Friday fashion round up: part 1

After taking last week off to pack and move I've brought back the Friday fashion round up - but with a twist this time!

As there have been so many events this week I decided to take a look at the best dressed from each.

First off its one of the Fashion industry's biggest events of the Summer - The CDFA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards, where twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were victorious, taking home the Womenswear Designers of the Year award for their fashion line The Row.

Both wore pieces from their The Row pre-spring/summer 2013 collection on the night with Mary-Kate – who also showed off her new brunette hair colour – choosing a black silk dress, while Ashley opted for a pink silk dress with ruffle detailing. Both chose to carry large bags, (another death knell for micro clutches?) also by The Row.

Award winners Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen

There is no denying The Olsen's well deserved status as a fashion Tour De Force but who were the other winners on the night?

My line up of star turns includes the delightful ladies below..

From top left to bottom right:  

Jessica Chastain wearing a Prabal Gurung pre-spring/summer 2013 white dress.

Risk taker Kate Bosworth in Joseph Altuzarra A/W 12-13

I can't resist a knee high boot - Arizona Muse, in Diane von Furstenberg

Karen Elson, in Proenza Schouler with Tabitha Simmons shoes

Tabitha Simmons, in Proenza Schouler with Tabitha Simmons shoes

Devon Aoki, in Alice + Olivia

Shu Pei Qin, in Vera Wang

Dakota Fanning in Proenza Schouler

Lily Collins in a Marchesa A/W 12-13 brocade dress

 

I'm torn between Kate Bostworth and Dakota Fanning but who's your rightful winner?

Spot the difference #3

Its time for another Spot The Difference whereby I show you where to find the best catwalk inspired looks on the Great British High Street.

This time its the turn of Ashish vs Oasis who have both taken on the S/S 12 floral trend and run with it.

There wasn't any room to be a wall flower at Ashish with over sized blooms adorning blazers, shorts, shirts and sequined dresses. Bright colour pops were emphasised by a background of monochrome stripes or Zebra prints whilst silhouettes remained loose and equally over sized. Goth girl make up, a straw brimmed hat and rain boots with flowers sprouting from the laces finished of the unique country girl with a twist look.

Spot the difference #3

Meanwhile over at Oasis similar inspiration has been taken in the form of garden blooms across a variety of dresses - the main difference being that these are form fitting and overly feminine to be worn cinched in with a belt and some nice heels. Fit for a day of frolicking in hay bales these are not..but for those who choose to add some Ashish magic back into the frame there are plenty of stripes and zebra also on offer.

From left to right: blue dress, £65, dress, £85, pencil skirt, £45, dress, £85, dress, £85 all from Oasis.

Scottish Fashion Icon?

Organiser’s of the Scottish Fashion Awards most have announced the final five nominees for the event’s ‘Scottish Fashion Icon’ award.

In the running are: actress Karen Gillan, model Tali Lennox, actor Iain de Caestecker, actress Louise Linton, and singer Barrie James O'Niel.

Now I have got to ask myself who I would vote for out of this motley crew and the answer is probably Karen Gillan (I fell a bit in love with her after her turn as Jean Shrimpton earlier this year) but I have lined them all up below so you can five them a good eyeball and decide for yourself.

Who would you have voted for? Anyone you think has been sorely overlooked?

I would have thought Tilda Swinton would have got a look in myself or how about David Tennant for the guys? Or do they actually have to live in Scotland still? Its all very confusing..

Anyway the award will be presented at the 7th annual Scottish fashion Awards in association with InStyle magazine and hosted by British style icon Alexa Chung.

Taking place on the 11th June at the Clyde Auditorium the show will be open to the public for the first time and will feature nominee catwalk shows, performances by Dionne Broomfield and Tallia Storm and the finale exclusive Swarovski runway show, previewing for the first time in the UK the upcoming Winter 2012 ‘Kingdom of Jewels’ fashion and couture collections. 

Tickets for the awards ceremony, should you be so inclined to attend, can be purchased at Ticket Soup www.ticketsoup.com priced at a reasonable £35.

Spot the difference #2

Earlier in the week I reported on the serious love in the great British High Street is having with young Brit designers at the moment.

It seems like every brand has drawn on the catwalk this season far more than usual for inspiration from Primark's Prada knock off prints to River Island's House of Holland mash up.

This time i decided to take a look at David Koma's S/S 12 line and retailer Miss Selfridge's spin on it.

Though not strictly British, Koma studied both his BA and MA at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design before being sponsored by Newgen and Topshop. His S/S 12 collection was a delightful meld of geometric, Aztec patterns in black, white, yellow and pink hues with some futuristic metallic and sheer panelling thrown into the mix that caught the imagination of press and buyers alike.

Spot the difference #2

Miss Selfridge takes on the directional look with an array of body con dresses with either colour blocked or sheer panels. Meanwhile similar patterns emerge across jersey dresses and leggings, whilst sheer panels become at once both sporty and sexy.

From left to right: Leggings, £20, dress, £55, body, £20, dress, £26, white and yellow dress, £39 all from www.missselfridge.com

J'adore To Be Adored

I really am spoiling you with this - a sneak peak at one of my favourite upcoming A/W 12 collections from boutique brand To Be Adored.
 
Founded in 2009 by Brighton based designer Binbin McNiven the label, which most will known as TBA, set out with the philosophy to design clothes people will adore based around McNiven’s love of music, retro films and fairy tales.

A/W 12 presents a new challenge and a new chapter in the labels’ history as it re-brands becoming To Be Adored - marking its transition into a well known and respected designer label.

Taking inspiration from the forties and combining German men’s tailoring with contemporary sports - luxe the collection presents a bold and confident silhouette, which shouldn’t work together – but somehow does.

Here luxurious fabrics like chunky wool lace feature in black and faded peach tones alongside mohair, lambskin, paisley brocade and a rich, royal blue velvet.

Meanwhile, To Be Adored’s signature piece, the skater dress, is still present but has been adapted to target a wider clientele with a longer length and more figure enhancing shape.

Other styles worth a mention include a leather parka finished with shearling collar and a chunky lace dress with old gold leather collar – both hotly tipped bestsellers for the season.

Previously stocked in popular high street destinations such as Urban Outfitters and online retailers like ASOS, To Be Adored is now looking to target premium accounts in line with its new direction.The focus will therefore be on upscale indies and department stores with prices of £100 upwards.

What do you think of the new look collection? I think I'm in love..

All images from the To Be Adored A/W 12-13 collection.

Spot the Difference

They say imitation is the sincerest from of flattery and if that's true then young British designers should be feeling some serious love round about now.

Last time I did an outfit post I promised to bring you the best of the catwalk at High Street prices and I wasn't bragging as this season its easier than ever to find the looks you coveted on the runway transformed into wearable, affordable pieces that will slot easily into your summer wardrobe.

I'm going to start with River Island as my first example as this is where I first really sat up and took notice of the ongoing love affair with young Brit designers. Their take on House of Holland is summery, fresh and above all else a walk on the wild side with its mix of pastel dip dye over sized leopard prints, faded denim and snakeskin.

I'll then aim to bring you a different designer each day this week - followed by their High Street equivalent.

Happy Shopping!

Spot the Difference #1

The House of Holland S/S 12 Collection clashed oversize pastel leopard prints with snakeskin booties, collars and braces. Dip Dyes, colour contrast panels, sheer fabrications and a splattering of metallics added interest whilst bleached denim, again in pastel tones, finished off the look which has been re-worked by River Island.

Skirt, £30, Shoes, £55, Jeans, £34.99, Shorts, £30, Top, £15 - All available from River Island.