MY NEW GIRL CRUSH: LANA DEL REY

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large





Last night New Yorker Lana Del Rey (real name Lizzy Grant) popped up on Later with Jools Holland on BBC2. Eagle-eyed readers will note that we recently blogged about her song Video Games being the tune of London Fashion Week.

The final verse of Video Games

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
Tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth wit' you
Tell me all the things you wanna do do
I heard that you like the bad girls
Honey, is that true?

To say 26-year-old Lana was mesmerising, and the song Video Games even more haunting sung live would be not doing this TV moment justice. She was utterly UTTERLY captivating, and Lana looks like the naughty jazz-singer sister of Natalie Portman. She is better in moving image, though.

From nme.com

From Hipsterrunoff.com I think this person looks like Pixie Lott...can it really be Lana?

However, it seems my reaction to Lana/Lizzy is exactly what her management team are hoping for from journalists and bloggers. Her backstory suggests she is an "internet phenomenon" who "made her videos at home, and they just, like, took off all on their own." Well, dur me. According to this article on Hipsterrunoff.com, she is as manufactured as Rhythmix (X Factor UK girl band), but designed to look un-manufactured.  Apparently she was being marketed in the same vein as a Pixie Lott type character, until her lack of success forced a rethink - hence here she is as an indie cool chick who doesn't give a F***.

Why do music companies bother with all the smoke and mirrors? Fashion businesses often update their packaging and brand image to no detriment and without backlash, in fact it is seen as a positive forward-thinking move. Lana as she is now is a brilliant package and all power to her. BUT if any of her management team are reading this, please note I would very much like to see her better dressed. As one person on Twitter pointed out this morning, she looked like Slutty Nurse on Jools. Christopher Kane's Spring/Summer 2012 collction would be perfect for her. After all Video Games serenaded this very collection on the runway, and really, his kooky sexiness would suit her to a tee.

Christopher Kane SS12 - Lana, this is perfect for you. And we'll let you keep your Ragga Girl nails

Christopher Kane SS12 (photos: Catwalking)

Video Games is released Sunday 16th October, but you can download it from US iTunes now.

WILL YOU WEAR THE NEW UGLY SHOES?

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Stella McCartney SS12

I would hazard a guess, correct me if I'm wrong, that you have at least one pair of shoes which you can barely walk in, they rub the skin from your feet and blister with such ferocity that they can easily be filed under the category of 'torture instruments'. But you wear them anyway. Heels have never been the most practical item but in recent years they have reached fetishistic levels thanks to the likes of Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen et al.

Christopher Kane SS12

Well ladies, the tide has turned in what seems to be the most extreme way we could have anticipated. There are still enough super high platforms gracing the catwalks this round of fashion weeks but a few highly influential designers including Christopher Kane and Stella McCartney have begun the backlash by showing shoes which look plain ugly to my eye, usually accustomed to some femininity and leg-flattering in a shoe. I am not saying that these shoes ARE ugly because our perceptions are really quite fickle and can quickly change once we become used to a new shape or style. But this one's a tall order, will I really wear a shoe next Summer which resembles the 20 year-old flip flops my Dad has had since the first summer holiday I can remember?

J.W Anderson SS12

Furthermore, these shoes are about much more than just offering a comfortable alternative. My current shoes of choice are slipper style flats- they are a dream for rushing about town but also look elegant and feminine. So, the new uglies are more about the issuing of a blatant, unmistakable challenge to fetish 10inch heels. My slipper flats just get on with their job whereas some clumpy sports sandals scream, 'LOOK AT HOW COMFORTABLE AND UNSEXY I AM'. I, for one, will be fascinated to see whether this a trend which translates or a catwalk gimmick. Surely pigs will fly before we see Anna Dello Russo in a nice sensible trainer?

MY TOP TEN LOOKS FROM MILAN

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

One word can sum up the entire spring/summer 2012 catwalk shows so far, and that word is optimism. Everything is bright and sunny, light and airy, jolly and upbeat, go-getting and fun. You get the picture. Yellow is the colour of Spring 2012, and if a floral print is not your thing, god help you.

The main thing about Milan, was, well it was very Italian. Molto Italiano. Looking at Pucci, Gucci, Cavalli, Dolce with their big bouncy haired models, exuberant prints and multiple-colours, there was no where else in the world you could be. And, as this is a season of optimism, the Italian designers were ten times more jolly about it than London and New York was.

Well, apart from Prada, Jil Sander, and Marni the triumverate of  thoughtful greatness that resides in the city. Without further ado, here is my top ten which veers away from that Molto Italiano vibe focusing on Fashion. Amazingly there is only one dress - its all about separates in fashion these days.

Divine Arizona Muse at Marni. Love the craft and layering.

No 21 by Alessandro dell'Acqua. All over print but done in cool way.

Sporty, youthful and feminine chic by Christopher Kane for Versus

Dolce Gabbana, just beautiful no matter how you look at it 

Pucci's only beam of cloistered purity in a show of steamy prints

Fashion's man of the moment Raf Simons at Jil Sander asked the Picasso family for permission to use this face - taken from some of the artist's pottery - for this sweater which is top of my wish list for SS12

This Jil Sander look by Raf Simons is perfection itself. Love this neon paisley.

Guipure lace embroidered coat in a colour clash last seen on my childhood duvet cover at Prada.

Prada, taking it to the limit in its uniquely cerebral way. What may jar with you now will trranslate to gold in the shops next Spring. Trust.

You can't do Milano without some Mr Lagerfeld at Fendi. This outfit is luxe and relaxed

All photos by Catwalking.com

What is your top Milan Fashion Week look and collection?

Write me back

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LONDON'S BEST FASHION DAY: TUESDAY (ok, I'm in it too)

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Thanks to Mercedez and Matchesq for making these edited highlights possible.

THE SONG OF LONDON FASHION WEEK: VIDEO GAMES BY LANA DEL RAY

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

I lost track of the times I heard this over London Fashion Week. I remember it most clearly at Christopher Kane. I think we are all about to hear a LOT more from this girl. If you fancy reading more, the Guardian Guide did a funny thing on Lana at the weekend. But listen though, its gorgeous.



LONDON FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS #2: CHRISTOPHER KANE

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Today's London Fashion Week schedule is just crazy. No joke. We were forced to skip a show in order to eat. So with 45 minutes in the bag, I thought it would be lovely to share a few of my Christopher Kane catwalk images and some quotes from the man himself.  All we can say is him Mum must have let his eat a lot of sweeties when he was a kid!

were your sequin dresses inspired by mermaids? "No, I was thinking of my Soda Steam from when I was a kid. You know that woosh when the fizz rose up. I really wanted that feeling of bubbling over."

The plastic with the coloured liquid inside, where did the idea come and how long did it take to perfect? "It was from the ice-pops we used to eat as a kid, and a pencil case I had at school." Indeed when you finish the ice-pop there is always a bit of coloured liquid left that one has to squeeze out. I remember them well.  "It took a month to get the mix of colours right. My favourite is the black and purple mix. I love how the liquid is this toxic thing that can be so beautiful to look at."

"The crochet is inspired by bedspreads and blankets that you see in homely places. We created them in soft cashmere and recoloured them in dark greens and blues, which has never been done before. It is really soft, and really light and spongy to the touch."

Photos: Fashion Editor at Large

THE CAR BOOT-IQUE

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Look at all these fabulous pieces by the members of the young British fashion fraternity. There is work from Christopher Kane, Holly Fulton,  They are all one-offs. Would you like one? Thought so...

If you want one you have two days left to bid for them on eBay. They are all part of Mercedes-Benz's Car Boot-ique, a car boot sale type affair hosted by eBay, in which all the funds raised go directly back to help the next generation of British talent through Lulu Kennedy's Fashion East scheme.

I cannot think of a more satisfying way to shop. If you make a successful bid, you gain a one off item at a less-than-retail price, and the money helps the incoming talent onto the London Fashion Week. I asked Mercedes to send me the lots being released today and tomorrow. And here they are.

Christopher Kane

Goodone

Hannah Marshall

Hasan Hejazi

Hasan Hejazi

Holly Fulton

Holly Fulton

House of Holland (these are blingy car-dice, quite large)

Jonathan Saunders

Margaret Howell

 

Maria Francesca Pepe

BID!

http://donations.ebay.co.uk/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=40449

HAS NET-A-PORTER MET ITS MATCH?

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

There's a new e-tailer on the block, and this one might just be good enough to rival net-a-porter...

Well actually mytheresa.com isn't exactly new, having launched in 2006 as the online arm of the German bricks and mortar store, and while we have been journalistically aware of it, we haven't really given it much thought as it served mainland Europe direct, not the UK.  But, it's fair to say you probably haven't heard of it before. Whilst our European cousins have been buying from the website's selection of 120 high-end designers for years, this is the first time the company is directly targeting the UK market.
Well not for much longer. Mytheresa.com is known for its designer exclusives, and pre-fall sees the arrival of exclusive pieces from Burberry Prorsum, Proenza Schouler and Erdem to name a few. FEAL has managed to get hold of this never before seen sketch from the latter (you know how I love fashion illustration).

'For the Pre-fall collection with mytheresa.com I wanted everything to feel bright and dynamic, and also very special for their customer' - Erdem

The pre-fall capsule collections go online in June. Until then you can click through to shop these hot SS10 offerings:

Blazer by Richard Nicoll (£803), Trousers by Stella McCartney (£415), Necklace by Dries Van Noten (£768)

Dress by Christopher Kane (£1517)

 Dress and necklace by Lanvin (coming soon), boots by ACNE (£348)

http://www.mytheresa.com/

AW10 LONDON FASHION WEEK: MY TOP FIVE SHOWS

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

London Fashion Week was excellent. It was supremely well organised with solid shows delivering the creative and commercial. Burberry came out tops for me, with special praise going to Meadham Kirchhoff.  However, my main category of good show is here. These five collection gave me the jolt of the new that I need to keep engaged in the job. These designers are, for me, pushing fashion forward into this new decade.   

JOANNA SYKES

Joanna Sykes: Love!

PETER PILOTTO & CHISTOPHER DE VOS

Peter Pilotto: How chic?

Peter Pilotto: Excuse me while I swoon...

RICHARD NICOLL

Richard Nicoll: His new proportions threaten to make everything else look dated

AQUASCUTUM

 

Aquascutum: I love you Michael Herz! Cannot wait to wear Aquascutum this Autumn.. 

Aquascutum: Freja better not have the sample of these trousers. They are mine.

CHRISTOPHER KANE

Christopher Kane: S&M florals go Scottish dancing. Where can I pre-order?

TRENDS WEDNESDAY: PASTELS SS10

Posted by the Fashion Junior at Large with Fashion Editor at Large

Trends Thursday has been reassigned as Trends Wednesday this week, as Fashion Editor at Large is currently en route from Paris and tomorrow the FEAL blog will be dominated by posts on her adventures at the couture shows.

So, lets talk about pastels - lilacs, blush pinks, lemon sorbets, pistachio, pale sky blue and all that good stuff - which were all over the catwalks this season. When FEAL saw them on the runway, she said it was like putting on a pair of rose-tinted spectacles. Check these out and be sure to tell us what you think:

FEAL - Love how Chris made this naughty dress look so niiice just by using pink gingham.
FJAL Christopher Kane - This girly gingham fabric stirs images of quaint picnics in the park. Very new-era English rose.

 

FJAL Philip Lim - This is a great way to 'edge-up' pastels. Mix them with an intensified version of the same hue  - pale pink becomes scarlet, like so. (I also like that the coat is reminiscent of a Quality Street wrapper. Scrummy!)

FEAL - I would like to get married wearing this.

FJAL Marc Jacobs - Is this boho for 2010? The strands of curling ruffles evoke underwater plants swirling in tidal rock pools. I want to wear it with bare feet on the sand and embrace my inner hippy child.

FEAL - from the side the bra points reminded me of the machine gun jubblies from "The Spy Who Shagged Me". This wasn't my favourite piece from the collection, but it was definitely my preferred colour.

FJAL Louise Goldin - Wowza Lou! The fanned skirt and delicate strips of tulle are beyond gorgeous. Loving the nod to Jean Paul Gaultier with the Madonna-esque points. Oh and well done on Fashion Forward - you deserved to win!

FJAL Burberry - This dress has some really nice touches. The flatteringly wide but shallow V-neck - accentuated with criss-crossing fabric strips which continue to the hips - and the pleasing volume of the knotted skirt.  I'm a fan of the long sleeves as well. Good job Christopher Bailey.

 

FJAL Luella - This dress is relatively unfussy for Ms Bartley - not a floral print or lace trim in sight. But it's still ultra girly in signature Luella fashion. The candy floss colour (and texture it should be noted) are sweet enough to induce toothache.

FEAL - this Lanvin show was heavenly. The asymetric draping was sexy and womanly, and while this honey colour isn't strictly a pastel, I would r\ther it sat in this section that the nudes trends which I'm saving for later in the spring.

 FJAL - The honey hued silk drape skirt is proof that a mid-length hem line can still be totally chic and sexy (I think its poised  for a come back). I'm feeling inspired by the model's bird-nest bun as well.

FJAL Bruno Pieters - Hoods popping up in surprising places has become a fascination of mine. This nude streamlined dress gets a real design lift from its hood - which I assume you can also wear down, falling over your shoulders. Very modern dontcha think?

FEAL - Pale pink and the brunette. A match made in nirvana. This Burberry collection was sooo sweet.

FEAL - pastel gets the hippy treatment

FEAL - Giles manages to pull off the rock n roll pastel look very nicely indeed

FEAL - Louise Goldin does it for me again in pale lillac

FEAL - this Derek Lam dress will sell out. A commercial winner. But, ask anyone who sells clothes in a large scale way, and they'll tell you "pastels don't sell".  Well they might not have before, but mark my words, this season they will.

FEAL - I can see Victoria Beckham in this before long. I love it.

FEAL - Ackermann is my crush of the season

Photo credits: Chris Moore/Catwalking.com