began, my mates room, trashed as soon as my bag landed. So out we go and straight into town
First stop was, lunch at Sketch with Sophie from ASOS… Mine was the black bread Croque Monsieur
If portaloos were like this… the bathrooms at Sketch, Conduit Street, London WC1 W1S
Evening drinks with Amy and DSThe Boogaloo, Highgate, London N6
The Boogaloo Moggy… How much do I want that to be a G’n'T…?
Feeling nostalgic for the ’50′s at the ‘World Famous Boogaloo Juke’
Our talented and incredibly down to earth entertainment for the evening, Maverick Sabre. In case you’ve ever wondered, being half cockney (he was born in Hackney) half culchie, (raised in New Ross, Co. Wexford) gives you one hell of a mad accent. Even so, he played a bloody beautiful acoustic set. Image via glam.co.uk
Post Party; neon specs and pints at The Good Mixer, Camden Town, London NW1
Hair of the Dog…
Whisky Cider = Whisty Heaven
Getting my tourist on. Note actual rucksack.At Highgate Cemetery, armed with map and nerves of steel. This is one atmospheric graveyard.
The gigantic stone head of Karl Marx on his Tombstone at Highgate Cemetery
Angel tombstones
Peaceful in the woods
And back to the land of the living…A rainbow at Aces & Eights Saloon Bar, Tufnell Park, London NW5. If I could imagine the kind of place Huey Morgan would live in, this would surely be it…
Curry heaven, London E1
Back to Highgate Village, before calling my Mum to tell her I’m effing nackered.
Yours,
Whisty Xx
Massive thanks to DS, Amy, Lynda & Sean, Sophie, Holly at Wrangler, and Ashley, for graciously returning a favour. Xxx
OR: First week back to reality… 7 things that kept me sane over the last 7 days!
- Without which I could easily have drowned in a blue-mood lagoon.
Movies at the IFI. I watched and loved Catfish, and I EDIT: intend to watch and love also watched and loved The Kings Speech. If not just to drool over the wardrobe of (the magnificent) Helena Bonham-Carter, as the Queen mum in her youth.
2. Vintage Window-Shopping: Dublin is becoming a feast of vintage shopping. I inadvertently discovered two new shops – 9 Crow Street and Horse & June – this week. (More on these later in the week)
3. New Music: Both British Sea Power and White Lies have new albums out this month. The anticipation of which has me all of a dither.
4. New Shoe Style: Platform, suede, colour block – Because of dreams of shoes like this; I’m saving up now. (Asos.com)
5. New season Fashion: The previews are go. I’m thinking floral embroidery detailing, and 70’s, Riviera chic – just get me out of black. – See Christopher Kane (below left) and Marc Jacobs (below right), respectively. (images via style.com)
6. Food: Bad, bad, bad but oh-so-good food at that: Mooz, 3 Angier Street, D2. Pick your favourite chocolate bar and they’ll blend it into a milk-shake… they do hot ones too, if the weather’s doing your head in.
7. Prudence Magazine: Included musings from yours truly in their vintage directory this month. I am honoured, and just a little proud to be included!
Transcription:
“Fashion blogger Laura Whiston of Whisty feels the same: “Being fashionable is one thing but turning up to a party in the same high-street dress as three of your friends really will make you feel like a fashion victim” she says.
“The great thing about vintage is the history behind it. When I put on a dress or coat that was made 60 years ago, I immediately wonder about the woman who owned it before me.”
…”From a moral point of view it’s [vintage] very appealing because people are genuinely horrified by reports of sweat-shop working conditions. Many fast-fashion, high-street shops have been the subject of revealing documentaries exposing child labour and poor pay.”
I’ve made no bones about the fact that I’m a fan of the maxi. Right now however I’m contemplating getting a pair of scissors to all the maxi’s in my wardrobe and make them into mullet dresses; short at the front and long at the back.
The trend has been pretty big over the last few seasons but AW10 and SS11 has seen the trend explode. And I want to get hit by a piece of that shrapnel.
Designer, Debi walker graduated from York College with a degree in fashion, before being accepted into Central St. Martins, London to do a Post Graduate in pattern cutting. Her first job in fashion was in tailoring before she took part in the first season of Project Catwalk, hosted by Liz Hurley. Judges and mentors included, Ben de Lisi,Julian McDonald and Lorraine Candy. Debi made it to the final with two other contestants and showed her own collection at London Fashion Week 2005. Since then she has designed for Liz Hurley’s swimwear range, Miss Selfridge and is now working for Asos. She’s making her first ever trip to Dublin this week to help judge the 20 finalists designs at the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Awards. She took a moment to answer a few questions from this very appreciative blogger.
Whisty: Hey Debi, thanks for taking the time to chat! Can you tell us about landing your first job in fashion, working for a London tailor?
Debi Walker: Donal Campbell was the name of the shop; it’s really high-end; it’s like Saville Row but for women basically. He sold to “ladies of London”, high society women; Winston Churchill’s granddaughter was one of his customers. When I look back now I think, “Yeah, I learnt so much working with him. He was 70-odd years old so he literally knew everything and everything had to be perfect and precise. It’s completely different being at college and then actually going to work for somebody like that; learning the technology behind really classic, simple designs.
W: You then took part in season 1 of project catwalk, I watched it recently on YouTube and you seemed to handle it all really well.
DW: I look back now and I cringe. What was funny at the time was the amount of people who would write on websites, “Oh she’s being really rude!” Lots of people would write good things but lots of people would write bad things. My brother would call me and say, “Oh you’ve got to read this one”.
W: But you made it to the final 3 meaning you were able to show at London Fashion Week,. That must have been incredible?
DW: That was brilliant. Having a collection shown at London Fashion Week was a really good experience. It was the very first Project Catwalk so I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.
W: Afterwards you started working in retail and most recently you designed a collection for Asos?
DW: Asos Africa just launched 3 weeks ago and practically sold out on its first day. So that was really good, it’s really exciting when you put all that hard work in. The director [of Asos] came up to me and said, “We’re going to have to take it off the site.” I was like, “Oh my God… why?” He said it’s nearly sold out; it’s really good when someone says that. We’re currently working on the second Africa hit at the moment. Hopefully that will launch in July we’re doing the production and everything out in Africa at the minute.
W: So it’s kind of like your first collection since showing at LFW?
Yeah kind of; I mean it’s the Asos label, for Asos and I’m part of a big team and we all have an input into things.
NYFDA
W: So the tables will be turned and you’ll be doing the judging at NYFDA have you any idea what to expect?
DW: I’ve tried not to think about it too much because I think you need to go into things with an open mind and just wait and see what designs people come up with. People forget the blood sweat and tears that goes into creating a design. I know firsthand what it’s like to put a design together and how much work goes into it.
W: Will you find it hard to be a judge?
DW: I know what it’s like being judged, I think you’ve still got to be quite encouraging. Whether it’s something you like or you don’t, everyone has different opinions on things and I think that’s what you’ve got to remember. You might think something’s amazing but there might be another judge there that prefers something else.
W: Have you been allowed any sneak peeks?
DW: I haven’t no. We get shown everything on the day (Wed 24th March) and have a chat with each of the designers about their designs and how they’ve gone about things. I’ve been told a rough outline of what it is. I think until I get there I just don’t know what it is that I’m going to see, to be honest.
W: Do you think basing a design on Nokia’s OVI.com it sounds like quite a tricky challenge?
DW: I do yeah, but in a way it’s good because I know what it’s like to have a difficult challenge set for you and a really weird brief. With Project Catwalk, one of our first challenges was to go shopping in B&Q and put a dress together.
W: God… I must’ve missed that one, it sounds horrendous!
DW: Yeah I was. They didn’t tell us where we were going, they just took us to B&Q and we had a £50 budget and literally 10 minutes to run around with our trolleys. We piled them up with what we could buy with that budget and then made a dress out of it at the end which was a bit random.
W: So what you just grabbed some chicken wire and tarpaulin?
DW: Ha-ha, yeah and I went straight for the shower curtains which was a really bad idea actually, it really didn’t stitch very well.
W: But surely your knowledge of pattern cutting must have come in very handy?
DW: Well I thought that at the time, but actually no.
W: There are 20 NYFDA finalists, which sounds like quite a lot of designs to judge, how will you decide what to look for?
DW: I think that now I’ve been working in retail for a few years I think I’ll be looking for something that’s quite commercial as well. I think it’s easier to do something creative than something really wearable. I think it’ll be about that balance really. About something that is innovative and creative but still wearable. I don’t really know what to expect.
W: I know last year was just really good fun, is that important?
DW: Yeah, I think it’ll be nice to see that again because you get so caught up with being commercial it will be quite nice to see young designers just being really creative again. It will be nice to see that.
W: Before you go, have you got any tips for the contestants?
DW: Be truthful, be confident in your designs and don’t be too bolshy!
The Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award exhibition takes place from Thursday March 25th to Sunday March 28th at Powerscourt Townhouse, D2. See the Facebook page for more details. All images are of the most recent Asos Africa collection.
Top Row: Jonathan Saunders, Acne, PPQ
Top Row: Topshop, New Look. Middle: Warehouse. Bottom: ASOS, Penney‘s/Primark
The 
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