After spending four weeks in an utter fashion frenzy, either rushing from country to country then from show to show or spending the month pouring over a multitude of images back home, it really does take something really special to re-energise, awaken and lift the spirits of the weary fash-pack... Valentino.
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented the most exceptional ready to wear collection for Valentino at the end of Paris Fashion Week. I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw the images pop up on my iPhone whilst running to a meeting. Each of the 73 ethnic, opulent, folksy, medieval, exotic and regal looks were more majestic and striking than the last. The severely WOW-beautiful micro-minidresses (below) would be much appreciated in my wardrobe.
PFW: Chanel SS'14
Karl Lagerfeld’s transformed the stark, white-walled Grand Palais into an art gallery setting for his SS’14 Chanel collection during Paris Fashion Week. As well as exhibiting several installations and sculptures, such as an awesome Chanel No 5 robot, artists including Kandinsky, Pollock, Oldenberg and Duchamp also heavily influenced the ninety-odd designs that still managed to remain identifiably Chanel.
The headphone’esq pearl bauble necklaces really caught my attention, as did the model’s themed, artistic eye make up. The monochrome socked patent court shoes(below) were almost certainly chic on the day, but the practicality of this footwear is clearly questionable! Right... I'm off to buy a peroxide wig.
Below (L-R) Clockwise: I do sooo love a Chanel FROW!! Lou Dillon, Vanessa Paradis, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Laura Bailey and Caroline Sieber.
Tommy Ton's PFW Street Style Snaps
We all know that the fashion seen off the runway during fashion weeks can frequently be just as exciting and eccentric as that seen on the runway and Canadian photographerTommy Ton’s coverage for Style.com is unrivaled. Giving us all a glimpse into what some of the most glamourous fashionistas wore to and around the most talked about fashion events of the year, I always spend FAR too much time pouring over Tommy's brilliant street style snaps from Paris. There are also always plenty of pics of Anna Dello Russo (above), Tommy's fashion editor muse, in many of her striking ensembles.
Here is a small, delicious, taster...
Photographs courtesy of Style.com
PFW: Balenciaga SS'14
Alexander Wang’s second collection as the creative director for Baleciaga was stunning. Lantern and peplum silhouettes, handwoven fabrics in curved proportions and innovative perforated leather in light grey, whites and soft pinks were shown alongside the brand’s signature voluminous tops worn with smaller bottoms. These looks were all cleverly mirrored for the audience on the SS’14 runway at the Observatoire de Paris.
Architectural works of art.
PFW: Stella McCartney SS'14
Amidst the modern tomboy aesthetic Stella McCartney has long been associated with, some lighter, more romantic designs were also displayed on the catwalk during this Paris Fashion Week. J'adorrre these two delicate lingerie-laced SS’14 dresses (above) worn by supermodels Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne.
PFW: Isabel Marant SS'14
I love how Isabel Marant designs such feminine and elegant pieces yet manages to creates such boyishly cool, rock and roll looks. “It's the contrast of two ideas that I’m always trying to work with,” the designer said after previewing her ‘Tough Romance’ SS’14 collection filled with floral dresses worn with strong-shouldered tuxedo blazers, ruffle-tiered tops worn with hotpants, and frilly lace skirts slit to the thigh and worn with studded ankle boots. So very cool.
Credit Buy: Alice by Temperley's Celia Dress
Oh Zut Alorrrrrs, I am suffering from THE worst case of Le FOMO... I am daydreaming of being in Paris for Paris Fashion Week. Yesterday, attempting to make up for the intense lack of croissants and couture in my life, I headed to Megan’s café in Chelsea (above) for brunch and pretended I was at Café de Flore... This helped un petit peu. Today however, I am wishing I was floating nonchalantly down the Champ Elysees in this beautiful polka-dot tulle Alice by Temperley Celia Maxidress (below, RRP. £445.00 at net-a-porter.com). Cool, alluring, flirty and with just the right amount of je ne sais quoi.
Je voudrais this beauty and a Eurostar ticket s'il vous plait.
Trend: Socks and Sandals
Ordinarily I can appreciate the merits of a new trend, especially when pioneered by modern day style icons and fashion heavyweights Alexa Chung, Chloe Sevigny and SJP. I do feel however, feel the socks'n'sandals combo is a step too far. On six year old girls? Fine. On Japanese Hirajuku girls wearing neon wigs? Fiiiine. On the grown women we have come to know, love and admire? This is an open shoe step too far.
Look, I know we struggle to let go of the summer in all it’s heavenly rosé glory, and returning our favourite new heels to their boxes to only replace them with that ol’wooly cardigan is excruciatingly hard… but sometimes it’s healthier, and a lot more stylish, to just let it go Ladies… it’s not cute and it’s not clever (clogs).
Literary Death Match
Given that this week is International Book Week, I thought it was appropriate I write about a recent awesome evening at Literary Death Match, performed at Shoreditch’s ‘Concrete,’ under Pizza East. Established in 2006 and hailed as the “most entertaining reading series ever” by the Los Angeles Times, Literary Death Match is hosted by it’s quite brilliant co-creator, my dapper friend, Adrian Todd Zuniga (usually wearing a three piece suit and bow tie no less). This live show features 4 authors each reading from one of their novels for 7 minutes in front of an all-star panel of 3 judges and a usually quite rowdy audience! Critiqued in the categories of literary merit, performance and intangibles, two chosen finalists compete in a comical finale for the Literary Death Match medal.
At this particular Literary Death Match the authors included John Niven, Sathnam Sangera,Nuala Casey and Polly Morland. The judges, Louise Doughty, Sarah Morgan and Bunny Suicide's Andy Riley chose Sathnam Sanghera as our winner. I am really looking forward to reading Sathnam's book ‘Marriage Material,’ which he so brilliantly read from. Occurring regularly in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and London, the show frequently tours around the world and it really is worth checking their website to see if they are visiting a city near you as a truly random, original and hilarious night may await you... ‘The pen is mightier than the sword and ink will be spilt.’
Topshop with Tara Summers
I recently took British actress Tara Summers personal shopping at Topshop, Oxford Circus, whilst she was over visiting from LA. An old friend of mine, Tara is best known for her role as Katie Lloyd in ‘Boston Legal,’ for starring in ‘Damages’ and also ‘Ringer.’ I'm very excited about her latest venture, acting alongside Greg Kinnear in new TV show, ‘Rake.’ Tara was on the hunt for some smart, but comfortable, daywear to wear with both blue and black jeans. We shopped until we literally dropped (which luckily was atDean Street Townhouse - below - one of the best places to collapse btw!)
Tara’s favourite Topshop purchases included...
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Aerobic2 Hi Top Wedge Trainers - RRP. £45.00, Casual Drape Top in White - RRP. £34.00, Crepe Tunic Top in Colbalt - RRP. £34.00, Casual Drape Top in Khaki -RRP. £34.00, Navy Mallard Duck Ankle Socks (cuuuuute! I got them in pink!) - RRP. £3.50,Drape Sleeveless Top - RRP. £16.00, Able Pointy Lace-Up Boots - RRP. £62.00, Small Soft Zip Satchel in Camel - RRP. £32.00.