Antonio Berardi Spring/Summer 2014

London Fashion Week has thus far dazzled us with it's innovative designers and unique spin on trends. One collection that has roused my interest is by Sicilian-British designer Antonio Berardi, who is inclined towards easy glamour for Spring/Summer 2013. He skillfully transforms the conventional cocoon shaped sweatshirt into something I would actually wear. Out. in public. 

Berardi reconstructs the sporty silhouette in a clever blend of luxurious fabrics such as crystal covered organza and duchess satin, bringing together a boy-meets-girl type of look that ticks all the right boxes. Speaking of boxes...Square structured coats and oversized sweaters flitted its way through the candy floss coloured collection, a brilliant contrast to the floaty chiffons and meticulously cut geometric skirts. Cerise and scarlet collide, sheerness meets solids and roomy sleeves are juxtaposed by slim-fitting trousers.

The 'mullet dress' reclaims its former glory in a romantic stream of peach, bubblegum pink, white, cream and cherry red. Soft trailing skirts have never looked this chic, edgily styled with tough metallic biker jackets, which offset the saccharine girly appeal. The only hint of print comes in black with a burnished silver leopard devore design.

Berardi's experimentation with bold proportions and paneled textures like mock croc leather, dainty lace and glossy foiled metallics have catapulted him into the forefront of modern style. This is the definition of power dressing. Brazen shapes, bold shoulders, billowy skirts and killer coats. And to polish it all off...lustrous strappy colourblocked heels by Rupert Sanderson that will be on the wish lists of shoe-lovers everywhere.


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What are your thoughts on Antonio Berardi's cutting-edge SS13 collection?

Who Wore Oscar de la Renta Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Oscar de la Renta SS13
Striped Ballgown

When Oscar de la Renta's Spring/Summer 2013 collection hit the runway, there were two stand-out looks that immediately seized media attention. Firstly, this flashy pink look seen on Cara Delevingne, and secondly, a bold striped ballgown modeled by Frida Gustavsson, below. Whilst the first look was one not exactly red carpet material, this striped dress made one appearance too many around the world. And it's no wonder, as it truly is a timeless beauty.

Swedish model Frida Gustavsson walked the Oscar de la Renta SS13 runway in this striking white silk gazar gown with navy sateen stripes in a mix of stripes and chevrons.

1. The first celebrity to wear the stunning strapless gown was Chinese star Fan Bing Bing. Her event of choice to showcase the navy and white dress was the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held in February this year. Fan kept her hair up in a classic bun and wore statement drop earrings.

2. Second to scoop up this classically chic dress with voluminous A-line skirt was stylist Olga Stepanenko, at the amFAR gala held in Cannes during May 2013. Olga also styled her hair up and carried a perspex box clutch.

3. Serbian beauty Jelena Ristic donned the monochromatic de la Renta dress to a charity gala held in London in July 2013. She carried a navy satin woven Bottega Veneta clutch and elegantly styled her hair up. 

4. Finally, just last week, fashion-loving Anna Dello Russo put on the horizontally striped look for a stint at New York Fashion Week. She added a long round vintagey pendant to her outfit. Who wears a floor-sweeping ballgown in the middle of the day while out and about on the grimy city streets? Anna does, apparently. 

 

Who would have thought that something as seemingly 'straightforward' as a striped ballgown would cause such a fashion fad. Well simply...because it works. A dramatic silhouette crafted from a print that is usually attached to casual wear - it's ingenious! It's one of those looks that will remain sophisticated in years to come and never lose it's inherent elegance. 

As for 'Who Wore It Better?', I have to say Anna is working this look with her incredible confidence and sass. The impeccable tailoring of Oscar de la Renta is fully evident here, as I think the dress suits every girl pictured. Anna, Fan, Jelena or Olga?
Who do you think wore it better?

Looks of the Week - 14/09/13

The weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet.

Full Skirted

Rose McGowan teams together a white cropped top and pretty powder blue Topshop skirt with sheer organza panel. White flats and a Louis Vuitton bag style her look.
Jessica Alba was enchanting in a Ralph Lauren ensemble featuring a black sweater and floaty petal pink chiffon skirt, styled with a black Ralph Lauren bag and ankle strap sandals.
Victoria Beckham took a stride in a cool blue waffle textured Victoria by Victoria Beckham dress with drop waist & flaired out skirt. Giuseppe Zanotti ankle boots fit her feet.
Louise Roe charmed in a blush pink ballet skirt, teamed with a shimmery silver and white sleeveless vest and printed pointy toe pumps.


Cobalt Craze

Alexandra Daddario is pictured in a voguish electric blue one-sleeved cocktail dress with asymmetrical hemline and black pumps.
Olivia Wilde is elegantly understated in a white Rag & Bone t-shirt and cobalt blue Michael Kors pencil skirt with black panels down the sides. Her heels are Jimmy Choo.
Karlie Kloss looked sporty chic in a blue scuba DKNY silhouette with black side bands and an alternating hemline and matching quirky blue shoes
My style crush Harley Viera-Newton is polished in a sapphire blue Valentino dress with lace collar & strappy white shoes. Love her adorable red Swarovski crystal studded apple clutch.


Plaid Jane

Teen actress Kathryn Newton goes grunge in a blue and black tartan dress with plum Doc Marten boots, a neon green necklace and white sling bag.
Jessica Alba displays her trend sense in a Skies are Blue sleeveless plaid shirt with skinny fitting J Brand jeans, a Clare Vivier leopard print clutch and dark green pumps.
Laura Whitmore hops straight into the tartan trend with a patchwork of different shades that tack her jacket together. She styled her look with all black.


Golden Girls

Ashley Madekwe dazzled in a sparkly bronze drop-waist dress by Monique Lhuillier, paired with a black clutch and heels.
Molly Sims was glamourous in a gold embellished dress at the Marchesa runway show.
Georgia May Jagger pulled out all the stops in this modernistic architectural gold shorts suit by Sass & Bide. Caged Willow sandals complete her sassy look.
TV actress Nora Zehetner looked lovely in a matt gold Marchesa mini dress with bead embroidered neckline and hem.


Saturated

Olivia Wilde was radiant in a bright canary yellow Valentino dress.
Clotilde Courau showed off a two-tone pink and orange Christian Dior gown with high-low hemline and multi-shaded slingbacks.
American actress Jess Weixler looked chic in a black midriff-baring bustier and avocado green Giulietta skirt with geometric cut-outs.
French actress Melanie Bernier made a stunning appearance in a sapphire blue Elie Saab gown with lace illusion bodice and stripe paneled skirt.


Leather Lovin'

Comic actress Nasim Pedrad was suave in a navy leather skirt with grey printed sweater by Rebecca Minkoff. Nude ankle boots style her fashionable look.
Jessica Lowndes also dons a Rebecca Minkoff ensemble in a floral shirt with sheer overlay and slick black leather skirt.
Emmy Rossum looked sophisticated in a glossed leather trousers with navy lace sweater and white shirt by Tory Burch.
Ashley Greene styled her black leather All Saints skirt with a colourfully embroidered jacket, Marchesa clutch and black ankle boots.

Who is your favourite 'Look of the Week'?

Friday Frills

I wish I were...

Big enough to honestly
 admit all my shortcomings,

Brilliant enough to accept praise 
without it making me arrogant.

Tall enough to tower above deceit, 

Strong enough to welcome criticism.

Compassionate enough 
to understand human frailties,

Wise enough to recognize my mistakes.
 

Humble enough to appreciate greatness,
 

Staunch enough to stand by my friends. 

Human enough to be thoughtful of others,
 

Courageous enough to face my every fear.

Righteous enough to be devoted to my Faith, and
Receptive enough to embrace every opportunity life sends my way.

*Author unknown. Image via Tumblr.

That Gucci Dress

Gucci Feathered Dress
Fall/Winter 2013

Every season there comes a dress that is photographed more than others, and this Fall it seems that the honour goes to Gucci (for now). The Italian label have launched a fashion frenzy with their line of feathered dresses from the Fall/Winter 2013 collection, which has been popping up in editorials everywhere. The dress in question is Look 47 off the runway, an elaborate sequined and feathered mesh dress in a spectrum of green, gold and blue hues.

On the Gucci F/W 2013 runway, Polish model Kasia Struss showed off the feather decked Heaven's Bird embroidered dress. It was styled with fish-net stockings, that is congruous with the netted effect of the sleeves.

Chloe Moretz mades a striking appearance in the pages of InStyle USA's August 2013 edition. The 16-year-old starlet looked stunning in this beautifully embellished Gucci dress that parades 5 types of feathers in peacock colours. Owing to her age, Chloe interestingly wears a sequined long-sleeved top under the see-through dress for a more modest look.

Our favourite ex-human/doppelganger-turned-vampire Nina Dobrev stunned in the feathery over-the-knee dress for a photo spread in Cosmopolitan US this September. Nina wore a brassiere underneath the sheer mesh bodice and had her hair coifed in a braided upstyle.

 Indian actress Lakhsmi Menon brings edgy styling and gold ear cuffs to the feathered Gucci frock for the September 2013 cover of Elle India.

Jennifer Lopez takes a seat on the cover of W Magazine's August 2013 issue wearing the blue and green mesh-sleeved dress. Her hair is styled in retro 40's inspired waves. She also wears emerald jewellery that adds to the ostentation.

 Dutch model Marloes Horst does the Gucci feathered dress grand justice, gracing the cover of L'Officiel Netherlands September 2013. Leather gloves and a halo braid style her look. I love the Technicolor effect of the dress in this photograph. The colours magically stand out.

This exquisitely detailed 'Heaven's Bird' dress is fabricated from black netted tulle, with a velvet waistband. It is ornamented by an array of green, turquoise and gold feathers as well as 850 grams of glittering sequins. This extravagant dress will set you back just about $16 000, which here in SAfrica will buy you a small car. A very small car, but nonetheless.

This is certainly not the last we have seen of this highly sought-after Gucci dress. I am interested to see if and which star will wear it on the red carpet. Any guesses?

The editorials that made the biggest impression on me was Chloe Moretz and Marloes Horst. 
I liked the metallic mermaid effect on Chloe's dress and the vibrancy of Marloes. 

Who do you think looks best in that Gucci dress?

*Last set of images via Gucci.com

Monique Lhuillier Spring/Summer 2014

At the top of my list of favourites from New York Fashion Week so far is the enthralling Spring 2014 collection by Monique Lhuillier. The LA-based designer manifested the idea of 'sheer elegance' in a spectacular array of saturated shades from poppy red, fuchsia, coral, orchid and orange. The fiery palette was doused with misty hues of almond, cream, white and rose gold.  

Daywear was introduced by way of chicly fitted pencil skirts, outlined in delicate Chantilly lace, with sophisticated blouses that boasted detachable crystal collars. Sheer pastel organza tunics were layered over cropped tops, skirts and trousers, all highlighted by silver metallic thread. 

Monique reigns supreme when it comes to evening wear, with a feminine display of resplendent gowns that any starlet would be lucky to wear on the red carpet. The showstopper is a hot pink bandeau in silk gazaar, paired with a dramatic tangerine ballroom skirt (7.) I am certain stylists will be fighting over this one. Floor-sweeping cerise and mandarin chiffon and silk linen gowns ignited the runway, leaving a glamourous blaze in it's wake. 

Balancing out the brights were a regalia of ethereal ivory and muted gold gowns, airily whisked up from tulle in graceful silhouettes. Organza flowers and glimmering beads braided their way across the diaphanous midi and maxi dresses. Closing the show were a canvas of swirling skirts painted with floral brush strokes...a fervent end to an outstanding collection.

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My favourites from this range is the interestingly contrasted coral asymmetrical dress and poker red pants in Set 1, and the coral and lace gown (second image in 8). Which are yours?

New York Fashion Week Street Style 2013

New York Fashion Week
Spring/Summer 2014
Street Style

NYFW has kicked off to an impressive start, and I'm not just referring to the runway collections. It's the fabulous street wear that has grabbed the attention of photographers and style lovers everywhere. Models, stylists, socialites, fashion editors and bloggers stepped out in their best end-of-summer outfits to great acclaim. My hat goes off to all the stylishly chic bloggers in this mix of street style looks. Bravo Ladies! You have outdone yourselves!


Vivid Prints

 

Vibrant, jazzy prints made a splash on the sidewalks of NYC, accented with bright accessories. A hot pink oversized blazer balances out the electric green printed top and trousers in the first look. Tamara Kalinic (pictured middle) of the blog 'Glam and Glitter' stands out in a unique scene printed Topshop pencil skirt, yellow blazer and cropped top, paired with cobalt blue Louboutin heels and a Proenza Schouler bag. Blogger Ella Catliff (right) is prettily printed in a cerise pink floral Kate Spade frock and lime green Michael Kors bag.

Grunge Glam

Swish skirts are given an edge with grunge styling in the form of leather moto jackets and checkered shirts. A statement bag polishes off this trendy theme. I like the integration of an elegant skirt with more masculine styling. I have a serious crush on the bejeweled sweater, leather skirt and bright magenta bag in the middle look.

Black & White

 The trend that never ends and remains eternally chic is black and white. These are some marvelous versions of monotones by models and bloggers alike. An off-duty model (left) is spotted in an uber popular pair of black skorts, paired with a cable knit sweater, leather sandals and a Celine bag. A pop of red adds some pizazz, as Aimee Song (pictured second) does with a clutch to her chic grid-print ensemble. Chiara Ferragni's slick white jumpsuit is supplemented by a tailored black blazer in the third outfit.

Feminine

 Romance finds it's place on the pavements of NYC with a range of beautifully feminine looks. Pretty floral prints enhance the theme. The graceful pastel pink and black kaftan dress is a stunning summer look (left). Tamara Kalinic's cream lace Zara shirt and blush midi skirt is styled with Valentino studded pumps and a Mulberry bag (pictured second). A bright green clutch and blue shoes style a colourfully painted dress (third look). The last outfit is a savvy mix of florals in two different shades that come together with finesse.

Crop Trops

 Minimalism and modernity meet in these sophisticated ensembles that demonstrate the various ways to wear a cropped top. Throw on an oversized blazer and lounge trousers, pair it with an impeccably tailored midi skirt or wear it with neatly striped shorts and leather loafers.

Brights

Stealing the scene were bright hues, animated by distinctive styling. Stylist Ana Ziourova stunned in a red and black pleated one-strap dress by Jason Wu. Bora Park radiated impeccable taste in an apricot Asos top, navy skater skirt, striped Reed Krakoff heels and a dazzling necklace. The third look sees a cool 90's influence with a slouchy high-waisted green pants and a denim jacket, enhanced by striking gold shoes. I like the playfulness of the bright orange shorts and cobalt blue blouse in the last look.

Neutrals

This voguish group of fashionistas picked out their outfits in neutral camel and coffee tones. A spot of leopard print does the trick in the first and third contemporary looks. A fabulous Burberry trench (pictured second) with metallic pockets and see-through sleeves is the ideal fashion week cover-up as seen on Chiara Ferragni. The last striped dress wonderfully combines peach, brown and black in a demure design with a Louis Vuitton bag in tow.

What type of style impressed you most at New York Fashion Week 2013?

Image Sources: Vogue.com, Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar, WWD, Grazia.co.uk, Elle, Fashionologie.com, Lee Olivera.

Looks of the Week - 07/09/13

The weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet. 

Colour Blocked

Victoria's Secret supermodel Lindsay Ellingson takes a twirl in a winsome red and coral dress with wrap bodice and nude Louboutin peep-toe heels.
Italian-based actress Elisa Sednaoui looked impeccably polished in a pastel pink, black and red Stella McCartney colour-blocked column gown with contrast velvet sleeves.
Lily Aldridge put her best foot forward in a bubble gum pink sweater and beige skirt set by Micheal Kors, styled with nude ankle strap sandals.


Bits of Blue

Maria Sharapova looked suave in a navy and lime green cuffed blouse and skirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim, accompanied by dashing white Nicholas Kirkwood pumps with hexagonal motif.
Scottish actress Sophie Kennedy Clark made an outstanding appearance in a navy blue and black block-striped strapless jumpsuit by Stella McCartney.
Jessica Alba added an element of fun to her 3.1 Phillip Lim look with a cute 'Ka-Boom' sweater, royal blue and black side paneled trousers, a chic satchel and red high heels.


Dainty Dresses

Movie producer Livia Firth dons a delicate black Simone Rocha slip dress that is decorated with a sheer white flower print overlay.
Cara Santana brought on the girly appeal in a flirty strapless BCBG Max Azria dress with tiered mini skirt and scalloped shoes.
Alyssa Miller stunned in an ice blue lace Alessandra Rich gown with sheer maxi skirt and metallic belt. White heels a clutch bag complete her look.
Alexa Chung does simple elegance with ease, pictured in a metallic silver blue Carven crease-effect dress with perspex Chanel perfume bottle bag.


Rosily

Ashley Madekwe shows off her incredible street style in a plum sheath dress, teamed with a mink pink biker jacket and indigo blue D'Orsay pumps.
Laura Bailey opted for a ladylike look in this pastel pink checked and floral print frock by Roksanda Ilincic, worn with chunky brown wooden platforms. 
Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggart looked engaging in a pale pink asymmetrical dress by Camilla & Marc. A nude clutch and heels complete her outfit.
Diane Kruger enchants in a stunning tulle illusion Valentino gown, bedecked with ornate rose pink embroidery and see-through pockets.


Edgy Elegance

Laura Whitmore has me obsessed with her black & white mixed print ensemble, featuring an animal print shirt with contrast pockets, graphic patterned pants & black accessories.
Nicole Richie does edgy coolness in a crystal studded velvet cropped top and pants by Antonio Berardi, worn with black tri-strap Vivienne Westwood shoes.
Jamie Chung turned heads in this voguish look by BCBG, which boasts a sexy leather bustier, suede pencil skirt and a studded, embroidery-laden biker jacket.
Harley Viera-Newton strikes a stylish pose wearing a Michael Kors black satin corset and lace skirt with nude underlay, a matching jacket slung over her shoulders.


An Evening Affair

Columbian beauty Catalina Sandino Moreno steals the spotlight in this vivid green plunge-neck silk gown with long sleeves and pocketed skirt by Emilio Pucci.
Scarlett Johnsson defines elegance in this beautiful classic black off-the-shoulder gown by Versace, highlighted by dazzling Bvlgari jewels.
Spanish actress Paula Echevarria is radiant in a hot pink Andrew Gn modest maxi gown with cuffed bishop sleeves and a beaded neckline.
Naomi Watts is contoured in an enticing white Versace dress with cross asymmetrical straps, a key-hole cut-out and thigh-high split.
Dakota Fanning stunned in a midnight blue embellished Elie Saab gown with low V-neck & full skirt. I wish she would try out different hairstyles every now and then, more now than then.

Who is your favourite 'Look of the Week'?