Louis Vuitton Pre-fall 2013

I know it could seem unorthodox of me to post one collection after another, but stay with me here. How could I pass this up? After seeing bright hues for their spring collection, I’m actually refreshed by

Let’s deconstruct the collection’s trends:

• Darker tones, besides black, such as red and navy blue are obviously very common.
• Shoulder pads and boxy upper silhouettes were often used in jackets
• Lace was a commonly used textile. Lace prints, jacquards and debossing techniques on silk twill were all used.
• We can take inspiration from Vuitton's inspiration. 'The Bride Wore Black', a 1968 film by François Truffaut about a widow's revenge, in which she hunts down the five men that made her a widow on her wedding day. She methodically kills each of the five men in different ways. Freaky.

Day

One of the shorter length dress/skirts, this look can be used for day (as well as night). The outfits are simple, with leather on one side and lace jacquard on the other. Look at the shoes! They’re delightful.

 

With a plain black t-shirt and skater skirt, you can get both of the girls looks by switching between a lace jacquard blazer and a feminine leather jacket. If it’s too hot, this statement peter pan bow collar fits the scene perfectly. If you’re too shy of a leather jacket, you can amplify your leather stats with patent leather pumps and a clutch.

Office

Here we have a look that could work for school or the office. Relatively modest and sleek, combining trousers and a lace blazer or coat will be in this Autumn without a doubt.

Here I’ve given you the options of a lace coat or a blazer (happens to have a lace back, but that’s unnecessary for you) with a blue black lace peplum top. Highlight the blue black in your bag or clutch and shoes – particularly if you can incorporate lace here, too. Accessorize with dark drop earrings.

Evening

An evening look, here is a midi-dress featuring a peter pan collar. Over it goes a large, large coat. Again, the shoes are just precious (NB. I might have to pick up a pair similar).

You’ve got a tonne of oxblood pieces from 2012, right? We all do. We can skip the lace, as the lace blend gives the illusion of this tone anyway. I’ve used a shearling bag here as it has both oxblood and black, and to add an interesting textile to the outfit. A chunky coat is featured on the bottom left as you can see. This is more of an adult look, you could wear it out of a night without a doubt.

So what do you think? Too dark and gloomy? Or a grown-up, Wednesday Addams sort of sophistication? Tell me what you think. My next post is ‘How To: Dress for a Plane Flight’. Come back soon.

Source: Style.com

Vintage Fashion, Modern Approach.

Love Claire, xo.

Barbara Bui Pre-fall 2013

This collection was not similar that I’m used to doting over, but I just adore it. Maybe it’s the minimalist look coming into trend, or my current love of monochrome, but I think it’s just fantastic.

In order to re-create these looks, we need to identify the collection’s elements

• Monochromatic colour scheme – The use of white, black and a bit of pinkish ivory. Each outfit is predominantly one colour, with the exception of a few outfits having two or three.
• Minimalist designs – The lines of the garments are very minimalist, with little design (except for one look featuring a gold design)
• Leather and other interesting textiles for contrast – Leather is the most commonly used contrast textiles, some outfits comprised totally of leather. There is also a silky jacket and patchwork jacket among pieces of other textiles.

Leather Top

Here a textured leather-like sweater is paired with trousers and elbow-length leather gloves.

De-intensify the look by wearing a simple leather top that flatters your shape with dark navy blue jeans. Short leather gloves are apt for a more every day look. Both the shoes and clutch are minimalist and black. Keep hair smooth and polished so that you look more fashion follower and less heavy metal fan.

Suit Look

The suit look, a fitted blazer with no lapel and contrast leather pockets has a pair of matching trousers and a minimalist black bag.

Every woman (working in a white collar occupation) should have a suit in her wardrobe. Under the blazer, a nude top gives you the best of both worlds between appropriate and sexy. Cinch the blazer at natural waist with a simple belt.

Nude Night Out

A creamy sleeveless mini dress is paired with socks of the same colour and red heels.

With a simple nude dress, add splashes of red with heels, a clutch and red pearl earrings (or something else that’s very simplistic). For those going the extra mile, you could take the extra inspiration and wear a matching pair of socks with the heels.

How do you feel about Barbara’s collection? What about the minimalist trend? I’d love to know what you think. My next post will show you ‘How To: Dress for a Plane Flight’.

Source: Style.com

Vintage Fashion, Modern Approach.

Love Claire, xo.

Giulietta's Pre-Fall 2013 collection

This collection hit a soft spot for me, oh it did. Designer  Sofia Sizzi, was inspired by fashion muse, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s! A month ago I made a post reconstructing some of her outfits here. Sofia Sizzi is no stranger to working from silhouettes reminiscent of the 1960’s, but this collection catapults her into my good books. From gradient jewel prints, to a bright pink short-sleeved dress with a full skirt made, I feel as though Giulietta’s collection has captured the essence of Holly Golightly perfectly.

  

I don’t feel like there’s much of a point deconstructing these outfits, because I've already deconstructed Holly’s outfits in my post ‘Channeling Your Inner Audrey Hepburn – Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. So I’ll leave you with this link to see the rest of the Giulietta collection here.

Giulietta Pre-Fall 13

Notice, its Cat!

I’m so happy about finding this (even though I was a month late to it), thanks Twitter! You can also find me on Twitter here. My next post is on ‘Grace Kelly – Channeling Your Princess Within’, so I hope you come back to read it. How did you feel about this collection? I’d love to know! Post a comment or email me.

Vintage Fashion, Modern Approach.

Love Claire, xo.

Retro Cadillac Car Print Clothing

When looking at retro prints, one thinks tropical fruit, animals, nature and vehicles! After the prime time of these prints in the 1950’s, the look returned at some points during the 70s and 80s as eye catching novelty prints on jumpers, dresses and t-shirts. Around a year ago, Prada brought out their retro, fifties inspired Spring Summer collection which restarted the trend, so let’s look at a general timeline.

Late 2011

Prada’s cartoon Cadillac prints.

After the campaign and the catwalk show, it was clear to see that these prints were in. The perfect addition to a Spring/Summer wardrobe, it was flirty, fun and everything in between.

Early 2013

High street UK store Primark release a Cadillac print shell and pleated skirt in colour options of pastel yellow and blue. 

The skirt only costing 12 pounds (about $20 US) and the shell at 8 pounds ($12.50). From what I'm aware of, they also sold a pink dress and shorts featuring the print, possibly due to the popularity of these pieces. Unfortunately Primark doesn't ship overseas, but the printed items were admired by many over the web.

Mid 2013

After popping up in almost every fairly priced clothing store from Next to Zara, we begin to watch the cars drive away as more and more trends enter and exit the chain stores. Many stores became sold out, and others let their stock filter through reductions. Bringing us here ... 

Late 2013

A Boxing Day shopper, yours truly, sifts through a bargain bin to find a cute Cadillac print scarf and underwear in an outlet Cotton On for $2 each.

This is surely the end of the road. Cadillac print trend is officially over, but that won’t stop me from wearing my adorable new scarf. If you’re strictly an on-trend sort of person, Never fear! These things will always repeat, and when it does a print trend similar to this re-enters fashion …

Tips on wearing Cadillac (or other loud) printed clothing:

-          Keep the outfit largely neutral by utilizing neutral colours such as navy or white in the remaining pieces of your outfit or using basic pieces such as jeans with your print blouse.

-          If you’re shy of being too bold, you could incorporate the print in an accessory, such as a scarf or shoes.

-          Wear a print where you want to draw attention. Example, wear a print skirt if you have great legs.

-          Don’t wear head-to-toe prints. That’s overdoing it a little.

Well that wasn't a planned post! I enjoyed writing it though. I was really inspired by my Boxing Day shopping. My next post will really be the ‘New Years Eve Edition’, so you should hang around for that.

Love Claire, xo.

Chanel Métiers DÁrt 2013

"The Scottish tradition of long skirts, pictures tweed and tartan"

Date: December 4^th, 2012

Season: Pre-Autumn

Location: Linlithgow Palace, Scotland.

Oh my, Chanel’s new collection! Nothing in the history of my life has ever made me more enticed with Scottish influenced fashion! As Karl Lagerfeld has a interest in Scottish culture and history and Chanel’s recent purchase of company Barrie Knitwear in Scotland, there was no better time to create a Scottish inspired collection. The colour schemes fit autumn fashion so well.

I’m amazed looking at photographs from the women’s and men’s collections, however I’m going to reconstruct 3 looks inspired by the women’s collection.

Consistencies throughout the show I've noticed:

-          Tartan: the over usage of this has been criticized for being cliché in representing Scottish fashion

-          Patterned tights: Mostly argyle, but I've seen some vertical stripes on pantyhose. Again with the argyle, it was seen as cliché by many.

-          Boots and flat shoes: The use of boots and flat shoes are consistent with the overall look of the collection. Practical for autumn, too.

-          Low or undefined waists: Not the sort of silhouette I’m used to, but I’m inspired – especially by that white gown with cascading large ruffles.

-          Knitwear; Coats, woolen scarves, gowns and more! Knits are everywhere to showcase Barrie Knitwear.

Tartan Suit Look

Tartan – the staple of this collection. Here is a tartan suit that I’ll make a look for which is a little more practical, as one of the biggest complaints of this collection was the costume-like look.

Blazer – Topshop / Blouse – Mulberry / Skirt – Azzedine Alaia / Bag – H&M / Earrings – John Lewis / Shoes – Saint Laurent Paris / Nail polish - MAC

Here I chose to only use one tartan piece, as I don’t want to over-do a casual office look. I've teamed the dark tartan Topshop blazer with a white bow-tie blouse and black full skirt. The blazer would go over the skirt to achieve the look Chanel conveys. The outfit accessorizes simply with some dark red earrings, a small black satchel featuring minimal design and patent black leather boots. To add a splash of red, look to make up in forms of lipstick and nail polish – but a darker red, not fire engine. One could wear this to the office (maybe with heels, though) or a music concert.

White Knitwear Look

It seems that the ivory pieces are the most popular from this collection. I've chosen this for a representative of the knitwear used, and because it’s a more practical every day outfit.

Sweater – A.P.C. / Skirt – Diane von Furstenberg / Bag – Tory Burch / Shoes – Rag & Bone / Cuff – Mulberry / Tights – American Apparel

This outfit is pretty consistent with the original. The sweater looks very, very similar to the Chanel one. Under a ruffled beige and white lace skirt, I've used some crescent lace tights and brown simple boots. The fur isn’t really practical for day-to-day wear. To accessorize  there was room for one cuff (you could use more/accessorize more, as I didn't have room) and a buckled brown bag that looks pretty masculine satchel-like. This outfit reminds me a little of the Japanese street-style “Mori Kei”. If you like the look, it’s worth a Google. This is a sweet, comfortable look you could wear for a movie night with your significant other, or to get a coffee with friends.

Black Tartan Look

This dress is one of my favourites in the collection. Here is a silhouette I'm a little more familiar with - fitted bodice and fuller skirt, this outfit was one of the only that had a defined, natural waist. There’s something about black tartan that I just adore, and now I need a dress with this pattern.

Dress – Alexander McQueen / Bag – Mimco / Shoes – Miss Selfridge / Necklace – Wet Seal / Bracelet – Nina Galax

Okay, I went ahead and did the controversial, but I didn't want to! So I've used a dress from Alexander McQueen’s Scottish inspired pieces. His dresses were the only ones that looked close to Chanel! Anyway, we can get past this. I've used a detailed faceted necklace and a bracelet to mimic the detailing featured on the Chanel dress. These seem to be pretty common in stores right now. I've also accessorized with a silver headband. For shoes, I've used silver-toed, black flats to compliment the silver jewellery and a letter shaped patent leather black clutch with a silver clasp.

Before I leave I want to leave you with my personal favourite of the collection – the gowns!

This collection has received a lot of buzz, and I hope you like my interpretations on how to get the look in a more casual outfit! It’s not the sort of post I usually make but I think I will do a bit more on current fashions, as well as older fashions too. My next post is titled ‘Contemporary Take on Classic Nails’, so come back and see it next time I post. See you soon.

Love Claire, xo.