"Clean, Edgy, Chic - It's MATH!"
So there was only one show I really and truly loved this season - MATH Collective showcased beautiful British materials and an understanding of the modern woman to look good but effortlessly.
"Thanks dude! I really wanted it to just be simple and something that any woman could wear!" says designer Shahzad Mohayudin as I congratulate him on a beautiful collection. It was so very refreshing speaking to someone who I could tell was completely in love with what they did and aimed to keep learning and improving as they went on in their work.
Looking at the collection, I could see all different types of woman in the garments. From the high-power Pigalle-wearing business woman to the teacher donning her sneakers in the peak time rush to get to school and change into something more fitting. It was a breath of fresh air to have seen a collection that embraced every type of woman in both the look of the clothing but also the styling. (I didn't mention sneakers for kicks - some models were actually in sneakers!) That too spoke to me. A designer who is willing to put his or her works which are beautiful and have clearly had a lot of work go into them with a pair of sneakers is not on an ego trip at all - they just want to get the work out there and get a response.
Shaz - as he is known more commonly - made me feel as though I had known him for years and had it not been for the fact that there was a crowd of people waiting to congratulate him on his work, I can assure you, I would have stayed and spoken to him for much longer!
There have been too many seasons of try-hard extravagance, over-the-top 'innovation' and desperate attention-seeking styling so a show this pristine and clothes this beautiful were a welcome breath of fresh air, I just wish that they had been shown in London Fashion Week's runway space. It needed that clinical feel and Freemason's hall, as beautiful a venue as it was, could not do any justice to this collection - yes, that's how strongly I feel about MATH Collective's' show!
Once more, congratulations Shaz! I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations!
Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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Tribal Chic
A refreshing motif on the catwalks of the last few years, the Tribal trend has done nothing but gain momentum this upcoming season. The trend survives on print – it’s the alchemy, and this year it is more animated and eclectic than ever.
The trend weaved itself into many collections, such as Michael Kors, Sass & Bide, Donna Karan and Thakoon. Missoni’s Ready-to-Wear Collection 2012 is laidback, taking a more sensual approach on the trend by blending a contrast of bold and soft shades of cocoa, yellows, corals and greens with the freeness of fringing and ruffles, paired with gypsy jewels. For the braver hearts, breathe Hawaiian air with Suno Resort 2012, where flamboyant jungle motives were juxtaposed against more versatile dresses with ethnic details. Donna Karan’s feminity was not lost through the tribal motifs of her Spring Collection inspired by her travels of Haiti. Combining brash whites and warm pops of colour with a spectrum of blacks, browns and stone, her collection is fierce yet sophisticated. Subtle tribal vibes were present at Sass & Bide, where bead encrusted tank tops and chic shorts stood out, and at Duro Olowu (a favourite of Mrs. Obama) through his use of mixed prints.
From left: Missoni, Suno, Donna Karan, Sass & Bide and Duro Olowu
The traditional vibrant graphic prints, fusion of warm hues and textural features has transformed; the greatest change this season being the presence of Ankara (wax prints from West Africa.) Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prorsum Collection features a range of outerwear, dresses and skirts in a kaleidoscope of colour, some of which has already been sported by the likes of Anna Wintour, Kate Bosworth and Solange Knowles. I love the meticulous attention to detail – even the shoes are entwined with Ankara and beads. Simonetta Ravizza gave the trend a 60’s edge for her Ready-to-Wear 2012 Collection: Ankara wedges, mini dresses, skirts, trousers and harem pants were all styled with flirty tousled hair. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t forget African designers such as Asibelua and Jewel by Lisa, where graphic Ankara was given a saturated look.
For those looking to style their little girls, ‘Native Belle Boutique’, a fusion childrenswear line is gorgeous for all those ‘mini-me’s. All of the items are handmade in ethical, breathable fabrics such as linens, cottons and organdy’s. The Aurora Collection blends the Ankara subtly with the colour palette of this upcoming season – oranges, fuchsias, yellows, blues, rich reds and pastille hues. They even have cute patchwork Ankara Teddy Bears, sure to be a Christmas favourite. www.nativebelleboutique.com
There it is, fashionistas! The tribal trend in all its glory. Be sure to look out for it in stores, on runways and in magazines - you saw it here first (and no doubt, will be seeing more of it)!
Remain en-vogue,
Miss Croxford
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"Cosy, Sexy, Cool! Jeans that make you feel like a million bucks!"
Cosy? Sexy? Cool? I think it's all three, really...
Ladies, Winter has arrived and there's nothing worse than slipping on a pair of your favourite jeans and having them chafe your inner thighs and create static with your tights. Well, I'm told there's nothing worse than this... Being able to look good and feel comfortable should not be a trade-off - it's a necessity in everything we wear! I think I've found something you might just love!
Angels & Men was set up by Mellie Carroll and Jo Matthews, women who, I believe, got sick and tired of complaining about the discomfort caused by the jeans and tights combination. There is often the idea that anything innovative and relatively new sees a severe lacking aesthetically but practically, succeeds beyond everyone's expectations. Angels & Men's jeans are not a product that follow that rule. With the cleanest and most flattering cuts for women from size 8 up to 16 (yes, they also cover a good size range!), there is nothing that Mellie and Jo have left out!
The jeans utilise Fleecetec-Duothermolate in their lining to retain body heat in the colder parts of the year whilst remaining fully breathable for the hotter parts. All these jeans need to be able to do now is button themselves up and they're God's gift to womankind! The cuts of the jeans are perfect for the lean ladies but also have a good and deep enough seat for the woman with the more voluptuous posterior (hopefully I can write that without sounding inappropriate).
As a stylist, it's hard to find a pair of jeans for a client without them asking me if when they bend down, their "goods" will be on show. I can assure you, ladies, Angels & Men have seen to this problem! There is no room for the awkward moment when your son or daughter comes up to you and pulls down the back of your top because the small of your back and beginnings of... well, you know, are on display. These jeans are suitable for the mother, fashionista, student and the everyday Superwoman in and out of the city.
In case you don't believe me and you feel that this is too good to be true, keep your eyes on La Clique as we will have some of our readers test out the products themselves!
Happy Jeans for Genes day!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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Miss Demmisse's guide to
Beating The Seasonal Change
Ladies, let's do this right
Oh no! The days are getting shorter and the joyous days of Notting Hill Carnival are now no more than a memory. The rain is growing more persistent in its mission to ruin what is left of my summer, and the back-to-school adverts begin to spark that bittersweet feeling of nostalgia for my uniform-wearing school days. This can only mean one thing; autumn is approaching and the summer into autumn wardrobe becomes the bane of my life.
Let me paint you a common scenario. The pertinent question of ‘is it warm or is it cold?’ with the deceiving Jekyll-and-Hyde sun that toys with us, warm rays leading you outside only to pull you into an atmospheres similar to a butcher’s fridge! Yes, I know it is extremely difficult to dress for occasions such as these but to be honest, I love it! It means calf-length tangerine skirts with a beige sweater, white tee peeking out from below, chino’s and jumpers, trench coats, loafers and jeans. Want me to go into more detail? Oh, allow me!
Tops:
This seasonal transition sparks what I like to call ‘bipolar’ weather. One minute you are shivering under the grim grey clouds which tease you with drops of rain. Next, you begin to sweat and itch in the heat and avoid the rays of warm sunshine!
Jumpers that aren’t too thick and blouses that aren’t too light - the key is the balance.
One of my favourite pieces this season is the sleeveless cropped turtle neck - perfect 90’s hip-hop vixen. However, when teamed with a calf length skirt and some biker boots you are ultimately transformed into 90’s grunge. If you will be rocking the white shirts, (boyfriend shirts to cropped shirts), do up that top button and combine with a pair of coloured capri jeans and some loafers - simple, chic and beautiful!
It's sexy, cute and, teamed with a cardigan, will keep you prepared for the temperature swings characteristic of the Summer-Autumn period.
Skirts/Trousers:
To conquer the summer/autumn transition the skirt is the staple of your outfit. Be it a 60’s pleated mini with black tights or a chiffon maxi teamed with a cropped beige turtle neck, the skirt offers you the chance to look feminine and classy as well as grungy and cool.
Wear them short, wear them long - either way, skirts are your staple this seasonal transition!
Shoes:
Block heels, block heels, block heels, everyone seems to be fanatical about block heels and I can see why - comfortable, fashionable and innovative, they are the must wear in footwear. Block heels are best with a pleated 60’s mini skirt and black tights for the preppy look. They subtly add a greater length to your legs. In terms of colour, it is definitely the season to be brave and inventive with bright blues, deep purples and mustard yellows leading the way forward.
Jeffrey Campbell's LITA boots are a MUST when it comes to block heels!
For the flat heel adamants among you, ballet pumps, loafers and converses are the usual suspects but compared to other parts of your outfit there so much more freedom in footwear. For example, a beige trench coat united with a pair of skinny jeans and Air Jordan’s are just as fashionable as a black boyfriend blazer, khaki coloured chinos and loafers. It’s all about carrying your confidence into wearing your tastes and not letting them wear you (I know - cliché alert!).
Just a few flats for you to choose from...
Hopefully this summer/autumn transition is more fluent and pleasant for you after my help. Keep in mind this is only a guideline and you may take it as literally or as loosely as you want. As long as you're good, I'm good!
Ciao Yeneh Konjos!
Miss Demmisse
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