SS18 Trend Report - Spray Paint

Once again the art world is proving to be a source of inspiration for SS18, with both Calvin Klein and MSGM showcasing 'spray paint' inspired graphics for their latest Spring/Summer offerings. Calvin Klein collaborated with the American artist Sterling Ruby, who created backdrops for the runway space and whose work inspired the prints seen on multiple garments. The print in question is one which would commonly be described a 'non-print' print - one which is hard to define. Yet despite the inconceivable nature of such a print, the array of colours used really brings the print to life. Whilst many prints can be so precisely executed, what really speaks to me about this particular print trend is the high level of expression - it is free from constraints and I love that.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

On Trend Now - Sock Boots

Ok, so when I first saw sock boots on the runway I can't say that I was overly keen. If you've been following my blog for a while then you will know that ankle boots are my thing... I mean I may have mentioned it once or twice before, but this whole 'sock boot' thing just wasn't doing it for me. Seen on the runway at Vetements and Balenciaga, as well as others, these extremely pointed toe boots seemed a little too dramatic for my liking. But fast forward a few months and its fair to say i'm a convert... so what changed? I'm a mini skirt kinda gal, opting to style such mini's with a cool pair of flat ankle boot to tone down my look if you know what I mean. Something about these sock boots such screamed Pretty Woman vibes to me, and i can't say that has ever been a look i've wished to emulate! However, the more and more I kept seeing these boots (seriously there were EVERYWHERE) I began to warm to them. Seeing the likes of Kendall Jenner and Roberta Benteler teaming them them with jeans and a basic tee showed me that less really can be more - just let the statement boots do the talking! Surprisingly, a kitten heel pair can actually offer comfort - who would have thought? Whilst black may be the safest and most wearable colour, if you want serious sass then you have to opt for neon pink or lime green - it's what Demna Gvasalia would want! I'm currently digging teaming a pair with a Prince of Wales check skirt and black polo neck. So if you are looking to shop this major 2017 footwear trend then it is your lucky day as I have rounded up the best styles from both the highstreet and luxury markets...

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

SS18 Trend Report - Mondrian

Has there ever been a colour palette that packed more of a punch than this? Piet Mondrian proving to be all kinds of popular on the runway for SS18, references to the Dutch artist were seen at: Ralph Lauren, Aquilano.Rimondi and Christian Dior - all adding a large dose of abstract art to their latest collections. Colour blocking is nothing new, but in primary colours it has serious impact. Block colour separates work well for an all out 'look at me' look, whilst stripes with injections of black make for a slightly softer, yet still edgy, look.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

Jennifer Lawrence - Mother! Promo Tour

She's Hollywood's most sought after star...with a red carpet wardrobe to die for - yes I can only be talking about Jennifer Lawrence. Recently hitting the red carpet promoting her latest film, Mother!, JLaw wore a stunning selection of dresses. Styled to perfection by her stylists Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson, Lawrence looked effortlessly flawless on every occasion. Which was your favourite look from the Mother! promo tour?...

1. Christian Dior - New York Premiere

2. Christian Dior - Paris Premiere

3. Atelier Versace - London Premiere

4. Christian Dior - Venice Film Festival

5. Sally LaPointe - The Tonight Show

6. Dolce and Gabbana - Toronto International Film Festival

7. Sally LaPointe - Toronto International Film Festival Press Conference

8. Ralph and Russo Couture - Toronto International Film Festival

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

Outfit of The Month - October

Prince of Wales check is a huge trend for Fall 17, as seen at Off-White amongst others. Whilst at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, namely because I kept seeing it on suits and oversized jackets which are not my thing, I completely fell in love with numerous mini skirts I had seen in this fabric. If you have been following my blog for some time, you will know I fully champion the humble mini skirt. And for me that is the great thing about fashion trends, we can all fully get on board with a trend but we just have to find our own way to stamp our mark on it! I usually team a mini skirt with a slim fitting polo neck, but this season I am loving a chunky knit. Tucked in at the front of the skirt, but left loose at the back for a super casual look. This season I am also in love with pointed toe sock boots...I know i've jumped on that bandwagon as well! I'm usually a flat ankle boot kinda gal, but the pointed toe boots, inspired by Balenciaga, are rocking my world right now. They are sexy and slimming on the leg, but with a smaller heel means they are actually super comfortable. A military style coat and cute cross-body bag complete the look.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

Paris Fashion Week SS18 - Top 5

So thats a wrap! Yet another fashion month over - where does the time go? Here is my 'Top 5' review from Paris Fashion Week...

Loewe

Ok, so it's pretty clear that i'm a huge fan of J.W.Anderson - both his namesake brand and his work at Loewe. Anderson's attention to detail is extraordinary, always seeking to develop new and innovative textile applications and crafts. This season the Loewe woman was a traveller, more bohemian than previously seen. Patchwork was a key theme, with fabric swatches representing the kind of souvenirs the Loewe muse would collect on her travels. My favourite looks in the collection, were the handkerchief hem dresses, complete with frills and paisley prints. An earthy colour palette with soft pastels was beautifully feminine, without being twee.

Celine

Phoebe Philo has the undeniable power of creating timeless collections which are full of classic investment pieces. This season was no different. Prior to the show, Philo explained that she wanted the collection to be personal and optimistic. Inspired by the early 80's, we saw oversized belted trench coats and long pleated skirts in khaki colours. As always with Celine, there was an exceptional level of craftmanship - whipstitched leather coats, sequin dresses and feather embellished shirt dresses. With this being Celine, the accessories were very covetable, including sock boots and rimless sunglasses. Beautiful from start to finish. 

Louis Vuitton

Talk about saving the best for last! I honestly don't think there has ever been a collection by Nicolas Ghesquiere which I haven't loved. Closing Paris fashion week, the Louis Vuitton show took place in the Louvre. Many of the key pieces in the collection were inspired by historical royal clothing, but such pieces were styled with relaxed athletic shorts and statement trainers. The coats were made from the most exquisite woven jacquard fabrics complete with floral prints and gold thread. They were works of art. Some of the edgier looks in the collection were the knitted striped bodycon dresses and Stranger Things tee. I adored the styling of long sleeved tops and blouson blouses underneath sleeveless dresses. Key Items - waistcoats, vinyl trousers, small frame cateye sunglasses (the biggest eyewear trend of 2017, which will continue into 2018).

Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton explained that the McQueen SS18 collection was inspired by 'the healing power of nature'. There is always a strong element of nature in a McQueen collection and this season floral cross-stitched dresses and handcrafted floral gowns were amongst the standout looks. Of course there were ruffled dresses, off-the-shoulder leather bustier dresses - both with an underlying sex appeal. Belts and harnesses featured throughout, as did plaid textiles and statement jewellery - all the classic elements of a McQueen collection were clear to see and I for one loved every single look. Key Accessory - embellished biker boots.

Off-White

You may remember a while back, I profiled Off-White on my blog - charting the rise of one of the most coveted new brands in fashion. Whilst primarily seen as a streetwear brand, for SS18 Virgil Abloh has taken his brand beyond that. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death and that was, believe it or not, the inspiration behind this collection. Everyone remembers Princess Diana's sartorial choices, and Abloh was reinventing her key looks for the modern woman. This may not have seemed like an obvious choice of inspiration for the man who is more used to dressing the likes of Hailey Baldwin and Bella Hadid - but they are the style icons of today, in the same way that Princess Diana was in the late 80's early 90's. Afterall, there is a huge 90's revival happening right now so in a weird way it seemed kind of fitting. Power suits, epic shoulder pads, mom jeans - the references were there to see. To modernise the collection, leather jackets and sporty wrap sunglasses with branded Off-White cords were styled with the vintage inspired pieces.

So that completes my reviews of the SS18 collections...but do not fear as starting next week my SS18 Trend Report Series will be starting on my blog. Each week I will be documenting a different trend emerging from the catwalk. This will include print trends, colour, fabric and accessories - so stay tuned for that! 

If you want a more extensive look at the SS18 collections, then be sure to follow my Pinterest. There you will find a very in depth look at each runway collection. (details below)

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign

Instagram - phillippa22

Milan Fashion Week SS18 - Top 5

Now this is more like it....more colour and print than you could possibly imagine! With a background in textiles / surface design you can see why I look forward to MFW so much. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily wear many of the collections, as they don't reflect my personal style, from a design perspective they are music to my ears. Versace fully stole he show this season...but more on that in a minute. Here are my top 5 collections form Milan...

Marni

WOW...was quite simply my first reaction as I clicked through each look in the collection. Marni silhouettes are often oversized and when printed with inky florals I was left in awe. Francesco Risso explained that these florals were 'English gardens, as seen though the eyes of Tim Burton'...so cue the fantasy prints in cartoon-like colours. The oversized proportions reference historical garments, which you would find in the 20's and 50's. Full duchesse skirts were seen throughout and came both printed and in block colours of luxurious satin. Corset tops added intrigue to the collection and were an awkwardly sexy addition to the collection. Key features - fur bags and frayed hems.

Versace

The show that got everyone talking...in a pretty MAJOR way. 2017 marks a poignant year for the  Italian fashion brand, it marks the 20th anniversary since the infamous murder of Gianni Versace in Miami. So how did Donatella choose to mark this milestone?...with a 90's inspired print fest that's how! Pulling prints directly from the Versace archives of the early 90's, Donatella delivered a knockout collection of show-stopping looks one after the other. Shells, starfish, gold Baroque motifs, leopard print, butterflies, Warhol prints - I mean talk about impact. Growing up in the 90's I remember these prints fondly. It also wouldn't be classic Versace without embellishment, silk scarves and killer accessories. But there is one thing that stole the show more than anything else - the return of the most iconic 90's supermodels: Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen and Cindy Crawford who all wore gold chainmail dresses.

Gucci

This offering was everything that we have come to know and love from an Alessandro Michele Gucci collection. The glam rock 70's vibes were present in the form of the emphasis on shoulders, sequinned fabrics and appliqued musical notes - all inspired by Elton John's archive stage outfits. Of course the 'new Gucci' is not to everyone's taste, its OTT and garish, but you simply can't deny the fact that Gucci are major power players in the world of fashion at the moment with everyone desperate to get their hands on piece of the action. For that Michele has to be applauded for his undeniable ability to create a triumphant collection season after season.

Bottega Veneta

Firstly, the colour palette as presented by Tomas Maier at the SS18 presentation was sublime. Beautiful dusty shades of lavender, blue and taupe were seen on the runway but for me it was the choice of fabric which really brought the colours to life. Suede and silk being the two key fabrics, both of which were seen, at times, strewn with eyelets and paillettes. Another key theme in the collection was the use of fringing,  complete with micro beads - the frocks in question were simple in their cut and tailoring. This was a collection that was made to be wearable...and practical. Even the evening gowns were straightforward in their cut. Hints of python skin were also seen. 

Prada

Miuccia Prada was expressing her thoughts on women, since the election of Donald Trump, in her latest collection. She wanted to create a 'militant woman' - a collection about power. We saw lots of layering and varying silhouettes all on a backdrop of a dramatic dark colour palette. Prints were taken from manga artists, and interestingly were screen-printed onto the fabric over creases to allow for a rough-and-ready feel. Such detailed and illustrated prints were juxtaposed with graphic spots and zebra patterns. Super slimline cateye sunglasses were a key part of the collection - one accessories trend which is going from strength to strength.

My Paris Fashion Week review will follow soon...

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22

Instagram - phillippa22

Pinterest - phillippadesign