Zac Posen...

From New York to London to Milan to Paris, fashion is conquering the world stylish city by stylish city, with each city bringing iconic collections from iconic designers.  People were buzzing around Jil Sander at Milan and now attention is focused on Zac Posen. Before the show, Zac Posen had said that he and Paris were meant to be, and his collection proved this.  Oh so Parisian with flutterings of pink and indigo feathers being key to the collection,amongst tweed jackets, lots of lace and slinky evening gowns which hugged the models bodies in all the right places.

Tight pencil skirts followed cutaway dresses and off the shoulder bustiers. Terrific legging like, super figure hugging trousers with lace/pink leopard print pattern. Wispy feathers emerging from the hips of mesh and tulle trousers, classic asymmetric dresses and full feather jackets. Billowing gowns in cream and black and a stunning vampy red draped evening gown. The collection was a step away from previous collections we've seen over the past few weeks.  Pastels were avoided but materials were kept lightweight. A daring darling SS11 collection that made me yearn for cool summer city nights, swooping from bar to bar in summertime moonlight...

A little recap...

I have not been paying my blog much attention this week - but I have legitimate reasons! It has been the last week of my internship, which saddens me because it's been absolutely amazing. I've had some amazing experience and worked with some lovely people so I am sad to see it end. But anyway, onto the important stuff - Milan Fashion Week.

Starting with Iceberg. A very simple yet classic collection.  Easy pieces in neutral colours and patterns that would transfer into any summer city. Starting with a camel coloured blazer and grey marl trousers which had a zip to the ankle, the collection moved into silk handkerchief dresses in blurred brown, gold and green check, mesh jackets and vests, simple white shorts, cotton dungarees, loosely wrapped skirts that revealed more than spectators bargained for, and tropical printed dresses. The looks were completed with a 'I've just stumbled across this rope on the floor and tied it around my wrist' kind of bracelet, low hanging jewels, feathers and ribbons and beachy swept back hair.

A collection that screamed 'my attention is on the sun not my wardrobe'. Minimal effort maximum impact. 

Next; Jil Sander. Talk about a lesson in colour and shapes. One by one models emerged onto the catwalk in mouth watering colours; pink, electric blue, orange, navy formed into the most incredible shapes ever. Billowing floor length dresses (note they are not maxi dresses - they are obviously more significant than that), trousers with contrasting coloured peplum detail at the waist, peplum skirts and  gigantic harem pants. Material that was gathered and plumped and swathed each and every way to create the most mind blowing ornate shapes in blooming tropical prints and vibrant, bright hues that draped to the floor.  The colours radiated even more worn below a classic white tee. 

It may all sound a little overwhelming, but it worked so well because of how it was put together. These magnificent designs were worn with relaxed trapeze raincoats and parkas. Reading that without seeing the collection would lead you to think it was somewhat garish, in your face, ott costumes. But it could not be far from it.  Artistic, confident, sophisticated and invigorating. A breath of fresh air.  

From bright brights to bright whites, we make a swift movement to Dolce & Gabanna's angelic SS11 collection.  Entitled 'Sicillian Sensuality' the majority of the collection was white with the exception of one or two pieces. The collection was very sexy meets romantic. While overtly sexy, old fashioned feeling lingerie pieces screamed sex appeal, they also remained romantic and girl with acres of white lace and embellishment. The collection then moved to floor length dresses which revealed glimpses of underwear worn underneath, beautiful shift dresses that were a mixture of lace and chiffon, lace playsuits and filly 'housecoats', pretty milkmaid tops and flippy skirts. A key super sexy black piece appeared once in a while, my favourite being the chiffon top worn with pencil skirt or billowing scoop neck floor length gown, as did something leopard print that just added a little texture to the white collection.  

It was purely what you would image every Dolce woman in the suburbs of Italy to be wearing and brings to life the ad campaign featuring Madonna. True, classic staple pieces that make for a stunning SS11 wardrobe...

Tunic Fever...

Sometimes a dress just isn't good enough. Especially for me because I do tend to stick to the same shape dresses (much to my boyfriends dismay!). But lately I've noticed a lot of tunics - basically dresses but a little bit shorter and a little different from my usual run of the mill kind of dresses...

All three are from Topshop. Simple enough for styling up for a night out and to be suitable for daytime.  With tights obviously to protect your modesty...

Raise a Manolo to Marriage...

A pair of Manolo Blahniks can make a woman feel fabulous (so I'm told!) but apparently there's more to the shoes than that.  During an interview, Manolo himself explained. He said;

"The male reation to heels is half normal and half perversion, but some men tell me I've saved their marriage.  The first thing men look at are a woman's legs, and there is nothing more flattering than high heels."

Just think of the thousands of divorces that could have been saved if the wise old owl had spoken these words sooner. I suppose it's a good enough excuse to buy a pair to keep at that back of the wardrobe, for that reason only of course...

Marc Online...

So the new Marc Jacobs e-commerce site has launched. Yay! The highly anticipated launch happened yesterday (September 21st) and allows us to have Marc at the end of our fingers anytime we like! Upon arrival to the store (site) shoppers are presented with what looks like a boutique, with four windows along the bottom floor showing videos from recent fashion shows and direct links to collections. We're even greeted by a little man stood at the door - nice little touch I think. Once 'inside' the boutique you can select from a number of different floors to shop from. I love it, i like the personal little touches that remind me of actually shopping, it brings a realistic feel to online shopping. Only Marc Jacobs could do it...

Hearts all aflutter...*Possible Spoiler Alert*

Because it's back! At least 45% of my posts are centred around Gossip Girl. Whether it's the characters, the cast, the clothes or the city it's set it! The beginning of season 3 was not at it's best. Watching it, I felt a little bored. It was the same old 'drama' that was lack lustre and was just trying to repeat what happened during season 2. Then towards the end, it got it's spark back, and was back on form. I was left in a heap of tears as it came to an end, and waited patiently (while watching season 3 from the very beginning with my boyfriend - his orders!) for season 4. And last week it was back. I was anxious I was going to watch it and hate it. But it was back with a bang. Blair's bitchiness was well and truly alive, Serena's sultry sulking and Dan now has a baby. But not just that - the clothes! Oh the clothes. I read an interview with Blake Lively, who mentioned that sometimes people forget the other character - New York, well isn't the wardrobe just the same? Week after week I wait with baited breath to see what Blair and Serena are wearing. From DVF to Versace and Prada, Eric Daman has the wardrobe well and truly covered with some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen in my life. And this weeks noteworthy dress; the Oscar de la Renta Vermillion Silk Organa Pleated gown. WOW WOW WOW. Only an Oscar dress was worthy for the meeting of two old flames...

Hot Property...

Miss Palermo is hot property!! She confirmed today that she will appear alongside model boyfriend Johannes Huebl, Scarlett Johannson and Poppy Delvigne for Mango's next ad campaign...

Matthew Williamson...

Walking down the runway, models displayed beautiful soft summer fabrics; chiffon, tulle and lace in pretty summer florals, pastel colours and bold prints. The collection was beautifully padded out with asymmetric dresses, babydoll dresses and lovely tailored trousers. After playing pretty for a while, the collection turned to uber glam with sexy metallics and billowing red carpet worthy gowns...I myself preferred the sexy little dresses.