Wednesday 29 July 2015

Riviera Style - Exhibition & Swimwear


Currently on at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey is the: 'RIVIERA STYLE: Resort & Swimwear Since 1900' exhibition. Celebrating over 100 years of fun swim and leisure wear, the exhibition looks at fashion stretching from the Great British Seaside to the Côte d’Azur and even California. Particularly examining the use of different fabrics and technical developments in the manufacturing of swimwear, this exhibition is a must see. It runs until September 13th, open daily between 11am and 6pm.
Now with all that talk of swim and sun, it has got me thinking of golden sands and summer vacations, so I have put together a selection of some of the best stylish swimwear available this season. I have chosen some of the hottest names in swimwear, so wearing one of these brands will give your holiday wardrobe serious kudos. I have also purposely selected varied styles of swimwear, so whichever is your preferred style there is something for you here. Whether you like prints, cut-outs or halter necks don't be afraid to mix up your beach style, after all holidays are all about having fun!

1. Jets by Jessika Allen / 2. Zimmermann - £565 / 3. Paolita - £163
4. Orlebar Brown - £225 / 5. Zimmermann - £295 / 6. Agent Provocateur £225
7. Kiini - $285 / 8. Missoni - £320 / 9. Triangl - $89
10. We Are Handsome - $240 / 11. Jets / 12. Lisa Marie Fernandez - £350
Phillippa x
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Monday 27 July 2015

Fall 15 Couture - Review

Couture fashion week has us lusting over fashion that only a few can have, but hey that doesn't mean we can't look and swoon over all the incredible garments and gowns.  The Fall 15 Couture shows took place earlier this month, so here is a visual summary of the gowns that graced the runway including my top 3 highlights explained in more detail.

1. Atelier Versace - It was a softer side of Versace, pastel shades and floral headpieces. Skin was still on display, underneath sheer corsets and daring cut-outs. I loved the 'If Festivalgoers wore Couture' vibe.


2. Viktor & Rolf - Is fashion art? That is a question that people always ask, and this season Viktor and Rolf interpreted this question literally. In what was the most exciting show, models wore warped canvases and frames. The construction of the garments was extraordinary.


3. Armani Prive - Gowns in signature pink, deep blue and purple made their way down the runway. The spirit of 'Punk' was alive in garments put together using the most sensational array of textures: feathers, fringing, sequins, crystals, velvet and lurex. Night-time decadence.



You can see every A/W15 Couture look on my Pinterest board 'Couture Fashion'.

Phillippa x


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Friday 24 July 2015

Cara Delevingne - Paper Towns - Promo

With her first lead feature film, Paper Towns, released today in the US Cara Delevingne has been on a busy worldwide promo tour as of late. Cara is one of 2015's hotly tipped actresses and has been receiving rave reviews for her performance in this film. With any promo tour comes plenty of red carpet premieres and TV appearances. Cara pulled out all the stops to impress whilst promoting Paper Towns, here is a round up of all her outfits.
1. Alexandre Vauthier Fall 15 Couture - LA Screening / 2. Dion Lee Fall 15 - Sydney Premiere
3. Saint Laurent  - New York Premiere / 4. Mary Katrantzou Pre Fall 15 - Berlin Photocall
5. Vatanika SS15 - Madrid Photocall / 6. Jenny Packham Top & Elie Saab Shorts - Paris Photocall
7. Saint Laurent - London Photocall / 8. Giamba Resort 16 - Toronto Premiere
9. Femme D'Armes Fall 15 - 'Meet The Filmmaker Event' New York
 10. Burberry Prorsum AW15 - BBC Radio One / 11. Dolce & Gabbana - El Hormiguero Appearance
12. Alexander McQueen Fall 15 - Late Night with Seth Myers

Keeping it short and sweet with the hemlines, Cara rocked a number of stylish catwalk looks on this promo tour. She brought her A-Game and plenty of attitude to the outfits she wore, making this one of the best promo tours we have seen this year. 
Top 3 Looks
1. Alexandre Vauthier - I loved the Kimono style jacket and I found it refreshing to see a crisp white look making a move away from the previously seen dark colours.
2. Mary Katrantzou - I loved the sheer detailing and velvet houndstooth
3. Burberry Prorsum - Staying loyal to the brand that made Cara a household name, this printed dress was one of the most feminine looks we saw on this promo tour.

What was your favourite look?

It looks like Cara is relishing in her new found success as an actress and I am excited to see her stardom rise.

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 22 July 2015

Accessories Brand - Tessa Spielhofer

Don't you just love it when you discover an amazing new brand? If you regularly follow my blog then you may remember that in April I was invited to take part in the Drapers 'Next Generation' Event. That is where I met Tessa Spielhofer, founder and designer at her namesake accessories brand. The brand prides itself on producing finely hand crafted handbags and jewellery, all produced in England. The leather is largely sourced from tanneries across the UK and the inclusion of python makes these handbags uber luxurious. Combining both style and functionality, this collection will take you from day to night with ease and elegance. Having already been featured in Vogue, Tatler and InStyle, Tessa Spielhofer was also a finalist in The Independent Handbag  Designer Awards making this one brand that you definitely need to keep on your fashion radar! 
1. Serravalle £395, 2. Berna £375, 3. Davos £650, 4. Laax £350, 5. Lugano £350,  6. Arosa £225

Website - www.tessaspielhofer.com
Twitter - @sptessa

Phillippa x

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Monday 20 July 2015

The Best of Resort 16 - Part 3

My final Resort 16 collection review...
Chanel
Set in Seoul and inspired by Korean tradition, this collection featured a colourful patchwork technique which is only found in Korea. The geometric prints were perfectly executed as were the turquoise and lilac tweed and lace separates.
Marc Jacobs
Easily one of the standout collections from the season. Attention to detail was key: grommets, crystals and obsessive embroidery. Prints were not complicated, but made a big impact. A black palm leaf with a injection of red was the highlight of the collection. I also adored the detailing on the collars.
 Prabal Gurung
To be expected Prabal Gurung silhouettes were present, but what I didn't expect was the hand-painted sailboat print. There have been a number of Resort 16 collection featuring Sea related motifs, but this particular one was my favourite due to its authentic style and unexpected colour.


Alberta Ferretti
Offering an updated take on 'safari' style, I loved the colour palette used in this collection. There was also an essence of a 'free-spirited' nature which I really liked. The hand-painted print was unlike any other print seen this season, which I found somewhat refreshing.
Milly
You can always rely on Michelle Smith to bring you vibrant colour and print, and this season was no different. Acidic colours looked awesome on the cut paper style geo print. Candy stripes and a floral print mixed with a zig-zag overlay were both eye-catching. If Resort collections are about dressing for the holidays, then I think you have just found your perfect holiday wardrobe right here.
Monique Lhuillier
It wouldn't be a Monique Lhuillier collection without flowers and this season the florals came in different forms. There were painted roses in cobalt blue and orange, delicate lace blooms and a digital floral print mixed with lace and butterflies. Daywear and eveningwear were both covered.
Marni
The highlight of the collection was the oversized stylised floral print, emblazoned boldly on mid length dresses. Trademark boxy silhouettes and layering were also present.
Missoni
Referencing Sonia Delaunay as a source of inspiration, this collection was one of the most colourful we saw this season. Brush strokes, space-dyed knits and 'stereo' wave prints had so much energy. Space-dyed knits are also emerging as a key trend for Resort, with this collection being a prime reference.
Giamba
I was drawn to this collection because of the array of different prints. Animal skins, graphic florals, hand painted blooms and cute cherry and lips conversationals. What I liked the most about the prints were the placements, the florals formed circles and stripes. Swirling geometrics slicing though the graphic florals were also interesting.
Andrew GN
The stylised garden florals had an almost folksy feel to them and I loved the placement of these flowers appearing to almost grow up the garment. I can't wait to see the floral evening gowns translated onto the red carpet. The Malhia Kent tweed dresses stood out against the delicate embroidered gowns.

This concludes my Resort 16 reviews. With hundreds of collections to choose from I had a tough time selecting my top 30. A more extensive look at the Resort 16 collections can be found on my Pinterest page (details below). If you follow my 'Lookbook Favourites' and 'Runway Favourites' boards you will never miss a single collection.

I will be posting a Resort 16 trend report on my blog within the next 2 weeks summarising all the emerging trends so stay tuned for that!

Phillippa x

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Saturday 18 July 2015

The Best of Resort 16 - Part 2

The second part of my Resort 16 review...
Versace
An acidic colour palette and super short hemlines - A tried and tested Versace formula. The patchwork ditsy floral print dresses packed a punch and were a favourite of mine. It is only a matter of time before Anna Dello Russo is head to toe in this collection!
J.W.Anderson
Regarded as one of London's most innovative designers, this collection did not disappoint. With  inspiration from the 80's, I adored this full collection. The floral prints, the ruched skirts and my personal highlight - the polka dot dress. Also worth mentioning is the rainbow stripe knitwear, coming through as a key trend for the season.
Proenza Schouler
Like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez took a trip to Cuba and found the starting point for their Resort 16 collection. I loved the contrast of the tropical print on both white and black ground. Grommets also made another appearance, a follow on from the brands Fall collection.
Altuzarra
Probably one of the most standout collections of the season. The Ikat and chevron prints made a sophisticated statement and the dresses were created using the most outstanding beadwork.
Just Cavalli
Inspired by Japan, this collection was infused with everything we love about Cavalli: a clash of bold prints including signature leopard, short hemlines, fringing and of course an injection of gold. Cavalli sure knows how to create a statement placement print.
Elie Saab
The 70's Californian palm leaf print is already shaping up to be one of the major trends from the season. Working in a design studio, I am already seeing a huge demand for this style of print both hand painted and photographic. Later in the collection we saw the same print mixed with oriental feel floral blooms. As always it was very feminine with delicate embroidery and lace.
M by Missoni
Inspiration came from the American West. The graphic cactus plant conversational prints really caught my eye (we also saw cactus motifs at Kenzo). The full collection was fun, bright and free-spirited. I also must to mention the boots...need a pair of these in my life!
Balenciaga
Varying silhouettes and styles in crisp white. Alexander Wang can do no wrong.
Givenchy
A bold leopard print in green and pink was taken from a Robert Mapplethorpe photograph. Masculine silhouettes and super body-conscious dresses. I love the volume on the shoulders.
Christopher Kane
Hearts were the main theme in this collection. The heart necklines and collars stood out but being on easy to wear garments made them commercial. The pretty pastels were perfect for Resort, especially the lace patchwork inserts. 
 
Part 3 coming soon.
 
Phillippa x
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Wednesday 15 July 2015

The Best of Resort 16 - Part 1

As my job involves producing trends reports and runway reviews for design teams to work from, I have been super busy the past few weeks putting together Resort 16 trend boards and colour stories. I  evaluate all the collections and decide which are the key themes that I believe will filter down to the high-street. I consider which trends are the most commercial and the consumer will want to buy into. I often have to put my personal opinions to one side, thinking about the mass consumer market and not what I would personally wear, like or dislike.
However, on my blog I have free reign to document my favourite collections. Like I have done in the past I am going to summarise the season and write a little bit about why I like the chosen collections.
Christian Dior 
The textured prints and organic forms of the crochet dresses and skirts are coming through as a key emerging trend for Resort 16. This whole collection boasted confidence whilst remaining playful.
Louis Vuitton
The first show of the season took place back in May in Palm Springs. The silhouettes were different to what we have seen Ghesquiere show the past couple of seasons. Maxi skirts and full length dresses in laser cut leather were standout with a masculine edge.
Gucci
Nods to the 60's and 70's in the choice of silhouette, print and colour. We also saw a real mix of texture: fur, lamé, suede, leather crochet and embroidery.
Roksanda
Always showcasing collections with a statement colour palette, this season was no different. I adore the 'cut paper' geo prints, making a bold statement on evening gowns. The pink fabric origami was a real favourite of mine, as was the black leather bustier dress.
Alexander McQueen
Romance and beauty were clear to see, but with quintessential McQueen undercurrents. Leather dresses cross-stitched like a Victorian sampler and of course there was volume on some of the skirts.
Stella McCartney
An energising collection, with inspiration from Cuba. What I loved the most were the prints, some of the most memorable from the season. Large scale blooms marked a stark contrast against the delicate single stem florals - both equally as beautiful. The horse print was also a key look and one I am predicting we will be a popular theme for Resort.
Mary Katrantzou
Op art of the 1960s was one of the main inspirations. The prints made a statement but were nothing new, but I loved the injection of vibrant colour. It was a more commercial and wearable collection than we have seen in some recent seasons. The rainbow pleats were my favourite aspect of the collection.
Erdem
I honestly can't recall a Erdem collection that I have not loved. Dark florals, Victoriana lace necklines and bold embroidery, it was all present in this collection. Erdem always strikes the perfect balance between femininity and drama.
Roberto Cavalli
Exotic nature and signature 70s vibes. The large scale graphic palms are going to be huge trend for Resort 16, especially in black and white. Billowing silhouettes are very Cavalli and this season I particularly liked the feather placement on the shocking pink ground.
Valentino
This collection had no less than 82 looks. Ranging from delicate patchwork florals to symmetrical embroidered folk motifs, it was a broad array of signature Valentino styles. Day looks and evening wear, this collection will translate very well from the sidewalk to the red carpet.
Stay tuned to my blog because I will be posting Part 2 of my review later this week.
Don't forget to follow my 'Lookbook Favourites' and 'Runway Favourite' boards on my Pinterest page. I update them both daily will all the latest seasonal collections. See details below.

Phillippa x
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Wednesday 8 July 2015

Wednesday Wishlist

 
Phillippa x

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Monday 6 July 2015

Peter Pilotto X Ancient Greek Sandals

Peter Pilotto has teamed up with super cool footwear brand 'Ancient Greek Sandals' on an exclusive capsule collection. Combining Pilotto's love of colour that really pops and graphic design, and the footwear brands love of stylish sandals, this collaboration takes inspiration from Peter Pilotto's A/W15 collection. The classic style means you will already have countless pieces in your wardrobe to wear them with, but with an injection of Pilotto's creative imagination these are definately more exciting than your average pair of sandals.
You have a little while to wait…the collection is not available until November. But if you love the look of this collection, make a note in your diary and dressing for next summer will shape up nicely.

Phillippa x

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Friday 3 July 2015

The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party

Last night the annual Serpentine Gallery Summer Party took place in Hyde Park, London. Here is my review of the looks we saw at this event.
Caroline Issa - Duro Olowu / Erin O'Connor - Erdem SS15
Alexa Chung - Christopher Kane AW15 / Poppy Delevingne - Christopher Kane AW15
Emma Miller - Blumarine / Ella Catliff - Christopher Kane
Martha Ward - Jenny Packham / Elisa Sedanoui - Erdem SS15
Emilia Fox - Bambah AW15 / Roksanda Ilincic wearing her own collection
Suki Waterhouse - Valentino SS15 / Kate Hudson - Louis Vuitton AW15
Karlie Kloss - Stella McCartney / Lottie Moss - Christopher Kane Resort 15
Naomie Harris - Christopher Kane Pre-Fall 15 / Sam Rollinson - Saint Laurent SS15
Edie Campbell - Marques Almeida / Toni Garrn - Mary Katrantzou 
 Lara Stone - Christopher Kane Resort 16
 
My Best Dressed: 
1. Erin O'Connor wearing Erdem - The detail and embroidery on this dress is incredible and Erin wears this dramatic look with such grace and elegance.
2. Alexa Chung wearing Christopher Kane - This was one of the most controversial A/W15 collections. You may remember that FKA Twigs wore the pink version of this dress at the MET Gala back in May. Alexa's style is very refined and I never expected to see her wear something like this. I think that is why I can't help but be drawn to it. I also love the vibrant blue colour.

Who was your best dressed?

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 1 July 2015

Mary Katrantzou X Adidas Originals

Back with a new collection for Adidas Originals, Mary Katrantzou has pulled out all the stops to create a standout collection. Known for her use digital print and structure, Mary's prints and brand ethos could not be any more perfect for Adidas. Conjuring up an energetic vibe, this collection is sure to make you motivated to get fit. Tech fabrics meet catwalk fashion, you may recognise the 'Tikiman' motif from the designers Fall 14 collection this time reinvented in technicolour. Whilst you may not be brave enough to wear a mainline Mary Katrantzou dress or garment, when mixed with sportswear the collection is made more appealing to the fashion savvy consumer.
So what can you expect from the collection? Well, this is sportswear than can also be daywear. Making a transition from the tennis court to the sidewalk, this innovative collection will make sure all eyes are on you. The collection includes: dresses, skirts, jackets, t-shirts, track pants, swimwear and footwear. Price Range: £60 for a tee, £140 for trainers, £240 for a jacket, £380 for a dress. Here is my selection of the best the collection has to offer.
The collection is available very soon, so be sure to sign up to the Mary Katrantzou website for more details.
If you love statement activewear then check out my 'Sportwear/Activewear' board on Pinterest. Details of all my social media accounts are listed below.
Phillippa x
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