Better off Red: Dolce & Gabbana

image from Catwalking

What's a girl gotta do to get a Dolce & Gabbana crown around here?!

I know i've not been posting much this weekend, but I couldn't resist posting this one faaaaabulous image from Dolce & Gabbana's AW13 show in Milan.

Milan is one of my favourite cities for shopping, architecture, culture, but it is certainly not my favourite fashion week. Always a little bit too "much" for my tastes, the designers that show in Milan aren't among my favourites, with a few notable exceptions, of course. 

Nevertheless, the Dolce & Gabbana show was rather tempting indeed: a furiously regal showcase of golden crowns, gilded brocades and intricately crafted scarlet dresses. Shamelessly luxurious, this collection just exudes that typical Dolce & Gabbana lavish glamour.  

LFW AW13: Runway

Simone Rocha, images from Catwalking

Jonathan Saunders, images from Catwalking

Felder Felder, images from Catwalking

Erdem, images from Catwalking

Mary Katrantzou, images from Catwalking

Richard Nicoll, Images from Catwalking

 For today's instalment of my LFW analysis, I thought i'd present to you my pick of the LFW catwalks.

There have been some real highs and some real lows this season, so here is a brief analysis of which ones I personally fell for.

I must admit that I did not really rate Burberry or Mulberry, both of which I usually love. I felt they were both rather staid in comparison to the other talent to be found at LFW, such as Simone Rocha and Felder Felder, two brands who presented truly phenomenal collections with immaculate styling. 

I have been following the work of Simone Rocha for a while now, and her latest collection certainly delivered in my view. Soft pastel shades that would not look out of place on a S/S catwalk were modernised with unique tailoring techniques and innovative fabrics. To bring the collection bang up to date and back into the realms of A/W,  these sugar pastels were interspersed with tactile and tempting looks of jet black, providing a stark contrast between prettiness and power. 

Moving on, I simply can't sing the praises of both Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll enough, and neither disappointed me for AW13. Jonathan Saunders pulled out all the stops with a modern but feminine aesthetic which is sure to be a hit, it is also going to be my fat day inspiration- those loose sweaters worn over slouchy skirts would conceal a multitude of sins... and donuts... and champagne... 

I am never going to say I dislike an Erdem collection because I highly doubt that I ever could. While this new collection is not my favourite of all time, I do love the slightly sinister, darkly romantic look. I particularly adore the intricate black lace that conjures up images visions of a fantastical forest at witching hour. 

Which were your favourite shows of the new season? 

Couture Kisses

Raf Simons' couture at Christian Dior 2013

It seems all rather fitting that the dreamy Haute Couture collections should fall in the bleak month of January. The ultimate in escapism, Haute Couture is the very definition of fashion as an art form. Meticulous embellishments, luxurious fabrics and artful crafting, each and every piece that makes its way down a couture catwalk is the result of blood, sweat and tears, but is always devastatingly beautiful and captivating. Fantastical at the very least.

I have spent my birthday today (yay!) swooning over these divine gowns from Chanel and Dior, waiting with baited breath for each couture collection that appears on Vogue.com. 

Couture dresses are so magical that they tempt me to track down a Russian business man and marry him with the sole intention of building up a walk-in wardrobe of haute hotness straight from the Paris ateliers. 

I do hope you ain't sayin' i'm a goldigga. 

Stunning images from the Christian Dior Haute Couture show in Paris (images from Catwalking)

The Dior collection was truly breathtaking. The meticulous work of Raf Simons (my favourite man, ever, with the possible exceptions of Eddie Redmayne and Ryan Gosling), this collection is uplifting with shades of yellow and pistachio, but ultimately timeless with nods to heritage touches from the House of Dior. Tres tres chic monsieur.

Fantastical pieces at the Chanel Haute Couture show in Paris (images from Catwalking)

While I was not exactly impressed with the Chanel RTW, the couture has won me back. A fashion fairytale with a touch of the macabre, Karl Lagerfeld's slightly sinister femininity is truly bewitching. The finale dress, as modelled by Cara Delevingne, is a particularly magical masterpiece. Kaiser Karl strikes again. 

If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them!

All Images from Catwalking

From L - R : Zoe Jordan S/S13, Helmut Lang S/S13, Victoria by Victoria Beckham S/S 13, Elie Saab S/S13, Oscar De La Renta S/S13, Ashley Isham S/S13

The January Blues, that is!

I have always thought myself immune from the January Blues, primarily because my birthday falls in just a couple of weeks. However, this year I felt what can only be described as post party depression, somewhat akin to what I had after Zante... Surely there is some sort of charity for this? (I jest)

I'm sure i'm not alone in feeling this, but I think i've got a cure: a new SS13 inspired wardrobe.

Post sales-chaos, why not treat yourself to a couple of lovely pieces in the most covetable shades of the coming season: marines fit for a mermaid. 

How very apt- if you can't beat the January Blues, join 'em with some cool, crisp pieces that look ever so chic.

1. This gorgeous dusty blue coat is a steal at Reiss- reduced to just £73

2. These Kenneth Jay Lane earrings are so unbelievably glamourous- and a perfect way to marry marine shades together £240

3. These suede navy ankle boots from Whistles are my new favourite pair- such a gorgeous colour and such a wearable shape. Work these in s/s13 with super-skinny grey denim and a crisp white shirt.

4. This dress from The Outnet by Aminika Wilmont is a great buy at £212.50 - so Peter Pilotto and extremely flattering and sexy.

5. Ooh this Acne sweater from the Net-A-Porter sale (£96) is a gorgeous hit of aquamarine- amazing with skinny white jeans.

6. This Nelly ring is a fabulous £6.95 yet looks deceptively YSL (or SLP? Doesn't sounds right...) A gorgeous cocktail ring for the new season.

7. If you love me, you'll buy me a Celine handbag... It really is a simple as that. I currently have my eye on a slate blue Luggage hold-all at £2050... I can but dream.

8. This Dannijo necklace from Kabiri is a pretty grecian statement piece to pair with a little navy dress for a new season lift. Or try with a light grey Zoe Karssen tee (check the Harvey Nicks sale) for a really cool look.

9. I can't believe these gorgeous cobalt heels are just £60 from Topshop - they look seriously high end. I would love to rock these with a little printed minidress for swinging spring look with a modern touch.

10. Behold, yet another ridiculously fabulous Mulberry. This time the mini-Alexa has made an entrance in this sultry, dusty slate blue with silver hardware. So cool that it's hot! 

The Week of Fashion Fantasy

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Haute Couture is undoubtedly one of the fashion industry's most exciting and fantastical aspects. While RTW is often dreamy and covetable, nothing quite beats the undeniable spectacle of Couture fashion week in Paris. I dream and dream of one day being invited to a couture show (Givenchy, if i'm being picky, but i'll take Chanel...) and mingling with the truly rich and the truly fabulous of fashion's elite. 

Every garment is a product of hours of detailed design and meticulous craftsmanship, and is destined to be worn, or displayed, as an art form. Haute Couture is just the perfect example of how fashion isn't just about skinny girls and clothes, it's so much more than that- it really is art and, ultimately, a form of escapism. 

The first show of note would be Versace. Versace is undeniably back with a bang, tackling the economic gloom full throttle with the classic Versace aesthetic of heavy gold and dazzling jewel tones. Versace H&M increased the youth awareness of the brand, that last saw such exposure in the 1980s, and now it is one of the most coveted brands around. I expect to see the tutti-frutti H&M collection all over the place! This modern lift of Versace, also helped by Christopher Kane's genius input at Versus, has reached it's peak this Couture fashion week with the first Versace Haute Couture collection in eight years- and what a show.

Enjoy!

p.s.

Lindsey Wixson, Marry Me?