Fashion Talk - Page 5 of 6 - The Fashion Tag Blog

Fashion Week Street Style! The Fashion Week Outside The Shows…

One of the most awaited parts of Fashion Week is definitely the street style. And when the snap shooter is photographer guru Tommy Ton, you can spend hours looking at those photos. For a few days twice a year, each fashion capital’s streets change and are swirling with fashion editors, journalists, bloggers, stylists, photographers etc. and then, just like that, all is permitted fashion wise. Hell, the funnier and crazier you look the better. Which brings me to my question for you: Do you think Fashion Week street style is turning into a circus? A few days ago Suzy Menkes from T Magazine was saying just that. Compared to those 1990’s when the fashion crown was so elitist and wearing black (often mistaken by a crowd going to a funeral), today’s editors, bloggers and the rest are like peacocks showing off and selling their image to street photographers. Colorful, crazy, eccentric wearing it all with no rules and no purpose in mind – other than to land in magazines’ or blogs’ pages. Oh, and she was also suggesting how screwed up the fashion world has become. Why, cause it’s not so exclusive & elitist anymore? Leandra form the Man Repeller perfectly defended us (generation Y) saying that this is the time we live in, it’s progress, it’s our generation… Thanks L! Anyway, generation gap talk aside… I would still like to know what all of you think. It’s pretty clear that the street styles have become outdoor shows themselves and can easily be called the fashion week outside the shows. But is this due to attendants’ creativity and fashion self expression (plus some extra cash in their pockets or fame to trigger gifts for advertising?) or to the hunger for those 15 minutes of fame? Because let me tell you… a funky super crazy outfit will GUARANTEE you being photographed. Hmm. Dirty business this street style show, isn’t it? Now let’s not get carried away on morals and play the too-proper card… because we’re all guilty as charged, if not by wearing the peacock outfits than by loving to look at them on others (live or in photos). There’s just something so liberating, candy eye and fun about seeing someone go loose on imagination and break rules. Besides, sometimes there’s nothing like that feeling you get when ‘normal people’ around you can’t seem to contain their shock regarding your hair/clothes/ shoes/accessories… Ah, what do they know? To them we’re all a bunch of weirdos & fashion wannabes who, when let loose twice every year (for fashion weeks) loudly announce that “the circus is in town”… Well… is it? London & New York street styles a Fashion Week – posh luxury or circus? (photos by Tommy Ton)

19/02/2013

Fashion Talk

… More Collections From London Fashion Week!

Good things come to those who wait, right? Well it certainly looks so today. If London Fashion Week weekend collections were a bit too much (or too something, still debating on what), and I found myself in quite a predicament as to whether I should love them or hate them… (sometimes there is such a thing as too weird, funky and way too edgy even for me), yesterday came as a knight in shining armor (Burberry I am looking at you) and had me succumb to London’s fashion scene for 2013 Fall. Might be that I’ve gotten used to their approach and the clothes grew on me… or it may just be that collections were better. Or simply more my cup of tea.

Burberry Prorsum @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 I was saying yesterday that I found some collections to be dull, repetitive and boring in a sense that designers screamed ”look at me, I am trying so hard. Did I nail it or what?” (no. not really was my answer). I was saying there was more focus on cut and shape rather than color & print… well, I now stand corrected, because upon looking at more of the shows I realized it is actually a huge focus this time on clothes’ architecture but the color and print were not ditched aside. So it’s all an eclectic mix of it all: prints, cuts, colors (pinks and solids mostly), in understated elegance or funky punk inspired looks.

Burberry Prorsum @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Burberry Prorsum is the star of London Fashion Week Fall 2013. By far. With a collection named Trench Kisses by Christopher Bailey we’ll be looking at a hot autumn in sexy latex, leather, metal belts and some other S&M inspired details. The classic trench was again reinvented and I have to say I loved every single piece. A big trench trend will belong to the animal prints of all sorts: leopard, zebra etc. The shoes were not quite my style, but Burbery sure made up for that with his trenches, to die for dresses & skirts paired with rich expensive delicate knits.

Burberry Prorsum @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Erdem crossed over to the dark side with a collection stripped of color and loaded with overly embellished fabrics and a mix of textures. All was dark (different shades of black) slightly oversized baring that rich unaware-how-cool-you-look attitude. With Louise Gray it was all about insanity and over the top eccentricity. Picture: desperate housewife going a bit mad. People always say how all is permitted for the sake of art and fun so I guess bin-bag hats and toilet paper brooches or rings are just the right thing this fall, right? Ah… to hell with it, let’s have fun and dress like insane rich housewives. Or not. Whether this collection is a yes or not to you, one thing remains true – Gray’s clothes were not too bad: prints, details, cuts, boots, colors. There’s a bit of truth and genius in madness, I guess.

Erdem @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Louise Gray @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Michael Van Der Ham‘s collection was inspired by the “tough girl—moody and dark”, “Lulu having a rough day“. Dark or not, his clothes oozed luxe. And not in that opulent way, but rather a subtle manner: crispy (sort of metallic) textures, strange prints (that blended so well into the fabrics) and perfect cuts (loved the trousers).

Michael Van Der Ham @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Though Christoper Kane was much praised for this collection (and I can see where all that is coming from: great inspiration theme, use of cuts, textures etc) but I stay true to myself so I will repeat yesterday’s mantra: a woman loves to look good in clothes. While some of the clothes were amazing and the fabric cut & print play was exceptionally executed, let’s just say big boxy jackets, slightly too oversized, as if I borrowed my dad’s super large coat and I’m now having trouble sinking into it – is not right down my street. Or it could just have been the shoes (not too crazy for them either). Perhaps sexy heels and more feminine design would have balanced the clothes.

Christoper Kane @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Understated elegance and hotness. That’s what happened with Antonio Berardi. Grey simple conservative textures that he gave some edge with hints of color: red, greens & blues. Beautiful trousers, dresses, tops, amazing prints (simple as if you just don’t realize they’re prints) and sexy shoes. Models’red lips and sleek hair perfectly completed the looks.

Antonio Berardi @London Fashion Week Fall 2013 Saving the best for last – Rihanna showed her first collection at London Fashion Week: Rihanna for River Island. A much awaited (by me) event, clothing line, collection, it was all what I had expected. A cool fun edgy, trendy, stylish line that captures Riri’s style and puts it out there for us girls to get a bit of her fashion sense. It’s urban, hip-hop chic meets 1990’s grunge: cropped tops, long dresses & skirts with high thigh slits, denim baggy trousers, printed bottoms, shorts, boxy jackets… A heaven for the girl who loves to look chic sophisticated hot & urban.

Rihanna for River Island @London Fashion Week Fall 2013

19/02/2013

Fashion Talk

London Weekend At Fashion Week! What To Love (or not) About The 2013 Fall Collections?

As I start typing this new fashion post, can’t help but sing (in my mind) The Clash’s late 1970’s hit “London Calling“, and then it hits me… London designers were actually set on this punk mood with their 2013 – 2014 Fall/Winter collections. Could it be because of the Metropolitan Exhibition? Regardless of the present day happenings, the truth is London’s art & fashion legacy has always been the punk. Someone said that punk and its culture with all its subversive moods and consequences is for London as pizza is for Naples (Italy). Brilliant! So what happened in London over the weekend at Fashion Week? Oh boy… a lot to take in and a lot to figure out, to be honest with you. I always say it’s so hard to grasp London after New York, don’t know why, it’s probably the properness and glam NY delivers that makes London appear more wacky at 1st sight, rather than avantgarde. I love it, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I don’t. Ha! Truth is I love clothes that, while they make a statement and carry a message (related to the wearer’s personalty or a certain era) also look good. ‘Good’ being such a subjective term, I’ll elaborate: good clothes celebrate a woman’s body, making it look great, hot, classic, elegant. ‘Womanly’ in a word. And London kinda let me down this time on this one. Apart form a few designers who have surprised me in a wonderful way, others missed big time. (Mary Katranzou). But again, it’s just my take on things. What matters is the outcome of the weekend: Punk is cool yet again (it was never uncool actually) but it’s a bit more tamed (not sure if that’s still punk but anyway). Think 1940’s lady meets 1950’s & 1970’s woman. All in one. So many sides to one girl, so many looks & styles that I’m sure we’ll all find a few to crave for right after London Fashion Week ends.

Topshop @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Ones of my favorite collections and some of the most amazing clothes and looks, I found with Temperley London & Vivienne Westwood. No surprise here, given the reputation & talent that proceeds the latter. With her show held quite close to King’s Road at 430, where her legendary shop existed, Westwood’s collection was a working woman’s wardrobe & her punk spirit: great colors, cuts, same slouchy sexy nipped at the waist dresses. Loved it. Moschino Cheap & Chic was in the same punk zone – “punk goes couture“, with punk’s strongest elements reinterpreted in a softer way.

Temperley London @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Vivienne Westwood Red Label @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Moschino Cheap & Chic @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Another collection I actually loved was L’Wren Scott‘s. Heavy gold details, busy embroideries – it sort of made all the sense in the world that she was ‘‘dreaming of decadence” as she designed it. Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s portraits and obsession with those salon ladies and Viennese socialite Adele Bloch Bauer – the outcome was brilliant: 1940’s lady sometimes meets 1970’s woman, dressed impeccable with an utmost attention to detail and fine cuts, with a somewhat baroque vibe or style if you will to their looks. Most of London’s designers chose to focus more on shape this season, rather than prints or color, and I’m not sure if it was one of the best takes, I mean most collections seemed a bit too dull, too stripped off the razzmatazz , too austere and why not call it like it is… pretty wacky. Following NYC, there was a free pass for leather, fur, whites et all, though not so much and not so glam. Jonathan Saunders depicted the 1950’s pin up girl, in cupped bustiers and warm wooly textures with a hint of vinyl and rubber here and there for edge. He & Mulberry too put their money this time on oversize. Whether that was bad or good, I’ll let you be the judge of it.

Jonathan Saunders @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Mulberry @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Julien Macdonald @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall

With David Coma too there was an obsession with shape & vinyl, and at Matthew Williamson it was all geometry & shape on one hand, and relaxed slouchy looks on the other, whereas at Paul Smith, though a somewhat oversized menswear inspired collection, I think he pulled it off and gave us a heaven on trousers at least: cropped ones & shorter ones that had a bit of slouch to them. Definitely some styles too keep an eye on for next fall. Speaking of shape & oversize-ness I’m reminded of Richard Nicoll‘s collection: cheap on embellishments (no surprise there) basic, austere, elegant, androgynous and slouchy. Again.

David Coma & Preen @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Matthew Williamson @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Paul Smith @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Richard Nicoll @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Back to punk it is when we look at Preen (punk meets luxe and glam) and Sister by Sibling (inspired by Paula Yates, a mix of post punk domestic disturbance, housewife goddess who oozes a rock’roll aggressiveness and is a rebel at heart). The 1970’s and 1980’s inspired House of Holland who named their collection “Rave Nana” – that is, imagine a girl who steals her grandma’s clothes and goes out to party in a mix of prints, colors, cuts and shapes. A similar toned down side of a girl had Issa, as models strutted the runway in tapestry, prints, wool, and 70’s meets cowboy hats with feathers. Her glam girls seemed to have gone on a vacation and ditched the super fun hot outfits. And speaking of hats… oh there were some tulle ones at John Rocha, inspired by the horses in Wickland Ireland. Asked about his clothes he said – “I want to make an old fashioned woman contemporary… because I am an old fashioned man”… Oh so that’s what it was. Silly me :)

Sisters by Sibling @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall House of Holland @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Issa & John Rocha@London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall Emilia Wickstead @London Fashion Week – 2013 Fall

This was it for London’s Fashion Week weekend… Remember I asked for more edginess? Should mind my wishes next time. I am still debating if I liked what I saw or not. Though all in all it was great and I managed to put together some of my fave looks in the collages above, I still think (for now at least) that designers were too cheap on complex well put together creations this season, too dull & austere, and instead of a cohesion I found myself in a sea of weird too funky clothes, repetitive looks, still inspired by the same London obsessed themes: punk and the 70’s. Anyway, you could find clothes in all collections that had that certain something to keep you begging for more and coming back to reconsider. But not too many… Ah well. Let’s not get hasty now, who knows what tomorrow brings us, right?

18/02/2013

Fashion Talk

… More Trends Spotted At New York Fashion Week!

Continuing yesterday’s NYC Fashion Week cover story (click here to read), when we looked at some of the trends to keep an eye on in Fall 2013, here we are again in this fabulous sea of new collections, luxurious clothes, fantasy of cuts and shapes… and finally some color. Not too much though, because as I said yesterday, designers’ main focus for 2013 – 2014 Fall / Winter is not so much on color & prints (though I did spot a few amazing vibrant shades and patters), but mostly the freshness and uniqueness (though you know me… I always say, nothing is really new anymore) a certain cut holds. It’s architecture of the clothes dolls. So shall we proceed? With most designers we had a bit of it all: black, fur, brown and some other head-to-toe-color looks. Which brings me to the White Trend. Did anyone say you can’t do white in fall & winter? Ha, they couldn’t be more far off. That is, according to NYC’s designers. At the exact opposite of dark, deep, black shades, white comes as a breath of fresh air. Innocence anyone? Well… not really. Think luxurious, super elegant, classic with a twist, sometimes feminine and sometimes… punk. Or grunge. Rodarte had quite a few such white/light shades of grunge inspired outfits and Jason Wu put the exclamation point into sexy femininity. His woman was strutting the runway in flirty white, pleated dresses and skirts. Luxe: add some fur, which he did. Bad-ass: throw in some leather jackets & leather harnesses. With Herve Leger it was all chic hot sporty chic, in white over the knee dresses, subtle gold embellishments, body fitted and always a baseball cap on. Brilliant! Marc Jacobs… ah well. He’s will remain my all time fave. Continuing his 2012 Spring theme, and stretching it a bit into the 1970’s, his girls were mostly metallic goddesses in pixie cut hair, knickers, some fur and white. Not a lot… but that white fur coat was stunning.

White Mode (read details above) With the 1990’s continuing to inspire the street styles… it was bound to still linger on the catwalk too, so yes ladies, for next fall you just gotta channel you rock/punk chic and have fun with the concept of edge. When we talk Grunge Trend for fall 2013 we need to think 2 ways: punk grunge & glam grunge. Pick one side (or be indecisive, that’s cool too) but sneak into your outfit a bit of leather, studs, neon color hair, boots… The 90’s you know? Phillip Lim does the punk grunge look amazingly, and Rodarte puts some boho romanticism into it, while at Belstaff & Diesel Black Gold it’s all glam hotness, with leather, mini skirts, skinny trousers, studs, heavy eye makeup… A heaven for those who love this look. (guilty as charged)

Grunge Trend (read details above) All this grunge talk takes me to the next trend – the Leather Trend. Still, you may ask? Yes ladies, it happened this fall and will go on all throughout the next season. And it’s an obsession I tell you, because all designers had so many leather looks this Fashion Week, and I loved how there were no boundaries. Leather clothes do no longer mean: black & jacket. No way. It can be whatever you like: insertions of it, head to toe, tops, skirts, suits you name it. Michael Kors (one of the best collections this season), Alexander Wang, Jen Kao, Max Azria, Prabal Gurung, Calvin Klein, Custo Barcelona – all played with this fabulous fabric. Altuzarra had some absolutely stunning zipper black leather dresses, Michael Kors was the master of leather insertions and Jason Wu‘s peplum leather top with a feathers collar was to die for!

Leather, S&M et al (read details above) In all this black, white, brown, leather-for fun sort-of-dullness we’re quickly brought back to our senses with a few trends that if I may say so… are not for the faint hearted ones! The Metallic Trend. OK so it has been around for some time… but it seemed to me it was always more niche (think edgy teens), rather than ok for anyone. What designers are telling us… no wait… what Marc Jacobs is telling us (cause his collection was all metallic. All. Of. It) is that if you’re loving fashion & clothes you’ll be wearing metal, no matter your age or job, because listen up… it’s ok to wear it everywhere. Well maybe not those Jen Kao robot like suits, but sublime textures that are cut in the most simple way: dresses, tops, trousers. Not your cup of tea? Then turn to Thakoon for metallic shoes. A tiny bit of this trend that actually does make a statement.

Metallic Mania (read details above) With all these trends you may think there’s no room for color, right? And besides why do it in the cold season? Designers may have focused on minimalist dark deep shades, but still some of their outfits were telling us that it’s ok to go wild even on prints. The Print Trend may not be so big but it’s there. Think weird prints, wild prints, not a specific theme, but rather cut off textures and then randomly sown back on. Dots, stripes, flowers, digits… all in the same outfit. Sometimes all in one tiny top. Marc by Marc Jacobs (1970’s style), Anna Sui (she had enough for everyone), Diane von Furstenberg, Rodarte, Vera Wang (flowers) – defined the new concept pf prints. It’s no rules, but a sublime chaos of mismatched patters!

Funky Strange Prints (read details above) Not too far off from this trend, stands the Solid Color Trend. Blunt, minimalist, elegant, austere but super luxurious clothes. Doesn’t make sense does it? It’s simple, but it’s not. It’s coloured but understated. There. That should clear it :) Think an all-black outfit or all-white and a solid color jacket on top. Or solid colors in trousers, tops… you get the picture. The point it… it’s all about the basic shades: yellows, blues, reds, oranges and greens. Lovely.

Solid Shades (read details above) Not for you? Than you may choose to stick to the Splash of Color Trend as some designers chose to keep their outfits in blacks, greys, browns and basic or deep shades but spice it up just a tiny bit with either vibrant or solid colors. And when I say a tiny bit… I mean they were really cheap on color. Think orange collars, blue pocket stripes, shoes, clutches or pink gloves.

Splash That Color (read details above) No Fashion Week will ever be complete without the evening looks… and most designers went for Imperialism & Baroque inspiration with ball gowns in neon decadent shades and heavy embroideries. The ultimate richness, luxe and glamour! Others set the tone for this amazing opulent decadence in daytime wear with stunning embroidered heavy tones and deep shade dresses, skirts, tops or coats! Zac Posen, Carolina Herrera & Marchesa were but a few designers to own this trend.

Imperial & Baroque Opulence (read details above) That’s pretty much it for NYC Fashion Week fall/winter 2013 – 2014… Hard to part, but we need to, as London Fashion Week awaits and I’m dying to see some major fashion revolution taking place. As if. But you know me… hope dies last! Have a lovely weekend dolls :) xoxo

15/02/2013

Fashion Talk

Trends Spotted At New York Fashion Week! What To Look Out For In Fall 2013?

Every fashion savvy has probably got a list of a few things to look out for in a fashion week season, and when it comes to New York City’s Fashion Week… well it doesn’t get any better. As the posh crowd has flocked to the Big Apple for a week now, we’re already placing out best & worst of Fall 2013 collections. (with all this red carpet season I’m starting to see it all in terms of best & worst). Right before a Fashion Week season I always get a bit nervous and feel swamped in work even before staring it… so many designers, collections, so fast… and I confess I am always a bit skeptical as to what we shall see. And my ever haunting question starts to resonate yet again: will we finally see something new? Ah well… if not we’ve still got those ‘fresh/controversial stories‘ to hide behind: Alexander Wang is the new creative designer for Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs gave us a heart attack when he announced he postponed his show (breath now – it was delayed a few days due to shipping matters) and the big one: John Galliano was to return to the Fashion Week courtesy of Oscar de la Renta. Lots of eyebrows and eye rolling on this one… but I suppose we all deserve second chances right? And Galliano is bloody talented so we can give him that. What happened at New York Fashion Week Fall 2013 so far? Amazing collections, some fantastic trends that arise so far for the next cold season and a bit more focus on shape and cut rather than prints and patters, which is so refreshing. Most designers focused on solid colors, basics and loads of dark deep shades with all the fashion razzmatazz coming from the clothes architecture. Some 1940’s inspired looks with Carolina Herrera, some 1970’s with Marc Jacobs (am I starting to see a pattern here?) and as much as designers said they hated this term or label: lots of punk inspired looks. Yes dolls the grunge is back and with it, its side trends.

Trends @NYFW Fall 2013 After looking at the collections, these past few days, I think it’s safe to say that for 2013 – 2014 Fall/Winter we’ll all be posh grunge ladies in deep dark colors, knee & over the knee high boots & long gloves. Femininity is high this season and so is the strength of a woman. Only looking at Prabal Gurung‘s collection we feel empowered: fantastic display of femininity & strength in dark army colors, strong shoulders, tiny waists, buckled thigh high boots, leather insertions, fur for glam… Oh how I loved it. He said he took inspiration from the women in combat! So one big arising trend for 2013 Fall, to be on the look out for, is Stick To Black Trend! Hmmm… not a new one, but always a classic I can never get enough of. We did it this season, we’ll be ditching it for Spring Summer but fall right in its dark mysterious claws for next season. All designers had one too many clothes & outfits in all-black, but what differed from say the past was the rawness & the bluntness of them. All was stripped from over the top embellishments as designers focused on the right attitude & vibe. Feminine & powerful. Strong shoulders, tiny waists, mix of textures, zippers, buttons…

Stick To Black Trend (read details above) Remaining in the color zone I was quite surprised to notice a trend that has been dead for quite a while (well not really, we all do it, it just wasn’t too big) – Earth Tones: Brown Is Back. Carolina Herrera had quite a few looks that screamed ‘‘look out for brown”. Remember Katherine Hepburn? Or those super feminine rebel sexy 1940’s vixen heroines? Long hemlines, large trousers, nipped at the waist blazers, super long fur trimmed coats nonchalantly thrown over shoulders, pulled back and rolled up hairstyles… all in a sea of chocolate with milk. That’s what it was all about! Another fashion lady to always pay attention to – Donna Karan – went back to her roots yet reinvented all she once did: draped textures and cuts in mostly brown tones. Dark reddish brown this time with leather insertions and fur embellishments here & there for that dramatic sexy vibe. I absolutely loved that long slim fit brown dress with leather insertions at the chest and the dark brown knee length coat with a big fur collar – ah simply timeless elegance, all completed by one of my fave beauty looks out there: sleek pony tails, dark eyes & nude lips! Then it was with Alice + Olivia that I’ve spotted an amazing brown look with a fur coat as centerpiece: eclectic, bohemian, polished yet nonchalant. Well the brand is all maximalism so whatever you love you’ll surely find with them.

Brown Is Back Trend (read details above) And speaking of fur… get ready for a warm and super glamorous Fur Fall 2013 Trend. Almost all looks from all designers had a touch of this luxurious detail. If with some such as, Chado Ralph Rucci it was all about the luxe vibe: long fur coats, in all shades (pink & yellow neon) that covered trouser suits and business like outfits (my fave was the black & white fur coat over the white ensemble), others opted for fur insertions & slight touches of fur: Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurung, Thakoon & Tommy Hilfiger. Amazing fur coats, vests & jackets were at: Diane von Furstenberg, Belstaff, Cuso Barcelona, Donna Karan, Herve Leger, Max Azira, Jason Wu, Vera Wang (capes), Plillip Lim had some & of course Oscar de la Renta. By the way… his collection, though a bit critiqued by the fashion connoisseurs for being a bit too ”been there done that” – was one of my favorites. So did John Galliano had an input or not? When asked, one of Renta’s PRs said “well he is backstage“. There… that should answer your question. Ha! The collection might have been a bit old, non risque taker (compared to S/S 2013 when it was all pink hair & leather remember?) but it celebrated the sultry feminine sexy dramatic strong woman: perfect shapes, deep colors, amazing cuts and those brilliant fur & rich accessories…

Fur Fall 2013 Trend (read details above) Which brings me to an accessory trend we will definitely love: Over The Elbow Gloves. It’s quite reminiscent of those glam post WWII times, when ladies dressed well, and regardless of their status and fortune all wore: gloves, hats & purses. Vera Wang‘s interpretation of gloves was my fave: leather, way-over-the-elbow long, paired with everything, in nudes and black. Forget your long sleeves and replace them with super long expensive looking gloves. Other designers did the shorter version, the wrist version, the neon colored one… So I guess it’s safe to say… get creative with your gloves look. The important thing next fall is to wear them!

Over-The-Elbow Gloves Trend (read details above) stay tuned for more Fashion Week trends spotted by FashionTag :)

14/02/2013

Fashion Talk

New York Fashion Week Is Here! What We’re Looking Forward To…

Yesterday New York Fashion Week kicked off with yet another fresh round of collections, backstage snap shots, Tommy Ton fantastic street style photos and constant updates on what the rich and famous are up to for one week in NYC. The fashion event has everyone going insane about how to get in, and when that happens… its very exclusivity raises a few questions and anxiety for the row attendants: omg! what to wear? how to style myself? go for heels or choose comfy instead? If you’re there, it’s not an easy task to go through the shows: you have to look out for those posh faces, take as many photos as possible and post as fast as you say ‘omg’. Fashion is a mean tough industry as opposed to its glam and richness that lures and seduces boys and girls just about every minute… but what makes us so obsessed with Fashion Weeks? Is is its closed posh circles? The front rows? Fishing for stories to boost our traffic? Or is it our genuine love & addiction for fashion that keeps us coming back? I suppose it’s a bit of everything with the latter triggering the rest. So before I give in and make way for FashionTag‘s daily FW covers in the weeks to come… I thought of putting together some Fashion Week inspiration to get us in the mood (not that we need to, but anyway). So what does make us sigh, nervous and excited when is comes to Fashion Week? Why it’s this whole mixture of glam, richness, luxury, famous people… and… fantastic clothes. We get to see before everyone else (well actually those who are not into fashion probably don’t even give a damn, but whatev) what the next season will be all about fashion wise. What to buy, what to wear, what to ditch or keep an eye on in terms of: clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, colors, patterns… NYC Fashion Week is one of my faves (then comes Milan). It’s the ultimate mix of glam & urban, business & art. And I love it! That being said, as 2013 – 2014 Fall Winter Collections kick off in NYC Fashion Week, my eyes will be locked to the runway. Dying to see Marc Jacob’s collection (btw, did you see his diet coke campaign?), Oscar de la Renta (and John Galliano, right?), Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu… oh they’re quite a few I’ll be on the look out for.

Marc Jacobs diet coke campaign Then… the backstage pics are some of the best at Fashion Week. Tired beautiful models, tons on makeup on tables, Twitter & Instagram snap shots. The after parties make the front pages as well! Prabal Gurung kicked off the after party FW season just last night. Then the shopping list for those attending is crucial with the extra ‘what to wear’ & ‘what to buy’ tips. It’s all in the accessories: cool bags, expensive looking clutches, shoes, phones, books, shades… and the eternal coffee to go and posh awkwardness. Which brings me to one of my faves things at Fashion Week – the street styles. Tommy Ton is the king photographer of street snap shots! No one captures the urban glam vibe and those luxe details better than him!

So let’s sigh away over these NYC Fashion Week bits. First: the backstage sneak peak from yesterday!

Street Style by Tommy Ton @NY Fashion Week 2013/2014 Fall Winter Prabal Gurung & Target Party

Designers showing @NY Fashion Week 1st Day – Fall Winter 2013/2014 Collections

Derek Lam – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

J Brand – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

Juicy Couture – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

Lisa Perry – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

Organic by John Patrick – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

Rachel Comey – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

Red Valentino – New York Fashion Week, 2013/2014 Fall Winter Collection

So what are you most looking forward to?

08/02/2013

Fashion Talk, Looks, Street Style

What Do Men Wear In Winter? Men’s Street Styles From 2013/2014 Fall – Winter Fashion Week!

Not too long ago FashionTag has made its debut into menswear (click here to read more) and here we are, as promised, peaking into something a little bit more juicy and perhaps quite helpful when it comes to what you lovely gents are wearing in everyday life, on the streets, to work, to dates, to lunches or dinners. It’s time to look into men’s street styles right from Fashion Week, as snapped by the amazing & super talented Tommy Ton. If looking into catwalk shows & styles, in order to spot next season’s trends and know what to shop and what to wear, may appear a bit too far off… FashionTag is throwing you gents some hints – street style inspiration. So what do fashion’s gurus wear on the most important week of the year? In winter? Though Spring is right around the corner (well not quite yet, but anyway) I’m sure there are some fashion staples you guys can spot and stretch them all throughout the whole year. If women at FW tend to be more edgy & adventurous, I was pretty surprised to see the gentlemen opting for rather classic looks & traditional ensembles. Sure there were a few boys donning your regular sporty chic style (bright kicks, coloured trousers, jackets, caps) or bohemian looks (think tormented writers, busy photographers who don’t have time to think about what they’re wearing, nor give a damn, so they’ll be sporting sweaters, sports jackets, caps, coats… – the usual eclectic ”I don’t give a shit” mix). But all in all most lads went for the classic with a twist style and let me tell you, they looked fantastic. I mean a man in a suit (regardless of its style) will always have us ladies look twice and smile in our heads over how sexy, cool or cute the wearer is. And when I say suits I mean everything from your classic dark suit to lighter shades, plaid, chic, super smart, casual, sort of like the editor meets the rich buyer. And yes they all looked like rich Italians smoking their cigarettes, sipping their wines or coffees in their posh suits, over which they’re strutting luxurious coats, scarves and leather gloves. Not to mention their bags, shoes & shades. An obsession towards waistcoats was there as was the layering (must’ve been the cold as well). Layers of sweaters or cardigans under or over jackets & blazers. Coats over thinner jackets, or sports jackets over coats. And then a whole new trend was invading the streets: huge scarves. And when I say huge, I mean blankets. Yes they made the blankets look fabulous. Everyone was doing it and looked super fun & polished in them. No look will ever be complete without accessories. Even men know it! And since the trending look was that of the rich successful man, the attention to details was crucial. Shoes (apart form the fun sneakers & kicks, that will forever remain in style) were picked as if to make a statement of social & professional status: classic, man heeled, polished, leather, with your so-fashion-like socks into place, easily spotted from underneath the trousers’s hem, which in itself was rather short, or rolled up. Lots of lads were wearing gloves as if trying to channel some super luxurious land owner or equestrian master. Scarves were there, either as blankets or as smart classic gentlemen shawls you see in old Italian movies or on wall street moguls. The super expensive label watches were resting on spoiled wrists and nonchalantly showcased when smoking or chatting on the phone. And the bags were fabulous: either big bags that seemed to carry a lifetime of things or super tiny ones that looked more like clutches. Loved them all! And of course hats! A sea of hats, actually, from the most sporty styles to the more traditional ones. So, my lovely gents… what to look for (fashion wise) when shopping this season? A casual suit in brown’ish or dark tones that you can mix with cardigans, shirts or jeans. Waistcoats – a definite must. Classic shoes that show your socks. Huge scarves & attention to details. Oh… and layer layer layer layer! You’ll pull that effortless rich or bohemian look! So gentlemen what’s your style? And which will be your next fashion must-have? photos by Tommy Ton via style.com

21/01/2013

Fashion Talk

Man Up Boys! Highlights From Menswear 2013 Fall Collections At Fashion Week!

After one week of going round in circles over whether I should or should not do a post on Men’s Fashion (with Menswear Fashion Week and all that) I gave in. The reason behind my utterly disturbing incertitude was simple. I do not know men’s fashion. There I said it. Hold on. I know when a man looks good, is well dressed, stylish & polished… but writing about it? Really? Not quite right down my street. Besides, here at FashionTag the focus has always been women’s fashion. But then… I had this revelation… FashionTag is about fashion & style, and I do have a few lads out there who sometimes click on my humble blog (thanks mates) and read my ramblings or love my photos. Then it’s my male friends. They’ve been asking me for tips and posts lately I was like: ”What?” (so this one’s for you mates). Plus… us ladies are always on the prowl for the next best thing to get our men… We all know how we want our men to look. Hell we get so comfy and full of ourselves every time we put on our stylist hats for them. Aha! So let us all ladies and gents both kick back, have a look & get inspired by what designers have in stores for men, for 2013 – 2014 Fall / Winter. Here are my faves so far!

Burberry Prorsum – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Calvin Klein – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

And for some reason I cannot shake the ‘‘Is it a man’s world” song out of my head, while I’m writing this. Clearly it does not apply in fashion industry. Well it’s actually the only industry where men are a bit discriminated and not given the same attention, while women are the ones cutting the cake and eating it. Still when it comes to fashion week, for the past 2 years or so… you gents cannot complain. You’ve had the same attention, same VIPs sitting front rows (you can never go wrong or ask for better than Anna Dello Russo, right?) fantastic clothes, collections, makeup artists, street photographers (btw have you seen Tommy Ton‘s snap shots? Ah-mazing. I’ll do a post on men’s FW street style these days). It’s becoming the same posh show as the Women’s Fashion Week. Ah… not complaining at all.

Dolce & Gabbana – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

So boys when it comes to fashion what do you love & hate? What do you go for? What are your staples? Are you adventurous or rather classic? Is your style smart or casual? How often do you shop? Where? Oh my… Well according to the world’s biggest designers all you sexy lads should dress classic with a twist next fall & winter. Burberry had some simply fabulous trench coats, Marc Jacobs was all about the rock edgy style, Dsquared had some of that old jazz, bohemian smart vibe to their collection, while the Italians were all about the muscular glamour (I don’t even know if this term even exists). I absolutely loved Gucci & Armani. I love the idea of a man in a reinvented suit, leather dark coats, bicker jackets over expensive textures. Dolce & Gabbana collection was again a story you couldn’t but love. From the old Sicily, inspired by the altar boys shirts, the retro peasant elegance and relaxation. Not too classic or easy to pull, yet perfect for those of you who are more experimental and not afraid to step out of the box, style wise. And before you plunge into the photos… one more thing. Apparently the waistcoat will have a huge comeback! You’d better start working on your six packs lads!

Dsquared – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Fendi – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Giorgio Armani – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Gucci – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Marc Jacobs – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Missoni – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Moschino – Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

Prada- Menswear Fall Winter 2013/2014

photos via style.com

16/01/2013

Fashion Talk

Backstage Peek Into London Fashion Week – Spring 2013!

Backstage London Fashion Week – Roksanda Ilincic; stylebistro.com

I’ve noticed how after each Fashion Week I tend to do an article and close-up on the street style of that particular fashion capital. Today though, I will venture into something else, as London Fashion Week has ended. So FashionTag will take you, my lovely readers from the British catwalks, behind the scenes of London Fashion Week Spring 2013. Though backstage peek is not a an estranged post to FashionTag… it has been a while, to be honest with you.

This season London has given us all: plastic textures, 70s punk goddess’ inspirations, painted faces… And it all looked the part on the runways. Smooth, energetic, artsy, business-is-good-kind, supreme marketing & PR, skinny gorgeous models, not a pin or needle in sight, not a flock of hair out of place, not a line of makeup badly applied…

Backstage London Fashion Week – Topshop; courtesy of Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – Issa London; Skye Delap

Backstage though you stepped into another world. Chaos, shouts, uber tall & beautiful models frowning as stylists pulled their hair too hard, yawing in utter boredom, reading their books lazily, tweeting excessively, drinking water to wash away hangovers while teams of makeup artists & hairstylists make them look the part. Designers were giving interviews, PRs were stressed out under their poker faces, shouts, laughter & gossip on who’s honoring the 1st row, who came and who didn’t. Behind ‘bloody hells’ & F words, courteous smiles & wannabes, racks of clothes are waiting to make a huge entrance, expensive shoes to be stepped on, accessories to embellish and make a statement.

Backstage London Fashion Week – Saunders; Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – Reed Tote; style.com

And it always seems to end too soon and without you grasping the very vibe of the moment, until you later pack your bags, take the tube and get to the office, where you can’t wait to chit-chat with the girls while writing reviews or looking over photos. And then you start again… And it’s between travels, drinks and dinner with friends or film with the BF – that you actually start to take it all in and let your thoughts & ideas on the whole week take over…

Backstage London Fashion Week – House of Holland; Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – Burberry; Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – Jessica Alba; style.com

Backstage London Fashion Week – Erdem; Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – Mary Katrantzou; Skye Delap

Backstage London Fashion Week – model; style.com

Backstage London Fashion Week – Paul Andrew shoes; style.com

Backstage London Fashion Week – Ralph Lauren sandals; style.com

20/09/2012

Fashion Talk

London Fashion Week – Spring 2013. Collections & Designers (part II)

Ladies it’s been a pleasure I tell you. Yet before we say goodbye to London Fashion Week and plunge into the most glamorous and sensual city of fashion week (Milan– that’s you) here’s a look at some more established designers London offers us.

London Fashion Week, Spring 2013 – Burberry Front Row, photo via watchingyouwatchingme-aj.blogspot.ro

Jonathan Saunders said Spring 2013 was ”the hardest collection I’ve ever done”. Known as the London master of print & forever innovator and seeker for new and original takes on his work,Saunders, remaining faithful to his legacy, experimented so much (good way) with this collection. It was a show of color on leather, laminate printed fabrics, cellophane textures, skin-looking tops, sci-fi metallic items. Models with vampire lustful dark red lips, aviator/grunge sunglasses looked like 70s punk style icons. The designer did confess… ”I was thinking about Michael Clark disco girl”. With bias-cut slip dresses, glossy lips, tousled hair, sequins his girl was like a sexy wild child with a bit of art inside her.

Jonathan Saunders – London Fashion Week, 2013 Spring

Mary Katrantzou must’ve traveled a lot in her life and was a fervent stamp & money collector. Or at least she though of that alternate past life experience for her collection. Widely known for prints (yes she does make prints out of everything) she stunned us with her 2013 Spring Collection. Using the idea of stamps, money, banknotes she let her creation go wild and printed these journey totems on all items. She mixed, matched, cut, reshaped, rearranged and it all turned out brilliant. A-lines, shift dresses, sheaths, luxurious patterns, metallic brocades, Swarovsky crystals – all adorned the models and gave a feeling of Byzantine Age.

Mary Katrantzou – London Fashion Week, 2013 Spring

Temperley London looked into the 1950s time/lifestyle/fashion to get inspired and had the runway flooded with Sophia Loren look a likes (well sort of) , all in scarlet, pale blues, whites, navies, floral appliques, organza, tulle, ribbon skirts, sating thick horizontal stripes alternated with sheer texture, white lace, digital prints... She’s the designer who artfully combines boho style with embelished pieces for the middle class/West London woman.

Temperley London – London Fashion Week, 2013 Spring

Vivienne Westwood Red Label was definitely the talk of the town, before and after. Inspired too by the 50s, an age of austerity when fashion was the last thing on your mind, yet never taken for granted for that matter, Vivienne Westwood came up with quite a lady like collection of cocktail dresses, big heavy pearls, pink silk jacquard skirt, twinsets, wool, gloves... And to top it all of, forget the traditional makeup. She chose to have model’s faces painted entirely in different colors: pink, red, orange, blue, green. Threw in there big vulgar yet oh so feminine flowers or hats, cool hair-dos and there you have it. The talk of the week. If that’s what Westwood was after than kuddos to her. Or could it be that she wanted us (a little too much) to not look at the clothes? Didn’t she exploit the punk glam rock side of the rebel woman, one too many times? And to make it all 100% sure (going for a safety net there Mrs. Westwood?) she ended the show in the ugliest pair of over-sized knickers, pulled over sheer tights and had a message T-shirt. Oh and a painted face. Sure it was the opposite of the collection, we got it, but was it so mandatory to push the boundary. I guess so – in art. The secret is /or better yet the point is to deliver on it… Ah… fun show indeed!

Vivienne Westwood Red Label – London Fashion Week, 2013 Spring

all photos are from style.com

For more designers and collections got to Part I of London Fashion Week. xx

19/09/2012