On Trend Now - Metallic Fashion

When the Fall 14 runway shows took place back in February, I noticed an emerging trend for metallic dresses. I have gone back through the archives and selected some of the main metallic looks as seen on the runway.

There is something rather decadent about metallic fashion. Whether it be: leather, sequins, jacquard or lurex, there are several different materials which add a touch of metallic glamour to an outfit.

Fast forward 8 months and the designer Fall collections have hit the shops, and high-street retailers have followed suit. You may think that at this time of year metallic fashion is only suitable for a Christmas party, but if you select the right garment and style it well it can look super stylish for a daytime look. I have found some of my favourite metallic garments currently available and put together a number of boards to show you how you can follow this seasonal trend. Price points vary so there is something for everyone!

If wearing a metallic garment is too much for your personal style, then accessories are a great way to add some sparkle to your outfit.

Will you be following the metallic trend this Fall? How would you style the pieces I have selected?

If you have liked this blog post and would like to see more, then take a look at my 'Metallic' board on Pinterest. I have lots of gorgeous metallic runway imagery to inspire you! Pinterest - 'phillippadesign'

Phillippa x

Weekly Red Carpet Round-Up

I usually only post a 'Red Carpet Round-Up' if a big award show has taken place, however this week I was surprised by just how may red carpet looks I really liked, from some of my favourite runway shows.  Here are all the looks that caught my eye.

Elizabeth Banks - Elie Saab Fall 14 Couture - Hunger Games Mockingjay Premiere

Kiernan Shipka -Valentino Resort 15 / Kiesza - Fendi Spring 15

Poppy Delevingne - Chanel Fall 14 / Liv Tyler - Stella McCartney Spring 15

Jennifer Lawrence - Christian Dior - HungerGames: Mockingjay London Premiere

Jessica Chastain - Nina Ricci Spring 15 / Shailene Woodley - Valentino Spring 15

Michelle Monaghan - J.Mendel Spring 15 / Ashley Benson - Emilio Pucci Pre-Fall 14

Camille Belle - Tory Burch Spring 15 / Marion Cotillard - Christian Dior Fall 13 Couture

Emily Blunt - Michael Kors Spring 15

Jena Malone - Emilia Wickstead Spring 15 / Kate Beckinsale - Etro Fall 13

Natalie Dormer - Nicholas Oakwell Couture

Chloe Sevigny and Miranda Kerr - Louis Vuitton / Kristen Stewart - Chanel Spring 15

Hilary Swank - Giambattista Valli S14 Couture / Keira Knightley - Chanel Fall 14 Couture Lupita Nyong'o - Chanel Fall 14 Couture

Rooney Mara - Givenchy Spring 15 / Julianne Moore - Balenciaga Spring 15

Keira Knightley - Nina Ricci Spring 15

My top 3 looks were worn by: Elizabeth Banks, Ashley Benson and Emily Blunt. Which were your favourite looks?

 

Also, this week I reached a milestone on my Pinterest - 1000 followers. Thank you to everyone who has followed my page. If you haven't checked it out already, you can find me on 'phillippadesign'. Every board is design related so you will find plenty of creative inspiration!

Phillippa x

Mary Katrantzou X Adidas Originals

Mary Katrantzou has teamed up with Adidas, for what is slated to be a long-term partnership, and will create a line of apparel and footwear. The first collection hits stores on November 15th. It is a very exciting collaboration for Katrantzou, enabling her to bringing her unique vision and vibrant digital prints to one of the biggest global sportswear brands. 

Here's a first look at the collection, inspired by Katrantzou's mainline Spring 14 show.

An innovative take on sportswear with interesting silhouettes and colours, I love the energy of the collection. My favourite part of the collection is the footwear, just look at the amazing running shoes! I'm a big fan of bold running shoes in striking colours so these trainers are exactly what I would wear.

 

Inspiration for the collection came from Mary Katrantzou's Spring 14 runway show, which was built around different styles of shoe. See below for catwalk pictures.

Earlier in the year Adidas teamed up with Brazilian brand 'The Farm Company' and created a tropical print inspired collection, which I loved, but the new Katrantzou range has more impact and is more catwalk/trend driven. The most notable Adidas/Designer collaboration is with Stella McCartney, which began in 2005 and is available on Net-A-Porter. Other collaborations include a menswear collection with Pharrell Williams and a more teen driven collection with singer Selena Gomez for Adidas NEO.

 

What do you think of the Mary Katrantzou X Adidas collection. Are these clothes and shoes the sort of thing you would incorporate into your sports wardrobe?

 

If sportswear is your thing, then be sure to check out my 'Sportswear/Activewear' board on my Pinterest page. You can find me at 'phillippadesign'

 

Phillippa x 

Alexander Wang X H&M - November 6th

The hotly anticipated collaboration was announced back in April, and since then we have waited patiently for the collection to be revealed. Last month a runway show took place in New York to showcase the full collection....and it did not disappoint! Some of the worlds top supermodels took part in the show and they also star in the ad campaign.

When the collaboration was first announced I wrote on my blog that I thought the collection would predominantly be grey and black with a sporty edge, I couldn't have been more right. The collection uses a variety of tech fabrics - mesh knitwear mix, scuba fabric, textured embossed fabric emblazoned with typography. This is reinvented everyday sportswear which is seriously cool.

I think that this may be the most successful H&M/designer collaboration to date. The collection offers something different to what we have seen before, and the fact that Alexander Wang is one of the most sought after designers in fashion at the moment makes me think that the collection will sell out in record time. The price point is very accessible, less than £30 for a crop top, trousers for £35 or for those who wish to spend more a tech parka jacket for £179. Here are some of my favourite pieces from the collection.

Celebrities have already been sporting the collection. See how Dakota Fanning, Kate Mara and Rihanna have style their Alexander Wang X H&M outfits.

You should also take a look at the fantastic campaign video which was filmed in Islington in London, featuring Natasha Poly, Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and footballer Andy Carroll, with an exclusive soundtrack by Diplo.

The collection is available from November 6th.

Phillippa x







Feather Fashion - Evening Outfit Ideas

With the nights drawing in, party season will soon be upon us! I have put together 6 sophisticated party outfits using some of my favourite key pieces currently available from Net-a-Porter. The starting point for each outfit was to select a garment with feathers. My wardrobe largely consists of black clothing and for eveningwear it is my favourite colour, so I have stuck with that theme for these outfits.

Outfit 1

Outfit 2 

Outfit 3

Outfit 4

Outfit 5

Outfit 6

Which is your favourite outfit?

 

Don't forget you can follow me on social media:

Pinterest - 'phillippadesign'

Twitter - phillippa22

Instagram - phillippadesign22

 

Phillippa x

The Next Big Thing - 'Shrimps'

One of the most hotly anticipated presentations to take place at LFW last month was by up and coming faux fur fashion label 'Shrimps'. Rapidly gaining a loyal fan base, this London based brand was established in 2013 by former London College of Fashion student Hannah Weiland. Shrimps has grown quickly in a short space of time, branching out by using different faux skins and expanding the range of accessories and colours. For Shrimps SS15 collection, Weiland also teamed up with Poplin to create cute pyjamas emblazoned with the fun Shrimps logo.

Shrimps SS15  

Whilst you may only be hearing about Shrimps for the first time, those in the know have been lusting over this uber fun brand for the past year. Model Laura Bailey has been supporting this brand since last year, and Net-a-Porter founder and head of the British Fashion Council Natalie Massenet wore her favourite Shimps coat to New York Fashion Week back in February. Other fans include Alexa Chung and stylist Kate Foley.

Adwoa Aboah stars in the A/W14 Campaign. All styles are available now.

If you like what you see and can't wait any longer to own one of these fab pieces, then stockists of Shrimps include: Net-a-Porter, Matches Fashion, Selfridges, Colette, Holt Renfrew and Opening Ceremony. The Agnes brushed-felt biker jacket is top of my wish list! Follow Shrimps on Twitter @Shrimps_

 

I have more garments and accessories from Shrimps on my Pinterest page so be sure to check it out http://www.pinterest.com/phillippadesign/

Phillippa x







Paris Fashion Week SS15 - Top 10

Today the final PFW shows took place. The SS15 runway shows have drawn to a close meaning the hectic 'fashion month' is over for another 6 months. I adored so many collections shown in Paris, more so than in any other city, so I found it hard to select my top 10 shows.

Primary colours made for a dramatic Balmain collection, structured caged leather dresses and midriff baring crop tops are sure to keep Rousteing's #BalmainArmy happy. One of my favourite prints I have seen this season was the pixelated sarasa seen at Dries Van Noten, offset perfectly against wide stripes in rich jewel tones. Sacai delivered my favourite paisley print of the season. The collection was a wonderful juxtaposition of mixed fabric, colour and print.  The past couple of seasons we've seen a lot of blurred floral prints, so the vibrant inky florals seen at Chanel seemed like a refreshing updated take on this. Alexander Wang can do no wrong, his collection at Balenciaga was simply beautiful. The cocktail dresses had a distinct sporty twist with the mesh fabrics. The prints at Isabel Marant reminded me of Matisse cut outs but the overall collection had a, dare I say, gladiator feel to it with cinched in leather waist belts and an earthy colour palette. Dress shapes at Valentino were as expected but as always the collection was breath-taking. The ice cream colours and sophisticated nautical prints: starfish, anchors and shells were simply divine. More summer leather dresses at Maxime Simeons in maximum effect shocking colours.

Balmain

Dries Van Noten

Sacai

Chanel

Balenciaga

Isabel Marant

Valentino

Maxime Simeons

Roland Mouret

Alexander McQueen

Be sure to head over to my Pinterest page and check out my 'Runway Favourites' board for more PFW collections. http://www.pinterest.com/phillippadesign/ Other highlights include: Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro, Givenchy, John Galliano, Leonard, Andrew GN, Viktor and Rolf and Giambattista Valli.

Phillippa x