After spending four weeks in an utter fashion frenzy, either rushing from country to country then from show to show or spending the month pouring over a multitude of images back home, it really does take something really special to re-energise, awaken and lift the spirits of the weary fash-pack... Valentino.
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented the most exceptional ready to wear collection for Valentino at the end of Paris Fashion Week. I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw the images pop up on my iPhone whilst running to a meeting. Each of the 73 ethnic, opulent, folksy, medieval, exotic and regal looks were more majestic and striking than the last. The severely WOW-beautiful micro-minidresses (below) would be much appreciated in my wardrobe.
PFW: Chanel SS'14
Karl Lagerfeld’s transformed the stark, white-walled Grand Palais into an art gallery setting for his SS’14 Chanel collection during Paris Fashion Week. As well as exhibiting several installations and sculptures, such as an awesome Chanel No 5 robot, artists including Kandinsky, Pollock, Oldenberg and Duchamp also heavily influenced the ninety-odd designs that still managed to remain identifiably Chanel.
The headphone’esq pearl bauble necklaces really caught my attention, as did the model’s themed, artistic eye make up. The monochrome socked patent court shoes(below) were almost certainly chic on the day, but the practicality of this footwear is clearly questionable! Right... I'm off to buy a peroxide wig.
Below (L-R) Clockwise: I do sooo love a Chanel FROW!! Lou Dillon, Vanessa Paradis, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Laura Bailey and Caroline Sieber.
Tommy Ton's PFW Street Style Snaps
We all know that the fashion seen off the runway during fashion weeks can frequently be just as exciting and eccentric as that seen on the runway and Canadian photographerTommy Ton’s coverage for Style.com is unrivaled. Giving us all a glimpse into what some of the most glamourous fashionistas wore to and around the most talked about fashion events of the year, I always spend FAR too much time pouring over Tommy's brilliant street style snaps from Paris. There are also always plenty of pics of Anna Dello Russo (above), Tommy's fashion editor muse, in many of her striking ensembles.
Here is a small, delicious, taster...
Photographs courtesy of Style.com
PFW: Balenciaga SS'14
Alexander Wang’s second collection as the creative director for Baleciaga was stunning. Lantern and peplum silhouettes, handwoven fabrics in curved proportions and innovative perforated leather in light grey, whites and soft pinks were shown alongside the brand’s signature voluminous tops worn with smaller bottoms. These looks were all cleverly mirrored for the audience on the SS’14 runway at the Observatoire de Paris.
Architectural works of art.
PFW: Stella McCartney SS'14
Amidst the modern tomboy aesthetic Stella McCartney has long been associated with, some lighter, more romantic designs were also displayed on the catwalk during this Paris Fashion Week. J'adorrre these two delicate lingerie-laced SS’14 dresses (above) worn by supermodels Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne.
PFW: Isabel Marant SS'14
I love how Isabel Marant designs such feminine and elegant pieces yet manages to creates such boyishly cool, rock and roll looks. “It's the contrast of two ideas that I’m always trying to work with,” the designer said after previewing her ‘Tough Romance’ SS’14 collection filled with floral dresses worn with strong-shouldered tuxedo blazers, ruffle-tiered tops worn with hotpants, and frilly lace skirts slit to the thigh and worn with studded ankle boots. So very cool.
Gap's Rock Royalty #BacktoBlue Campaign
Amy Winehouse advised us to go ‘Back to Black,’ but in their first television advert in four years GAP are urging us to go ‘Back to Blue.' This autumn campaign celebrates the brand’s heritage by redesigning and updating its 1969 denim collection and featuring sons and daughters of rock’n’roll royalty covering their parent’s well loved hits.
Musician Dhani Harrison (above), a great buddy of mine, sings a stripped down version of his guitar legend father George Harrison’s ‘For You Blue,’ from The Beatles album, 'Let It Be,’ whilst wearing a GAP trucker jacket. LA-based Dhani is the frontman for band Thenewno2, and is also a member of band Fistful of Mercy alongside Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur. I am a BIG (super)fan of both groups. #Groupie.
All the proceeds for the entire ‘For You Blue’ track (already available to download from iTunes here) by Dhani Harrison will go to the George Harrison Material World Foundation, in support of their current goal of raising funds for the amazing Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries.
27 year old classically trained musician Alexa Ray Joel (above), wearing a GAP chambray shirt, wistfully sings her father Billy Joel’s multiple-Grammy-winning 1977 song ‘Just The Way You Are’ seated at her keyboard in the new campaign.
Apples do not, it seems, fall far from their trees. The campaign will include new digital content every day across its social media platforms (#backtoblue) and the adverts will be accompanied by in-depth films, interviews, quotes, images and facts about Dhani and Alexa that will be available across the brands digital platforms. Very cool Gap.
LFW Burberry Prorsum SS'14
Burberry Prorsum welcomed their beautiful FROW (Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevigne, Suki Waterhouse, HARRY STYLES) and a host of lucky fashionistas to Kensington Gardens to enjoy their SS’14 pastel coloured collection. Filled with heavily embellished and translucent lace pencil skirts, worn with delicate sheer shirts and delicious, oversized cashmere, it was clear to see that polka dots had replaced this season’s hearts.
Striking white sunglasses and folded sheepskin clutches were the perfect accessories to the Ladurée coloured designs and the finale saw Cara Delevigne in a see-through trench (revealing her latest bicep tattoo honouring her mother Pandora) whilst rose petals fell onto the runway. Burberry girls are so damn cool. I wanna be in their gang.
Although the six new SS’14 shades will only be available to buy from January, you can purchase the entire set (featuring Rose Pink, Dusky Mauve, Pale Grape, Pale Yellow, Sage Green and Mink) for the next two weeks exclusively from Burberry.
LFW: Matthew Williamson SS'14
Just like his AW/13 collection, Matthew Williamson’s SS’14 collection showed his designs evolving steadily from the bohemian holiday wear he had long been associated with, to a more sleek, simple and mature aesthetic. “My girl is growing up, she is the same free spirit inside but, like the rest of us, maturing – and I have to respond to that,” Matthew explained. Hand-drawn and painted daisy and dragonfly prints were displayed on belted dresses, tailored silk trousers and feminine, yet sophisticated, dresses. I particularly liked the yellow organza based shift dress with ornate white appliqué flowers.
LFW: Mulberry SS'14
After having sent out THE most adorable London Fashion Week tea cup invitations made by Wedgewood, Claridges was transformed into an English country garden, complete with fresh flowers, astro turf floors and a stuffed peacock, forEmma Hill to say “over and out” with her final collection as creative director for Mulberry. Well known for bringin’ the brand’s sexy back, Hill emotionally commenced the show with an echoing voiceover from Sir Winston Churchill, ‘this House we have built together, brick by brick, stone by stone, this house we call home’ before blaring out ‘Our House’ by Madness as the models cue to strut. Showcasing typically cheery designs inspired by the Sixties London, the models (including Cara Delevigne) wore wide-leg trousers, over-sized silhouettes and enlarged floral prints. Turbo the British Bulldog wore a floral overcoat – expect one to adorn all the hottest dawgs next spring.
Above: I am naturally always most interested in the new collection of bags swung on the catwalk, and alongside stripey Bayswaters and a midnight blue Willow, the Kensal, named after the brand’s London roots, was presented. The firey orange Kensal (below) instantly grabbed my attention (after my flame Bryn having being my constant companion for the last few months, I can’t recommend a mood lifting, bright bag for the summer more!) Emma Hill is leaving some very big shoes (and bags) to fill.
Below: Alexa Chung with her pal Cara Delevigne at the Mulberry after-party.
