Julien Macdonald at London Fashion Week

Most designers were pretty good at following the standard procedure of a fashion show at London Fashion Week. Show your SS15 collection…simple, right? Maybe Julien Macdonald didn’t get the memo. Or maybe he did. Who knows? Either way, he didn’t only just show off his new collection. He also revealed a £4 million diamond encrusted wedding dress. How casual.

His signature style of glamorously embellished dresses were ever-present, as were skin-tight dresses that, in his own words, “really hold and accentuate the body”. They were decorated in tattoo-esque designs in beautiful shades of blue, purple and maroon. The asymmetric design of the last dress below is a really nice and original touch, I thought.

Other dresses were slightly more frill and floaty, in summer shades of pastel pinks and yellows, with lace and floral appliqué designs. It was a stunning catwalk show, with the right amount of glitz and glam, as well as the fresh feel for SS15.

I really loved the cobalt blue tribal dress and the maroon and silver skin-tight dress. The block colour mixed with the chiffon neckline is really eye-catching and the perfect outfit for some sort of event or dinner in SS15. I’m saving up now…

For some designers, the less is more approach is key; for Julien Macdonald, you can never get enough mosaics, feathers, crystals, print and pattern. And we would never want him to change.

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Keep updated on all things #fashionweek on http://www.mymode101.wordpress.com xx

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DISCLAIMER: No photos are credited to me whatsoever. Words only.

Oscar de la Renta at New York Fashion Week

This show just transformed its audience into a completely different world. A world of fresh floral prints and pretty pink pastel colours. Oscar de la Renta never fails to put on a beautifully elegant show. The designer did not shy away from making the theme of his show fit the season he was presenting, as the catwalk was lavishly decorated and lined with prim and pretty flowers. The vibe was definitely SS15 and a sophisticated youth depicted the entire collection.

 

Pink, blue and black gingham check graced the runway in kimono, shirt, skirt and dress forms, all paired with a white counterpart, emphasising this nod to a fresh collection, combining innocence with style. Lace was a prominent fabric in the designer’s pieces as well, with it being used to complement the gingham in the first set of looks.

 

 Aside from the delicate and girly lace and crochet designs, there were slightly more risqué parts of the collections, such as sheer and chiffon fabrics. This dramatically extravagant gown was just stunning, as was the monochrome maxi dress’ quirky laser-cut-out fishtail. The end of the show presented bandeau and bardot shoulders in garden colours: the baby pink, yellow and lime green were the perfect display of youthful elegance. Although this colour wheel was a breath of fresh air and the only way to enter into Spring, my favourite has to be the fishtail dress. It is so charming and chic, with the classic monochrome being updated by its sexy neckline and unusual train. Who said black couldn’t be worn to a wedding? I would buy that dress and hang it in my wardrobe until someone told me they had popped the question.

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Keep updated on all things #fashionweek on http://www.mymode101.wordpress.com xx

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DISCLAIMER: No photos are credited to me whatsoever. Words only.

Style Steal

Cara Delevingne: model of the moment, envy of every girl.

Theresa May: better known for her aptitude in politics than her fashion sense.

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But apparently the supermodel and the Home Secretary have more in common than we all thought…

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Both ladies went crazy with the colour wheel, accompanied by some statement knee-high boots. That pattern is definitely not Theresa’s usually conservative look! Stealing style tips, ladies?

Both these girls know that simplicity goes a long way and that you can never go that far wrong with a bandeau. Cara opts for a mini and grunges her outfit up with chunky boots, whereas TM stays classic chic. 

This one is my favourite. An explosion of a graphic peacock print works well for both Cara and Theresa and they both know what suits them: Cara goes all-out boho style whilst Theresa balances her busy pattern with a simple shift. 

Who said a suit had to be boring? Experiment with your shade scale and you’ll realise that grey can loosely translate as silver. Cara, sparkling on a night out and Theresa, adding some shine to another day at work.

Best in black: from pretty prints to politics, black always has your back. Theresa slips in style points for adding a patterned bag which doesn’t quite qualify as adding a splash of colour to her outfit.

Coordinating coats again with these blue and silver floral prints. Cara opts for a more risque look for the catwalk; understandably, Theresa does not, walking the streets of London.

Another favourite: Theresa trumps Cara, wearing a vintage/retro tartan suit which was the 21-year-old’s birthday togs. 

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When Celebs Choose High Street

When an A-lister opts to be styled in a high street brand, it really makes you smile as you inwardly relish in the fact that sometimes you do shop with the stars.

Thank you, Taylor Swift.

For the press conference of her new flick, The Giver, the country singer opted for this adorable floral co-ord set…from H&M. Yes, you heard right. 

Not to neglect her celebrity advantages, Tay accessorised with metallic pink Ellie Saab courts and a dusty pink Prada bag. But if, like me, it is still the purple flowers and sheer horizontal stripes that have caught your eye, you’ll be glad to know that purchasing the duo won’t make you poor until your next paycheck: get down to your nearest H&M store now!

Festival Blues

One of my favourite things about festivals is the array of cool and funky outfits you see people wearing. I went to the Pasifika festival in Auckland last weekend and it felt so good to be back in the chilled boho-hippie atmosphere. I’ll be sad to miss the festivals in the UK whilst I’m away, but for now, I’ll leave you with my must-haves for festival attire!

A floral dress

Ditsy florals are too cute at a festival and bring an instant summer vibe.

A denim jacket/shirt

Denim is the perfect way to cover up when chilly but still look stylish. A must-have wardrobe essential.

Military boots/Docs

If you’re lucky enough to be getting sun and no rain at your festival, shy away from wellies and rock a pair of biker boots just as Pixie has here!

A bright parka

Unfortunately, the above situation is not a common one (particularly at a UK festival!) so you’re well advised to invest in a raincoat. My advice: the brighter and funkier the better! The above isn’t cheap (Ted Baker-£169) but quality quality quality.

Feathers or flowers

Update your hairstyle with a flower garland, a scarf/bandana or a feather hairpiece. Boho at its best.

Dungarees or denim shorts

Take one or two pairs and various vest tops and t-shirts and you’re good to go. It doesn’t matter if these get covered in mud, unlike something nicer such as a patterned playsuit.

Trilby

Still my favourite. I managed to find this floppy hat at the festival. What a freebie. Not easy to hold onto though-everyone will want your hat. The epitome of boho chic though.

Anything with a fringe

Literally anything. I have this cream crochet waistcoat with fringe detail but another good way of adding this style to your outfit is the fringe detail on your satchel. It’s very common on vest tops now too.

A rucksack

You never know when the weather will change, festivals charge a ridiculous amount for food and water: basically a rucksack is essential. I’m in love with this daisy-print one from Accessorize-£35.

Fancy Dress

Love it or hate it, it will happen. Embrace it.

THE SS’14 collection you need to look out for

Love it or hate it, you most definitely cannot deny that Primark encompass all the right trends at all the right prices. Say goodbye to having to forlornly pick only a few options for when the sun comes out and get used to the idea of being able to buy more…for less!!

That’s right. You heard it here; sneak peeks and first picks of Primark’s gorgeous go-to new collection.

Here are a few of my favourites but keep your eyes out for the full collection! Hit the London stores and brave the madness of Oxford Street as the newest pieces will head to the flagship first!

I’m really into ‘Baroque’ print and so am in awe of these lovelies. £12

Daisies, peter pan collar; could this dress be any cuter?! £13

I would have personally preferred these in all-over floral, but nonetheless, they are still really cool! £11

Pink jackets were hot for AW’13 and have been carried over to the new season as they’re just so pretty and summery! £25

Love dungarees-and with a slouchy jumper, it’s another pair of jeans! £12

Look at this bag, look at the price and it’s an inevitable buy. £8

These cream laser-cut t-bars are too adorable and I really love the geeky footwear going on at the moment! £12

Who needs the Cambridge Satchel Company or a Mulberry ‘Alexa’? Me. But shh. £6

This. Denim shorts. Done. £6

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are behind us; but parties are not! £15

Search it for yourselves!

Make way for printed pants!

Sorry for my American phrasing there. For anyone unfamiliar with American ways, I am not about to introduce you to a world of quirky and cool patterned underwear (although…that does sound interesting…food for thought for a future post). Instead, I am going to select the most fun-patterned and printed trousers there are on the high street right now. It has always been about tops with kooky motifs or the shoes that add a ‘pop’ to an outfit. Now, it’s time for the trousers to shine.

Now it’s winter, everyone tends to cover their legs in black tights or black leggings or black jeans. Here are some of my favourite trousers out there right now, in prints so awesome, you’ll be dying to ditch the black!

First up…

I have these so I’m slightly biased but they are hands-down, THE most comfy harem trousers I’ve ever worn. Aztec print is one of my favourite patterns and if you check out one of my early ‘Outfit of the Day’ posts below, you can see they look great with both flats and metallic sandals! £12 is an absolute steal so snap them up quick!

H&M have also nailed the printed trouser trend and have two particularly cool designs at even better prices! Grab these teal ones for only £7.99-that’s under £8 for comfort, style and a really, really pretty colour!

I also really love these zebra ones. Normally, I’m sceptical of animal print and only buy animal-print coats or dresses but these are epic. Only £14.99.

Missguided have a good range of printed trousers, there’s so much to choose from. I’ve picked the ones I personally liked best; the floral trousers. I think they add a summer feel to winter, which is always nice. The coral and the green versions have been reduced to £14.69; the blue pair is still full price but it’s not too pricey at £20.99.

Finally, River Island’s are slightly pricier than the pairs of trousers above, but they are a) seriously cool and b) on trend so I thought I’d include them for those who enjoy a bit of a splurge. The oriental printed pair gives autumn a eastern twist and the bold prints will definitely ensure you stand out from the crowd. They are £38 but they are sure to last you all year round.

They also have a tartan pair of trousers, which is really the print of the season. Make sure you’re seen in style in these and £35 for a pair of tailored trousers really isn’t that bad.

HAPPY SHOPPING 🙂