NY Fashion Week Fall 2012: Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is on a roll, she’s just running, guns blazing, stamping her image on the fashion world and simply not letting up.

To coincide with Fall fashion week, she launched a new bag named after baby Harper. Different from the typical VB bag but a beautiful addition to the pack, she’s becoming pretty unpredictable and that’s a good thing.

With the Fall 2012 collection, she takes me right back to the place where I first fell in love with the line. It screams sleek sophistication, elegance, feminine allure and has got so much gravitas, simply head turning, simply stunning. Military accents that seem to be trending already are present in the collection as well.

The surprise element has to be those tough looking boots, very edgy and a complete contrast from the heels we’ve come to expect. Interestingly, the look works perfectly well, if there’s anyone who can make boots look feminine and sophisticated, it’s Victoria Beckham. These here are my best looks from the collection.

Photo credits: elle.com

Victoria Beckham Spring 2012 Bags

This lady is certainly not laughing, she’s ain’t kidding. Watch your back Louis Vuitton, VB is coming.

The first Victoria Beckham bag collection was moderate and just enough to complement the clothes. Enter Spring 2012 and it’s obvious she has plans to build a bag empire.

The Spring 2012 collection features such a wide variety of bags, ranging from ipad and blackberry cases to clutch bags, shoulder bags, convertible bags and travel cases. There were chain strap bags, duffel bags, totes and a departure from the regular structured bags to slouchy bags. They came in a variety of colours – lemon, turquoise, peach and the signature “Victoria” bag was made in python and alligator textures.

I mean,  this lady could give LV a run for their money, how do we know she’s not dropping a travel luggage range in the mix next season. Either way she goes, Viva Victoria Beckham!

And by the way, if you’re drooling, start saving, prices range from £900 for the shoulder bags up to £8,000+ for the ‘Victoria’ crocodile bag. They sell out fast too, so save up fast ;)

Photo credits: styledotcom

Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Month is upon us

And I will not be starting this blogpost by commenting on the elephant in the room, i.e. where have you been? It’s sadly getting cliche. I’m thinking about making some changes, still thinking, might involve a new blog but hey i’ll keep you posted.

To the subject at hand. There’s no better inspiration for daily blogging than the unveiling of a new fashion season. Spring/Summer is the season to look out for because it dictates the trends we will be seeing and most probably wearing for the most part of the coming year. If you ask me, A/W tails behind and retains some trends from the S/S season.

Spring/Summer is also the most relevant season for all we tropics dwellers. We get to see what trends are making the come back, if it’s going to be another colour bomb season, there’s been talk about whites, muted turquoises, wisteria wave purples, neutrals. Will the 70s influence stay or go, what will be hitting the shops for the new season, how creative is it going to be, will any interesting trend make a come back, like polka dots or animal print from the last two seasons? Or perhaps my favourite 50s era will make a comeback? Unlikely but can’t help but wish. It’s exciting stuff I tell you.

Having said all of that, there’s been a lot of talk about what designers to watch out for, both old and new, I’ve read with keen interest. The thing is though, I have the designers I always look forward to with bated breath. Seeing another collection from these creative geniuses is pure bliss and a delight.

I’m talking about my top 5 designers to look forward to and why, with a peep at my favourites from their Fall 2011 collections.

1. Oscar de la Renta

I did a blogpost on Oscar de la Renta recently. This is one designer who makes the girly girl in me tingle with excitement. The dresses, the flawless tailoring, a very less is more elegant and soignée take on the season’s trends. His fall 2011 collection featured shift dresses, damask, jewel tones, lots of beauty.

2. Lanvin

I really like Alber Elbaz, the creative director of Lanvin. He combines a passionate artistic side with an understanding of the feminine silhouette and what’s practical. On top of that,  he fully has a mind of his own, I sort of see him as an artist artist in the fashion industry. Alber Elbaz it was who decided last minute during the Spring 2011 shows, to put his models in flats because they were not comfortable in vertiginous heels during the dress rehearsals. Never mind that the flats were paired with flowing long dresses. Lol. Fall 2011 was some draping, flowy fabrics and quirky pretty accessories.

3. Jason Wu

He has come a mighty long way since Michelle Obama’s famous inauguration ball gown. He now has a shoe, bag and accessories line. I can’t help but look forward to see where he’s headed next in his design aesthetic. You can’t ignore Jason Wu’s sharp tailoring, detail and precision.

4. Victoria Beckham

Since her foray into fashion, it has been a minimalist, sleek chic aesthetic. Very polished, a mirror reflection of her own style. No one wears a Victoria Beckham dress better than the lady herself. The styles are practical, pretty and very wearable, straight off the runway. I fell hook, line and sinker for  the clean lines, form flattering fit and the generous use of block colours with just a touch of patterns and prints here and there.

I’ve loved seeing the label evolve, slowly and steadily. Fall 2011 was quite different, in a really beautiful way. It looked like she opened up and was more experimental, with  great results to show.

5. Elie Saab

Elie Saab is unrivalled in the expertise of draping the most exquisite fabrics delicately and stunningly on a woman’s frame. It really doesn’t matter what season it is, you’ll find red carpet ready dresses in the Elie Saab collection.  The tailoring is exceptional, generously draped fabrics dripping with glittering jewels, totally exquisite. For Fall 2011, he added in quite a bit of simplicity, with knee length, softly draped dresses and shifts in block colours.

I look forward to Elie Saab with eager anticipation every season.

There are quite a few others who I look forward to as well, Haider Ackermann for the most amazing deconstructed pieces and lush draping, Gucci for luxe style and opulence, Diane von Furstenberg for girly and fun style.

Will report as much as I can on my favourite collections.

Have a blast this week. xx

Style Resolutions for 2011

WOW! It’s been such a long blogging break for me. Not good!

Quite a few things have happened since I’ve been away. We crossed into a New Year for instance. So, better late than never. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The fashion wheels never stopped turning, regardless of the holidays. There’s been all the buzz about rock bottom sales and the excitement about Spring 2011 fashion is getting more intense every day. I can’t wait to blog about my favourite Ad Campaigns.

In the spirit of catching up, I’m thinking about New Year resolutions. Every year, I have Style resolutions and this year is no exception.

I’m sharing mine for this year, you can adopt them, just in case somehow you haven’t got any. Some are reminders, some are new challenges. Here goes:

1. This year, know your body shape and stick with the right clothes for you.  Now, let’s face it, the body con is just not for everybody. What matters in the end is how you look in what you’re wearing, not the elements of the outfit. Knowing your body shape helps you know how to play with proportions and balance out your look. And there are so many options for what to wear, it obliterates any excuse to wear the wrong thing.

There are quite a few guides online for knowing your body shape and what to wear. You can look up http://www.bodyshapefashionadvice.com/questions.php

2. Wear clothes that fit. A close follow up to understanding and dressing for your body shape is wearing clothes that fit you. Tight clothes revealing unflattering lumps and bumps should be banished this year.

A style savvy lady knows that clothes should skim, not squash her body; all detailing should lie flat and not be scrunched between body parts. There was so much talk about Spanx and body shapers last year, they’re a wise investment, they do help to smooth out the shape under clothes and they were not made for the plus sized only.

Victoria Beckham is one style icon who makes no mistakes with fit

3. Be more adventurous with style: This year, more than ever, fashion needs to be about fun. Experiment with something you’ve never worn before, a new cut, new color or fit. Try out a kimono, high waist pants or a bright yellow dress. Spring 2011 is full of colour, that’s a good opportunity to do something fresh and new. What’s the fun in wearing the same old stuff year in, year out. It becomes a drag.

SJP is the eclectic dresser, pretty obvious she's having fun with her clothes

4. Accessorize Accessorize Accessorize. This is almost cliché but definitely worth repeating. It’s amazing what one layered necklace can do to a basic tee. Accessories can transform in ways beyond the imagination, they are a work of art in themselves.

I love Accessorize Ads, they tell you things you never knew about accessories

Pile on the pearls on an LBD for instance

5. Keep it appropriate. There’s a new obsession with nudity in fashion, it literally went crazy late last year, what with the Vogue Paris calendar!  I thought fashion was about the wearing of clothes???? Well, we are not going down that road! Not with the tons of things there are to wear.

Carey Mulligan was Harper’s Bazaar’s best dressed woman of 2010 and no one dresses more appropriate than this young British actress. We all can borrow a leaf this year.

Carey Mulligan is your classic ladylike chic, evoking class and elegance

6. Have the courage to express yourself fashion-wise.  Once again, fashion is about getting dressed but it’s also about having fun. It becomes bland when everyone plays safe and no one dares to wear that turquoise silk blouse with the pink tulle skirt or the huge head-dress. Daring to express your individuality with what you wear is so liberating. There’s no case for blending with the crowd, that just stunts your inner Picasso.

Anna Dello Russo, call her crazy but she's one of the few bold enough to pull off some looks

With Daphne Guinness, fashion is some form of art everyday

7. Work your wardrobe. Who says you need to have a separate work wardrobe, day wardrobe and party wardrobe. The fun is in the mix and match. The same top or dress can go across the work, day out, night out spectrum. It all depends on how you work it. Given how much is spent on these items, they need to work as hard as possible.

I have an example here of what you could do with one lovely top.

 

These here are the seven gems of wisdom I will be seeking to live by Style-wise in 2011. Really looking forward to it being an exciting year for fashion. Have a truly wonderful, fulfilling and expressive year!

Pictures via Daily telegraph, Fashion Gone Rogue, Vogue

Victoria Beckham Bag sells out in minutes

I’m the biggest fan of Victoria Beckham, style wise and fashion label wise. She recently launched the beautiful bag collection and two of the designs hit Net-a-porter today.

Apparently, this one here sold out in minutes.

Victoria Beckham Leather and nubuck shoulder bag £1700

 

Why am I not surprised? Viva VB!

The Sleek Victoria Beckham Bag Collection

When Victoria Beckham launches a bag line, what will you expect to see? Structure, minimalism, solid colours, functionality. Yeah, quite reflective of her clothing line.

She’s created this classic collection in collaboration with stellar accessories designer Katie Hillier. Each bag is supposed to represent 24 hours in the day of Victoria Beckham, so there’s the large travel bag and the Victoria bag for everyday.

And as with all things VB, I am smitten.

Pictures via Style.com

Oprah Winfrey in Victoria Beckham + a VB retrospective

I’m a confirmed lover of Victoria Beckham’s line, she won my heart since the A/W 10 collection. Now it’s no news that the line made headlines again (pardon the pun) a few days ago. Talkshow queen, Oprah Winfrey wore one of the dresses from Fall 2010 to receive an award in California.

Must be exciting times for Mrs Beckham, her dream of dressing curvy ladies is becoming reality, and who better to make this happen than Oprah. She looked amazing in the dress, even better than the model wearing it on the catwalk. These dresses sure flatter the curvy.

So i decided to do a retrospective of the lovely ladies who have worn Victoria Beckham dresses in the recent past. She definitely has got herself a sizeable following, from actresses to models. The structured, flattering fit and polished look of the dresses make them perfect for all super glam seekers. I especially loved Danii Minogue’s recent appearance in VB on the X-factor.

But nobody wears the styles better than the designer herself; she rocks her dresses to absolute perfection. I’ll almost say she doesn’t need to spend millions on Ad campaigns, she’s doing a brilliant job advertising the line and getting tons of free publicity for it.

Pictures via Showbiz and Instyle

It’s fashion week…err…duh!

What better time to hit the famed blogosphere than in the middle of fashion week! New York Fashion Week wrapping up, London Fashion Week raring to go. Tons of great fashion to talk about! Thanks to my up to the minute friends at http://www.style.com, i get to see every single piece from every single collection right on my computer. Who cares about Lincoln Centre???

So, who am i talking about first? Well, it’s this woman who i didn’t care much about previously (don’t ask me why) but fell in love with from her A/W 2010 collection. It’s none other than the Posh Spice and famous WAG, Victoria Beckham. Absolutely love the collection, very feminine, great cut, a celebration of the feminine silhouette and quite a reflection of her style. Most importantly, it’s absolutely wearable, I want every single dress in there. And what gets me is that she’s taking it all so seriously, her show was small, intimate and had only fashion editors, retailers and stylists. So this is no whim, Victoria Beckham is a fashion force to reckon with. Some of my favs from the collection…and it was hard to choose!