Past, Present and Future: Alexander Wang

There are a select handful of designers whose collections I genuinely get excited about each season and Alexander Wang is one of them. His ingenious ability to give sport-luxe commercial appeal, his extraordinarily collectable accessories (I defy you to attend a fashion show where a Rocco/Diego isn't present) and his beautifully deconstructed take on tailoring make him one of the best designers in America right now. If you haven't already guessed, I'm quite a fan.

In anticipation of his Fall/Winter 2012 collection which is showing later today, I have put together my two favourite ready-to-wear looks from 2009 to the present day. Think of it as an homage, if you will.

Wang's Fall/Winter collection from 2009 is still my favourite of his - I distinctly remember the biker boot/cycling short revolution that followed and, along with thousands of others, promised myself that I would one day own a Diego.

There wasn't a girl in the fashion-world that didn't covet a side-plait/develop a sudden interest in American Football after seeing Wang's Spring/Summer 2010 collection. 

Everything about Wang's Fall/Winter 2010 collection was slightly odd. The flares, the slicked-down hair, the mish-mash of textures and the unusual styling technically shouldn't have worked together but they did. Harmoniously. 

I don't like white. I especially don't like metallic pastel colours. I do, however, love Wang's take on them both for Spring/Summer 2011 (he really can do no wrong in my eyes). 

My second favourite collection, Fall/Winter 2011 spurred the masses onto wearing knitwear with a silk maxi-dress on nights out. Sexy and practical, what's not to love?

Wang's Spring/Summer 2012 offering is probably my least favourite of the bunch, maybe my fear of pale-colours is preventing me from loving this collection as much as the others? Regardless, it's still undeniably great and I have faith that for Fall/Winter 2012, he'll produce something marvellous. 

Who is your favourite American designer? And your favourite designer full stop? After years of hard-graft, I am now the proud owner of Wang's infamous Diego bucket-bag and unashamedly parade around town with it, just because I can. Is there an item of clothing, or an accessory that you one day hope to own? 

photos from style.com

Couture 2011 Round-Up: Good, Better, Best

Forgive me for being insensitive to the current economical climate but Couture is supposed to be about beauty, wealth and decadence. I may be being a little fashion-blind but there were few collections this season that even whispered those words. Chanel was a massive let down for me so I don't even want to talk about it (I usually love Chanel, so that's saying something) and the rest, well, was rather uninspiring. There were, however, a few saving graces.

I'll start with the good, Valentino:

Valentino wasn't extraordinary but it's the craftsmenship of the pieces that stood out to me. They clearly have been beautifully made and constructed but sadly the bland colour scheme let the collection down a bit. I thought these dresses were particularly gorgeous - they're perfect for the upcoming Oscars - but otherwise I wasn't that bothered, sorry Valentino lovers!

Up a notch from Valentino is Givenchy:

Last season I fell completely head over heels for Riccardo Tisci's collection for Givenchy so he had a lot to live up to. I don't think 2011 packs quite the punch as 2010 but it is still undoubedtly a stunning collection. I love the flashes of colour and the sheer/feather combination and think that the white theme is really strong. I could see every single one of his dresses worn on the red carpet but these were my favourites. The first dress is out of this world, no?

For the grand finale and my personal favourite - Elie Saab:

If you click on the image it will enlarge and you'll see just how perfect these dresses are. Every single piece in Saab's collection was red-carpet perfect, I really couldn't fault him. Admittedly the dresses are a bit safe in terms of fashion but there's no denying that they're completely absolutely stunning. I'm usually not so disappointed at Couture Week but I think Elie Saab saved it for me, without him this post wouldn't be possible!

What do you think of Couture Week in comparison to ready-to-wear? Do you think it should have been more outrageously decadent or are designers right to present something representative of the economical climate?

PS. If you haven't already, please pick me to win an internship with Elle, it only takes a second and I'll be forever greatful!

photos from style.com

Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 featuring Lindsey Wixson

This time of year is terrible for going out but great for fashion. There are more new campaigns than you can poke a stick at and Fashion Week (depending on which city you're in, obviously) is just around the corner. Understandably, this time last season the fash-pack were a little apprehensive about the future of McQueen without Lee at the helm. However, Sarah Burton's début in September was more than impressive. With this in mind, I'm actually quite disappointed by the Spring 2011 campaign...

I absolutely loved the collection and it gave everyone with doubt in their mind reassurance but this is just doing nothing for me. Maybe it's because I've not caught on to the Lindsey Wixson bandwagon yet but her doll-face ruins this for me. Sorry Lindsey! She's great in the whimsical Mulberry campaign but this is McQueen - where is the edge and glamour?! Maybe it'll grow on me but I'm definitely hoping that the other images are more impressive. 

What do you think of the latest campaign and who would you have liked to see modelling the campaign? 

photo from fashiongonerogue.com

Chanel Spring 2011 featuring Freja

 Chanel and Freja Beha Erichsen are a match made in heaven. The latest campaign featuring Freja, Stella Tennant and the gorgeous Baptiste Giabiconi makes me feel warm inside. I absolutely love the muted photography and don't even get me started on the clothes because they look amazing. Karl Lagerfeld has managed to make something that would ordinarily be a bit naff and cliché (palm trees and wicker chairs strike me as more Duran Duran than Chanel) into something beautifully edgy. Thas ma boy!

photos from fashiongonerogue.com

Dazed by Ashley Smith

I was worried that Ashley Smith would become another of those 'flash-in-the-pan' models who hang around for one season then fall off the fashion radar quicker than you can say Chanel. Clearly I had nothing to worry about...

From left to right: Giles Deacon, Balenciaga, Chanel SS11 Shows

I wrote about Ashley back in May because her editorial for i-D blew me away and when I said Lara Stone had better watch her back, I meant it. She's already walked for the big boys and is scoring covers all over the show but it's her editorial in the October issue of Dazed and Confused that's caught my eye this time.

I've gone off Dazed in recent months but this issue is definitely worth a buy - as well as the lovely Ashley, they've well and truly re-vamped Daniel Radcliffe, with pretty impressive results. Love him or hate him, you can't ignore the fact that this is one of their most powerful cover for quite some time.

Will you be buying the latest Dazed? Having now proved that she can ace editorials and the runway, what do you think of the boob-alicious Miss Smith? I can't wait to see what she does next.

Photos from thefashionspot.com

Paris Fashion Week: Alexander McQueen SS11

I'm usually so consumed by Fashion Week (home and away) that I forget what eating/sleeping/having a social life is. This season, not so much. Yesterday evening, Paris brought proceedings to a close for another 6 months and I can't help but be severely underwhelmed by everything. Trust McQueen (or should I say Burton) to be my diamond in the rough...

Considering she had some rather enormous boots to fill, Sarah Burton really encapsulated what Alexander McQueen is about. Although she added a more feminine twist to the collection, the edge and ingenious were still very much there. The amphibious and decadent military elements from the previous two seasons have been re-worked for the modern Mcqueen woman, and I completely loved it. 

Admittedly I wasn't so keen on the suits but the black leather and floral embellishment made Burton's début collection a winner. I'm already thinking about which leading ladies will be wearing these beauties on the red carpet:

What have been your highs and lows from this season and who would you like to see wearing McQueen's latest designs? It'll be interesting to see where Burton takes the brand, I hope she retains Lee's ingenuity and creativity because after all, that's why we loved him so much...

photos from style.com

Paris Fashion Week: Anne Valerie Hash SS11

It's pretty depressing seeing so much flesh on the runway when it's pissing it down 24/7 and the mere thought of wearing shorts gives you goosebumps. However, thanks to Anne Valerie Hash (and Fendi, of course) I'm actually looking forward to next years summer wardrobe.

Don't get me wrong, I love the sun but up until now the winter wardrobe has always been my favourite. However, Hash has pretty much banged the nail on the head, the layering is there (an essential during winter) as are the neutral shades, loose-fitting shirts and super short skirts.

The hair and make-up are spot on too: messy ponytail + natural face = summer ready. Seeing as camel has been tipped as 'the colour' for AW10, you could get the essentials for next season now - just check out Topshop's range of goodies...

Whether you try it now or next year, make sure you're wearing enough layers to clothe an army. What have you loved/hated about this season? I'm still rather out of the loop but London seems to be the best out of all the cities so far, then again Paris is quite an opponent...

photos from style.com and topshop.com

Milan Fashion Week: Fendi SS11

The blogging hiatus is officially over! Following what I can only describe as the most hectic month of my life, I am back and it seems it couldn't have been more perfectly timed. London Fashion Week pretty much passed me by entirely (I attended one show that unfortunately happened to be rather rubbish, I'm looking at you PPQ), which is a shame seeing as I actually live here.

However, Milan has caught my eye, or more specifically Karl Lagerfeld has - it was only a matter of time before I was entirely seduced by Fendi all over again...

I'm not usually a colour girl, black suits me just fine and its been a great friend over the years, but if anyone is going to get me wearing the stuff, it's Papa K. The contrast between bursts of colour and sober neutrals is so perfect, plus those sunglasses are to-die-for.

At first glance, I wasn't all that taken with the collection, it looked a bit frumpy and for want of a better word, wrong. However, the accessories and minor detailing really do make it brilliant. There are some great pieces which I can see everyone worth knowing about wearing and I literally can't wait for these watches to hit the stores.

And if that wasn't enough to get me drooling, Karl threw a bit of Abbey in for good measure. On a more serious note though, how did I miss this change of hairstyle??! I know people have their reservations about the new 'do', many being that she definitely now looks like a crack addict, but I love it. Of course.

Does Fendi make you weak at the knees? Also, are you for or against Abbey's hair, it's sort of strange seeing her so pale but I'll get used to it, roll on Chanel...

photos from style.com