A/W 20 Colour Trend - Sorbet

Unexpected sorbet shades, made for a welcome appearance on the A/W 20 runway. Not your typical autumnal colour palette, these refreshing pastel hues added an injection of frivolity to proceedings. In previous seasons we have seen ice-cream pastels, often with multiple pastel colours used harmoniously together within one outfit. This has been perhaps in print form or in the guise of layered separates, but for A/W 20 designers were preoccupied with block colours. 

Classic silhouettes are key to nailing this trend. Take cue from Miu Miu, who presented peach melba and parma violet wool coats. These tailored pieces add a simply touch of on-trend elegance to your winter wardrobe. Classic enough to wear year after year, all whilst brightening up a dull winters day. Miu Miu also added a further nod to the trend by use of accessories. Gloves, in contrasting colours, served up a welcome addition of a second pop of colour.

Marc Jacobs and Prabal Gurung both also played heavily with this trend. A lesson in red-carpet worthy evening wear from Gurung, complete with ostrich feathers. With Jacobs it was a focus on creating statement looks with subtle colours - lycra tights and OTT teddy coats. One would expect no less from Jacobs.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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A/W 20 Moodboard - Spanish Flair

So I'm sure i'm not the only one currently dreaming of their next holiday? (you know, for when this whole things is over...whenever that may be). Whilst in the process of looking at the A/W 20 catwalks, I noticed a distinct nod to Spanish culture. Well this just further fuelled my desire for my next holiday.

Louis Vuitton payed homage to Spanish Matadors, with their opulent take on the traditional bullfighter uniform, better known as the 'traje de luces'. Traditionally with gold and silver thread, the French fashion house opted for a similar style cropped jacket with heavy embellishment. In a further nod to Spanish culture, the blue and yellow colour palette was reminiscent of the coloured tiles seen at Park Guell in Barcelona.

Over in New York, Tory Burch also opted for a refreshing blue/yellow colour palette. Strapless dresses, with asymmetric hems and trims of shimmery paillettes and feathers, cascaded down the runway. Blue floral prints were delicately hand painted, similar to organic tile patterns found in picturesque Spanish towns. We can also take a look back at the LaDoubleJ SS20 collection, for which the Milanese brand presented zesty lemon prints with ostrich feather hems.

So, where will your next holiday be?

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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Outfit of The Month - June

If I could wear just one brand, it would be Chloe - cue this top which was the starting point for this 'outfit of the month'. I'm all for a quality slogan tee, and whilst I wouldn't usually opt for heavy logo branding i'll happily make the exception for Chloe. Overall I wanted the feel of this look to be somewhat utilitarian - a classic a-line skirt from Junya Watanabe does the job perfectly. The seatbelt style belt and pockets, add to the military feel. For me, khaki colours are the next best wardrobe staple colours, after black and white. Such colours can seamlessly be incorporated into many an outfit, their neutral tones sitting well next to many other pops of colour. I've thrown in an oversized tie-dye denim jacket for good measure. Tie-dye need not be all rainbow colours, I love the muted dark tones on this one from Palm Angels.

For footwear, so called 'combat boots' are having quite the moment in the spotlight right now. Bottega Veneta have brought the world the coveted lug sole boot (check out Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's outfit posts on Instagram for reference). The aforementioned Bottega boot is black leather, but for this look I wanted something more in keeping with the khaki colour palette. I have opted for a pair of similar lug sole boots from Parisian vegan accessory brand - Rombaut.

For accessories, I knew I wanted to further toughen up this outfit with some statement accessories. First stop was a signature chain bracelet from Alyx. If Alyx is not on your fashion radar yet, then it really ought to be. Founded in 2015 by Matthew Williams (Lady Gaga's former creative director and Kanye West collaborator), Alyx is fast becoming one of the most coveted brands, known for luxury pieces but with a streetwear affinity. Most notably, Williams recently worked for Kim Jones (Dior men) to redesign the brands' hardware. If you are on the lookout for future classic jewellery, it's worth investing now in their signature chain jewellery.

Completing the look, is a pair of top bar metal sunglasses from Givenchy, with smoke lens and acetate tips. In addition to this, I've added a practical cross-body bag, in neutral colours, from Stella McCartney.

What is your favourite piece in this outfit?

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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A/W 20 Print Moodboard - Toile De Jouy

Originating in a town outside of Paris in the 18th Century, Toile De Jouy is one of the most instantly recognisable prints within the realm of textiles. Varying ever so slightly in the scene, in which it depicts, it is classic in it's scale and colour (typically blue, red or black). It is especially delicate, it's hand-drawn motifs featuring minute detail. 

Traditionally such prints will portray pastoral scenes, think picnics in a park or farming, but designers of today are reinventing the classic Toile De Jouy with a quirky modern spin. This could be in the form of featuring modern society or the designers hometown, but fashioned in the Toile De Jouy style of handwriting.

On the runway for A/W 20, we saw Toile De Jouy, most noticeably, crop up at both Sies Marjan and Moschino. However this heritage print has been slowly bubbling under the surface for a couple of seasons now, recently also spotted at Christian Dior and Chloe.

Due to the nature of the print, the overall appeal is very soft and romantic. Whilst it may be a print which covers a full surface, it's muted colouring means it is not overbearing. With this is mind, it is likely to have longevity in your wardrobe.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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Shop The Edit - Rainbow

You will have undoubtedly noticed, that the humble rainbow motif has been cropping up in windows all across the country. As the world looks to survive in these unprecedented times, the symbol of the rainbow is being used to offer hope and brighter times ahead - signifying the sun emerging from behind grey clouds. 

Coming at this from a fashion perspective, we tend not to see actual rainbow motifs on the runway. This standalone motif lends itself more to graphic tee's, whereas on the runway designers look at it from the angle of using the seven rainbow colours. Having said this, one of my all time favourite runway looks came from the Matthew Williamson Spring 05 collection (seen below in my edit) - I am forever on the quest to hunt down this aforementioned dress!

This rainbow concept is nothing new, if you look back to archive fashion images we regularly see full head-to-toe rainbow looks. There is something free-spirited and bohemian about the use of these colours, whereas in today's society it is also representative of equality. It also happen to work exceptionally well for editorial images, especially against a backdrop of rainbow coloured street art.

In the past couple of seasons, we have seen rainbow hues from designers: Christian Siriano, Gabriela Hearst, Halpern, Kitty Joseph, Attico, Moncler x Richard Quinn and Needle and Thread - proving that the use of this colour palette is more than just a fleeting trend.

If you are looking in incorporate some rainbow summer cheer into your wardrobe, I have put together a round-up of some of my favourite premium pieces...

1. Shirt Dress by All Things Mochi £275

2. Dress by Needle & Thread £285

3. Jacket by Etre Cecile £320

4. Boots by Marco De Vincenzo £1180

5. Bag  by By Far £455

6. Earrings by Rosie Fortescue £100

7. Swimsuit by Alberta Ferretti £245

8. Top by Kitty Joseph £135

9. Dress by Michael Kors £311

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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A/W 20 Fashion Trend - Exaggerated Sleeves

'Oh hello' was my first thought when I saw this trend pop up on the runway during fashion month.  Designers did not come to play when they adopted this trend for their A/W 20 collections. It's an unashamedly 'in your face' sleeve which guarantee's a talking point with your outfit. 

Now I think we've all experienced a few tricky moments with oversized sleeves. You know the kind i'm talking about...you buy a gorgeous new dress or blouse, with billowing sleeves, only to find you simply cannot war any outerwear over it. Its a practical problem, but who ever said fashion had to be practical?

This so called trend is, like most trends, is nothing new. I mean, Queen Elizabeth the first was rocking an oversized sleeve way back in the 16th century. There's a huge aspect of this trend which plays into the concept of power dressing, and if you look back to our historical figures, oversized sleeves emphasised power and social status. Fast-forward to the 1980's and voluminous sleeves were back once again, think Joan Collins in Dynasty.

Proportionally, an exaggerated sleeves hides a multitude of sins. Covering up any insecurities one may have with showing their upper arms, whilst at the same time drawing attention to your smaller waist.

Key Designers: Fendi, Emilia Wickstead, Victoria Beckham, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen, Loewe, Miu Miu, Marco de Vincenzo, Dries Van Noten

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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A/W 20 Colour Trend - Fuchsia

Being my longtime favourite colour, I was thrilled to see fuchsia making countless appearances on the runway during the A/W 20 presentations. 

Kicking things off in style, in New York Tom Ford sent a model down the runway in a floor sweeping hot pink sequinned skirt teamed with a classic knit and matching earrings. It was the unexpected, modern ensemble I never knew I needed. A masterclass in modern evening wear. 

It was however in London, where this trend really started to gain momentum. Michael Halpern, at his namesake brand Halpern, delivered billowing silk gowns in daring hot pink - a real red carpet moment waiting to happen! Richard Quinn opted for regal-esque satin gowns, whilst the offering from Roland Mouret was giving me major throwbacks to Princess Diana's infamous 'revenge dress' - perhaps something to do with that that off-the-shoulder neckline.

This trend works particularly well on luxe fabrics - velvet, silk, satin

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

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