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Posts tagged “Mary Katrantzou

London Fashion Week Spring 2013

Today I’m going to be sharing reviews of some of the lovely collections that came off the Spring 2013 London Fashion Week catwalks – From the big names like Burberry and Mulberry to the well-loved but somewhat less established designers like Matthew Williamson and Christopher Kane.

Enjoy!

Burberry:

Color, color, and more color. The Burberry runway show was a veritable rainbow of color-drenched trench coats, dresses, and separates. Christopher Bailey also played with textures and fabrics including shimmering metallics, tinted plastic, and shiny holographic prints – Giving the classic brand a fun, futuristic twist.

Capes, hotpants, puffy capsleeves, swimwear, cropped jackets, leather, dramatic belts, lace brilliant metallic handbags, and colorful open-toed heels added to the brilliance of the collection.

Mulberry:

Fabulous outerwear seemed to be the name of the game in London and while Burberry was bright and festive, Mulberry was a bit more demure, however no less ornate. Bronzy gold, peachy cream, minty green, and blues from pale to midnight.

The brocades, embroideries, and patterns were phenomenal, very earthy and flora based, something of a mix between Fall and Spring. I loved the use of florals on the clothing, handbags, and shoes simultaneously, rather than be over the top it was totally chic. I also loved the outerwear – The oversized silhouettes and large, upturned collars were perfection.

Acne:

The clothes at Acne were bold – Dramatic stripes, bright colors, graffiti prints, colorblocking, black leather, straps & buckles, adapted gladiator platforms, and parachute silhouettes.

All in all a very wearable collection of interesting and eye-catching separates perfect for the Acne girl. I especially liked the maxi skirts, vertical stripes, and buckle adorned vests.

House of Holland:

This 90’s grunge inspired collection was one for the books – The dark, moody colors were perfectly suited to the dramatic checkered patterns, graphic tees, beanies, skater shorts, and maxi silhouettes.

These were great pieces that immediately made me nostalgic for the music of my Junior High and High School days – Especially the shrunken baby tees, slouchy knit caps, and midriff bearing tops.

Erdem:

Python prints on retro silhouettes may not sound like a winning combination, but Erdem proved that it could work and even infused the collection with hints of neon and lace.

Little details make this collection really pop – Driving gloves, sheer lace, pleats, floral applique, cut-outs, high-necklines, coat-dresses, and intricate beading. Overall the collection was prim and proper but with a fun, wild side.

Pringle of Scotland:

Pringle started as a knitwear brand and this season they returned to their roots showing a lovely collection of separates which included a number of variations on their typical belted twinset.

When you say Pringle of Scotland what comes to my mind are clean lines, a preppy vibe, belted separates, and argyle, and this collection showed great versions of all of those staples.

Matthew Williamson:

Fun prints, brilliant colors, and dramatic details are what we’ve come to expect from Matthew Williamson, and this season’s collection really delivered.

Easy separates appeared in tie dye prints and with eye-catching embroidery and beading. His party girl clients will live in the float a-line silhouettes, mini skirts, and jeweled dresses paired with gem-encrusted belts and his new shoe collection.

Peter Pilotto:

Print lovers will have something amazing to look forward to from Peter Pilotto come Spring – Digital prints, mixing & matching patterns, and bright, bold prints.

Dramatic, eye-catching, and one-of-a-kind. The pieces shown at Peter Pilotto were extraordinary, I especially enjoyed the pants, oversized peplums, and dramatic, Latin-inspired ruffles.

Preen:

Preen made a triumphant return from the New York Fashion Week with a blue and white collection highlighted with hints of yellow and red, and covered in all-over prints.

The patchwork-like use of swatches of prints, combined with the tailoring, dramatic slits, verticle white stripes, and long, lean silhouettes gave the collection an architectural, structed feel.

Christopher Kane:

The Christopher Kane show was surprisingly delicate and sweet – A full 180 from previous collections full of black, slashed fabric, and safety pins.

Pale colors, light fabrics, dramatic drapes & folds, sheer pieces, clear plastic, and slits & cut-outs that somehow appeared elegant and refined despite the skin peeking through.

Mary Katrantzou:

The Queen of Prints returns! Taking banknotes and stamps as her visual inspiration she put together a unique and dramatic collection of dresses and separates covered with intricate patterns.

These pieces could never be confused with having been created by another designer – They were utterly one-of-a-kind – Simultaneously exotic and modern but with an old-fashioned air. I adored the matching pant & tunic sets, they were divine and I can’t wait to see how Hollywood interprets them to the red carpet.

Temperley London:

The Temperley London collection was all about bright colors, fun prints, nautical stripes, and retro silhouettes for this coming Spring – All the pieces fun but a little formal, and utterly wearable.

The sundress was reworked with a 50’s vibe and paraded down the runway in a variety of colors, patterns, and fabrics. There were also jumpsuits, lace & embroidery covered dress & gowns, shirt dresses, sweater sets, and too chic for words sun hats.

Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie, The Stylist, & Tom & Lorenzo

Previous LFW & Spring 2013 Collections: New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part II, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part III, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row FashionLondon Fashion Week Fall 2012, London Fashion Week – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, London Fashion Week Spring 2012 Round-Up, and Streetstyle & Front Row Fashion – London Fashion Week.

Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: The Best Looks from London Fashion Week: Spring 2013 from Harper’s Bazaar, Our 10 Favorite Looks From London Fashion Week from Refinery 29, and Runway Recap: The Best Shoes From London Spring 2013 from Fashionlogie.

What’s your favorite thing about London Fashion Week? The chic outerwear, bold, innovative prints, or the retro, ladylike touches?


2012 Teen Choice Awards Red Carpet

I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the photos from the 2012 Teen Choice Awards Show red carpet. Normally an event like this might be too young, but the fashion was fun and Summery, great examples of how to dress up in warm weather. Cute prints, bright colors, and fun, relaxed silhouettes all made an appearance as the fashionable young ladies on Hollywood strutted their stuff.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorites.

I’ve been having a love affaire with bright shorts this summer and here’s yet another pair that I’m now coveting. Such a fun, sassy look for the red carpet!

This is a very well put together look for a younger gentleman. While others his age put forth zero effort and arrive on the red carpet in jeans & t-shirts, he put together a stylish and eye-catching look. Well done!

This was one of my favorite dresses, the color looks fabulous against with her skin tone and the cut is perfect for her age and for her figure. Couldn’t have picked a better dress for her!

Cute. Flattering. Colorful. Summery. What more could you ask for in a suit?

It’s always nice to see what the non-Tweens put together for these types of events, and Miss Portia de Rossi looks chic and fabulous here in all black.

As always, a home run. The print and color look great on her and those shoes are such a fun choice. And while very few of us mere mortals can make a midriff baring top work, I think Zoe’s choice make this frock Teen Choice-friendly.

This Mary Katrantzou dress is fun and eye-catching, what more does a girl need at the Teen Choice Awards?

As I’m sure you’ve discovered, I have quite a soft spot for Alice + Olivia. And as usual, I absolutely adore this dress. It’s a dramatic  pattern and the fabric and silhouette are a little retro, but it’s still youthful and perfect for this type of event.

There were some truly great printed dresses on this red purple carpet. Dresses that could easily go from day to night during the Summertime with a change of accessories. This is another example of a too cute dress that I would happily wear!

Sweet & stylish, per usual. I’d love to see her deviate from her usual types of looks, but you can’t deny that she looks beautiful and put together here.

Polished and chic. Definitely the route I would have picked for her, she was stunning in Cannes at the AmfAR Gala and this is a continuation of that classic style she can pull off so well.

Glittery platforms were the accessory de jour at this event, apparently Studio 54 is having another moment. The color, fit, and textures of these pieces work well together and look really polished.

And last but definitely not least… True rock stars!

Love the shades. Love the leather. Love the blazers. Love the vests. Love it all. They look fabulous together, really in sync fashion wise.

Sources: Tom & Lorenzo, Cristina’s Blog & FabSugar


London Fashion Week Spring 2012 Round-Up

London Fashion Week was a bright affaire and despite the somewhat gloomy weather the designers did their best to give us brilliant shows. The looks had lots of traditional Spring flares but also had lots of structure, something that I love about British designers.
 

Burberry was a fun, funky twist on the classics. I loved the lengths, colors, patterns and accessories, especially the beaded chunky sandals.

 Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Mary Katrantzou's collection was a bright extravaganza, the end result nothing short of art.

Christopher Kane's collection was light and airy, with interesting fabrics and unique silhouettes marching down the runway in chunky floral sandals.

The Peter Pilotto show was another one filled with bright splashes of color and innovative prints. This tech inspired snake-skin dress was to die for, a sophisticated and chic way to wear both color & prints.

The gorgeous Peter Pilotto show through a lens wielded by Garance Dore.

The separates at Matthew Williamson really caught my eye this season, there were lots of great shorts, mini & maxi length skirts and gorgeous blouses.

The Erdem show was sweet and floral, I adored the matching blue floral gloves with this dress.

Overall there was lots of color, lots of prints – which ran the gamut from pretty, traditional spring florals to wild ethnic prints in unabashedly bold colors – and lots of cool separates. Stay tuned for more from London and the Milan and Paris shows.

Pictures from Style.com.