Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

6 March 2010: 09:20

Hot or Not? Clogs

Already labelled the “it” shoe of the season, clogs were a key piece in the Chanel Spring/Summer collection. While not all trends filter down to the high street, this is not true of the clog with stores, such as Topshop and Kurt Geiger, selling a variety of different takes on the distinctive wooden-heeled shoe.

Best teamed with the floral looks of the season, clogs offer a modern take on ’70s hippy-chic and are undeniably more comfortable than the sky-high heels of past seasons. However, it has to be said that they’re not the prettiest of shoe and just because Alexa Chung can pull them off, doesn’t mean us mere mortals can!

What do you think? Will you be wearing clogs this Spring/Summer? Our advice is to chose your clogs wisely…  you’ve been warned!

Clockwise: Zara, £99, Kurt Geiger, £150, Topshop, £40, and Aldo, £70.

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1 March 2010: 10:00

Spring/Summer Preview: M&S

Last week we attended the M&S Spring/Summer Press Show and saw some great pieces, which are all now on our new season wishlist!

Key trends include Boudoir, which sees a nod to underwear as outerwear (who else better to do this trend?) and Sports Luxe, which is all about chic comfort with jersey blazers and harem pants. There is also a focus on Military styling with embellished statement jackets and shorts in a khaki colour palette.

The range also features some fabulous prints including tribal maxi dresses, romantic floral tea dresses and cute playsuits which can be teamed with a denim jacket or blazer.

While the latest collection is more trend based than we normally see from M&S, the prices remain affordable, and we all love that!

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26 February 2010: 14:31

Make a Splash this Spring!

A couple of weeks back we went behind the scenes on the latest Spring/Summer fashion campaign for Westfield.

This was no ordinary photoshoot though – the whole thing took place under water! Photographed by Zena Holloway, it was truly fabulous to watch. The model somehow managed to hold her breath, while looking beautiful and ensuring her clothes hung correctly – that’s no mean feat.

Watch our video now to get a glimpse into what went on behind the scenes!

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25 February 2010: 10:58

Front Row at Issa London

Our last show of London Fashion Week was Issa and it was a star-studded affair.  We spottetd Alexandra Burke, Peaches Geldof, Jodie Kidd, Pearl Lowe, model Tolula Adeyemi and television presenter Louise Roe among the celebrities.

Brazillian born designer Daniella Issa Helayel didn’t stray too far from her signature style but the show certainly didn’t disappoint!

Daywear consisted of colouful jersey dresses, cute fur coats and sleeveless gilets. All were accompanied by gravity-defying hair dos that would cause quiff envy in those Jedward boys. The whole look was very sophisticated though – think a modern day Audrey Hepburn.

As with most of the shows, the colours were quite muted, however, we were pleased to see some fabulous bright reds hit the catwalk, including a new version of celebrity favourite, the Lucky dress. This season, it’s been reworked in tough leather, which contrasts well with the girly shape and colour – it’s definitey on our wish list for next season.

For evening, the Issa lady will either be keeping it short and embellished or long and floaty. We loved the beaded frock (centre), sported by star of the show, Alice Dellal – proving Issa’s celebrity credentials even further!

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24 February 2010: 16:33

Front Row at Amada Wakeley

It wasn’t so long ago that a Amanda Wakeley show seemed unfeasible, but since Amanda bought her business back last year, her label has gone from strength to strength. Her Autumn/Winter 10 show certainly didn’t break any new fashion ground, but it did provide a beautifully wearable collection of clothes that will look as good on her celebrity fans as it will her more civilian followers!

Full of muted tones, the collection including cosy cover-ups, slick shift dresses and, our favourite, a gorgeous draped jumpsuit. The shapes were simple, the fabrics gorgeous and all were complemented by fabulous accessories – the odd fur wrap, tough black cuffs, grey wooly tights.

The highlight for us though was definitely the evening wear – from tough black to nude pinks, it’s surely only time before we see an A-lister or two in one of these gorgeous shimmery, slinky connoctions. The sequinned maxi dress defintiely has Oscar winner written all over it.

Perhaps we’ll even be seeing one of these gorgeous frocks on royalty as Princess Beatrice sat in the front row – although she seemed more interested in her boyfriend, Dave Clark, , than the show! We also spied Christopher Biggins, but we think he may struggle to get into Amanda’s creations.

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23 February 2010: 16:52

Front Row at Bassso & Brooke

The Basso & Brooke show at London Fashion Week today was definitely not for the shy and retiring fashionista! In fact, if you like things minimal and plain, this is one collection to avoid. However, if you’re potty for print, the Autumn/Winter range is definitely for you.

G-Fonne Photography

The catwalk was a riot of clashing prints of all sorts – reptile, digital, abstract – yet by keeping the shapes simple, it never looked too much. Some outfits were trimmed with fur, which just added to their opulence!

G-Fonne Photography

Our favourite oufit of the show? Well, it’s hard to pick just one but we really loved this shift dress with the voluminous sleeves. There was something very retro, yet modern about it and we can just see ourselves swanning around a glam cocktail party in it!

G-Fonne Photography

Aside from being mesmerised by the gorgeous prints, we couldn’t help but get sidetracked by the hair, which really complemented the outfits. The slicked back look was topped off with a square bun! We love – after all, who says that buns have to be round?

G-Fonne Photography

Obviously the FROW (front row) is just as important as what’s on the catwalk and this one didn’t disappoint! It  included a fabulous Jodie Harsh with huge hair (wouldn’t wanted to have been sat behind her) and a petite Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of The Noisettes, who was literally mobbed by the paps when she arrived poor love. In fact, we witnessed one pap get very shirty when he didn’t get his shot – ooo!

Overall, it was a great show featuring beautiful clothes.  We’re now off to start experimenting with that square bun…

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23 February 2010: 10:44

Should Curvy Models Be On The Catwalk?

Once again designer Mark Fast has caused controversy on the catwalk by employing ‘plus size’ models to show off his clothes during London Fashion Week.  Models such as Crystal Renn (who is a super in the plus size world) and newcomer Hayley Morley took to the catwalk in Fast’s body conscious designs.

The pair, seen above in a shoot for Evans, proved that being stick thin isn’t always the best. Of being chosen for ther recent catwalk shows, Hayley said that people could relate to her ‘ …more than a size six model. It makes me proud.’

However, some critics panned Fast’s choice of larger ladies saying his clothes looked ugly on larger figures and that he should’ve stuck to the regular size six models.

Here at Westfield HQ, we’re celebrating the return of the curve. After all, most of us aren’t model proportions but still want to wear fashionable clothes and finally in Mark Fast, we have a designer who finally not only realises this, but actually puts his money where his mouth is.

But what do you think? Should curvier models been seen on the catwalk? Or do you prefer the fantasy version we so often see? Leave your comments below!

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19 February 2010: 12:57

Front Row At Fashion For Relief

We had exclusive front row seats and backstage access at last night’s Fashion For Relief catwalk show, and we can tell you that it was absolutely fantastic! We interviewed the likes of Alexandra Burke, James Corden, Kimberley & Nicola from Girls Aloud, David Gandy, Jo Wood, Pixie Geldof plus more who were all doing their bit for Fashion For Relief.

The night opened with a word from MC Trudi Styler followed by Sarah Brown, who is a Patron of Fashion For Relief. She gave a touching speech about the plight of women and babies in hurricane stricken Haiti, which made everyone realise the true value of the night. We were then treated to an electric performance from Beverly Knight, appropriately singing Soul Survivor – she blew us all away with her soulful voice!

The show opened with Naomi Campbell – who is even more beautiful in real life and doesn’t look her age at all – followed by Kate Moss, wearing Alexander McQueen, which was a fitting tribute to their late friend and designer. Sir Phillip Green went on to purchase Kate’s McQueen dress for a cool £100k!

Backstage, the atmosphere was buzzing and there were no egos in sight. In the spirit of the night, the celebrity models patiently lined up half-an-hour before they were due to go on and didn’t complain at all – surely a rariety in the celeb world?

Key celebrity catwalk highlights included Naomi & her mother (quite obvious where she got her stunning genes from), Kate Moss, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, Erin O’Connor, Amber Valetta and mum Yasmin Le Bon walking together, Denise Van Outen who was positively glowing and showing off her growing baby bump, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, Alexandra Burke, Shirley Bassey, Jo Wood, Geri Halliwell and of course the cheeky Ronnie Corbett!

Backstage, celebs including Erin O’Connor, Kimberley Walsh, The Saturdays, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Shirley Bassey and David Gandy all signed our limited edition Vivienne Westwood T-shirts, which will be auctioned for Fashion For Relief at Westfield London’s fashion event in March. We’ll also be giving one of these away the next Westfield London e-newsletter – so if you’ve not already signed up, sign up now.

You can watch the entire Fashion For Relief show online now – so take a look and don’t forget, if you’re in London, come down between 19th-21st February and snap up a limited edition Vivienne Westwood T-shirt.

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16 February 2010: 11:34

Spend Or Save? Stripes And Florals

Stripes and florals are two of our favourite things over here at Westfield HQ, so when we saw Stella McCartney’s flower striped dress, we fell instantly in love. It’s one of those perfect trans-seasonal pieces – great with tights now and even better with bare legs and ankle boots once those warmer days arrive. Admittedly at £545, it’s not the bargain of the century, but you do pay for quality.

Imagine our surprise then to find that Next had quickly jumped on the floral/striped bandwagon with their tribute to Stella’s dress. At £35, it’s certainly a lot cheaper but we’re not sure if it’s quite up to Stella’s version? What do you think? Which one would you prefer to buy?

Which wins your vote? The Stella McCartney dress on the left or the Next version on the right?

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8 February 2010: 15:37

Spring/Summer Preview: Debenhams

This week, we’ve had a sneak peek at the gorgeous new season range from Debenhams, and being the kind generous people we are, we thought we’d share a little glimpse with you.

From tropical bright maxi dresses to cute shorts for sightseeing, Debenhams is definitely going to be top of our holiday list this summer. Our favourite item of the new range? It has to be  the J by Jasper Conran Grecian Dress, which looks so designer, yet comes with the very purse-friendly price tag of £60.

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