Archive for September, 2009

29 September 2009: 12:46

How To Wear: Structured Shoulders

It’s all well and good being told what trends are big each season, but not everyone is a size 4 model with the ability to make even a black bin liner look good. In fact, not every body shape should wear every new trend, so we’re going to take a look each week at how you should wear trends in accordance to your body shape. This week – it’s all about shoulders.

Shoulders are the new errogenous zone in fashion this season. For those of us around in the ’80s, the thought of wearing shoulder pads can be quite horrifying, however, they can be really flattering for some body shapes.

If you’re pear shaped… Shoulder pads are your friend! They can even out your body, giving width to your top half.

Wear: This dress from Warehouse (£65). The sleeves will give you width where you need it, but the black is slimming to your bottom half.

warehousedress-tile



If you have a boyish figure
… You can get away with the more outrageous structured shoulders around!

Wear: This top from TopShop (£25). Its futuristic vent is more Balmain than Dynasty, which is the look you’re after this season. Being slim, means you can also get away with this fabulous nude colour.

topshop


If you have broad shoulders
… Strong shoulders can be a difficult trend to wear. However, if you stay away from huge statement shoulders and keep the shape a bit looser, you’ll be ready to go.

Wear: This shrug from New Look (£18). The shoulders aren’t too extreme, plus the loose draping will create the illusion that your shoulders and hips are the same size.

newlook


If you’re curvy…
Make sure you keep your shoulders subtle. Too extreme and they’ll be competing with your bust for attention and will make you look very top heavy.

Wear: This scoop necked dress from Oasis (£60). The shoulders are slightly accentuated, however, the scoop neck will draw attention back to your bust and stop you from looking too top heavy.

oasis


So now you know how to wear it, go out and start shopping for those structured shoulders now!

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25 September 2009: 15:25

Suited and Booted

William’s show contained lots of amazing looks for the boys but if the wild and wonderful isn’t for you, invest instead in a classic suit.

‘Style is personal and fashion is expression. The classic suit is always a winner for any man. Mix it up, add a dash of personality, make it live!’ says Will.

We love this look that he styled for our limited edition look book, which gives an urban twist to the old suit and tie combination.

alpha-male

The suit, tie and shirt are all available to buy from Pal Zaleri, while the scarf is from River Island. Remember boys, suits needn’t be dull!

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24 September 2009: 14:17

Beautiful Boots

It’s the season to put your best foot foward!

‘Flat, high, ankle, over the knee – boots are really key this season. I love a thigh boot. It’s intensely feminine but such a powerful, strong look. There’s a hint of fetishism, a hint of pantomime but worn right, they’re really sexy – women love to wear them I always find, they are so empowering’ says Will Baker

So you can make sure you’re truly in style, we’ve searched Westfield London for the best over-the-knee boots around. 

These boots are made for walking!

These boots are made for walking!

The Dorothy Perkins suede boots (far left) are great if you’re not into heels and at £70 are a real bargain. Wear these with a cute mini and slouchy cardigan for a cool weekend look. For the rock chicks among you, head on over to River Island where we found these studded beauties (£129). They’ll loook great over leggings or skinny jeans. Finally, if you want a dressier pair, we’re loving these ones on the far left  from Aldo (£160). Not only are they darn sexy, but the clever ruching detail means you won’t get them slipping down.

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24 September 2009: 14:16

Knitwear Gets Cool

Follow Will’s tip to be ahead of the fashion crowd: ‘Knitwear is cool again. The spring/summer shows were full of it. Get ahead of the trend with some fab accessories, like these wonderfully graphic, luxurious pieces from Jaeger. Cool and cosy!

He put together this stunning outfit for our lookbook, available in centre, using fabulous knitwear from Jaegar.

 jaeger

‘These bold graphic pieces are so in. It’s such a clean, fresh, modern look. The quality is fabulous and Jaeger do English sexy really, really well. Worn with the slouchy silk shorts (from No Name), it’s great’

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23 September 2009: 17:26

Back to Black

We know that pink and cobalt blue are big colour trends this season, but sometimes you really can’t beat classic black. And that’s where H&M’s fantastic new range, Divided Exclusive, comes in.

Their new collection is a fabulous head-to-range, including studded biker jackets, party frocks, biker chic jeans and glam accessories. It’s fashion with attitude – think Alice Dellal, Kate Moss and Leigh Lezark.

What we really love about Divided Exclusive is that it has a fabulous designer feel to it, but without the huge price tag – items start at a very reasonable £17.99. The details also make this a must-have for your wardrobe – structured shoulders, cutaway ankles, and embellishment galore will fool your fashion friends into thinking you’ve invested in a whole new designer wardrobe.

Our particular favourites are the silver dress (£79.99) and ruffle party frock (£59.99), which will both look amazing with this studded leather jacket (£129.99) thrown casually over the top.

dividedforhm

We’ve also had it on good authority that H&M in Westfield London also received most of the collection, so if you want to be a true party queen, head on over now and get shopping. We’ll see you in the queue!

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23 September 2009: 13:40

Bringing Sexy-Back

Will Baker gives us his view from the Buberry Prorsum show.

“Burberry Prorsum was back to celebrate London Fashion Week’s 25 year anniversary. The front row was knee to knee celebrities, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Liv Tyler, Emma Watson, Mary-Kate Olsen and stellar editors Carine Roitfield from French Vogue, and Glenda Bailey from American Harpers Bazaar.

The star-studded front row at the Burberry Prorsum show

The star-studded front row at the Burberry Prorsum show

 The collection is designed by Christopher Bailey and what a collection. It was balletic, lovely soft colours, rose and lilac and beige and gold. I loved the classic Burberry trench transformed in sugar pink satin and crystals. Gorgeous! There was a military influence with webbed belts and sweaters criss-crossed with matching ‘ruck-sack’ straps.

The shoes were fab, strappy cone heeled sandals and high heeled combat boots. Really sexy.”

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23 September 2009: 13:39

New Season Shimmer And Shine

When we spoke to William Baker about his favourite fashion trends, he told us that he just loved, loved, loved sequins and anything that shimmers, so we weren’t surprised when we saw this fabulous look he created for our look book (which will be given away all this week at Westfield London).

william-baker-sequins

‘Add a sequinned something to any outfit this season for an instant update. There are so many around. For me more is more, wear sequins with sequins AND a statement necklace.’ says Will.

If you want to recreate this outfit, you can find the T-shirt and trousers at River Island, and the waistcoat is from Twenty8Twelve.  If you don’t want to go head-to-toe in shimmer, try a sequinned scarf and belt, which will make your oufit look very modern and oh-so-on-trend! Check out Mimco and Accessorize for some sparkling goodies.

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22 September 2009: 14:10

Long Live The Fashion Queen!

Anna Wintour, queen of American Vogue was in the front row for the Meadham Kirchhoff show. Fabulous news for them and it was a really, really beautiful show.

Yes, that really is Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue

Yes, that really is Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue

The clothes were gorgeous. There were lots of layers, T-shirts over dresses, little cropped jackets, boxy tops. Everything was glittery, metallic pinks with cream and white, navy, beige and grey. It was really modern with little parachute silk bomber jackets, draped and slung over tulle and jersey knits. And the shoes – all flat – had tiny little silver spiky birds at the heel.

Each show I’ve seen so far is so different. That really is the great thing about London, the constant creativity, modernity and new, fresh ideas.

Meadham Kirchhoff’s clothes were truly beautiful and completely different, graceful, loose, covered up, nothing typically sexy or tight. The show was lovely – with silver sculptures and delightful music – wonderful, inspirational to start the day with. It was a sophisticated show, really lovely to watch. The hair and make-up was so chic, very controlled. The models ethereal, blonde, gentle.

Meadham Kirchhoff, I’m sure Anna would agree, is a label to watch!

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22 September 2009: 14:10

Loving The ’80s!

As well as creating a unique catwalk show, William Baker has also produced a fabulous look book, which will be given out at Westfield London on the days of the catwalk shows – 24th and 26th September.

It’s the only book you’ll need to ensure your wardrobe is up-to-date, featuring all the big new season trends, plus Will’s favourite must-have items – all of which are available to buy at Westfield London.

William Baker fashion shoot

Will chose this fabulous hooded body from River Island (£24.99) for the ‘80s trend that is big this season:

‘This is very me. It’s very Grace Jones, very Alaia. There’s a lot of 80’s inspired looks around but in a really modern way, look out for the new shoulder pad shape and this rich purple is a key colour for the winter.’

 Make sure you don’t take this trend too literally – you don’t want to look like you’re in fancy dress! Take accents of the trend, such as structured shoulders, and mix them in with your normal wardrobe. Aside from River Island, New Look, TopShop, and Zara are all great places to shop this trend.

 To enjoy a slice of behind-the-scenes action from the shoot, check out our exclusive video

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21 September 2009: 17:22

Going Back to the ‘30s

Richard Nicoll’s show was great. I really loved it. It was new. He’s such an avant-garde, intellectual designer; he always pushes the boundaries and is so directional, with a properly unique view.

The show had a ‘30s chic about it. There was lots of tied fabric and layers. Tailored skirts and bra tops but with a knot and a tie, fringing and ribbons. Metallic fabrics were there again – there was a great hibiscus print – and there were jewelled epaulettes. It was a very sexy, feminine show. I loved the colours, quite muted, greys and silver, purples and bronze.

Richard was born in London but grew up in Australia. I felt a Balinese influence in this collection. It was chic and so modern. The models looked up to the minute, new and fresh. Richard used lots of blonde girls with chignons, very glossy and very chic.

The show was busy and crowded and the fashion press greats were there, headed by Suzy Menkes, the rest of the crowd felt younger and they were buzzing with the creativity.

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