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Posts tagged ‘designer’

Mar 4

Whistles to debut new Roksanda Ilincic collection online today

Whistles is launching a preview video of its latest collaboration with designer Roksanda Ilincic today at 4pm.

This is the second Roksanda Ilincic dress collection for Whistles and follows a fabulous catwalk show at London Fashion Week this season featuring Roksanda’s mainline range, see fashionbite’s post Sonia Rykiel for H&M:why we love designer tie-ups.

The collection of ten dresses take their names from poisonous British wild flowers and combine tailored cotton alongside diaphanous silks.

Half the dresses are structured, presented in a palette of midnight blue and nude. Complementing the structured pieces are five dresses in soft silks in a range of summer colours from sour apple to buttery yellow.

Whistles chief executive Jane Shepherdson said: “‘This second collection that Roksanda has designed for us is even more exquisite than the first. She has created a fairy tale range of just 10 dresses that are instantly recognisable as hers, and showcase her signature combination of elegance and edginess perfectly.”

Roksanda said: “The collection was inspired with the feelings that summer brings in all of us: fun, happiness and lightness! I wanted to project all those feelings into the clothes. The collection continues in the same spirit as last season’s, which is to appeal to women of all ages.”

The Roksanda Ilincic for Whistles spring summer ’10 film will debut today at 4pm on Whistles’ website and run until midnight tonight, giving customers an exclusive first glimpse of the collection before it goes on sale at the end of March.

You’ll also be able to reserve your favourite pieces in advance via a pop up window…can’t wait!

After midnight, the footage will be removed and no longer be visible until the official launch at Whistles St Christophers Place store on March 25.

fashionbite xx

Feb 12

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Net-a-Porter launches new wedding boutique


Fashionbite popped to the launch of Net-a-Porter’s new wedding boutique at Claridges last night.

The new area, which launches on February 16th, is a one-stop shop for the alternative-style wedding. The boutique has been split into four sections; Country Wedding, City Hall Wedding, Cocktail Wedding and Beach Wedding.

The Country Wedding caters for the more traditional bride, exchanging her vows on a beautiful country estate surrounded by family, friends, flowers and a towering cake. She spends her big day dressed in a stunning full-length Alice temperley gown, Lanvin ’20′s-style draped muslin gown veil and Judith Leiber diamante clutch.

The City Hall wedding speaks to the urban fashionista, an intimate civil ceremony followed by a fabulous cocktail party (very SATC!). A short, chic, tailored Donna Karan skirt suit, towering ivory Alexander McQueen peep-toes and a string of Stella McCartney pearls complete the look.

The Cocktail wedding has an edgy, modern twist. A super-cool warehouse party complete with DJ and non-stop dancing. Dress to impress with Valentino’s sculptural ruffle-front mini dress, teamed with Giuseppe Zanotti’s crystal-sprayed sandals.

The Beach wedding is for the destination bride, spent relaxed on a warm, secluded Caribbean beach or a rustic Mediterranean hideaway. Shapes are fluid, accessories are nature-inspired and shoes are flat..or barefoot. A long, flowing Grecian-style 3.1 Phillip Lim dress, made beach perfect with Paloma Raffia wedges.

However, it doesn’t stop there- the Wedding Boutique also caters for mother of the bride, wedding guests and honeymoons, with a full range of accessories and shoes. The packaging is also unique to the Wedding Boutique, with parcels delivered in fabulous white boxes wrapped beautifully with Net-a-porter ribbon. Pricepoints range from £300 to £12,000.

Net-a-porter buying director Holli Rogers said: “Our bridal boutique caters to traditional tastes but also offers an amazing selection of non-classic gowns. It’s the perfect choice for the more spontaneous among us who don’t have time for custom-made and who simply want a fabulous look.”

The dresses are absolutely stunning…worth getting married for!

Holli also suggested that brides-to-be and friends can have a champagne get to together one evening, where they can try on outfits in the comfort of their home.

Sounds perfect…!!

fashionbite xx

Feb 10

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Sonia Rykiel for H&M launches next week

Very, very excited!! French designer Sonia Rykiel’s second collection for H&M is due to hit stores next Saturday (February 20), brilliantly timed in the midst of London Fashion Week fever.

The designer, famed for her fabulous knitwear, colourful stripes and Parisian-inspired style, has produced a stunning collection which is sure not to disappoint.

Knitted dresses, sweaters and skirts in black, fuscia, pale pink and sunshine yellow will nestle beside gorgeous embellished, dresses, berrets and rhinestone tops- but I doubt for long! I’m already lusting after far too much…

Price points are fantastic, ranging from £7.99 for tights to £34.99 for a striped, knitted sweater dress and £49.99 for a rhinestone embellished dress.

Natalie Rykiel, daughter of Sonia and president/artistic director of the fashion house, said: “The essence of Sonia Rykiel is the Parisian woman of Saint Germain des Pres, the Left Bank or Rive Gauche.

“The idea of the collection is to offer the essence of Sonia Rykiel. This [H&M] line is absolutely true to our philosophy, which is about quality and know-how, and not about money. H&M gave me complete freedom with creation and quality. We used pure wool and pure cotton. It’s the DNA of Rykiel.”

A colour injection is just what every wardrobe needs to freshen it up for spring- so head down to H&M next Saturday to get your hands on a stunning piece of Rykiel.. without the heavy price tags.

For your nearest stockist, vist H&M’s website.

fashionbite xx

Feb 7

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Brand Alley launches flash Valentine’s Day Sale

Brand Alley, the branded discount site, has launched a fab 3-day Valentine’s Day Sale today, so get your skates to find that perfect present.

Whether it’s for a boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend, Brand Alley has a huge range of designer goods, with discounts of up to 70%. This oversized Gucci bag (left) is a steal at £420, down from £1445 RRP.

The Valentine’s Boutique is open for just 3 days, the Sale closes February 10th and all orders are guaranteed to reach you in time for the 14th. To take part in any of Brand Alley’s Sales, simply sign-up on the homepage.

fashionbite xx

Jan 18

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New season preview: key looks for spring, part IV

Fashionbite brings you New Season Preview, part IV- the final installment of spring ’10 trends, as seen in Vogue.

Showcasing key designer trends for spring, Fashionbite highlights how to get catwalk-inspired looks at high street prices…

LANVIN

According to Alber Elbaz, cocktail dresses are best worn loaded with bows, belts and a beautiful clutter of trinkets.

Bring on the bling at Lanvin- and spring 2010 was no exception. Embellishment, exaggerated necklines and dramatic silouettes defined this theatrical collection.

For statement occassionwear, shop Coast for that one-off party piece.

For a more subtle look, keep your dress simple but your handbag dramatic- Debenhams has a fab range to choose from with oversized bows and ruffled embellishment.

GIORGIO ARMANI

A taffeta party top and skirt in lipgloss pink jump for joy, says Vogue.

Giorgio Armani explains “Everything is short and ends above the knee- even the evening dresses- while the colours express lightness and joie de vivre. An eccentric purity.”

Colourful and fun, Armani caputured a youthful exuberance in his spring ’10 collection, moving away from the classic elegance he is known for.

This is perfect partywear for a hedonistic summer, to get the look check out Lipsy, the favourite of many a WAG. Asos also has a great range on offer.

PRADA

Raw couture-Miuccia Prada gives her silk, beach print shorts-suit the shock treatment with rough-cut edges.

The Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander said ‘Hems and edges were raw, unfinished. Crystal belts cinched waists. There was a sporty feel to many of the ensembles, echoed in the use of stretch fabrics.

The collection also harked back to couture of the 50s, in the use of a silk cloque in a deep bottle green for a yoked, swing coat, which was rocketed into the 21st century with unfinished edges and by adding matching evening-shorts.”

For fashion inspiration, visit georgeous label Julianne, with luxurious silk camisoles and georgettes which are perfect day to nightwear, see fashionbite’s earlier post Julianne launches website.

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Christopher Bailey twists and drapes spring’s favourites – the trench coat and easy pastel dress.

Short, draped and glamorous with a palette of nude- the collection is aimed at the young.

The famous Burberry trench came in beige and rocked the military-vibe.

Military crops up elsewhere, with the likes of Maxmara- see Fashionbite’s New Season Preview, part III.

For fabulous draping on the high street, check out All Saints.

fashionbite xx

Jan 8

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New season preview: key looks for spring, part II

Continuing the new season preview, Fashionbite is showcasing key designer looks for spring, as seen in Vogue’s February issue, and highlighting where to get your hands on designer looks at high street prices….

BALENCIAGA

Booted and hooded in urban armour at Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquiere dresses his tribe for victory.

Make-up at Balenciaga’s catwalk show was ‘warpaint,’ as described by The Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander, with flashes of neon pink, orange, yellow and blue around the models eyes. Boots were mid-calf, with fierce metallic heels and open toes.

For a high street take on uban/tribal-chic, Urban Outfitters has a strong offer, to search for open toe boots, check out Shop Style.

DIOR

John Galliano plunges into the lingerie drawer to bring us frills, lace, point d’esprit and corsetry, said Vogue.

Underwear as outerwear, as seen at Dolce and Gabbana- see Fashionbite’s earlier post- is strong for spring, but you can adapt the style with lace/frill detailing on tops and skirts.

Warehouse has a fab range of lace-inspired pieces.

Alternatively, Topshop has a huge array of lace/frill detailing on tops, adding a touch of glamour to any outfit.

CALVIN KLEIN

Pairing a shrunken racerback dress and a oversized, textural blazer gives a fresh stance on brilliant white at Calvin Klein.

Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa said “My inspiration came from Ferne Jacobs, an American artist who is best known for her sculptures created using an ancient basket-weaving technique.”

Unstructured, pared down and white. Soft, organic shapes and contrasting texture. You have to have a sylph-like frame to pull this one off..but for high street inspiration, take a look at Zara (although you can’t buy online yet) and Whistles- which embodies pared down minimal to a tee.

ALBERTA FERRETTI

The mistress of the evening dress stealthily plays with sheer, floating it to the ankles in smoky layers, said Vogue.

Alberta Ferretti said “I used overlapping to get a new kind of lightness, free of structures.”

Light, unstructured, fluid and romantic sums up Ferretti’s offer for spring/summer.

To get the look visit Ghost, a label which had a re-birth earlier last year (with a little help from London Fashion Week design duo Modernist) and offers a fab range of romantique-esque pieces with light layering and fluid silouettes.

ROBERTO CAVALLI

The slipdress makes a welcome return in silk and a retro flower print at Roberto Cavalli, layer as you please.

Roberto Cavalli moved away from his overtly sexual, high-glamour style of norm, to a more romantic vision for spring/summer, inspired by the garden in his Florence home.

Floral dresses with contrast slips give an edgy high street take on the look at Asos.

New season preview part III will focus on Ralph Lauren, Moschino, Versace, Maxmara and Meadham Kirchhoff…..

fashionbite xx

Jan 6

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New season preview: key looks for spring, part I

In its February issue, Vogue has compiled the key designer looks for spring.

For inspiration updating your spring wardrobe, Fashionbite brings you the highlights (in four parts) and where to snap-up the designer looks at high street prices….

LOUIS VUITTON

Cycling shorts and field jackets, dip-dyes and frayed edges are a unique fizzy cocktail in the hands of Marc Jacobs (Louis Vuitton’s creative director). Louis Vuitton’s spring collection is inspired by new age travellers and life on the road.

For pics of Louis Vuitton’s fab spring shoes and accessories, see fashionbite’s earlier post Louis Vuitton rocks clogs. Almost every high street footwear brand has adapted the clog look for spring (so you’ve got plenty to choose from).

For Clarks take on the look, visit Fashionbite’s post Clarks-handbag lust.

Alternatively, Kurt Geiger has some georgeous clog-inspired items for the more daring of shoe lovers.

DOLCE & GABBANA

Dolce & Gabbana reprised their signature corset in a confection of tulle and lace. Corsets featured in black lace, denim, leopard print and floral.

Underwear as outerwear is a key trend for spring, for some fabulous and affordable corset alternatives- visit Corseta-UK, where you can pick one up for under £20.

CHANEL

Chanel embraced all things country for spring, with crochet mini-dresses and an abundance of flowers. Creative director Karl Lagerfield used a spectacular giant barn yard as the backdrop for his catwalk shows.

Lagerfield said: “I loved the thirties creations of Chanel. I reused that idea of pique, or printed flowers, but in a very different, contemporary way.”

Rather than going out top-to-toe crochet, you could adapt the look with crochet detailing on tops/dresses. To search the key high street brands for crochet-inspired items, visit Shopstyle.

GUCCI

The domanatrix-style leather look was strong at Gucci.

Vogue said ‘ribbed and contoured leather provides the closest fit in a scuba-style jacket and shorts,’ to accompany a model wearing the outfit.

Leather, a strong trend for autumn, has continued into spring/summer- see Fashionbite’s Harvey Nichols Trend Report for more details. To get the look, Asos has a fab range of leather skirts/dresses/jackets on offer.

MICHAEL KORS

Body-con dresses were impact-making at Michael Kors.

Kors said ‘Sleek, spare and sexy are the key elements for urban dressing now.’

For stunning pin-up credentials on a budget, Reiss and Oasis have a gorgeous range of body-con dresses.

See tomorrow’s fashionbite for Balenciaga, Dior, Calvin Klein, Alberta Ferretti and Roberto Cavalli.

fashionbite xx

Dec 4

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Websites peddling fake Uggs forced to close

Hundreds of websites selling fake Ugg boots and GHD’s are being shut down in a wide-scale crack down by police in the run-up to Christmas.

The sites were offering shoppers designer/branded goods but were providing them with either counterfeit goods or nothing at all! Experts at Scotland Yard’s e-crime unit have been monitoring the sites and today shut down 1,219 websites working under the codename Operation Papworth.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the sites offered items including Ugg boots and GHD hair straighteners, as well as jewellery from Tiffany & Co and Links of London. The spokesman said the operation was co-ordinated with a company called Nominet which registers .co.uk website addresses. For more information, check out This is Money.co.uk.

This comes in the same week that Ebay was fined £1.5 million for allowing the sale of branded goods from Louis Vuitton owner LVMH, despite the fact that they were genuine. LVMH has previously accused Ebay of brand counterfeiting.

In further online news..

Online firms are expected to post sales of £350 million on Monday, making it the busiest online shopping day of the year.

According to IMRG, which measures online sales, over 90% of shoppers plan to do their spending online this Christmas, which is phenomenal if you think about it! The report predicted that a total of £5.1 billion will be spent online in December, up 14% on last year.

Fashionbite is launching an online Christmas gift guide next week…so keep posted for all those fab present ideas, no matter what your budget!

fashionbite xx

Nov 26

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Louis Vuitton rocks clogs for spring ’10

Louis Vuitton’s footwear offer for spring/summer ’10 looks fantastic, and there was something for everyone (who has the budget!) at their press day this week with killer heels for the daring and clog-inspired kitten heels for those with a penchant for both comfort and fashion. Personally, I love the heels..I’m not sure how long I’d last in them though!

Marc Jacob’s spring/summer 2010 collection for Louis Vuitton moved far away from last season’s Parisian cocktail parties to a range inspired by new age travellers and life on the road. Oversized satchel and duffle bags in denim, apparently bleached by the sun, appeared in vivid shades of pink, green, orange and blue. Alongside sportsbag styles with fluorescent accessories.

To buy online, visit Louis Vuitton’s website early next year.

fashionbite xx

Nov 24

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Paul and Joe launches EXCLUSIVE collection for The Outnet

Paris-based designer Paul and Joe has created an exclusive collection for TheOutnet.com, Net-a-Porter’s spin-off discount site, which is due to launch December 1. The limited edition capsule collection will showcase 30 styles, ranging from £85 to £250, a fraction of the cost of its mainline range.

The Outnet, in case you haven’t come across it, is the bargain hungry fashionista’s dream site. It sells previous season stock from all the top designer brands at massive discounts! Earlier this year, I interviewed incoming director Stephanie Phair about her new role as head of The Outnet, just as it was launching. She was an impressive lady, with a CV that spanned 10 years in fashion, including a stint on US Vogue under the guise of Anna Wintour.

One of the key questions I asked was how Net-a-porter would ensure both brands were kept separate, so The Outnet could flourish in itself rather than becoming a clearance site for Net-a-Porter’s excess stock. Along with having brands which are solely stocked on The Outnet, Phair said she would look to introduce designer collaborations, exclusive to the site, which would be in keeping with their lower price points.

I’m hoping the launch of Paul and Joe for The Outnet will be one of many designer collaborations we’ll be seeing in the years to come…..so watch this space!

fashionbite xx

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