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Sunday, 23 December 2012

All Strapped In

Can you believe were warned about this over two years ago?

As seasons came and went, leather harnesses have come in black or tan, then in nude, then khaki or burgundy, and next, they are going black or white again.

From Marios Schwab through Felder Felder to the high street, Topshop and Asos, you can find it everywhere.

And BCBG Max Azria's spring/summer 2013 collection is proof enough that this micro trend is not going anywhere anytime soon, so brace yourself - or get yours.

THE CANDIDATES

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

The Edgy Basics: Leather-Sleeved Jackets

On the high street, it all started with Zara and the little safari parka in stone and black. I wasn't sold. Yet. And then, there was nothing. Later, I found this Zara smart tweed-leather one in the sales, but I couldn't bring myself to get it.

In the designer department, naturally, there was the classic Burberry trench with leather biker sleeves, and the smarter navy-black longline blazer style ones... But when it came to affordable, nothing turned into more nothing. Great. I picked a fine time to fall in love with the leather-sleeved jacket.

And then, boom! The jackets and coats with leather or pu sleeves came back in force this late summer, so it was high time to do a quick research and get the very best. New Look's mini-parka emerged as the winner, for both cut, colour and value for money.

It smoothly complements any relaxed outfit or toughens up your smart and girlie stuff - florals especially. Get the basic choice below, and check out my outfit post: a leather sleeve jacket to wear with everything.

THE CONTRAST PARKAS

New Look, £39.99

Topshop, £65

River Island, £55

Zara a/w 2011, around £85

THE COATS

River Island, £80 Topshop, £125

Zara, around £100

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Bold Florals: Make Like Mary

It was only little over a year ago that Mary Katrantzou showed the collection that - after a few seasons of great promise but relative obscurity - katapulted her to the creme de la creme of London designers. Can you believe that?

Since then, her florals and striking print-on-print visions have blossomed all over the fashion world, from designers to the high street. There can be no doubt it was her direct influence that everyone was suddenly after floral tights, smart trousers and jeans, and more print clashes than had ever been deemed possible, even in the most exuberant baroque paintings.

Topshop took Mary's approach the most literally with one of the strongest designer collaborations of the year: Mary Katrantzou for Topshop - here is a quick peek of the capsule collection, most of which sold out, literally, in seconds.

Check out my outfit post dedicated to these floral leggings, complemented with exquisite tees by Oasis.

MARY KATRANTZOU FOR TOPSHOP

silk dress: £350 jersey dress: £180

silk dress: £150 tee £50, leggings £46 blouse £80, trousers £95

Monday, 13 June 2011

Crazy For Colour Blocking

Since Earn Your Stripes, you know how I'm over the moon with the colour blocking revival, and how it's time to make a real statement. Here, I just wanted to take the opportunity to show you around the amazing high street choice, trying to guess just how much fun designers must have had while playing around with the trend.

My sub-categories are classic blocking, retro stripes, and the new block & stripe - for this latest group you get more colour clashes and more geometric variety, ending up in more op-art than ever before.

Just looking at all the shoes, dresses, tops and bags alone will get your own creative juices flowing, so go with it. No rules apply.

CLASSIC BLOCKING