Wednesday 29 March 2017

A/W 17 Trend Report - Forest Twilight

Remember the wolf t-shirts that pretty much every person of a certain age used to wear back in the 90's? Well Balmain has well and truly brought them back for Fall 17, but with a high fashion appeal of course. Strutting down the runway in Paris, model after model was seen sporting one of these classic tee's. Evoking feelings of the twilight hours, mystical forests and nature - this trend for all things dark and mysterious is one which will most definitely catch on for the season ahead. If you don't want the sky high price tag of a Balmain tee, hit up your local vintage store for an authentic 90's version. This trend is all about dark colours, moody tie-dye and materials such as leather and suede. Mix in a flame print or snakeskin for further homage to the runway.
Phillippa x

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Monday 27 March 2017

How To Style... Gingham for S/S17

Gingham is a fail safe Spring staple. Instantly brightening up your wardrobe with small-scale light coloured checks, gingham comes on pretty much every item of clothing you could want for the season ahead. Emerging as one of the biggest trends from the S/S 17 catwalk, this vintage inspired print is an effective way to inject that much needed uplifting Spring mood into your wardrobe. Key Designers: House of Holland, Peter Pilotto, Creatures of Comfort, Pringle and Toga
Here are 3 easy ways to style this key S/S 17 trend...
Outfit 1
A super fun, relaxed outfit that teams gingham kick flares with trainers and a casual hooded denim jacket for daywear meets sportswear vibes. An iconic t-shirt is always going to be a wardrobe classic and it helps to keep the outfit feel relaxed. Heart motifs keep the look ultra cute.
Outfit 2
Inspired by festival attire, this asymmetric skirt with ruffled hem combines 3 trends in one. An understated black sweatshirt keeps the main part of the look simple. Khaki is always appropriate for nonchalant summer dressing and you can't go far wrong with a oversized shirt. Cowboy boots, satchel bag and a bandana complete the look.
Outfit 3
A very feminine approach to the gingham trend, this sweet dress with floral embroidery is the perfect easy to wear daywear piece. The red suede biker jacket compliments the floral accents on the dress and bag, whilst offering a Spring alternative to your standard leather jacket. Ballet flats are also an ideal transitional footwear style.
Phillippa x

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Saturday 25 March 2017

The Ultimate Spring Chill Playlist

Taro by Alt-J
Open Your Eyes by School of Seven Bells
Youth by Glass Animals
Love Is Blind by Lapsley
Call Out by Kudu Blue
Rockets by MayaVanya ft Tali (Feki remix)
Come Fly Away by Maverick Sabre (Kant remix)
Awake, Asleep by Speaker of The House X Remmi 
ILYSB by LANY
Sansa by Gareth Emery
B a noBody by SOAK
Winterbreak by MUNA
Let You Go by London Topaz
Heaven by Alpines
Beloved by Say Lou Lou
Dream Sequence by Keeno
Surprise Yourself by Jack Garratt (Gryffin x Manila Killa remix)
You and I by Sons of Maria
So Good At Being In Trouble by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Death Dream by Frightened Rabbit
Time After Time by Brolin
2Shy by Shura
Genesis by Grimes
Mi Mujer - Nicholas Jaar
Wide Eyes by Local Natives
Johnny and Mary by Todd Terje ft Bryan Ferry
Laura by Bat For Lashes
Low Brow by Chelsea Jade
My Girls by Animal Collective
The Greatest by Cat Power
Highspeeds by Elliot Moss
Melt by Duke Dumont
Insert Runaway by Kyan
Kong by Bonobo
Talk Is Cheap by Chet Faker
Finally Moving by Pretty Lights
Alibi by Banks
Bros by Wolf Alice
Break Free by Hans Island
Loud Places by Jamie xx ft Romy
Night Air by Jamie Woon
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Cause I'm A Man by Tame Impala
Destiny by Zero 7
To The Grave by Morcheeba
Wide Open - The Chemical Brothers ft Beck
10,000 Emerald Pools by Borns
Magic by Coldplay
Keyboard Milk by Royksopp
Real Hero by College ft Electric Youth
Strong by London Grammar
Heaven How Long by East India Youth
Intro by The xx
Vapour Trails by Grace Lightman
Hamburg by Mt.Wolf
Midnight by Coldplay (Kygo remix)
Sun Don't Shine by Sonnentanz ft Will Heard
Feel It All Around by Washed Out
Mecca by Wild Beasts
Glory by Wye Oak
Love by Lana Del Rey
Say you Love Me by Jessie Ware
Eple by Royksopp
Seasons (Waiting On You) by Future Islands
Midnight City by M83 (Eric Prydz remix)
Language by Porter Robinson
IVRY by Miles from Kinshasa
Real Love Baby by Father John Misty
Klanga by Gostan
Halcyon by Orbital
Still by Liv Dawson
Surface by Bonobo ft Nicole Miglis
Stay by Yeah Boy
Melt by Duke Dumont
Sometimes by Kyan
I'm In Love by Kygo ft James Vincent McMorrow

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 22 March 2017

On Trend Now - Tied Details

Its the subtle styling trend that's been hanging around for the past few seasons and it still shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon - Tied Details. You can upgrade a basic tee, shirt or sweatshirt by purchasing one with eyelet ties. Kickstarting this trend was Proenza Schouler - the fashion brand has since become somewhat synonymous with this look. Hereon in the highstreet has paid homage to this top styling trick, with pretty much every retailer emulating this look. Such details add a hint of the 'undone' to your outfit, making your overall look feel relaxed and free from constraints. There is also a hint of the 'corset' trend present with this look, as the eyelets add a gentle nod to a sophisticated level of sex appeal. The best way I find to style, is to really work that 'model off duty' vibe. Team an oversized eyelet tied top with a slouchy pair of jeans, or leather pants, and team with Gucci mules or a killer pair of patent ankle boots.
If you are looking to shop this trend, here are the best styles from the luxury and highstreet market...Key Designers: Jacquemus, Sacai, Joseph
1. Anita and Green £19.99 / 2. Jacquemus £400 / 3. See by Chloe £205
4. Maje £185 / 5. Topshop £36 / 6. H&M £17.99
7. Joseph £165 / 8. H&M £34.99 / 9. New Look £24.99
Phillippa x

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Monday 20 March 2017

Pre Fall 17 Moodboard - Comic Book Cool

For the Iceberg Pre Fall 17 collection, designer James Long was paying homage to Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. The playful use of star motifs, and comic book strips, added vibrancy and colour to every look in the collection. The key here though, was not making the collection look contrived -  the overall appeal was still sophisticated. Everyday, wearable, pieces which could easily be mixed into your wardrobe. Incorporate pops of primary colours into your outfit, and offset with bold stripes and graphic shapes. Add punchy accessories for an extra element of fun!
Phillippa x

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Saturday 18 March 2017

Rising Red Carpet Star - Yara Shahidi

She's the star of the hit USA drama Black-ish, and at only 17 years of age she is beginning to take the fashion world by storm. With the help of her stylist, Ade Samuel, Yara Shahidi is fast becoming a rising star of the red carpet, regularly topping 'best-dressed' lists at various industry events. I adored the striped Naeem Khan gown she wore to attend the Golden Globes back in January. The SS16 dress was not an easy look to wear, with many actors opting to steer clear of bold colour, but Yara wore it to perfection. I love that Yara has fun on the red carpet, but avoids looking too grown up, which can often be the case with young stars. The young starlet also recently caught the attention of Beyonce, who choose to her to appear in the latest Ivy Park campaign. See the below edit to see some of Yara's best red carpet moments to date...Which is your favourite look?
1. Philipp Plein / 2. Naeem Khan / 3. Stella McCartney
4. Schiaparelli / 5. Dolce and Gabbana / 6. Off-White
7. Cynthia Rowley / 8. Milly / 9. Opening Ceremony
10. Bibhu Mohapatra / 11. Tracy Reese / 12. Tommy Hilfiger

For more red carpet looks from Yara and other A-listers, be sure to follow my 'Celebrity Red Carpet' board on my Pinterest (details below).

Phillippa x 

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Wednesday 15 March 2017

Introducing... Londunn + Missguided

One of the hottest fashion brands has teamed up with the supermodel Jourdan Dunn on an exclusive collection. Yes... Londunn + Missguided is finally here. Having teased this collection for a while now, the collection dropped last week. The Manchester-based retailer, who have recently opened a flagship store in Westfield, couldn't have picked a better star collaborator to team up with. This is sure to be a match made in commercial heaven. Bringing plenty of attitude and street style cred to the table, Dunn's collection features: mesh insert t-shirts, lycra crop tops, low-slung joggers, satin jackets and some seriously sporty lingerie. This is the ultimate high-street collection for those who are loving the current 90's inspired athleisure trend - favoured by the likes of Kylie Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Bella Hadid and Jourdan herself. The 96-piece collection is all about empowerment, making the wearer feel sexy and confident at the same time - youthful glamour. These effortlessly cool separates are also ultra affordable, ranging from £12 - £70.
Phillippa x

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Monday 13 March 2017

Pre Fall 17 Moodboard - Vintage Pink

Vintage pink dominated the Pre Fall 17 collections. Not commonly associated with Fall, this fresh pastel colour will brighten up your transitional wardrobe. What was key this season, was that this colour was present head-to-toe, not just a little injection here or there. Givenchy presented micro-pleated kick flares in a soft dusty pink, meanwhile over at No.21 mohair coats came in pretty blush shades. Whilst you may not think of wearing pale pink for eveningwear, Christian Dior and Christian Siriano showed that it can look both pretty and sophisticated. The colour spectrum ranged from ballet pink to romantic rose shades, to salmon pink with coral undertones.
Phillippa x

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Saturday 11 March 2017

Paris Fashion Week - A/W 17 - Top 10

My Paris Fashion Week review...
Dries Van Noten
This show marked Dries Van Noten's 100th show and it was a celebration of the brand's history. As always with a Dries collection the tailoring was on point, but the star of the show this season was the plethora of colour and print. Palm prints spliced up and mixed with geo's, and circular motifs layered over micro florals. A visual feast for the eye's. Rich velvet, luxe fur and metallics added to the line-up of decadent eveningwear. One of the best collections from the season!
Balmain
The theme for Olivier Rousteing's AW17 offering was 'Gods of Rock' and was all about excess...but when is is not with Balmain? Dresses which were embellished to the nines, dripping in sequins and chains. Remember the humble wolf motif teed from the 90s? Well it was back this season at Balmain, and is sure to big sartorial hit with the fashion crowd. Elsewhere we saw; velvet, snakeskin,  leather shearling, mohair, tie-dye, grommets and killer over-the-knee suede boots. This was Balmain doing grunge in only a way Balmain could.
Loewe
Over at Loewe, Jonathan Anderson continues to deliver ultra desirable collections. Whilst inspiration may have been drawn from a number of different places, the full collection was coherent. Wishlist knits with geo intarsia's, structured leather separates, feather hems, silk patchwork dresses and delicate lace insert dresses. The emphasis on texture and application was clear to see. I particularly like the injection of plaid and nondescript prints.
Alexander McQueen
A strong element of nature came through in this collection, with references to Cornwall. Patchwork dresses were inspired by women who sewed samplers many centuries ago - placing a strong emphasis on tradition and craft. The result was a show that wowed the audience with it's attention to detail, dense embroidery and couture level techniques. A colour palette of strong red, black and white made a powerful impact on the runway. Highlights included whipstitched leather dresses. All hail Sarah burton!
Maison Margiela
John Galliano's collection for Margiela was a lesson in experimenting. Layering of the most exquisite embellished and embroidered separates created a pretty visual spectacular. Inspiration came from America, but was interpreted in an ultra high fashion way and if you deconstructed the outfits the pieces were in fact very wearable. Rich injections of colour modernised traditional tweeds and knitwear. Frayed hems created an artisan feel.
Balenciaga
The key look from Demna Gvasalia's latest Balenciaga offering was the asymmetric coat fastenings, of which there were plenty. Granted this was quite a fashion forward look, but what else would you expect from Balenciaga these days? More oversized silhouettes and exaggerated shoulders, which had an almost couture feel to them and yet felt so very 'street style' at the same time. Gvasalia isn't afraid to push boundaries and experiment with bold colour, which is why this collection worked so well. The vintage-style prints were also back for Fall, having been a big hit for SS17. The accessories were also seriously on point!
Louis Vuitton
Nicolas Ghesquiere presented his latest LV collection at the Lourve (the fashion brand was personally invited to show here). Fur was one of the key looks, and came in different natural patterns on full length and cropped jackets. Leather pants were back for Fall, a big hit for the brand, and they were teamed with biker jackets and shirts. Standout dresses were constructed from printed metallic silks and patched together with lace, adding subtle hints of colour and femininity to the fairly 'tough' collection. On closer inspection, denim was in fact wool - a brilliant fashion forward technique. Overall the collection had a nonchalant and sometimes sporty feel.
Nina Ricci
Guillaume Henry drew inspiration from America for his Fall collection. Western influences came in the form of star motifs and rodeo prints - unchartered territory for the French brand. Cowboy-style shirts were also present. but the soft pastels colours ensured the overall was still feminine. Rich fabrics included: corduroy, lace, leather, sequins and fur. Individual separates were very wearable. I like this change in direction from the brand.
Sonia Rykiel
Art is a key source of inspiration for many designers, and for Fall the Sonia Rykiel collection was inspired by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The French artist was a sculptor and painter, whose work was vivid in its colouring - the reference clear to see here. Oversized silhouettes with hand-rendered embroidery made a strong impact, as did chunky Aran knits woven with thick yarn. Ostrich feather trims added an extra dimension to the collection.
Miu Miu
As always with Miu Miu, there is an element of kitsch - this season that came in the form of shaggy fur and psychedelic vintage prints. This was a maximalist approach to Fall dressing, but done in a desirable way. Baker boy hats also made a comeback (definitely an big accessories trend to look out for next season). The jackets were the show stealers - they came knitted, quilted, patent and with fur collars. A riot of colour was also seen on the runway.

That concludes my city by city review of the A/W 17 collections.

Stay tuned to my blog for a series of A/W 17 trend reports...coming very soon!

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 8 March 2017

Brand To Know - Off-White

Urban street style has been a key look for several fashion brands as of late, think Vetements, Balenciaga, Supreme and Nicopanda, but one brand that has recently propelled to the forefront of this field is Off-White. Launched in 2014 by Virgil Abloh, who is also Kanye West's longtime Creative Director, this Milan-based fashion brand is synonymous with a graphic black and white diagonal stripe which has been seen on the likes of: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Rita Ora, Justin Bieber and Kanye himself. The brand has perfected the 'casual street style uniform' creating a line of mainstream wardrobe staples including hoodies and sweatpants. Abloh says of Off-White "There was couture. And then there was Yves Saint Laurent. Like 'Hey, news flash: No one wears these clothes'. So here comes ready-to-wear. And now: Streetwear". Inspiration comes from Downtown youth, but the product is marketed to the rich - a juxtaposition of two seemingly different worlds.
This LVMH Prize finalist brand boats a global fan base and is stocked in some of the industry's best luxury shopping destinations: Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Matches, Net-a-Porter and Farfetch. When incorporating Off-White pieces into your wardrobe, it really is all about creating a 'full look' and dressing head-to-toe with a street style vibe. Take inspiration from Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner to see how to make this urban street style look work for both day and night.
Here are my top picks of new season Off-White pieces...
1. Trackpants £202 / 2. Camo Robe £2940 / 3. Signature Biker Jacket £1520
4. Contrast Hoodie £601 / 5. Rose Applique Sweatshirt £420 / 6. Stripe Sneaker £314
7. Ruffle T-Shirt £503 / 8. Patchwork Denim Jeans £1332 / 9. Pajama Shirt £895
Phillippa x

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Monday 6 March 2017

S/S 17 Trend - Suits

A common misconception of the classic trouser suit is that it can look corporate and dated, but for S/S17 this trend takes on new ground. Whilst you may think a suit comes in one classic style, there are actually several variations of this key look: double breasted, boxy, oversized, shrunken and sleeveless. The rules are relaxed, but the important factor is that you get the proportions right. Traditional fabrics have been doing the rounds at the shows recently, with houndstooth and tweed being popular choices. Unlined jackets have a more slouchy silhouette and make them ideal to be worn as daywear (Tibi, Paul and Joe). Neutral colours also add to this ultra-feminine feel. A well tailored suit can make you feel an elevated sense of importance, showing that you mean business whether at work or out socially. Paul Smith and Givenchy have this luxury look covered with rich fabric suits, the latter also showed kick flares for an extra fashion forward touch. Contrasting coloured lapels are also a key feature (Akris, Lanvin, D&G) and will add extra flair to your outfit. Elongated proportions were seen at Celine and Bottega Veneta, and a pinstripe with further lengthen your frame. Key Designers: Jil Sander, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen
For a super masculine look, team your suit with a pair of brogues (Church's, Russell & Bromley) and opt for checks for that heritage feel. If you are looking for an ultra modern vibe, go for a slouchy low-slung pant suit with a pair of sneakers - classic Stan Smith's do the job perfectly and also have a 90's throwback. Feeling more daring? Go head to toe in colour. Granted this is not an easy look to pull off, but done right and worn with confidence this can make the ultimate sartorial statement. So what to wear under the suit? If you are keen to avoid that dreaded corporate look, then team with a cool slogan tee. A sporty 'athleisure' vibe tee will give you major street style kudos or a plain white tee is a fail safe. A knitted pullover will soften the look and see you through the transitional season. Suit Trend Lovers: Leandra Medine, Suki Waterhouse, Gigi Hadid, Mira Duma
Phillippa x

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Saturday 4 March 2017

Outfit of The Month - March

Kick flares are a huge trend at the moment, especially when it comes to street style. This cropped pair, with frayed hem, from LA-based brand Mother are a perfect everyday style... think 70s vibes with an up to date edge. Teamed with a Bella Freud 'Good Times' slogan sweatshirt in hippy trippy colours, this is another on-trend piece for Spring (slogan's are still a key look). Ramping up the 70s vibes even more, I have opted for a leopard print coat. Despite the fact this is a knee-length coat in a daring print, the muted colours make it more wearable. The boots come courtesy of Dorateymur. Founded in 2012, this footwear brand is one of the most coveted 'must have' brands in fashion at the moment. These block heel boots have 60's mod throwbacks and the hoop is a further trend-driven detail. The iconic 'Classic City' tote from Balenciaga, in a beautiful mustard yellow shade, adds an extra 70s feel to the outfit. Completing the look is an embroidered belt from Valentino. All items in this edit are available to shop now...
Phillippa x 

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Wednesday 1 March 2017

Milan Fashion Week - A/W 17 - Top 10

My Milan Fashion Week top 10 review...
Gucci
Eccentric is what Gucci does - rich embroideries, maximalist prints and an abundance of historical and cultural references. Alessandro Michele creates his own fashion rules, avoiding all conventions. The complexity of the collection, 'The Alchemist's Garden', was evident to see in the 120 strong model line-up complete with colour clashes and a riot of layering and different textures. Referencing 17th and 18th century chinoiserie, commercial daywear pieces ran alongside floor length red carpet worthy gowns. As always with Gucci, the accessories were pretty major and will inevitably be seen on every fashion editor and street style blogger world over.
Prada
Ostrich feathers swooshed down the runway on the oversized hems of skirts and dresses, in what was my favourite Prada collection of the past few seasons. The multicoloured collection was a feast for the eyes, rich in texture and detail. 70's corduroy suits and baker boy hats opened the show, with an air of masculinity, but the show transcended into a visual display of fur coats, geometric knits, heritage tweed and playfully printed dresses.
Emilio Pucci
Acid brights were the order of the day at Pucci. Neon lime capes and hot pink draped dresses with floor length fringing graced the runway, in silhouettes which echoed the recent phenomenon of such styles at the likes of Balenciaga and Celine. Signature prints were spliced and came in cool mint green and vibrant orange. A marble print was a departure for the Italian brand, but worked well on suits. Printed velvet trousers resulted in a relaxed 70's glam look.
Versace
Like many designers this season, Donatella made a statement about equality. Hats and t-shirts emblazoned with words such as: Loyalty, Unity and Love - which are sure to be a commercial hit! Edgy street style pieces, including quilted jackets and mono lens sunglasses, were thrown into the mix alongside fierce eveningwear. The eveningwear in question, featured chainmail dresses, sheer detailing and the occasional slashed panel. Strong colour combo's of black, yellow and blue looked electric on the runway, whilst the coloured hair extensions will most likely catch on.
Fendi
Fendi collections can so often be OTT, but for Fall Karl Lagerfeld presented a very wearable offering. Classic tweed coats were given a Fendi twist with signature fur trims and were paired with tailored separates. A vine leaf print made its way onto dresses but was also used as an intarsia on fur coats. Overall the collection looked somewhat traditional, with muted colours but an element of risque was added with red patent skirts and sheer tops.
Jil Sander
Jackets came with exaggerated shoulders and elongated sleeves and marked a stark contrast to the softer tailored pants and skirts. Rodolfo Paglialunga also took on the trend for quilting, with petrol blue and Bordeaux styles. All pieces in the collection were versatile and classic, with the ability to be easily incorporated into your wardrobe. Block colours reigned supreme.
Vionnet
Vionnet is traditionally know for their eveningwear but for Fall the brand ventured, albeit loosely, into daywear. Nude silk shirts and tailored pants had stunning lime green and hot pink stripes running down them, adding a modern twist of classic pieces. Birds of Paradise prints added a further splash of colour to the super pretty collection. Frayed denim kick flares were an unexpected addition but worked well paired with lightweight draped tops. Tulle and shearling also featured.
Marni
Francesco Risso's debut collection for Marni was a loudly applauded success. Staying true to the Italian brands heritage and use of strong silhouettes, Risso ventured into the field of textiles with the use of: crochet, shaggy fur and patent materials. Colours were bold but also very wearable for Fall. Stylized floral prints, with a 70's vibe, were mixed with more ditsy floral prints and made for a number of very feminine looks. Metallic brocade dresses with layered bustiers were amongst the highlights int he collection and the embellished evening dresses were standout.
Etro
Global travel was one of the key sources of inspiration for the Etro Fall collection. Traditional ethnic paisleys were mixed with Afghan textiles, resulting in a rich display of luxurious prints.  Silhouettes were varied: quilted jackets, boxy blazers and patchwork aviator jackets with shearling collars - which will appeal to a broad spectrum of Etro customers. Colours were very 60's and 70's inspired and enhanced the highly decorated patterns. I adored the mixed of silk with brocade and corduroy.
Alberta Ferretti
Inspiration came from Venice. Piazza San Marco prints and gondolier black and white stripes reimagined for the modern Alberta Ferretti woman. Rich velvet dresses were printed with traditional florals and created stunning evening gowns for those who want something a little different than the usual long-flowing chiffon gowns (of which there were still plenty). Embroidered floral corsages were also present as were stunning capes.

My Paris Fashion Week review will be posted next week.

Phillippa x

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