The ubiquitous zoo trend continues. From monkeys at Prada to tigers at Louis Vuitton to full-on leopard prints at Blumarine, Giambattista Valli and Dolce & Gabbana, this season’s runways resembled an episode of Wild Kingdom.
My absolute favourites are Louis Vuitton’s giraffe heels. Those sandals are pieces of art and will definitely find their way through the fashion jungle into my closet. So stay tuned for the sequel.
LoL, Sandra
Happy Valentine’s Day, my dear readers! Today is the perfect day to express your love. And what a lovely way to show your affection with an outfit that says: „I love you and want to look beautiful for you!“
Sweater (photo left) by Wildfox, red dress and coat, both by Giambattista Valli, stingray-heel Tribute sandals by Yves Saint Laurent, bag by Valentino, bracelet by Louis Vuitton and ring by Max and Chloé.
LoL, Sandra
I still owe you the last three looks from the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab. Let’s start with my favourite black tie look for summer: A vibrant and bold colour mix with the right amount of romance and femininity.
Gown: GIAMBATTISTA VALLI – Clutch: PHILIPPE ROUCOU – Platform Shoes: VERSACE – Statement Necklace: FRANCESCA VILLA
Sandra’s Closet offers you exclusively at LuisaViaRoma.com FREE SHIPPING to the United States, Canada, and Europe, just click on the highlighted text and you will be transfered directly. Have fun shoppping!
And don’t forget: Bright is the night is the motto!
LoL, Sandra
Yesterday, at the 62nd Emmy Awards 2010 in Los Angeles, celebrities went on a berry hunt. The most beautiful dresses were the ones in the must-have berry shades of the season.
Those tones will remain for Resort 2011. Enjoy the sneak preview as most of the gowns have already been from the upcoming collections.
The US-series Mad Men won again in the category top drama. I would give the award fashionwise in the category “top drama gown” to their supporting actress Christina Hendricks in her lilac Zac Posen Resort 2011 dress that flaunted her curves perfectly and looked so stunning in combination with her flame-red hair.
On the F/W 2010 runways, berry tones were seen everywhere as if the designers have had all mixed berries for desert while creating their collections. The bright shades were combined in all ways.
I put some outfits together to show you how those hues combined together can make a strong statement and instantly update your wardrobe.
Red with violet, fuchsia with ruby, vermillion with plum- everything is possible, just let your imagination run free.
This winter, the LBD (Little Black Dress) is taken hostage by the LRD (Little Red Dress). So chances are very high that you might get scarlet fever soon. The bright vibrant tone is very contagious especially when worn tone on tone. Accessorize it with matching pumps and a bag in the same colour family for head-to-toe chic.
I am totally in love with Bottega Veneta‘s tone on tone looks. How about you?
Have I whet your appetite for mixed berries?
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.
The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.
The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.
The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.
To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:
First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.
Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.
And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.
Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
These boots are made for walking… and admiration. There is always a time and always a place to put on a pair of flat boots. From patent to suede, from colourful to neutral, there is a pair for everyone. The flat It-boot next season would be the riding boot – totally love the Manolos. The range is wide, the pirate style ones by Michael Kors would also be a great purchase just like the studded ones by Christian Louboutin. If you are worried about them looking too casual, these stunning versions are refined and polished, and dressy enough to wear to a variety of occassions and events.
Chloé wool-lined leather boots, approximately €850.-
Already available at NET-À-PORTER and selling out fast is the Chloé pre-fall 2010 strappy model to the left.
LoL, Sandra
Some of the most memorable looks on the runways for F/W 2010 impressed with the comeback of the season: Fur in all variations. From Karl Lagerfeld`s take on the full faux fur polar bear look to Versace`s colourful interpretations to shearling lamb footwear.
The emphasis was one the most luxurious finishing details you can imagine. The designers were using more fur than ever. I am wondering why PETA was so absent during the fashion weeks. They could have totally made an example.
Herewith you will find a gallery of the most desirable shoes and bags for the upcoming season. I am crazy for Chanel `s Nanook of the North fake fur boots with the icicle heels and the matching chain strap bag. Totally stylish are also the fur-trimmed boots like the ones by Hermès or YSL.
Another must-have for winter is a thick fur-covered tote, for example by Dolce & Gabbana or Christian Dior to name a few.
Love it or hate it, fur is one of the biggest trends.
LoL, Sandra
Et voilà, here is the next season preview. Below you will find the Top 20 runway shows that are in my view the key collections for F/W 2010. Enjoy!
CHANEL: There is no way you can escape Karl Lagerfeld. The genius surprised with an outstanding play on global warming and the melting of the ice caps. The models literally made a splash on the catwalk in shaggy snow boots with ice-block heels and furry polar bear outfits. A quite outstanding collection as Lagerfeld chose to use fake fur instead of promoting the real thing. Global warming will accelerate as you will see a lot of polar bears in St. Moritz this winter.
PRADA: Miuccia Prada`s unique talent has once more surprised us. The convinced feminist put for the first time the emphasis on the chest. The early 60s inspired collection was an ode to the womanhood. Sexy secretaries with high chignons demonstrated an esthetic perfection on the runway. Well done!
LOUIS VUITTON: What was first defined by Miuccia Prada, was spotted a little later in Paris at Louis Vuitton again. In celebration of womanliness, Marc Jacobs created a curvy silhouette with 50s wasp waists, petticoated skirts and outlined busts.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: Final honours to McQueen`s last works. During the process of preparing this poetic, medieval show, the British designer committed suicide. One last curtain call for his huge talent that showed so well in the tailoring and theatrical aspect of this collection.
BALMAIN: When it comes to Balmain, I cannot be neutral as I am such a big fan of Christophe Decarnin`s work. His designs have been copied a zillion times but nothing can compete with that notoriously expensive collection. This season, he took his inspiration from a baroque rock `n` roll showing to-die-for colourful marabou jackets, sexy frock coats, tight lamé dresses and the return of the over-shoe flared pants that make your legs look sooo long.
CELINE: Phoebe Philo set a benchmark again with her second collection for the French house for breathtaking luxurious minimalism. Refined shapes, supreme quality, very contemporary – in her own words: “Strong, powerful, reduced.” That is what you call style.
STELLA MCCARTNEY: Her show was a paragon of the emerging trend of the season: polished minimalistic chic. A very wearable and feminine collection for modern businesswomen.
GUCCI: Frida Giannini seemed to take the same line like Stella McCartney. Her Gucci woman grew up and made a tasteful, very confident appearance not trying too hard. An hommage to the label`s golden 60s and 70s esthetics that I am totally in love with.
BALENCIAGA: Nicholas Ghesquière has a futuristic vision of couture showing once more in his artistic masterpieces of graphic, pastel and collaged compositions. The computer-age child creates probably not so user-friendly winter outfits, but this twist on Parisian chic is desperately needed in the world of fashion to push things forward.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI: A breeze from the 60s combined with a girlish couture spirit, Valli fascinated with shapes and beautiful silhouettes. In this collection, glamour raised the tone.
LANVIN: The Moroccan born designer of the French house is known for his amazing couture-like creations. This season`s take was all about another, stronger idea of elegance. I love the new sexy contemporary Amazon look created by Alber Elbaz. And you?
BOTTEGA VENETA: As to me, Bottega Veneta seems to be finally back on track. I had not been a big fan of Tomas Maier`s latest collections for the Italian house. Now, he surprised me with awesome body-conscious (if the word could cross the border of his taste) looks in rich amazing colours like emerald green. Hats off!
BURBERRY PRORSUM: This was a brilliant show, globally live-streamed, and a super-clever act in one as you could pre-order the gorgeous outerwear straight from the runway over the internet for three days only. You can`t go wrong this winter with those big-collared shearling jackets and the python thigh high boots. Give three cheers for Christopher Bailey!
ALEXANDER WANG: I love every little bit of Wang`s contemporary nonchalance. A polished street-chic, precise tailoring and stunning new cuts showed his amazing talent on the runway. He deconstructed the gray flannel suit into something completely new. Layering was part of the success story. Keep his name in mind, that guy is a must!
MIU MIU: Young, plenty sexy, but still very preppy with a slight air of the 60s, those were the best adjectives for Miu Miu`s runway show. The Twiggy-ish collection with the emphasis on the legs also showed some gorgeous colour combinations. A good season, Mrs Prada!
VERSUS: Christopher Kane, Donatella Versace`s protégé, will thrill the young party girls with his bright and sexy second collection for Versus. This was definitely one of the most refreshing shows on the runways honouring the heyday of Gianni Versace himself.
CHRISTOPHER KANE: Kane`s innovative ideas also showed in his own presentation in London where he managed to make the combination of black leather and floral embroideries look good together. The eccentric slashed sleeves were trendsetting. With good reason, he is one of the most courted of young designers today.
D&G: I absolutely adore this après-ski collection. It will be the perfect way of looking stylish in the mountains. The knitwear with snowflake patterns was body-conscious and mixed with fur or chiffon. Only Dolce & Gabbana can transform the winter wardrobe into something breathtakingly sexy. Even the moon boots had high heels, love that!
GIVENCHY: Riccardo Tisci obviously thought of the ski sport as well while designing his sweaters in snowflake-patterned knits. But he combined them with neoprene skirts deriving from the scuba world. He created an interesting twist without taking it too seriously like D&G.
ROBERTO CAVALLI: This show was the 40th anniversary of the Italian brand, as strange as it sounds. When Roberto Cavalli started in the 70s with his little shop in St.Tropez, he took a lot of his inspirations from the rich-hippie look. This era was once more the force behind his winter collection. An opulent mixture of folk and bohemian elements combined with animal prints and brocade fabrics. Congrats, Roberto!
I hope that you have liked my little résumé. On the runways there were so many different propositions and multiple references, catering for all tastes. The versatility makes fashion so interesting.
Stay tuned as I will tell you much more about the newest trends and must-haves for F/W 2010.
LoL, Sandra
The summer is full of ethnic inspirations, take a journey through Africa and get the beat of the new tribal fashion drum. From impressive masai-inspired prints and bold leopard patterns to powerful beadings and silhouettes, the designers were experimenting a lot. Batik, ikat and tritik techniques helped to create vibrant dyed fabrics with an instant touch of the exotic.
Among those trendsetters were: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Giambattista Valli, Trussardi 1911, Dries van Noten, Balmain and Christian Louboutin.
I am always telling my girlfriends if you have enough space for storage, please do not throw out too many things. My tribal look that I wore recently is a proof of my advice as sometimes the rising of a trend might take a few seasons: Dark brown suede belted dress by Prada S/S 2009, clutch, shoes and accessories all by Louis Vuitton S/S 2009.
Great eye-catchers are the leopard-printed stockings. Mine are the Fogal Parda ones, available in two variations.
To keep you posted: For F/W 2010 Wolford will launch awesome leo tights and stockings in four different colour combinations: sahara beige/black, black/black, green/black and fuchsia/black. You should definitely get a pair of those.
One thing is for sure: The new desert queen will be the leader of the fashionista tribe.
LoL, Sandra
The ethnic influence is undeniable this spring/summer. Numerous were the sources of inspirations that designers used for their creations. Embroideries, coloured beads, leather thongs and pompoms appeared everywhere. Embellishment is not the only important factor, to my eye the shape is essential, too. A lot of “gym bags” combined with add-on charms and tassels were seen on the runways. A leader of the trend is Marc Jacobs with his collection for Louis Vuitton. You should definitely get your hands on one of those bags. Good luck!
LoL, Sandra
