Thanks goodness these don’t require those dodgy cinema specs to appreciate their 3D beauty. Fashion has embraced texture for Summer 2013. This is about grand scale, brave and beautiful detailing that borders on the sculptural. This is a modern approach to femeninity, celebrating strength and boldness. These looks are like saying “Yeah, I’m a lady, and what of it?” whilst planting your hands firmly on your hips.
In amongst all of the wonderful frocks in the V&A‘s ‘Ball Gowns’ exhibition, I came across one that was just so surprising and beautiful- and it was from a designer who’s name I didn’t know. It’s always a treat to discover a new label that’s inspirational and innovative, so we wanted to share that excitement with you. And this time that excitement has a very sexy edge indeed.
The designer in question is Atsuko Kudo. The dress that we fell in love with at the V&A is a lace printed, latex number. It is fascinating in it’s fit and texture. Kudo is a leading light in the world of latex dressing, winning multiple fetish and lingerie awards. This Tokyo born, London based designer works exclusively in this very specific material, crafting stunning, sexy and empowering looks for the boudoir and beyond.
Atsuko Kudo at the V&A
For more inspirational posts, click here. For more on new designers, click here.
You may have spotted a tweet from me earlier in the week about this collection. After spotting it in Selfridges and Dover Street Market, the dresses from the Peter Pilotto SS’12 collection are now somewhat of an obsession. They made a huge impact on the catwalk, but up close and personal, these are absolutely incredible. The construction, detailing, use of print, finish and silhouettes are amazing. Absolutely inspirational.
Peter Pilotto, SS'12
Peter Pilotto, SS'12
Peter Pilotto, SS'12
Peter Pilotto, SS'12
Peter Pilotto, SS'12
Thanks to Style.com for the images. If you’d like to see more inspirational posts, just click here.
Yesterday was our first working day of the year and we braved the torrential rains and the gusting wind in order to start our retail research for the next set of reports. It was not the kind of weather that encourages you to think ‘Spring’ thoughts, so I was delighted when I came across the ray of sunshine that was the Sonia Rykiel store window display. Three looks in gorgeous daffodil yellow to inject some much needed Vitamin D into our system. An instant shot of Spring hope for you.
Sonia Rykiel, Spring '12
Sonia Rykiel, Spring '12
Sonia Rykiel, Spring '12
If you’d like to see more window displays, just click here. If you’d like to catch up on all of our retail coverage, just click here.
As it’s party season, we’re being utterly spoilt by some stunning frocks out on the high street right now. The classic choice is, of course, the little black dress, and here are some of our favourites. From high end to mass market, this has got to be the fashion equivalent of a ‘sure thing’. These don’t look faddy, but they are all fashion relevant. Tempting enough to make you feel like you would really be missing out if you didn’t make a purchase, but with the longevity to be one of those things you could pull out of your wardrobe for season’s to come without feeling too out of step with the fashion moment.
Zara
All Saints
Prada
Warehouse
Reiss
River Island
BCBG. OK, we know this isn't a dress but still...
If you’d like to see more posts about gorgeous frocks, just click here. If you’re interested in reading more about retail, then click here. Enjoy!
Today we welcome you to the wonderful world of ‘Soft Wovens’. This is an increasingly important category, playing host to most of this season’s hottest styles. This has been the story since around this time last year when we saw a surge in interest in soft, light weight, diaphanous maxi’s, the pussy bow blouse and 70′s inspired evening jumpsuits. This Autumn Winter this category plays host to all of the brilliant midi skirts, from full and swishy to hobbling pencils.This is also where you find all of the brilliant shirt variations, translated into silky base cloths and worked in colour blocked beauty. Want to know what has happened to the perfect T shirt? Well, it’s now to be found in the ‘Soft Wovens’ department, made of a refined woven base cloth instead of jersey.
So, from that summary, we’re sure that you are either, as a retailer, dedicating lots of creativity and floor space to this section of your range, and as a shopper, we’re pretty confident that you are buying into this department on a regular basis. It’s an easy report to fill every month at the moment, with a constant influx of inspirational creativity hitting the high street. Have a look at a few of the pages from the last report that we published, but please do note that these are just the tip of the report iceberg as there were over 45 pages in this report in total, all packed with fantastic product shots, colour palettes, streetstyle and even a little vintage.
If you’d like to see more on this report, or the others in our offer, why not sneak a peek at the full portfolio by clicking here, or contact us or your nearest agent to see the whole of each report in their impressive printed form. You can find all the relevant contact details by clicking here. Enjoy!
We just had to share this backstage video with you. Not only is it a gorgeous insight into what happens just before the models take to the Lanvin catwalk, there are also some lovely moments with Alber Elbaz who we hugely heart. You get to see some of the clothes actually moving which adds to the experience of this very kinetic collection. We really love the snake inspired pattern and the urgency of the slashed and split designs, expressing a new take on a somehow speedy or sporty aesthetic.
Here are some of our favourite looks from the show too, care of the wonderful Style.com
We hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post. Here’s some more inspirational show shots for you from Copenhagen Fashion Week, where the designers were showcasing their Spring Summer 2012 collections. These images are from the ‘CPH Visions + terminal II‘ showcase where the best contemporary womenswear brands focusing on Scandinavian design, feminine fashion and up-and-coming designers are shown as a group. The venue was a stunning building within Copenhagen’s historical ‘meatpacking’ district, Øksnehallen. Amongst those showing was Nuit Comme Oui, who we featured previously on the blog in one of our interviews. Just click here if you’d like to read it.
While most of us were working away as usual in sunny London, our lovely “Blink” family member, Asta, headed home to Copenhagen. The timing was perfect as her visit coincided with Copenhagen Fashion Week. After London (obviously!) and Paris, Copenhagen has to be our next favourite fashion inspiration location within Europe so we are delighted to be able to feature this on the blog and share it with you all.
Here is Asta’s summary of the biggest news from the event which was for Spring Summer 2012:
“The maxi-dress is quite predictably still a strong look and so is the platform shoe, but what I particularly noticed from this week is a lot of pastel colours in light see-through materials, mixed with bold accessories: big and shiny but simple, clean lines with lots of gold and silver. Accessories are either very small or they’re very big. The in-between thing doesn’t feel right at all. I also noticed quite a few sporty touches too, like trainers and sporty jersey fabrics but mixed with silk, knit and print. The round, binocular sunglasses are still a hit. There was a lot of metallic gold fabric and a strong presence snakeskin effects- all with an underlying feeling of the 90′s. I also spotted lots of bright colored, tie-die style prints, and a lot of ‘mullet’ dresses that had a short front but a long back, just as we’ve been seeing coming through in London this Summer.”
Here’s the first hit of shows coverage for you, featuring Benedikte Utzon‘s SS’12 collection, and there will be more tomorrow- followed by some great streetstyle shots towards the end of the week.
Absolutely Nothing to Wear
brilliantly insightful blog about all sorts of inspirational topics, headed up by fashion expert, Mel Moss.
DISNEYROLLERGIRL
one of our favourite fashion blogs, covering all sorts of inspirational stylish subjects. She knows her stuff!
facehunter
super cool street shots from around Europe
Fashion Blog News
Subscribe on Twitter and get all the key fashion news delivered right to you!
Garance Dore
blog from a chic French fashion illustrator and style commentator
Jak and Jil
Diverse fashion blog with a penchant for great shoes. Fabulous pictures.
Liberty London's blog
the brilliant blog from our favourite London store. Not to be missed!
Man Repeller
Genius styling and a wicked sense of humour. A really great fashion blog.
Shanti Sundays
when we’re off duty or making some yoga shapes, we pretty much live in this collection. Beautiful, relaxed and we agree with Shanti Sundays that ‘love is everything’
Show Studio
Nick Knight’s brilliant blog with lots of fashion insider info
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