Monthly Archives: February 2011

And the Oscar goes to…

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Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

I’m pretty sure you are all sick of the millions of posts about the Oscar fashion by now, but I had to add my two cent! Best dressed of the night for me was a toss up between the lavender romantic lightness of Mila Kunis, and the simple yet elegant perfection of Jennifer Lawrence. There were a good few looks I loved but that were ruined by unsuitable jewels, shoes or shades. A special shout out to Penelope Cruz who is working her post-baby bod like a pro – I was happy to see her back on the Red Carpet!

From the back...

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy haute couture

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein

Jessica Biel in Versace

Michelle Williams in Chanel

Penelope Cruz in L'Wren Scott

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabanna

From the back...

Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace

Reese Witherspoon in Armani Privé

London Fashion Week A/W ’11: A review

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Aquascutum

London. Perfection. I’ve always thought of London as the most exciting of the 4 fashion week cities (Milan is the most feminine, Paris the most romantic and New York the coolest), and this years A/W collections are no different. After feeling surprisingly underwhelmed by New York, I was delighted to see London throw on its wooden heels and maxi skirt, and grab its Tillie bag, to offer the waiting masses some memorable and creative shows.

So what trends came out of London?

  • below the knee skirts (midi/maxi/etc)
  • pleats, spots/dots, fur trims, velvet
  • mixing fabrics
  • hoods, capes & cloaks
  • wooden heels, rubber soles
  • colours: red, wine, orange, olive, bright pink

Technology was a huge part of LFW this year with the world watching live on the internet, tweets being displayed at tube stations, big screens at LFW’s HQ, and creative and innovative materials and finishes on the catwalks. So many shows were my favourites – I couldn’t choose just one – but I loved Burberry Prorsum, Issa, Jonathan Saunders, Erdem, Mulberry, Simone Rocha, Paul Costelloe and Aquascutum most.

Burberry Prorsum

Erdem

Issa

Jonathan Saunders

More pics after the jump!

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LFW A/W ’11: The Front Row

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I LOVE LONDON! Sorry, just had to get that out there :-D I will get to posting about the beauty that was London Fashion Week tomorrow hopefully, but can I just say now – thank god for London! First up though, my usual post on who sat in the Front Row and caught my eye… Needless to say it was a Olivia Palermo/Alexa Chung love-in for me!

Those Topshop jeans will be mine...

Love that TIBI jacket

More after the jump…. 

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Culture Chanel exhibition in Shanghai

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While holidaying in China last month, I dragged my brother along to the Culture Chanel exhibition in Shanghai – he was surprisingly impressed. It would have been difficult not to have been though, with some 400 pieces of Chanel history placed over 2 floors in the beautiful MoCA museum. Curated by Jean-Louis Froment, a well-know French art director & critic, and helped by the Chanel house, this exhibition was a fascinating insight into the inspirations behind the designs of Chanel – from drawings, manuscripts and clothing to perfumes, films and precious objects. Even though it’s not chronological, the exhibition covers plenty from Chanel’s origins with Gabrielle Chanel to the present day, and looks very closely at the relationships Mademoiselle Chanel had with artists, musicians and poets who no doubt inspired her – Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso & Igor Stravinsky to name a few…

The exhibition is centered around 5 themes – Origin, Abstraction, Invisibility, Liberty & Imaginary. It starts with how Gabrielle’s childhood in an orphanage in Aubazine would influence her whole life, an example being the symbolic minimalism of day-to-day religious dress in many Chanel collections. On display also was a replica of the stained-glass window that inspired the now infamous Chanel C’s.

I have been at a number of fashion related exhibitions now and I have to say, this was definitely my favourite yet. Along with the items on show, there were wonderful films ongoing in a film room, an interactive screen were you could learn about fabrics and patterns favoured through the years, a room showing Chanel commercials for various perfumes, and numerous behind-the-scenes photographs. As photography was strictly forbidden you will have to excuse the few I grabbed on my iPhone (bold me I know)!

The exhibition runs until March 14th and I would advise any Chanel lover like myself to go see it if you get a chance.

A bit of a rant…

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My brother is getting married in April this year, and needless to say, it’s a bit of a huge event in my family. He’s the first of us to give the family a Big Day Out and so everyone is in a bit of a tizzy getting everything ready and perfect. I’m normally one of those ridiculously organised people but for whatever reasons, until this weekend I still hadn’t even thought about what I’d wear to the wedding! So armed with my very honest sister, and a pair of towering heels, I went about Dublin this weekend like a demon possessed. Unfortunately I came away disillusioned, annoyed, worried and completely stressed…

Whistles teal dress with nice waist detailing

OK, so I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I had an idea what I didn’t want. Nothing over-the-top, or neon or easily creased. Nothing that would date easily or clash with anyone else in the family photos. Nothing very short or maxi. Nothing with a lot of colours or prints. So I guess I just wanted something elegant, to the knee, in one or two colours, of a high quality material, that would photograph well. And personally, I didn’t think this was a lot to ask!

Plain black dress in HoF with ruffle detailing

I decided to hit the various big department stores first, so Debenhams, Arnotts, Brown Thomas and House of Fraser. Arnotts definitely had the biggest selection and I spotted a few dresses that would be perfect the night after the wedding. Debenhams had nothing at all. House of Fraser was pretty good and had a few possibilities. Brown Thomas was disappointing. Next up some boutiques! Chica, Alila, Fran & Jane and a handful in Powerscourt Centre all were poor. Unless I wanted maxi, neon and satin, they were pretty much a no-go.

So where to next people?! I need advice and I need it fast. I’m willing to travel anywhere within 2 hours of Dublin so I know there have to be some options for me. Maybe I’m missing some great boutiques in Ranelagh, Malahide or Clontarf? I beg of you all, help dress me for this wedding!!!!! *Please excuse the state of me in the photos – I’m a little sick at the moment!*

New York Fashion Week A/W ’11: A review

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Proenza Schouler

 

 

Dare I say I found the A/W ’11 shows from NYFW pretty uninspiring??! Sure, there were some stand-out collections (Proenza Schouler) but for the large part it was more of the same of what we’ve already seen. I have my fingers crossed for London, Paris & Milan though! Below are some looks that I liked from the week. It would be near impossible to give a rundown on every collection shown so instead here are some of the trends coming out of NY:

  • Colours: reds, greens, yellows
  • Prints: polka dots, aztec
  • Fur, sheer, pleats and collars
  • Clashing prints, textures, and patterns
  • The Wild West as inspiration
  • Thigh high slits
  • Lots of grown up tailoring & trouser suits

Proenza came out on top for me as it was memorable and bold. I loved the clashing colours and patterns, the Wild West influences  and the use of fabric. Other notable collections were 3.1 Phillip Lim, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Preen, The Row, Rodarte, Theyskens Theory and Prabal Gurung.

 

Michael Kors

3.1 Phillip Lim

Marc Jacobs

Oscar de la Renta

Prabal Gurung

Preen

Rodarte

Theyskens Theory

Donna Karan

DKNY

Victoria Beckham

Alexander Wang

Jason Wu