Super Neon Splash

NYFW AW14: Alexander Wang

Alexander Wangs shows are show-stopping, theatrical and innovative which could lead to anti-climax when focusing on the product - not a chance. His collections are at the forefront of design led technologies.

Wang seamlessly mixes fashion past with fashion future. This collection brought together 1960s style, pocketed utility coats with super bright splashes of neon, laser cut coats and heat sensitive materials. Think mood rings but bigger and better.

All of this goes along with a bad ass hip hop soundtrack that adds an extra element of power and a sense of the designer, the models and the audience all truly believing in the brand.

City Pocahontas

NYFW AW14 Highlights: Day 4: Katya Zol

The Mongolian born designer kicked off proceedings to her Fall Winter 14 collection with a display from a traditional singer and acrobat that certainly captured everyones attention and set the scene.

The gold seen in their outfits was a nod to the gold detailing about to be seen in the collection. A gold strip painted down the face and long plaited pony tails alongside earthy colour tones and hard wearing materials, such as the leather warrior like piece shown below, led the collection down a certain path. It was brought straight back into the present day, to create a modern, city Pocahontas look, with structured powder blue pieces and crisp white shirts. Gold boots with clear heels and a quirky golden bow and arrow pendant completed the modernising of this collection. 

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Can I have a half an' half please?

NYFW AW14 Highlights: Day 4: Custo Barcelona

Raised in the North of England if anyone was to ask if I would like half an' half I would lick my lips and assume I was about to eat half chips, half rice with a big helping of gravy on top. Yesterday I was introduced to the much more glamorous world of duality.

Custo Barcelona have long since been a favourite of mine at fashion week always offering an array of vibrant, colourful prints and patterning for the eye to devour. This collection did not disappoint with super neon brights, against blacks and camel, to really make them pop.

Although normally any bright patterning would be a highlight for me on this occasion it was not. Half way through the proceedings coats of two halves, literally, came down the runway. This could have been very poorly executed but not at all, in every instance,that was seen in this collection. Keeping half a plain black, as with the neon prints, really made the detailing of the other side of the coats pop out. Although we don't condone fur and would never purchase it we can't deny that the half fur coats look beautiful, we'll take one in faux please! The point were the two materials met was kept off centre and this really added to the design aesthetic of the pieces. 

And will someone please get me a pair of those sunnies right now please! 

Egyptian Influence

NYFW AW14 Highlights: Day 4: Mara Hoffman

African inspiration has been influential within Mara Hoffman's collections since the brands beginnings as Circle in 2000. Circle ran for five years and consisted of one-off hand batiked pieces. 2005 saw the growth of the brand into Mara Hoffman and although the brand has grown it has managed to keep hold of it's original identity and influences, Egyptian influence in particular seemed to shine through in this collection.

Gold detailing was the common theme running through this collection and something we are noticing throughout NYFW, the gold 60s feel boots at Katya Zol are a good example of this.

The Mara Hoffman detailing gave a different feel with uniform gold arms cuffs, rings, collars and necklaces alongside gold nails and gold dipped hair. This all gave the feeling of a rich collection were the accessories played a key part in the strength of the look. 

This detailing was set off against deep jet blacks, crisp whites and creams all of which created a back drop for both the gold detailing and rich bright jewel colours within the garments. A splash of deep midnight blue was shown on the final piece of this collection and is a colour that seems to be coming through for the season. Whist a camel jumper indicated a subtle sense of humour to the brand. 

Mara Hoffman is one of our top brands, we love the influences from other countries and the strong sense of identity that has been carried through since the brands inception whilst still managing to offer something new. 

All the fun of the Vintage Fair

Last weekend I visited Lou Lou's Vintage Fair - www.thevintagefair.com - in Southampton's Guild Hall. The event travels around the country, from Bournemouth to Glasgow, like a travelling circus for vintage.

I have been to events like this previously vastly ranging in size from less than ten stalls to what felt like thousands. This event was just perfect, I spent about an hour walking around what I estimate to be around 40 stalls, picking out items I would like to go back to purchase. I find that shopping in this way has both its negative and positive points. It means you are less likely to impulse buy and then regret it when you see an item you fall in love with even more than you just did with the item you now wish you'd left however, it could also mean you miss out on an item as I did on this occasion. One of the first stalls was packed with brightly, coloured, 90s shell jackets. (Unfortunately I did not get the name of this stall so if anyone does please let me know so I can link there site and also have a look myself!) I instantly fell in love with a bright pink floral jacket (£20) but followed my rules of looking around the fair before committing to an item and when I came back at the end it was nowhere to be seen. Now I can't stop thinking about the jacket!

Amongst the stalls on offer I found two others that I knew were instantly my style. Mooch vintage - www.moochvintage.co.uk - that had an array of mens sports jackets Adidas, Fila etc. and Vulgar -www.vulgarsheffield.co.uk - which was a mix of modern and vintage.

I ended up being very controlled and treated myself to two t-shirts from Vulgar, one black 'Feline' and one with a gorgeous print on (I will upload images). I also decided to purchase a red vintage Adidas jacket because it was only £20 and I had just seen a new one in JD Sports for £50! Great item for gym or festivals! Bargain. 

 

I will look forward to visiting next time the fair is in town.

Rhinestone Cowgirl

NYFW AW14 Highlights: Day 2: Zimmermann

You would never know, from yesterdays show, that Zimmermann were the new kids on the block at New York Fashion Week. The winter collection being only the second they have shown at the event.

It's no surprise they look like pros given the 20 year history of the Australian based brand. Headed by sisters Nicky and Simone, Zimmermann was founded in 1991. Nicky, the creative force behind the designs, was influenced as a young girl by her mother and aunt who taught her to sew. Zimmermann had humble beginnings selling dresses, that Nicky created in her parents garage, at Paddington Market in Sydney.

The brand is now so synonymous with Australian swimwear that the Sydney Morning Herald stated, "If Sydney was personified, she'd be bronzed, brazen and wearing a Zimmermann bikini". 

This collection however, did not have a bikini in sight. The mix of a Western American influence which ran through the collection alongside exquisite Gladstone doctors bags brought images of Jane Seymour in Dr Quinn Medicine Woman. 

Black lace neck ties, which at first site appear a modest addition, are at closer inspection shown to be covering a gold ring inside. This was not the only 'bling' on show, a number of the pieces also had what appeared to be rhinestone detailing. 

The AW13 trend for oversized coats is seen to continue within the collection with the pieces sporting structural silhouettes and popped collars, a trend that seems to be having a revival. Usher will be pleased.

A 50s shape is present with full circle skirts and off the shoulder dresses. Backs and shoulders are really having a moment presently, as is tartan which is seen muted by Zimmermann in tonal greys. 

We can't wait for the next collection by the girls from Bondi beach. 

Kaleidoscopic Minerals

Yeasayer's latest video for the single 'Glass of the Microscope' features mesmerising kaleidoscopic imagery. Created, by director Ruben Van Leer, the video shows minerals and liquids in beautiful detail. The images left me with memories of a colourful summer that has only just passed.