COLOUR BLOCK 2011

The catwalk trend I'm most excited about this season is colour blocking. This year you'll see clothes and shoes in an array of colours and to achieve the catwalk chic look, clashing these colours is essential. Colours in the catwalk consisted of tangerines, hot pinks, luminous greens and blue.

Many high street store displays, have blocked tangerine with hot pink, green with blue, and beige/camel with red. However, colour is the focal point and so for those unsure about clashing colours in a dramatic way, you can work the trend by wearing a strong coloured dress and colour block using accesories or shoes with it.

 

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

It might be freezing but Spring/Summer 2011 is the fashion way forward. Sheer loose fitting, maxi skirts and dresses were seen flowing by on the catwalks and for the petite girls the mid-length maxi can create the same elegance of this look. This ties in which the seventies era trend as this look encompasses 70’s glamour for the evening wear, and for day way high- waisted flare trousers and a sheer blouse is the perfect ensemble for the season. For the rock chicks out there sexy biker clothing and punk fashion hit the catwalk which is ideal for the evening. The biker look follows on from last season’s military fashion as all the pieces are well fitted and structured. The punk trend allows you to experiment with materials and follow a big trend this season which is… COLOUR! Bold colours and prints are huge for spring/summer 2011. Miss match shades to create fun in the outfit and really embrace the sunshine.

Spring/Summer 2011- Skater Dress

Skater Dress

The Skater Dress is the current hot new look for the beginning of Spring/Summer 2011. In my opinion its a must have for every wardrobe.

The look has a everything, a tailored, sophisticated top half followed by a flirty and youthful skirt at the bottom. Skater dresses manage to encompass feminine charm by being figure flatering and chic whilst remaining playful with the flowyness of the dress. My favourite skater dress at the moment is from http://www.asos.com/ for £42 however, its selling out already!

Trends for Autumn/Winter 2010

The fashion world is being really generous this year for the Autumn/Winter season by embracing looks that will actually keep us warm! Heavy layered knits in neutral tones were seen on the catwalk by top designers from Dior to Dolce and Gabbana. Cardigans seem to be a great way to start the look as you can find some great ones in a range of colours which can be worn on top of a lightweight top or jumper. The fabulous online store asos.com is a great place to find really long cardi's which look great with most outfits and can even be an alternative to always wearing a coat if the weather is not too cold.

Velvet is also a huge trend this season. High street branches everywhere are using velvet on everything from blazer to boots and dresses to bags! It looks chic and sophisticated whilst being soft and comfortable! The perfect fashionable combination.

The regular sexy favourite, lace is still on trend with a more romantic and gentle feel. I came across a lovely lace insert dress in River Island which used lace subtly whilst still looking classy and remaining the focus of the dress.

And finally, if you have not heard of Mad Men then where on earth have you been! The show has caused a fashion stir in the world of designers and influenced this seasons 60's style. Dresses and skirts with a longer hemline is prominent this season which conveys an elegance and embraces the true meaning of femininity

Hershesons Blow dry Bar

This blowdry bar will just blow you away!

I just love the whole concept of this salon. They have a 10 key hairstyles, you walk in choose one and the team will reproduce that look on you in a mere 30 minutes for just £24! The 10 styles are really different from each other and so there is something everyone can choose. My personal favourite is the ragabilly look and all the other styles are so on trend with this seasons looks. So why not pop in or check out the website http://www.hershesons.com/blow_dry_bar where they even have hair tutorials so you can try and re-create the looks yourself!


xx

London Fashion Week 2011: Julian MacDonald

London Fashion week 2011 presented an array of talented designers from the well-established elite to the up and coming, and amongst the established was top British designer Julien MacDonald.

Born in Wales on the 19^th March 1971, Julien was introduced to fashion at early age, being taught knitting from his mother. It was this that developed Julien’s interest in design. By age 13 Julien was even creating cardigans for his family members using the skills he’d acquired from his parents.

Despite his ability with knitting, Julien’s initial dream was not designing but to be a dancer. He had trained as a tap dancer however; a brief venture into a one year foundation course in textiles unveiled his talent for fabric designing, resulting in him enrolling on a textiles degree at The Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Brighton.

At the age of 25 soon after graduating and presenting his graduate collection in 1996at London's Royal College of Art, where he had chosen to do his MA in knitwear, his strong ability and artistic flair in design was spotted by the fashion elite and it was Karl Lagerfeld who snapped him up and recruited Julien to work for him at Chanel.

A mere year later, Julien ventured out on his own setting up his own company with which he debuted his collection at the prestigious London Fashion Week. The press loved it and the collection received high praise. Julien is known for having a great ability to publicize his shows, and his runway models have included supermodels like Naomi Campbell and celebrities like Mel B from the Spice Girls.

In 2000, Julien was successor to fellow British Designer Alexander McQueen as chief designer at French Haute couture house, Givenchy. In the same year, he was selected by British Airways to redesign their flight attendants' uniforms. However the designs were controversial with woman groups accusing Julien of turning the air stewardesses into sex objects.

In July 2001 Julien revealed his debut couture collection for Givenchy. It received rave reviews and saw Julien break away from his vintage signature designs and highlighted his technical mastery. Within the same year Julien was then named British Fashion Designer of the Year.

The welsh designer in 2004 then went on to make a more affordable range to appeal to the masses when he joined high street chain Debenhams whilst maintaining his couture designer status. Two years on his mastery in design was truly highlighted when in June 2006, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to fashion.

His knowledge of the fashion industry had led to ventures into television, where he was judge on the Sky One series Project Catwalk (the British version of Project Runway) critiquing designers to 2010 where he is now a judge on Britain’s next top model critiquing models joining supermodel host Elle MacPherson, model Charley Speed and Top Stylist Grace Woodward.

Julien MacDonald’s pieces have been seen on an array of famous faces including Cheryl Cole, Kylie and Danni Minogue, Carmen Electra and Paris Hilton to name but a few. This has added to publicising the designers’ exceptional talent for design, and his constant ability to move forward with modern flair whilst maintaining a sexy femininity in every piece.

Julien’s London Fashion Week collection 2010 for Spring/Summer 2011 revealed a softer feminine feel, with exquisite flowing dresses to baby doll dresses. The designer is known for his well fitted feminine ensembles; however his new free flowing collection is a breath of fresh air showing another dimension to the designers’ talents. The cool crisp seasons are embodied in the neutral tones the collection began with.

As the beautiful collection was drawing to a close, the deep blue hues and vibrant orange pieces seemed to draw inspiration from warm summer evenings to sunny beaches. The softness of the material had a feminine charm and gave the pieces a natural beauty.

Julien MacDonald’s collections have always been inspiring and just when you think you know the designers signature styles, Julien always manages to shock and surprise his audience, unveiling different inspirations and technical ability the designer utilises.

By Mandy 

Modern British Style: Dahlia

British clothing and accessories brand Dahlia was created in 2000 when Tracey - who would later be joined by sister Leigh - began to make London-inspired garments to sell on the famous markets of Portobello and Spitalfields.

Their quirky-yet-girly pieces soon caught the attention of buyers for the mighty Topshop, who began stocking their clothes. This resulted in the girls launching a website, and eventually opening their very own Dahlia boutique on Carnaby Street.

Dahlia's clothes are the embodiment of femininity, with figure-shaping tailored jackets and floral, playful dresses. Having acquired a loyal following, the brand moves forward with every season -  see this summer’s trends for nautical prints and polka dots. Pieces are feminine and edgy at the same time, and are further complimented by Dahlia’s accessories.

The accessory range comprises crochet scarves with intricate detailing and vintage-inspired jewellery that includes anything from rings to diamond and pearl styled necklaces, items that make a bold statement when paired with a playsuit for instance. Festival-goers will delight in their gorgeous hats, perfect for sunny days spent watching bands. Cool, edgy, and very London. 

Hermès: The Chic of Winter

French fashion house Hermès have unveiled their Autumn/Winter collection for 2010. Summer may have just begun but in the high end world of fashion everything keeps moving forward.

The collection began with a grungy feel thanks to neutral shades, prominent blacks and touches of grey, brown and white. Colour was gradually introduced, with yellows and oranges taking us from a dark, masculine look to a bright and more playful expression.

 Many of the models sported an androgynous look, in spite of this the designs retained feminine cuts with figure-shaping tailored coats, sexy short skirts and statement knee high boots.

Hats were a recurring accessory, whether top hats or bowlers every model wore one, adding a classic touch to the collection. The headwear looked especially chic when teamed with a long umbrella - the ultimate in statement power-dressing. Signature leather Hermes bags complimented the more colourful outfits.

Overall Hermes has presented an inspiring and very chic collection for the colder.mes ahead.