River x Ri-Ri & other pieces

Hello All,

So with just a week to go till we can shop it, (online and in selected stores March 5th), the campaign images are out and the wait is nearly over for the Rihanna for River Island collection.
Here’s a sneak peek at each piece, in case you haven’t seen it yet. I also thought it was about time to post the rest of River Island’s SS’13 collection too!

First the Rihanna collection: Launched during London fashion week, the collection was very much River Island given a Risqué attitude, targeted at a young market who are in possession of a seriously toned body. There are cropped tops and shorts in their dozens with the collection, but there are definitely pieces similar to those we’ve seen at River Island in previous collections. The footwear for example, huge edgy platforms are the brand’s staple but seem to ring true with Rihanna’s personal style; Bra tops, varsity jackets, maxi dresses and hi waisted shorts, again all very River Island but also pieces similar to those we’ve seen Rihanna in.

I don’t think I’m in the right demographic to be buying from this collection, I’m holding out for the Georgia Hardinge collection in April.

Until then I’ll be shopping the rest of the collection, here’s a round up of what I saw at the previews and some is in store now:

Themes

Key Pieces:

Amazing, white lace jumpsuit

Elegant pink metallic Jaquard 60′s style coat

Bohemian style, beaded, tasselled cape

50′s inspired day dresses in thick cotton with oh-so-now 2-inch-wide stripes

Accessories:

Mix kahki green, jumpsuits and rose-print = This perfect spring/summer staple:

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post: Country Tweed & Urban Heels

Hello All,

You know, I was just looking back through a few past posts and I’ve only just realised how much I comment on the weather; it really is a lot.

It’s probably something to do with the fact that our Northern European climate and its unpredictable weather dictates exactly what we wear… Maybe my references to it are just an excuse when I write style posts as to why I’m wearing what I’m wearing. i.e. when I sat down to write this post, the first thing I typed was something along the lies of bright sunny autumn days. A description which easily explains why I’m wearing layers, which are necessary for those kind of days.

The boots and coat are set to be my October staples; the jumper I’ve had since last year, it’s a really loose knit so isn’t warm enough for the depths of winter, but it’s perfect for now.

Tweed Coat Zara

Vest Top River Island

Scarf Louis Vuitton

Cardigan Burberry

Trousers Karen Millen

Bag & Boots Kurt Geiger

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A/W’12 Trends: Embellished Jackets

Hey all,

Here’s this month’s Metro column… Embellished Jackets are this winter’s wardrobe essential…

Why wear something plain when you can go all out this season and dress like a shimmering, bedecked Bohemian?

Metallic, ‘rock-chic’ embellishments have been around for the last few seasons, but for Autumn/Winter ’12, embellishment just got a whole lot more serious. Brash metalwork gives way to sophisticated needlework.

No longer will a few studs on the shoulders of your T Shirt suffice; you need rows of beads, rhinestones, braiding, appliqué flowers, Grosgrain ribbon and lace, this is a cacophony of embellishment. It’s like opening your Granny’s sewing tin and fixing every button, bead, and strip of ribbon to a single item of clothing… in a neat and cleverly constructed way of course…

Before this season I’d really only saved heavily embellished pieces for special occasions; birthdays, the Christmas party, winter weddings. It’s because the embellished pieces in my wardrobe are nearly always black dresses. This season, thanks to designers like D&G, Balmain and Bottega Veneta we’re adding colour and variety to this trend. Autumn/Winter 2012’s embellished dresses, trousers, jackets and accessories arrived in rich sumptuous colours; gold, deep green, rich blackberry and opulent cream. By adding an embellished jacket to a staple outfit you’re creating a look to wear from now until Christmas.

The best high street offerings include the black, cream and gold versions from River Island (pictured £70/€107) and Miss Selfridge (pictured £85/€110). For something more subtle then Fran & Jane have this beautiful bead and sequin encrusted zip-up jacket (pictured £160/€199). All would look as good teamed with a chiffon dress, as they would with a pair of tailored statement trousers. If you’re planning on heading off for the bank holiday at the end of the month, it might be an idea to upgrade your luggage allowance though; this trend is definitely in the heavyweight category.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Trend Stalker: Statement Trousers

Hello all,

Here’s this month’s Metro Herald column…

Tip Top Trousers

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.

Clockwise from top left, Prada, Balmain, Prabal Gurung, Miu Miu

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.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

River Island A/W’12 Round Up

Hi!

Embellishments, body jewellery, tweed, velvet, leather, lace, embroidery, tapestry and brocade

Downtown, Blogger, Maggie, Scandi, Baroque, Futuristic Goth

These are a few their favourite things.

River Island launched their A/W’12 collections last week in Dublin, with some pieces already dropping in store.

Futuristic Goth

Downtown

Blogger

Personally, both ‘Maggie’, a Tweed-heavy, ‘prim, proper and quintessentially ladylike’ collection and, ‘Eastern Baroque’,  a ‘classical, whimsical look’ in a ‘lavish and powerful colour palette’, will be reflecting my split fashion personality next season.

Maggie

Eastern Baroque

Blue Suede Boots

I tried…

Body Jewellery

Embellished Jacket

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Brilliant White: How to Wear it Right – Whisty’s Metro Column

Hello!

For those of us who don’t commute first thing in the morning in Dublin, here’s the latest Metro Herald column, How to Wear all-White, right.

Irish summer fashion tends to be a tale of two extremes, half of us are pulling on wellies, denim shorts and Parkas, while the other half are matching fascinators and clutches to Duchess satin dresses. However, in creating all-white ensembles for their S/S’12 collections, designers like Oscar de la Renta, Paul Smith and Stella McCartney (pictured, available at Brown Thomas) have inspired a fresh summer look.

For most of us the wearing of head-to-to white is usually the preserve of sacrament and ceremony. Thankfully this season’s all-white look is more classic-chic and elegance, than pure, unspoilt innocence. We’re not talking about pretty white dresses here, this fashion statement focuses on carefully chosen separates, like tailored trousers and city shorts, (pictured Hobbs €125) loosely-structured blazers and tuxes. (pictured Warehouse €78).

It is about balancing out the girlishness of white with fine, natural fabrics like silk, cotton, leather and Bouclé Tweed. It’s about keeping your silhouette sleek, simple and grown up.

You’re not aiming for a precious princess communion look. NB: Frills and ruffles must be worn with care, if at all. But on the other hand, don’t go for tight-fitting pieces either, choose well-tailored separates to flatter your figure; this look is laid-back, not try-hard.

Choosing simple accessories; plain white fedoras, (pictured River Island €20) flats (pictured Dune €180) and subtle shades are casually summery; if you wear a watch make it white or gold, and masculine (pictured €335 Certina at Brown Thomas), leave the sparkles at home.

If you’re going for all-white then it has to be pristine as do your hair and tan, wearing all-white means you will get noticed. Finally, the right underwear is essential, white shows through almost as much as black so your only option is skin-coloured underwear, under white.

The optimist in me still believes that we’ll get our week or two of summer so I can indulge in this trend. Can you remember a summer day where the threat of being splashed by a dirty puddle didn’t exist? Yeah, me too… Sigh…

Yours,

Whisty Xx

http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2012/06/28/index.html?p=19

A Style Post: Studded Leopard Print Slipper Shoes

Hey All,

I’ve waited long enough to get a pair and having finally chosen and ordered a pair they arrived last week, my flat slipper shoes. They couldn’t be more OTT if they had heels. Pony skin: check; Leopard print: check; all over spike studs, check, check check. I got them on line at Sheinside.com long with the leather trim blazer.

Keeping the outfit to a black/fawn colour pallet I carried this Kurt Geiger Perspex XL Pouch, it has a wrist strap and the inside purse is attached to the outside at the seams. It reminds me of that 70′s furniture, made from thick brown glass and highly polished chrome, nicely retro.

Leopard Print Studded Slipper Shoes, SheInside.com

White Vest, American Apparel

Faux Leather Leggings, River Island

Leather-Trimmed Blazer, SheInside.com

Sheer Bag, Kurt Geiger

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post – Monochromatic Fanatic

Hello,

I had a lovely weekend. Lots of work and lots of hanging out with my lil’ sis, who is possibly the coolest person I know. Naturally she thinks blogging isn’t cool, so I did the photos for this style post sans sis. After last weeks’ colour-heavy post, I thought the only way to counterbalance that was to make like Charlie Chaplin and go Black & White.

The outfit is a complete high-street honey-trap. There isn’t a bit of designer or vintage added to the mix. It’s all high street, and it’s all now.

Refreshing?

Jacket and faux leather trousers, River Island

Contrast sleeveless shirt, Penneys / Primark

Boots, Korky’s

Yours,

Whisty Xx

River Island – S/S’12 Preview

Hi!

All the retro inspiration of both runway and street style over the last few seasons has translated into some interesting High Street collections. River Island‘s S/S’12 collection is a mash-up of ’90′s RnB culture and Versace – inspired pieces Vs 60′s Chelsea Girl and psychedelic prints. Makes me want to dress like Salt’n'Pepa and listen to the The Velvet Underground.

Chelsea Girl was originally a British High Street store that opened in 1965, before transforming itself into River Island in 1988. The design of the modern Chelsea Girl collection is headed up by River Island 2007 Bursary winner, Lucy Moller. A graduate from Dublin’s NCAD. The collection includes original print designs taken from Chelsea Girl pieces that were both bought from eBay, and sourced from staff members at River Island.

Versace Face-Off

Mother of Pearl Pastels

Neoprene Monochrome

Chelsea Girl

P.S. I want this glorious vulgarity on me. (below)

Sarah Morrissey.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

River Island Christmas Showcase

Hi,

So I have one thing to say when it comes to the pieces that River Island have in store for us this Christmas season, it’s so 90′s Dahling. Think Ab Fab and you have it.

All bright Versace-inspired prints, black velvet Lycra and body suits with sheer panels.

I was also given the chance to pick two pieces from the collection and photograph models on the roof of the Morgan Hotel in Temple Bar. I couldn’t not have the Spire on O’Connell street in the background could I?

The stretch velvet & lace body suit and the (tiny) jersey & lace mini dress. (Back photo above). Too 90′s; Too fabulous.

Yours,

Whisty Xx