Ossie Clarke 2013 Spring Summer Preview

Hey All,

Debenhams announced its latest designer collaboration at the beginning of November, along with it, two images. Both maxi dresses, one floral the other monochrome stripes. (Google with happily show you both). The new collaboration with Ossie Clark, the brand; (Ossie Clark the man, was murdered in London in 1996) which is now owned by Alison Mansell Ltd, has St. Martins Collage of art graduate, Nicholas Georgiou, is at the design helm.

Ossie Clark and his wife Celia Birtwell defined the King’s Road style in the late 1960′s. Together they pushed the boundaries of fashion and print-styles and created ethereal, flowing collections that epitomised the psychedelic era.

Image via google

His story is summed up in the words of a fellow blogger at styleblood.wordpress.com

“In the late 1960s, Clark hit a rich vein for his flamboyant clothing range. The fashion press dubbed Ossie “The King Of King’s Road”. Clark pronounced himself a “master cutter. It’s all in my brain and fingers and there’s no-one in the world to touch me. I can do everything myself.” Clark’s great idol was the famous dancer Vaslav Nijinsky and his love of dance inspired his clothes to be free moving and not to restrict the female form. This style of dressing became quite popular in the 1970s thanks in large part to the popularity of Clark’s clothing. Ossie Clark is well known for his use of muted colours and moss crepe fabric. He also designed shoes, paper dresses, and snakeskin jackets.”

So really, I reckon it’s not so much a Debenhams collaboration with Ossie Clark, it’s a Debenhams collaboration with his name. Still I was excited to see the collection, hoping to find reproductions of the dresses that so many women have adored over the last half century. There were just four pieces from the 95-piece collection there:

I was hoping for more floor-grazing, dramatic, chiffon dresses; I was given a brochure which included an image of this dress…

Longer, yes, what I dreamed of? I dunno. But with 90 pieces still yet to view I can’t call it. The print on those trousers is pretty good mind.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Derek Lam & Ebay

Hey All,

The exclusive Derek Lam + eBay collection is finally on-line and ready to go!

Of the 16 dresses showcased at New York Fashion Week, a ‘top 5′ were chosen by consumers. It is these 5 dresses that have gone on sale on eBay. Never one to stray to far from the fashion bandwagon I thought I’d offer my opinion of the collection. One look, was all it took, (thanks there to Marti Pellow) – and I was all over the cotton ‘poplin’ “Black Tie” evening dress. The tie part being the shoulder detail.

The pretty vintage-inspired tie detail on the shoulders, lead down to a deep V neck-line and a fitted empireline bodice. Which in-turn is followed by lashings and lashings of rich black cotton.

This dress is €205 and is available with the other 4 ‘winning’ dresses at dereklam.ebay.com, now. (Prices start at €130).

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Weak but not daft… Goddies Bagged, in a sensible way.

Hey All,

You know what? In my entire wardrobe, I only have one cardigan (by DVF) that fits me perfectly. I don’t actually remember another one since leaving my school uniform behind, that fitted nearly half as well.

1. The top of the sleeves are always too tight, even if I go a size bigger than usual.

2. There is always a gap between at least two buttons; if not more.

3. If its fitted then its always too tight around the middle.

4. If its loose, then either the front or the back seems to slouch down, leaving the other side exposing parts of me that a cardi is positively supposed to cover-up.

5. Women’s cardies are embellished. I don’t want sparkly buttons, or frilly cuffs, or badges, or lace. I just want a plain, well-fitted cardigan, something similar to what my Granddad used to wear. Though preferably without the pipe-ash and maybe in a softer wool.

It seems that my prayers were answered in the shape of Lanvin for H&M Menswear. I looked again at the collection on-line last night. Just to remind myself of the frilly, shiny party dresses that were going to be fought over this morning. Lovely and all that, just not my bag. There wasn’t a specific piece that made me want to queue in the cold for hours. I admit I was rather partial to the white tux jacket, but for that price I would rather find one that no-one else had.

I also didn’t fancy looking like Lanvin for H&M for the rest of the season; and have people come up to me with a sense of knowing in their eyes. Giving me that pitying look as they pat my one-shouldered, ruffled, red satin party dress.  Followed by a slow shake of the head as they enquire, “was it worth it?” *Cringe*.

Apparently people were queueing all night at  both Sth. King Street and Dundrum for a slice of this made-in-China, Lavin pie. I, on the other hand, wandered in at 10am; asked the important-looking woman with a clipboard; “Is there a queue for Menswear”. To which she replied, “no”. To which I replied, “lovely”.

Swooping in, I picked this up in grey and navy-blue (size small); walked to the changing rooms and chatted briefly with a rather charming Scotsman who gave me a tag. I tried both colours on, decided on the grey, checked that it wasn’t made of Polyester, (Merino wool actually), went to the cashier, paid (€59.99) and left. Smug? Nah, not at all, I still broke under the pressure of buy-it-before-it-sells-out marketing. Happy? It’s the best fitting cardigan I’ve ever bought, whadda you think?

Whisty Xx

Sonia Rykiel pour H&M Lingerie

On Tuesday night in Paris, Alice Dellal, Lily Cole, Jean Paul Gaultier, Eva Hertzgovina and Ellen von Unwerth joined Sonia Rykiel for the launch of her fabulous lingerie range for H&M. They, along with 2000 guests sat under a giant lit-up replica Eiffel Tower in the Grand Palais for a preview of the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M collection which goes on sale this saturday. (December 5th). The magical show was a kind of French Alice in Wonderland, set designer Simon Costin recreated a spectacular Champs Élysées complete with the white rabbit and giant mushrooms in amongst the floats. Models showed off the pieces as they sat on swings or stood against giant books atop floats that travelled through the room.

It is the first time a designer collaboration with H&M has resulted in a lingerie collection and it is absolutely gorgeous. It’s not just your pants and vest kind of collection, there is everything included, from pretty French knickers to corsets, pyjamas to dressing gowns, headbands to slippers. It’s enough to make you want to organise a sleep-over! Fabrics include silk, chiffon and velvet with rhinestone and Grosgrain detailing and with the couture shows using underwear as outerwear, see John Galliano AW09 collection for Christian Dior, this collection will definitely encourage us to do the same. I’ll be channelling my inner siren and following suit!

Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor of H&M said of the collaboration.“Who better than Sonia Rykiel to make lingerie chic! These styles are really new, sensual and very feminine yet “dressed”. I love the stripes, which are so modern, and the black and nude colours are very flattering. It’s about looking good underneath for your own sake”. Of the show she added, “It was the most magical evening. Sonia Rykiel is so totally Parisian, the epitome of chic. It was such a thrill to work with a fashion icon like Sonia Rykiel. The lingerie collection is really the perfect Christmas gift”. You listening Santa???

The lady of the moment, Sonia Rykiel with fellow design genius, Jean Paul Gaultier

Lily Cole in Sonia Rykiel por H&M

Kate Bosworth

Eva Herzigova

Ellen Von Unwerth

Prices range from €7.95 for thong briefs to €29.95 for a rosette brassiere or fitted body. A full-length asymmetrical velvet dress is €79.95, a silk kimono peignoir €59.95 and velvet tuxedo pants €39.95

Jimmy Choo for H&M Launches in Hollywood

With only 11 days to go before fashionable young things with one eye on their wallets, could be kicking each other out of the way so they can grab a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. If you haven’t already heard, (erm hello?!) H&M and Tamara Mellon’s famous shoe company joined forces to create a high street version of their amazing footwear. So excited were they by the prospect, the collaborators decided to expand the collection from shoes and accessories, to create their first full-on capsule collection of both men’s and womenswear. As of 9am on November 14th, you will be able to buy scarves, belts, purses, bags, shoes, necklaces as well as some mean party dresses and amazing leather pieces. All Jimmy Choo for H&M.

A collection that was debuted en masse in Hollywood last night at the launch of the collaboration collection. Attendees included Tamara Mellon herself, Hayden Panettiere, Whitney Port, Anthony Kiedis and M.I.A. the latter, performed at the glamorous bash. It was held in a private residence high in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Sunset Boulevard. Many of the stars attending the do, chose to wear nearly all (see Hayden Panettiere) or some Jimmy Choo, (see Maggie Grace).

Hayden Panettiere wore the Jimmy Choo for H&M sequinned cardi (€99), leather trousers (€149) and zebra clutch (€79.95).

Maggie Grace, (Star of the upcoming Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland) wore the lust-have black patent Jimmy Choo for H&M sandals (€79.95 – Yes that is apparently the correct price).

M.I.A. wore thigh-high Jimmy Choo for H&M boots, (€199.

Paris Hilton wore the Jimmy Choo for H&M jumpsuit (€59.95) and Kase Oval Clutch (€49.95). Nicky Hilton wore the beaded batwing dress (€149.95) and Star croc clutch (€79.95) from the same collection.

At the after party Tamara Mellon, wearing the leather asymmetric dress from the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection (€189 approx) and the star croc clutch, mingled with guests including, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis.

… and Whitney Port.

M.I.A. performing at the launch.

Peter O’Brien for A|wear now 50% off

I just saw on the A|wear website, that a selection of Peter O’Brien’s first summer collection for the store are now 50 % off – here! That’s pretty awesome and means that some of those beautiful silk dresses, designed by the man himself, have been reduced from €190 to €95;  cashmere tops and pleated skirts from €120 to €60, which is needless to say a bit of a bargain for designer pieces!

Peter O’Brien for A|wear Henry Street

I was wandering along Henry Street yesterday and saw that ahead of the launch of the new Peter O’Brien summer collection for AWear they have dressed-up their window.

I adore this collection, which goes on sale this thursday, the dresses are divine.

Peter O’Brien for A|wear Summer ’09

I was lucky enough to be invited to the A|wear offices today to preview their beautiful new summer collection by Peter O’Brien. I was blown away, it was so different that what I expected; it was an ultra feminine and utterly timeless capsule collection – (only 24 pieces in total). There are dresses, blouses, sweaters, skirts and a mac. The collection has a small yet effective palette of duck egg blue, navy blue and cream. The fabrics are luxurious; Crepe de Chine, lace and cashmere and all the dresses and blouses are 100 percent silk. The stand out pieces have to be the dresses in fact and I love the sheer yokes and the on-trend polka dot printed silk chiffon.

Here are a couple of Peter O’Brien’s Sketches…

Sneek Peek Lily Allen for Chanel Shoot

Some girls have all the luck, huh? Head to toe in Chanel and a tiara to top it off!

Chanel posted this behind the scenes pic of Ms Allen on her photo shoot as the “Face of Chanel campaign for the launch of the new handbag line”. The bag line, Chanel Coco Cocoon is due to be released in October.

I love the tiara that Lily’s wearing but it is outshone by the huge smile she has for the person, who I presume is Karl Lagerfeld, in front of her. So cute.

Topshop Gets Kaned

Topshop aren’t releasing any press pics for the Christopher Kane for Topshop collection yet, but there is always the one plucky journo who is willing to risk a snap or two…

Topshop held a press day in Dublin last week to showcase the collection where the hi-glamour collection included plenty of pretty but edgy pieces. The collection, said to echo his main line AW09 collection, is embellishment heaven with everything from metal eyelets (see the leather bag) to lace, from over-sized Gems to mirrors and fine black gauze.