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Posts tagged ‘trends’

Jan 15

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New season preview: key looks for spring, part III

Fashionbite continues its new season preview, showcasing key designer looks for spring, as seen in Vogue, and highlighting where to get your hands on designer looks at high street prices….

RALPH LAUREN

The all-American fashion pioneer triumphs with Dust Bowl denim.

Denim, denim and more denim strongly resonated from the catwalks of Ralph Lauren, with sequined nightdresses and low-waisted flapper style dresses for eveningwear.

Top-to-toe denim, a key look from the ’90s- see Fashionbite’s Cool Britannia: the ’90′s revival-can be quite full-on, so why not tone it down for the teenies?

Invest in a fabulous pair of jeans that will stay looking gorgeous throughout the season, Republic has a great range on offer and team with a loose fitting white shirt (white-also a strong trend for spring, see Fashionbite’s Spring Preview, part II) and a denim waistcoast with frayed edges- as seen at Louis Vuitton-see Spring Preview, part I.

MOSCHINO

Rossella Jardini keeps the picture sweet with a cherry-print bustier dress.

A faded sunflower print also appeared on silk minis and puffball dresses.

The black mini featured heavily in the collection, in various forms and guises such as a miniskirt suit fringed with strings of pearls. Designers went short for spring and the black mini is probably one of the most high street-friendly trends out there.

Why not combine two trends and opt for a black mini leather skirt? See Fashionbite’s Harvey Nichols-trend report. I popped into Zara the other day and saw a gorgeous one on sale, also take a look at Asos which has a huge range on offer.

VERSACE

Inspired by Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ Donatella spins her own fantasy via a cacophony of prints.

Short, bold and tight is the name of the game at Versace, with a patchwork effect of prints. You generally need the body of a glamazonian to pull off it off.

For a more demure shape to suit all body types, Topshop has a fabulous range of printed pieces.

Alternatively, for patchwork print dresses, search Shopstyle.

MAXMARA

The trench is stretched to long, Annie Hall proportions with sloping shoulder lines and soft lapels.

The City might have had a turbulent time recently, but that’s no reason for its fashion to falter, and Maxmara’s collection embodied the City-woman (with a dash of military) to a tee. Khaki and olive tailoring, suede trousers and pencil skirts scream grown-up City-chic.

To copy the look, BHS has a safari-style tailored dress, see fashionbite’s post BHS rocks accessories for spring.

To get your hands on a traditional trench, John Lewis has a great range on offer-but for a more daring fashion statement, Jaeger has a stunning mustard yellow trench for spring- see fashionbite’s Jaeger launches new line for spring.

MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF

Ed Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff perceive the new pretty in flyaway, fine pleats and a shot of pink glitter.

Meadham Kirchhoff rocked the pretty-edge look for spring, from skinny trousers slit at the knee to translucent dresses with ruffled hems. Boxy glitter tunics were worn with narrow trousers.

To get the look, Miss Selfridge has an affordable take on ‘pretty’ for spring.

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

Nov 19

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Matalan ss10 trend report

Matalan’s offer just gets better and better and ss10 does not disappoint! This gorgeous grey waterfall jacket (below) looks fantastic, the fabric feels amazing and it only costs £28.
Studding and embellishment on shoes, handbags and leather..a strong trend for autumn has continued into spring/summer.

Saw some gorgeous Miu Miu studded leather handbags at Liberty the other day…Matalan’s versions are a bit more affordable!
Underwear as outerwear, a key trend for ss10, was also shown off at Matalan. Love this floral print top. Along with bright florals and exotic, flower prints in abundance..looks great with a tan! Nautical stripes continue to be a strong trend for summer, love this striped jumper dress -only costs £14!
Matalan’s price points are fantastic for the quality of the product. You can buy all items online from early next year at www.matalan.co.uk.

I also hopped into bed with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen…all in the name of research of course!
We chatted about Laurence’s latest home/bed range for Matalan, which is bigger than ever before, and his upcoming new TV series. Laurence says: “The range is inspired by opera -it’s both opulent and theatrical. I’m really proud of it, I’ve turned up the volume on colour and it’s bigger than ever.”

The range does look fantastic and the new furniture items, such as a gorgeous glass-topped table, look like expensive vintage. Laurence says: “I’ll be moving more and more into furniture, the feedback has been really positive.”

Laurence is also launching a new TV series in January called House Gift on ITV. It will be on every weekday at around 4pm. He will be pitted against two experts each day to find the perfect house gift for various different households, using a budget of £200, £500 or £1000. Laurence says: “We have to find one thing which sums up people’s tastes. I’ve had fun with it, but the experts take it very seriously. It will be high end, Come Dine With Me style.”

fashionbite xx

Nov 6

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Harvey Nichols ss10-Trend Report

Henry holland Harvey Nichols ss10 press day was a chance to view key trends for next season, but also meet some of the designers behind the brands. Jade Jagger, with her Jezebel range, and designer Henry Holland (left) were milling around when I was there, and others, such as Louise Goldin, had popped in earlier. Key trends included striking prints, which were strong in a number of collections, ranging from Aztec at Proenza Schouler to Asian at Dries Van Noten- along with mismatching floral prints, plaid and patchwork at Marc Jacobs and Rodarte. Designers, such as Alexander Wang, DKNY and Stella McCartney, gave silouettes, prints and colours a sporty edge with an urban feel.

A big return to femininity for spring 10, with the use of frills, ruffles, pleats, flounces and lace from the likes of Christopher Kane, Zac Posen and Alberta Ferretti. Designers are moving away from bright colours in favour of a more demure palette of whites, pastels and nudes. Leather, a key trend for autumn, also looks set to continue. I saw lots around, from a fab dress by Elise Overland to a gorgeous black leather biker jacket by Belstaff (below). A trend which also translates well on to the high street.
Elise Overland Belstaff Kate Moss caused a stir last month in Paris when she stepped out in a stunning leather number (below)… kate moss leather

If your budget allows..you can buy all collections online at www.shop.harveynichols.com from early next year.

fashionbite xx