Brand Focus: Courtney Lee Collection

Based in New York, the Courtney Lee Collection is a jewellery house that specialises in luxurious statement pieces.

Cleverly combining current trends with classic sartorial influences, the current Collection features beautifully made, hand painted neon and Swarovski crystal pieces which capture the spirit of summer in the guise of stunning contemporary heirlooms.

The A/W 2013 Collection offers deep winter jewel colours and winter white sparkles, again in striking but immensely wearable designs: wide encrusted cuffs, chandelier earrings, snake earrings.

I'm in love with the pieces below, the touch of fluorescent keeps heritage pieces looking young and fresh, whilst the chunky cuffs are perfect statement pieces for both day and night.

Prices range from £90 to £390 and you can view the full Courtney Lee Collection here.

Motel creates exclusive designs for Topshop.com

Fashion label Motel has unveiled a limited edition collection which will be exclusive to Topshop.com.

Comprised of seven styles, the collection references the catwalk trend for eye-popping prints with a bold monochrome colour palette offset with bright cobalt blue.

The range features Motel's signature body con dresses including the optical print Kaylee dress with cut out back detail and the classic ‘LBD’ Melissa dress, a trans-seasonal wardrobe essential.

Two on-trend cropped bralets are also on offer - the Alicia crop featuring cage back, and the full zip Hallie bralet which showcases sports luxe styling with added attitude.

The Bekka skirt, Kaylee dress and Haillie bralet

 
The contrast print Soheila and Chika dresses give the collection a splash of feminine flair, especially with pleated and graduated hemlines, whilst the slinky Becka skirt rounds off the look.

The Soheila dress, Alicia crop top and Chika dress

The full collection will land online from August 2nd. Prices will range from £22 to £52.

Free People arrives in the UK

This Autumn the eagerly awaited American womenswear brand, Free People, is crossing the pond for the first time ever to launch in the UK.

The brand, which is part of the Urban Outfitters Inc stable, features the latest trends mixed with inspiration from the worlds of art, music and travel with a strong vintage styling. The brand also offers shoes and accessories with a similar feel.

Key themes for A/W 12 include distressed and patchwork denim whilst knits are both fashionably printed and look super cosy.

High profile models, Karlie Kloss and Aline Weber, showcase the most recent collection and are just some of the loyal celebrity followers synonymous with the brand.

Plans for Free People in the UK include the launch of the UK e-commerce website in October this year and distribution in leading department stores and fashion boutiques.

For fashionistas that want to get ahead of the game prior to the UK launch, Free People is currently offering significantly lower shipping costs to the UK from the brands website – was $35 now $7.95.

What do you think of the collection? Will you be rushing to buy it once it hits our shores?

All images Free People A/W 12 campaign

Jonathan Aston Mark Fast collection launches

The eagerly awaited Jonathan Aston Mark Fast collection – ‘FAST at Jonathan Aston’ has launched exclusively with Selfridges London and at Selfridges.co.uk.

The new collection of hosiery and body-wear consists of four themes that cover all the strong fashion looks for the A/W 12 season in very different ways.

Firstly ‘Double Vision’s’ sheer patterned hosiery range includes the piano and stripe styles in classic Black, as well as shades of electric blue and blush.

Secondly, eye catching eyelet styling, much loved by Fast from his main catwalk collection, comes through in the Honeycomb theme. Tights and hold-ups are available in Mercury and Jet black, with anklets also available in Jet.

A Woolies collection follows with a clever thick knit construction, including leggings and tights in Jet and Flint colourways.

Finally, a completely new cationic yarn fabric called ‘scramble!’ gives a bi-colour effect.  The ‘scramble!’range includes a long-sleeve and cowl neck body in vibrant hues of Lipstick and Tangy orange, Electra/Aqua and Mercury/Flint. The range is completed with tights and anklets.

Mark Fast said of the partnership: ‘Working with Jonathan Aston has been a great adventure of experimenting with new technologies to create sexy hosiery for a broad audience. I am excited to see how women will see the colours and style these pieces within their wardrobes.”

Available from the Oxford Street branch and online from the 24th July – 26th August prices will range from £6 for anklets, £15 for tights and from £38 for bodies.

To view the main Jonathan Aston collection go here.

What do you think of the collection? Will you be sprinting down to Oxford Street for some FAST fashion?

British Fashion Council gains eBay sponsorship

The British Fashion Council has announced that eBay is to be the new multi-season sponsor of its Fashion Forward initiative.

The fashion arm of the site will help to support emerging British design talent through the programme, starting at London Fashion Week S/S 13 this September.

"Fashion Forward is one of the British Fashion Council's talent support initiatives; designed to help emerging British designers show and develop their businesses here in London," Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC, said as she unveiled the partnership.  

"In its sixth year, it has grown to encompass both womenswear and menswear designers and now supports seven designers each year; making this the perfect time to announce eBay as its new sponsor. eBay's sales statistics are overwhelming and we hope they will help to bring opportunities to the designers they support."

This year's Fashion Forward recipients are Mary Katzantrou, Louise Gray, Henry Holland and James Long.

Image credit: House of Holland A/W 12 catwalk

Melanie Smallwood from eBay will sit on the panel that decides the next round of designers to be supported within the programme; set to be announced in January 2013.

The BFC will also work with eBay on forthcoming projects including Save the Children's Bid Boutique - part of Born to Shop, the charity's first ever on line fashion auction in conjunction with the BFC, which will showcase donations from leading British designers and celebrities for a 10-day live auction during LFW.

Shopstyle UK tops 1.5 million users mark

ShopStyle.co.uk has today announced that it is now regularly delivering over 1.5million fashion conscious Britons to online fashion and home retailers.

Between January and June 2012, ShopStyle.co.uk regularly topped 1.5million unique users per month for its UK website.

This success is being replicated across other European markets with traffic to ShopStyle’s French and German sites growing by over 100% year-on-year.

Over 75 new retailers joined ShopStyle France and Germany across the first six months of 2012 and the sites are set to increase this momentum of new online retailer sign-ups across the rest of 2012.

Moving forward, the company has plans to power shopping services for an increasing number of beauty, fashion and entertainment sites. Further UK and European campaigns will be announced across the summer months.

Through media partners such as Elle and Channel 4, and Twitter and Facebook campaigns with brands such as Selfridges and Cult Beauty, ShopStyle has firmly positioned itself at the centre of the fashion and beauty business online.

It is also currently engaged with Fashion Fringe, the national competition to discover and nurture design talent across the UK. The partnership with culminate in September at London Fashion Week, where Christoper Bailey will announce the winner.

 

 

Simeon Farrar designs for ASOS

Designer Simeon Farrar has designed an exclusive collection of T - Shirts for ASOS.com, featuring prints archived from Farrar's previous collections and additional styles which are brand new to ASOS.

The 13 piece collection will offer styles for both men and women featuring whimsical 'wind in the willows' style prints including sketches of foxes, deer, toads and rabbits.

Each style will cost £50 and will be available from ASOS from the start of August. Below is a sneak peek of the collection to whet your appetite until then.

 

Brand Focus: Friends With Benefits

New to the UK this season, American label Friends with Benefits aims to provide sexy and chic clothing with a modern edge.

Established in 2009 the labels' signature style includes draping and sculpting, creating effortlessly luxurious silhouettes on the body. Above all the range is functional, designed to be worn during the day yet easily transitioned into evening wear. This naturally equates to smart, sexy separates - think along the lines Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, Theyskens for Theory and Phillip Lim. 

Design wise the label even describes itself as “the baby of Chloe and Rick Owens.”

And just like any Rick Owens piece be prepared to expect the unexpected from the label with its hidden zippers, asymmetric hemlines, twist and side split details, pleated shoulders, drop crotches and the ability to wear some items on the reverse.

Adding another dimension is the innovative layering of different fabrics that can be added or removed depending on the wearer’s mood.

The season’s combinations for example, include luxury wool and cashmere blends, baby alpaca, silks, leather and a surprise touch of denim.  

Colour-wise there are unexpected pops of turquoise, peach, red and emerald green whilst muted tones of black, grey and beige are at the core of the collection.

Friends With Benefits is the work of designer Clark Sabbat who previously worked at power labels Armani, Yves St Laurent, Givenchy and Anthropologie, and long time partner, publicist Lynn Levoy.

Now it all makes sense you say!

Friday fashion face off

Its a Friday fashion face off this week between Anne Hathaway and Marion Cotillard. The co-stars attended the Dark Knight Rises premieres in London and New York, both looking stunning, but who wore it best?

For the New York premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, Anne Hathaway chose a white gown from Prabal Gurung’s pre-spring/summer 2013 collection (left) The sexy, plunging gown sported an on - trend peplum with jewel detailing and a greek goddess twist and pleat detail.

Hathaway then wore a Gucci pre-spring/summer 2013 gold gown to the London premiere (right) The shimmering sheath was a shapeless affair, made up for my the floral detailing around the neckline. I'm loving the whole sexy nymph effect with her pixie crop so this was definitely the winner for me.

Marion Cotillard wore a strapless dress from Raf Simons' debut Dior collection to the London premiere, accessorised with Chopard jewellery. The bright red lips and matching heels certainly made a va va voom impact for the French actress.

However it was at the New York collection where Cotillard really shined. Wearing a Christian Dior couture white dress, accessorised with Christian Louboutin heels and Chopard jewels, she looked like a swan princess and stole the show from Hathaway.

Who won this Friday fashion face off for you? I prefer Anne's goddess look, but just my an inch!

Peridot London launches sunglasses

Luxury  womenswear label Peridot London will present its first ever eye wear collection for S/S 13.  

Directional designs and luxe materials take centre-stage in the striking line of sunglasses, designed to perfectly complement the ready-to-wear collection.

Highlights include distinctive leather-bound shapes, over sized acetate frames and vintage metal aviator styles, that are as classic as they are contemporary.

In particular, the styles pay homage to the glamour of ‘Riviera Chic’, with references to the retro 60s and beyond.

Available from January 2013, prices will range from £119 - £159.

Peridot London was established by Rachel Wilson, great granddaughter of the eponymous Jermyn Street shirt maker, Ernest Asser and is successfully building a strong following, by offering beautifully tailored separates, inspired by the brand’s day-to-night philosophy.

Vagabond extends product line

Swedish footwear brand Vagabond has extended its product line to include wallets, bags, belts and gloves made out of carefully chosen materials that have the same genuine feel as the ever successful shoe range.


The design team has been inspired by the upcoming trends from the catwalk and style influences from all over the world combined with well experienced craftsmanship to create the elegant collection.

The bag collection comprises of styles that will take you from day through to evening including, a classic yet ever practical rucksack, a large clutch perfect for city life to an evening clutch bag, made in quality smooth leathers or textured mock croc.

The collection will be available within the UK from www.vagabond.com from September 2012.

WGSN Global Fashion Awards 2012 come to London

It has been announced today that the third edition of the annual WGSN Global Fashion Awards is to be held at The Savoy in London on Monday 5^th November 2012.

Previously held in New York, the awards honour fashion’s most inspirational and innovative individuals and businesses who are pushing the boundaries, propelling the industry forward and setting the design agenda on a global scale.

The award categories focus exclusively on outstanding design across apparel, accessories, retail and e-tail.

As well as rewarding the world’s best individual designers, the WGSN Global Fashion Awards will also recognize the best specialist design teams in categories such as denim, intimates & swim, kidswear and sports & activewear.

Winners will be selected by an expert panel of judges, including some of the most prominent people in the fashion and style industries from designers, buying directors, stylists, merchants and marketing executives.

Former winners include Sarah Curran, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of my-wardrobe.com.

The WGSN Global Fashion Awards 2012 are now open for entries, calling on those working across the fashion industry around the world.

Hush Puppies to launch premium line

Following the success of Hush Puppies’ first standalone premium menswear collection for A/W 12, the iconic brand is launching a premium womenswear collection for S/S 13 alongside designer Jack Hemingway.

The stylish range of footwear is inspired by great moments in British Club Culture and Hush Puppies’ iconic brand heritage and includes brothel creepers, an alternative take on the brogue, a modernist bowling shoe, chelsea and desert boots plus suede tasselled loafers.

Possibly my favourite style from the ‘Hemingway Design for Hush Puppies’ women’s line is a stacked sole brogue style dubbed ‘Ronnie’ available in four colour ways of corresponding suede, including combinations of cream with pastel pink, yellow and green, to sherbet pops of orange. How delicious!

The 'Ronnie' in green, yellow and pink

Another favourite is the ‘Twiggy’ - a classic suede tasselled loafer in five bright and ice cream pastel colour combo's. I can just see girls walking along the pier wearing these with short shorts, ice creams in hand - that's how perfectly summery they are!   



The 'Twiggy' in green and pink

Speaking about designing for Hush Puppies, Hemingway said; “Quality and craftsmanship, which has always been associated with the Hush Puppies brand name, is increasingly important to the discerning consumer looking for those key well crafted items each season, which is what we’ve aimed to deliver with every single style in the S/S13 collection, and for the first time a full women’s range is available.”

What do you think from this sneak peek of the collection? Will you be buying some Hemingway for Hush Puppies styles?

More on Hemingway Design for Hush Puppies here: http://hushpuppiesuk.tumblr.com/

Fierce and Fabulous

Fierce jewellery is having a moment, from spikes and skulls through to ear plugs and ear cuffs.

I am totally on board with this trend as in my eyes more is definitely more when it comes to jewellery!

Earlier this week, when I wore an antiqued gold arrowhead necklace from Topshop to trade show Scoop International I have never been complimented so much on a piece of jewellery before.

And, the weekend before in Paris, I had the French transfixed with my snake ear cuff, to the point where I was sure at any given moment someone might yank it out of my ear!

I am now scouring the web for similar finds, and I thought it only fair I share my favourites with you below...

1. Necklace, £50, ASOS

2. Earrings, £245, Eddie Borgo

3. Ear Cuff, £33, Anni Jurgenson

4. Ear Cuff, £11, Rock n Rose

5. Earrings, £195, Ashley Pittman

6. Ring, £395, Pamela Love

7. Necklace, £18, Pieces

8.Earrings, £7.50 Topshop,

9. Bracelet, £160, Alexander McQueen

10. Necklace, £30, Topshop

Top tips: For truly unique, one off pieces, head to Etsy or Ebay. My personal favourite destination for a good Ebay splurge: Hong Kong.

The view from Scoop

I visited boutique trade show Scoop International this week to report on the hottest S/S 13 collections.

Though the show, held at the Saatchi Gallery, played host to an exciting line-up of womenswear and lifestyle products from just over 200 brands I was there to report solely on the accessory and footwear collections. Fantastic news as I am all about statement jewellery at the minute!

International labels, both those new to the UK and well established, vied with home-grown talent under one inspirational roof, for this, the show’s 4^th season.

Stand out trends included an innovative use of fabrics across all sectors. Footwear collections for example, saw multiple fabrications like perspex, wooden, cork or Swarovski encrusted heels, alongside colour blocked themes.

Rachel Zoe Footwear exhibited at the show

Style wise wedges and towering heels remained at the core of most collections, with heels and platforms still chunky. Flats included more loafer options as well as brogues with interesting cut out detailing.



A style from London based label The Jacksons



Jewellery meanwhile, retained its directional edge with fierce undertones such as spikes, tribal and triangle shapes.



Luxe jewellery label Cabinet



Animal motifs such as snakes, bees and butterflies were also popular themes for brands, especially when set alongside precious and semi-precious stones.

Costume jewellery at Luise Keller

See more looks after the jump

Friday fashion round up

Time for my Friday fashion round up and this week I have taken a slightly different approach in that I'm featuring only the best of the best, and none of the worst, from Paris couture week.

Diane Kruger vs. Diane Kruger

Two very different looks from Diane Kruger. Wearing Chanel on both occasions the actress rocked a full skirted sky blue number from the pre S/S 13 line and styled it in an unconventional manner with spike ballet pumps and a beret. The second look was classic Kruger - an A/W 09 gown with asymmetric hem, heavy on the embellishment.

Diane Kruger: Chanel pre-s/s 13 vs. a Chanel A/W 2009 Couture gown

Olivia Palermo vs Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo looking flirty in pink lace tiered dress at the Valentino show vs. at the Dior show wearing a Dior leather peplum top, navy shorts and a cream Dior bag - but which did she wear best?

 

Olivia P: flirty at the Valentino show vs. Dior

Zoe Saldana vs. Jessica Alba

Two sultry brunettes now but who looked the best: Zoe Saldana wearing a coral and blue speckled dress from the Giorgio Armani A/W 12 to the Armani Prive show or Jessica Alba at the Atelier Versace show wearing a Versace A/W 12 black leather strapless dress with Swarovski crystals.

Sultry: Zoe Saldana vs. Jessica Alba

Jennifer Lawrence vs. Marion Cotillard

At the Dior couture show in Paris, Jennifer Lawrence wore a Dior floral dress with nude peep-toe heels and a Dior white bag. I love everything about this but the hair - maybe Jennifer is trying to grow her fringe out but its just not working for me! Marion Cotillard wore a similar style dress, from the Dior pre S/S 13 line. Again I enjoy everything about this but the hair. Sort it out ladies!

 

Dior couture show: Jennifer Lawrence vs. Marion Cotillard

 

Who won this round for you? I'm torn between my long-term crushes Kruger and Palermo. I'm sure over the next week they will be fighting it out and a winner will emerge.

From Paris, With Love

Bonjour!

I'm back from France, where I was attending the Who's Next trade exhibition at Porte de Versailles in Paris for my day job.

The show is open to trade only - buyers and press - and I was there to report back on the S/S 13 collections from an impressive line up of French and international labels across nearly every product sector.

This was my second time at the show and though the sheer size of the exhibition can sometimes be daunting the organisers had clearly made an attempt to create a more laid back, party-like and welcoming atmosphere - perfect for the roasting hot summer weather we had whilst there.

This included an outdoor space filled with hay bales, chill out areas, bars, a hippy market, roller disco and pony rides. Yes i said pony rides! Tempting, but no I didn't go for one.

See my picks below from the show, including more after the jump.




Printed T - shirts at Swildens and Passe Compose



Eye catching prints at Valentine Gauthier and Morgan Kirch

 

Sneak Peek: Catherine Deane

Hong Kong based luxury womenswear designer Catherine Deane is fast becoming a name to watch in the UK.

Launched in 2005 as Arcangel, and rebranded eponymously in 2008, the brand's signature style is show-stopping eveningwear, which keeps embellishment to a minimum - instead choosing clever draping and tailoring to create drama.

Born in Ireland, raised and educated in South Africa, inspired by living in London for many years and now based in Hong Kong, Deane is influenced by the cultural references she takes from her nomadic lifestyle.

As a result, the foundation of her work is often a juxtaposition of ideas, such as her love of long-forgotten craft techniques, which are updated with a modernist twist.

Fluid, draped looks are also frequently combined with sharp tailoring whilst fabrics include a luxury mix of silk, lace, leather and tulle.

A/W 12 sees dresses full of layers of texture in the form of draping, wrapping, gathers, pleats, ruffles and embellishment. In particular Deane has explored the postive and negative spaces created when joining decorative scallop edges - simplifying and stylizing the idea of the scallop.

 Meanwhile, fuchsia, emerald and peacock tones highlight a range of autumnal berry shades, rustic brown, orange and classic monotones.

The brand is available at selected retailers such as Harvey Nichols in the UK, My Wardrobe online and Nieman Marcus in the US. You can find out more about Deane's RTW and Bridal collections here, on her website.

All images Catherine Deane A/W 12-13

July Inspiration

At the start of each month I pick an image to inspire me for the weeks ahead.

For June I needed to be superwoman so the natural choice was Beyonce but for July I am in need of a change - a change of haircut that it!

I've been thinking of cutting my mop for awhile now down from its long unmanageable dip dye lengths to a shorter messy bob and when i saw the below images of Rose Byrne in Flare it was the extra push I needed to take the plunge.

The Aussie actress covers the Canadian fashion mag's August issue as shot by Max Abadian and styled by Elizabeth Cabral.

Rose Byrne covers Flare August

Wearing Marchesa on the cover and a variety of looks from the likes of Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Christopher Kane inside, Rose looks uber glam and ready for the season ahead in the hottest Autumn collections.

The gorgeous lip colours even inspired me to take a trip through Duty Free on my way to Paris, picking up some new lighter red's and glossy pinks from Lancome on my way.

The next step is slightly more daunting - booking the hairdresser appointment. Wish me luck!

My July Inspiration and new haircut, hopefully

You can see the Flare shoot in full here on the Fashion Gone Rogue website.