COS + Serpentine = Shirts?

If you thought the Serpentine Pavilion by Sou Fujimoto was cool (you were right) however whats the next best thing? Obviously a shirt by COS inspired by it! The high-end high street label is working with the Serpentine Gallery this year on Park Night Talks, which includes a  series of performances, film screenings and you guessed it talks. Although I haven't been to see the Pavilion yet judging by the below video it promises to be a spectacular sight and makes for an excellent photographic opportunity. As do the 2 shirts designed in its honour which arrived in Cos’ Regent Street store and online at cosstores.com just 2 days ago, there is both a men's and women's option; £59 and £55 respectively. As expected of COS stores the shirts display elegant silhouettes in beautifully crisp cotton, modern minimalism at its best, both could be coupled with an equally as chic pair of skinny trousers for an utterly pared down sophisticated look. 

We'll always have Paris

As i never got round to doing a post about Paris fashion week - due to the fact i was madly working to a deadline in order to go to New York for a week (which was amazing btw) - i was in the mind frame of 'there's no point now' and it's not like people of the fashion world are desperately seeking my input, this said all i have been thinking about recently is Paris fashion week i consider this a sign, (of madness) it was by far one of the best PFW's for a long time according to me anyway. So i have decided to touch on some of the major themes, designers and things i loved about Paris fashion week A/W 13-14, please feel free to share with me your views and highlights of the week too - i look forward to hearing them!

There seemed to be fresh outlook in Paris for 2013 this accolade has to be thanks to Raf Simons, Alexander Wang and Hedi Slimane each breathing new life into three of fashions biggest names, lavish sets also ensured we were given yet more of an eye feast, Chanel was of course one of the biggest sets as usual with Karl having a huge globe installed complete with axis, open to a number of interpretations though i suspect Karl's plan to take over the world is close to completion! Dior's set was a big talking point, surreal mirrored balls balanced above one another wedged between the floor and celling with sky and cloud covering the floors giving refection of the whole show, such genius, an inspired idea. Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton gave us a glimpse into a hotel corridor with his set, models emerging from hotel door rooms walking the corridors then heading back to whence they came "All dressed up and nowhere to go" Marc said about the theme of the show afterwards, a whimsical and intriguing show made all the better by the designers pyjama wearing, very much adding to the dream, the set almost topped last season escalators but not quite.

Chanel

Dior

Louis Vuitton

Now we NEED to talk about Kenzo that fresh outlook i was talking about Carol Lim and Humberto Leon brought it aswell, the brand has been reborn taking inspiration from temples and multicoloured grosgrain ribbons they found at Kenzo Takada's former haberdashery the pair have brought a new sense of cool and youthfulness to the label. Using eye motifs, contemporary cuts, plenty of prints and metallics i love, love, LOVE it, is all i can say! 

The (quite) newly named Saint Laurent whilst still chic was very rock n' roll even more so than last season, young grunge looks walked the runway, oversized check shirts over dresses with leather and sheer black Slimane is definitely catering for a new Saint Laurent customer and i want to be her.

Miu Miu was it's usual spectacular excellence, Miuccia's imagination never fails to astound me Folklore and Utilitarian i read of the collection somewhere and looking again it is definitely both but how? How does that work it so did though, it was sportswear meets traditional but not traditional sportswear; spots, stripes, zips, neckerchiefs, big buttons, huge lapels sounds crazy and it probably is! 

You know those £1 shopping bags you get from village savers with the checks on, can hold loads, yeah those ones and you know Celine, yeah the incredibly sophisticated Frech label bet you never thought they'd have anything in common? Me neither although i have always had a huge appreciation for both, and so has Phoebe Philo apparently incorporating the bag like material into the newest Celine collection masquerading as a coat, skirt and top incredible scenes from the French house this season much more could be said about the Celine collection but i think i'll leave it at that as it was one of the best things i have seen in a long time! 

And as i seemed to have gone on a bit though i have much more to say i'm starting to bore myself a little i will just quickly talk about Dior somehow Raf has built up his own branch of Dior in just two seasons and i like it very much, simple, elegant, modern, feminine and most definitely his own. Collaborating with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the hand-drawn motifs on the chiffon dresses was one of my favourite elements but Raf also kept the label in touch with the houses history incorporating Dior's houndstooth check, a masterful and exciting collection. Also i LOVED the jewellery at Lanvin bravo Alber, my hero! 

Miu Miu

Kenzo

Saint Laurent

Celine

Lanvin

Dior

Coolness was born again in Paris this season a new generation of designers for a new generation, i can't wait for next seasons spectacles now! 

All image sourced on internet. 

Wes, Roman, Miuccia

Some how news of this genius collaboration between three of my all time favourite people has passed me by till now? How this has happened i cannot say but i am grateful now that i have the memo and balance is restored! If you haven't decoded the title word on the street is Wes Anderson (one of my directing heros), Roman Coppola (Wes' writing partner and son of the man himself Francis Ford Coppola and brother to Sofia Coppola) the man couldn't ask for a cooler family and Miuccia Prada i think we all know who she is, have teamed up to create a brand new short film for Prada's Candy L'eau fragrance. So far 3 teaser clips have been released and you don't need me to tell you they are every bit as superb as your expecting (i assume)!

The film features the extremely cool and pretty Lea Seydoux as 'Candy', it appears she is dating a set of twins in the clips, my favourite scene so far involves her sat between them stuffing her face with popcorn in a picture-house in very symmetrical Wes style frame shot! The fashion and cinematography are too much for me to bare, like looking into a perfectly set world of surrealist french fun. 

From next Monday Prada will release three longer clips over consecutive Mondays, before unveiling the full film in four weeks time (OMG). But if you have not yet seen them here are the three 12 second clips that have already been realised for you to watch over and over again rejoice and adore this brilliant piece of work. 

The Italian Job ... [PART TWO]

Now to conclude my Milan fashion week round up!

I want to talk about the amazing Antonio Marras first i think this was my favourite show from Milan this season. Textural mixing was a big hitter at this show, the fabrics acted as canvases for the artistic prints to be painted onto, beautiful tweed mixed with silks, a patchwork dream is the best way to describe it. Lace was appliquéd onto tweed to tremendous effect, luxe jumpers and shiny socks it was all too much for me to take how many incredible pieces can be in one show! Then patent gold everywhere, then patent gold, tweed, fur, and wool all in one outfit genius is not even the word. Embroidery effect jumpers are next chic granny if you will, polka dots and more applique then checks then abstract prints. Then the best comes the luxe coat in rich red and gold  but one section in the middle is a pin strip bomber jacket, pure magic eye stuff here, expert waterfall coats also featured, it doesn't quite compute in my head either!

Now for Dolce and Gabbana where yet another wondrous spectacle was brought forth, the workmanship was on another level in this collection! Pure Italian heritage as models donned garments showing religious artefacts. mosaics and symbols caressing the clothes, making them saintly visions with giant rosary beads hanging on their necks. Bejewelling reached it's highest point at this show, but after the initial dazzling start the show turned a bit more sophisticated taking form in graceful grey wools, beautiful silhouettes were seen, then for some gorgeous Italian lace in black, white and of course red, more luxe jumpers and skirts, ending in an eye gorging array of expertly crafted beaded and jewelled outfits, then onto the carnival of red warrior women to finish, a truly entertaining collection!  

And lastly from Milan my final pick is Marco de Vincenzo, a chic, elegant and innovative collection, exquisite silhouettes continued one after the other down the catwalk. Incredibly interesting fabrics kept coming the likes of some i have never seen before, black, white, grey and camel were the basis of the collection but if you look closely enough enchanting pastel hues catch your eye and a stunning steely silver also came through. A magical and adventurous collection.

Images sourced from vogue.com

The Italian Job ... [PART ONE]

So only Paris left now, and it's time for my report on Milan, extravagant it was as always, a sinking ship drowned by drama, jewels, and fur [and unfortunately not of the faux variety]!!!  Milan never fails on the dramatic front or on the precisely shaped clothes front either perfectly cut garments made for a glamourous affair with embellishment as far as the eye could see maximalism was definitely in [with the exception on Jil Sander of course].  Lots of white on white gave a blindingly clear nod to the wintery months and the punk vibe coming from Donatella's collection along with the Fred Flintstone-esche coat everyone is talking about was a sure signal that the 90's is back big-style [i'm pulling a 'really' face too!]. So here are my top picks from MFW 13/14.  

Alberta Ferretti is first and she sent strong, sophisticated, frills and ruffles down the catwalk for A/W making a bold statement in monochrome these were equestrian feeling silhouettes with a hard edge. Exquisite embroidery and applique gave the collection a softer feel, the amazingly vivid shot of colour in the middle of the show brought excitement and energy before the seriously spectacular evening wear brought an end to proceedings.

       

Secondly i want to talk about No.21 the array of textures and embellishment at this show caught my attention, staring in a beautiful caramel then running into metallics twinned with pastels, into white, black, print, into wool, ombre, and some tremendous patch shirt pockets this show wasn't missing a thing. Casual yet dressed up, which was a recurring theme during the week, made sure the collection kept its cool understated edge i never though i would consider a tweed jumper and sequinned skirt but after this show anything is possible!

And finally for now MaxMara, volume was the big one here and lots of it oversized fluffy textured coats overtook the catwalk for a spectacle that brought pure jealously from within me.  Origami folds on a huge scale, layering up to massive proportions and extreme coolness were major themes at MaxMara, a subtle colour palette reached its height mid way through with a excellent mustard yellow ensemble a show not to be missed if only we could all look this good all the time, is there no justice!

  

To Be Continued...

Images sourced from vogue.com

London calling to the faraway towns [PART TWO]

So heres the continuation of my top picks from London Fashion Week...

Peter Pilotto is my first collection in this continued post, i read that Pilotto along with Christopher de Vos 'explored the decorated works of Spanish renaissance artists' for their autumn/winter 2013-14 collection and you can most definitely see that in the show. The appliqued coats and jackets were my particular favourites, abstract prints donned every surface and equally complex shapes added to the eye feast! The signature patterned puffa's made a welcome return again this season and the rich colour palate amongst the graphic prints only verified the designers innovation! 

Elegance is a word that springs to mind for the next collection from Mr Antonio Berardi, beginning with work wear then slipping effortlessly into a more evening wear vibe this collection is without fault. Razor sharp tailoring, a highly sophisticated colour story, lots of lovely capes, pleats, sheer cut outs and advanced shapes made this a collection to remember.

Now to talk about Louise Gray our fashion recycling heroine, she had plastic bag hair pieces, tins as earrings, duct tape bangles and even toilet roll featured, wacky it sounds and wacky it was but not in the monstrosity my description may have built up in your mind it was actually a lot better! The usual genius mix of textures, layers and innovative materials were involved as well as an uplifting colour palette some great prints, exceptional trousers and some structurally sound dresses a show of theatrical delights, the show also highlighted wearing rubbish is most definitely cool.

And finally on my whirlwind tour of LFW it's Tata Naka these identical twin sisters have been awarded The British Fashion Councils coveted New Generation Award at LFW a staggering 3 times in a row. So my meagre seal of approval will not do them justice but still i'll continue anyway. A fun and colourful presentation from the pair this season, the highlight for me were the sheer strips added to skirt, dress and trouser bottoms i felt they were rather funky, also masses of colour and print on top on one another, preppy american cheer outfits, abstract prints and some amazing wool wears, yep there was a lot contained in this one collection but it was maximalism at its funnest! 

Images sourced from vogue.com     

See you in MIlan!