Georgia Hardinge – AW’12

Hello All,

I hope you’re well, I’ve been going a little AWOL in recent weeks, there’s a few things going on, which I will keep you posted on as and when things are finalised. In the mean time I apologise for a lack of blog posts. s

For the time being I’ll be looking at a few A/W’12 collections over the next week or so, starting with Georgia Hardinge‘s ‘Inverted’ Ready to Wear collection.

Touted in the fashion mags this year as ‘One to Watch’ or ‘Name to Know’, Georgia Hardinge is obviously making all the right waves. As her third autumn / winter collection is launched for 2012, it is easy to see why. Retaining the extravagant elements from her epic SS’12 collection, the stand out piece from that collection being the Shatter Cape Dress…

…the AW’12 collection includes colour block suits, vibrant prints in subdued colour palettes, and dresses of flowing layers of ivory. Making ‘Inverted’ a desirable collection of show stopping wearable pieces.

Editorial

Photography by Miguel Domingos: Hair Rudy Martins: Make Up Marie Lanne

Show Images:

Georgia Hardinge is available through Wolf & Badger

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Coast Spring/Summer ’12 Preview

Hello,

Time to post the photos I took at the Coast preview for S/S’12.

Coast has a very consistent seasonal style. Autumn/Winter is all about jewel shades, evening dresses, bling and faux-fur wraps; to get their customers all ready for the Christmas season. Spring/Summer on the other hand, focuses on the racing and wedding season, the latter, be you guest or bridesmaid. Resulting in a plethora of strapless, stiffened-bodice, knee-length or maxi frocks in duchess satin and/or chiffon. Standard occasion wear if you will…

However, each season gleaming like a jewel (among the jewel shades?) is often a piece or two that you could wear on a less formal occasion. In A/W’11 was this maroon dress.

This year is a toss-up between the Ama dress…

The Lorianne top…

or this pink ‘peplum top’ and pencil skirt. I am a little mad about peplums at the moment…Granted the last piece is quite dressy (and apologies for throwing it on over my black opaques and then having to borrow a pair of size 6 pumps) but I reckon, mix it up with leather and you have a whole different look.

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

Penneys Spring Summer 2012 Preview

Hi All,

Penneys (Primark) showcased its early Spring / Summer ’12 collection last week in Dublin. It is a pretty large and varies collection, as you’d expect from Penneys; this part of the S/S’12 collection will be in store between now and late February.

It comprises some great print designs – see the (amazing) cars, Dalmatian dogs, daisies and Hawaiian panther designs below; pretty pastel shades – including a pale turquoise called ‘Seafoam’; as well as some classically tailored pieces – see the tuxedo-inspired jackets below.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Whistles S/S ’12 Round Up

Hi all,

The high street stores are showcasing and previewing their Spring / Summer 2012 collections. Most recently in to visit Dublin were COS and Whistles.

Before I saw the collection, I wouldn’t really consider myself a Whistles customer, but having seen highlights from the collection, I can say I’m definitely sold.

There were two main themes:

A bright, bold collection of neon colours and androgynous tailoring…

…including lots of matching separates, a blue tux jacket with tapered trousers,

…a pink tux with lighter pink contrast detail…

Striped separates…

Beautiful floral-print top and trousers…

The second collection was beautifully feminine, embellished nudes and pastels…

Including, new for Whistles leather pieces – scalloped nude leather…

…and laser-cut black leather…

…as well as classic shift dresses…

Good to see that the pleated midi skirt is still a wardrobe staple for S/S’12, especially in this powder-blue.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Whistles is available in Brown Thomas Grafton Street.

COS S/S’12 Round Up

Hi all,

Here’s few highlights from the COS S/S’12 preview, shown in Dublin last week.

Blues and greens were key colours and dresses came in various guises, all unique but quintessentially COS.

50′s inspired

Padded bodice and cut-outs

Rough-edged & backless

Sheer back and exposed zip

Full-length, backless and sheer (perfection)

Yours,

Whisty Xx

COS is available in BT2, Grafton Street

Christian Louboutin S/S’12 preview

Happy Halloween All,

Last Friday, I dashed into Brown Thomas to get a sneak peek at what Christian Louboutin has in store (pun fail) for us next season. After 20 years of making them, his red-soled shoes are some of the most iconic, talked about  footwear in fashion; his S/S’12 collection also includes some pretty fabulous bags as well.

It’s all about snake skin and fetish with a bit of country chic in there too.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of keeping women well-shod, and men drooling at their feet, a beautiful, pink faux-leather-bound book has been released. It’s contents include a history of the brand, and highlights from each Louboutin collection created over the last two decades.

It also contains photographs created in collaborations “between Christian Louboutin and some of his closest friends”. Including, Kristin Scott Thomas, Dita Von Teese, French actress Arielle Dombasle and Welsh Rugby player, Gareth Thomas. The book will be on sale in the Marvel Room in Brown Thomas this Christmas.

Here’s a short ‘making of’ video showing Kristin Scott Thomas’ photo shoot for the book.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Mary Katrantzou Topshop S/S’2012

Dear Lord,

Dear Santa more like…

I’m a pretty big fan of Mary Katrantzou. (Here and Here). Image via

According to Elleuk.com, a ‘leaked’ photograph of a dress from the Mary Katrantzou for Topshop S/S’12 collection has appeared on-line this morning. Though, according to Elle.com it was Mary Katrantzou herself who tweeted the image.

Interestingly enough, Harper’s Bazaar have a clearer image of the same dress

So leaked or otherwise, who cares, you don’t need hype for this collection people.

So thank you Mary Katrantzou (or whoever it was) for sharing. And yes we’re all smitten and lusting.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Lulu Guinnes S/S’12 preview

Hello,

Pucker Up.

Inspired by the antique market on Portobello Road (London), Lulu Guinness has created her largest collection to date. Themed ‘Bric-a-Brac’, the S/S’12 collection incorporates ideas drawn from cameras, books, old postcards and travel guides.

The iconic Lips Clutch has been given a S/S’12 makeover with padded snake skin and Swarovski crystals-encrusted designs, as well as the solid metallic and neutral-toned clutches.

The Lips Clutch has also been oversized and transformed into a shoulder bag with a gold chain strap.

The Doll Face motif has been given a 50′s twist with a pair of crystal-encrusted shades, creating the Holiday Doll Face collection.

The camera bags were a personal favourite, based on a vintage box camera, the rigid, Box Brownie bag is a limited edition to the S/S’12 collection.

Catering for those who prefer a more subtle lip, there is a beautiful collection of classic bags in soft leather and pastel shades.

Looking closely at the padded bags you can see the Lips shape is cleverly used in the stitching.

Elsewhere, Lips are used as clasps and fasteners, key-rings and prints on shoppers.

Yours,

Whisty Xx