SAINT LAURENT FALL 2016

SAINT LAURENT FALL 2016

Well it's official, Hedi Slimane's Fall 2016 collection was his final at the helm of the luxury Parisian house. His highly anticipated departure led to the newly appointed, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, famed for his high voltage, sexed up, body con garments with a dose of rock n roll.

Slimane's climactic collection comprised of 80s powerhouse connotations, think voluminous shoulders teamed with narrow waists all finalised with sheer black stockings.

Models proceeded to glide down a staircase of an ostentatious 18th century house located on the Rue de 1'Universite.

Porcelain, matte skin, ruby glossed lips and smokey eye makeup was teamed to a pewter, iridescent, tiled, turtleneck mini dress. A patent, wide, waist cincher drew in the waist. An opulent, ebony, fur coat with oversized shoulders fell to the mid thigh. Fierce, pointy toe reptilian courts concluded the lavish ensemble.

Exaggerated shoulders ignited a burnished gold mini dress. Details included square neckline, undulating gold and silver embellishment and a python, boxing belt attenuated the waist, haute couture precision dominating.

A kaleidoscope of colour highlighted an asymmetrical, hand beaded dress. Shades of cobalt, aquamarine, emerald, fire and persimmon punctuated the saucy number. A gargantuan triangular shoulder dominated the silhouette commanding to be donned by a modern day rock goddess. Slicked back hair, kohl rimmed eyes and diamante clip on earrings concluded the high octane garment.

An onyx, plunging decolletage, sequin spangled, mini dress featured colossal sized wing shoulders complete with vermilion patent belt, gold ring choker and complementary buzz cut. Metallic fuchsia lacquered pumps were the footwear of choice.

A sweetheart, gold lame mini prom dress featured a drop waist and full bubble skirt. A monochromatic leather moto jacket featured black spray paint graffiti motif throughout. A collarless, sumptuous leather, bouffant sleeved bomber jacket was punctuated with gold eyelets. A sequin, leather and polka dot strapless mini was teamed underneath. For the flamboyant and outrageous- a masculine leather biker jacket encrusted with silver hearts. A kitsch addition, married to a sapphire sequin bustier, gold snakeskin belt and highwaisted, tiered, polka dot mullet skirt, cascading to the mid calf.

Decadent, grandiose, plush fox furs made an appearance on the runway. An eye catching electric blue fur coat with amplified  shoulders was an absolute standout.

A shrunken Breton stripe turtleneck micro mini dress in coruscating sequins was married to the coat resulting in an ensemble steeped in sheer grandeur. The collection closed with a cherry red fox fur cape coat in the shape of a mammoth love heart. A sweetheart, raven liquid, ruched mini dress was paired to the avant garde coat. Minimalistic gold cuffs adorned wrists. The arabesque oozed of excess. Perfect for the rock n roll chanteuse with a penchant for modern contemporary silhouettes.

By Courtney Jones.      

SAINT LAURENT PRE FALL 2016

SAINT LAURENT 

PRE FALL 2016

French designer, Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent held his Pre Fall 2016 collection at the iconic Palladium Concert Hall located on Sunset Boulevard, California. Seventies, rock n roll swagger ruled the runway with models transmogrified into bona fide rockstars.

A chevron, leopard fur, midi coat was an absolute standout, paired to a bold tomato red, pussy bow blouse adorned with gold, glitter polka dots. Leather culottes in relaxed proportions were teamed to an ultra wide, black leather belt with gargantuan gold, ribbed metal buckle. Under the knee, almond toe, snakeskin boots added a sleek edge.

An indigo and sky paisley midi dress featured a high Victoriana collar, bib insert and pleating which fell under the bust. A sumptuous, snow leopard, fur gilet accompanied the dress. Velvet boots were encrusted with cascading, diamante flowers adding a regal touch to the bohemian ensemble.

Staz Lindes ignited the runway in an electrifying, lustrous, bronze, funnel neck midi dress. Bishop sleeves and an a-line silhouette brimmed with seventies style connotations, ideal for an uber cool songbird. A reptilian, boxing belt complete with tortoiseshell ring buckle attenuated the waist. Dramatic, burnished gold glitter eyeshadow was for the flamboyant.

A deep, plunging, peasant folklore maxi starred a scintillating, peacock print and sequin embellishment. A handkerchief hemline and billowy sleeves added poetic insouciance. The trusty, classic, skinny silk scarf was knotted nonchalantly on the side of the neck. 

A plush, panelled fur coat in shades of alabaster, ebony and flecked terracotta starred in an amplified arabesque. A coruscating, silver, beaded, turtleneck was married to leather, patchwork, culottes and gold, python, leather boots, insanely hip for those with a rebellious streak. 

A scarlet, velvet midi dress complete with black tulle, jesters collar and tulle, tiered lace cuffs evoked an enchanted, fairytale costume. A monochromatic, black sequin version featured a delicate, white lace collar, oozing with fragility.

Intricate, beaded, craftsmanship was on display on a dapper, decadent, turtleneck midi dress. Undulating fauna in coral and cornflower blue were punctuated by the ice silver, column beading. Peak, structured shoulders with flared sleeves were finalised with characterful ostrich feather cuffs resembling cheer squad pom poms.   

Start honing your music skills in order to sport this serious, rock n roll, stage get up!

By Courtney Jones.  

 

SAINT LAURENT SPRING 2016

SAINT LAURENT SPRING 2016

Designer Hedi Slimane of cult label Saint Laurent produced a Spring 2016 collection replete with 90s grunge elements. Vintage inspired finds brimming with rock n roll bohemia were the hallmark features of the deconstructed glam collection.

Model Steffi Soede opened the show in a liquid mercury hued slip dress. The body baring number featured a scintillating, plunging decolletage and provocative thigh split. A jewelled tiara sat low on the forehead and screamed of rock rebellion. Tomato red, patent stilettos featured a spindly heel, thin ankle strap and a cluster of fine red leather strips across the toes.

A fox fur, long line gilet starred in shades of vanilla, fudge and chocolate. A barely there, sheer slip dress with ruffled, scoop neckline accompanied the vest and featured a bead encrusted floral pattern. Black briefs were teamed underneath for modesty. Waxed ebony wellies completed the look. Lingerie as outerwear continued to be very much in attendance and frequented a gossamer, scalloped lace, slip dress. Dark glamour reigned supreme with raven floral applique gracing the gothic slip. A white, leather, shrunken moto jacket brimmed with "Don't mess with me!" attitude. A fearless combination evoking a strong rocker mood.

A bold display of exhibitionism dominated on a rouleau strap, liberated mesh mini. The transparent, suggestive dress was paired to jewel embellished briefs and a feather chubby. A daring combination bursting with the elixir of youth. Saint Laurent muse, Grace Hartzel took to the runway in an oversized, relaxed camo print jacket. The jacket was twinned to a deep decolletage, scintillating gold mini dress. A bejewelled tiara highlighted Hartzel's cascading auburn locks. A Glastonbury worthy outfit for music revellers aplenty.

British model Sam Rollinson modelled a kitsch, exotic, lion emblazoned bomber jacket in the shade of storm blue. A fishnet body con slip was layered to a v-neck sparkling sequin dress. Fine gold and silver chains adorned the neck and military green Wellingtons concluded the look.

A floaty, feminine, floral maxi starred in peaches and cream. Puff sleeves, keyhole and drawstring tie added a poetic edge. A matte paillette gold cardigan was teamed to the dress and worn off the shoulder for a nonchalant approach.

A shimmering, bias cut, silver slip dress ignited the runway and was paired to a textural shag overcoat in a kaleidoscope of colour.

Anarchy ruled on a neo-romantic evening dress comprising of silk chiffon and embroidered flowers in the dark gothic glam shade of raven. Ruching swathed the torso and a thigh split added the va va voom factor. A black and white, monochromatic, plumage flecked chubby added volume to the sensual number.

The collection closed with a series of silk charmeuse eveningwear looks in black and golden alabaster. Styles included bias cut, floor sweeping gowns with plunging necklines and delicate rouleau straps; after dark elegance with sexy silhouettes throughout.

A collection rich in youth culture, an attainable look for those with a penchant for all things eclectic and a spare past time of trawling through vintage stores and market stalls for that highly elusive fashion find. Think a heady mix of petticoat dresses married to your favourite faux fur chubby.

By Courtney Jones.

IRO Fall 2015

IRO Fall 2015

Kings of energised cool, brothers Laurent and Arik Bitton of IRO produced an undeniably charming Fall 2015 collection. Rock n roll references infused with bohemian, peasant folklore were present throughout offering timeless classics. The design mantra being "French chic meets New York street style" as stated by the pair.

Look one comprised of capacious, textural oatmeal sweater complete with ribbed crew neck and cuffs tucked nonchalantly into sleek, clean, minimalistic high waisted trousers in ivory. An opulent, plush shearling gilet accompanied the look. Accessories consisted of suede, stacked cone heel, sharpened almond toe booties and a narrow studded ebony belt. The trousers proved to be the order of the day and were subsequently paired to a rustic fisherman turtleneck knit, quintessential modern day tuxedo shirt, tweed boucle duster coat and a monochromatic mariniere turtleneck ribbed sweater.

Covetable model off duty style came in the form of the Ikat blanket wrap oversized cardigan in shades of black, midnight and dove grey, a nomadic addition paired to a thigh grazing, free flowing cotton mini skirt throwing femininity into the mix. The go-to ribbed charcoal knit concluded the look.

Autumnal pulchritude shone brightly on a bourgeois dolman sleeve blouse in a colour palette comprising of regal ruby and ink. The printed blouse was paired to high waisted waxed leather trousers of 7/8 length. The floral print continued to feature on a free spirited, streamlined shift dress, finalised with a leather obi sash belt drawing in the waist for an alluring arabesque. High voltage patent brogue-boots starred studs and two strap buckle closure conjuring androgyny at its best.

Intrepid traveller references were channelled throughout a characterful scarlet, buff and ebony tribal coat, falling on the upper thigh. An aubergine ribbed knit was teamed to a cotton tiered asphalt hued mini, accessorised yet again by the leather obi belt.

Other wardrobe staples included an ivory, ruffled, flounce blouse oozing with tenderness and fragility, a seventies lace-up safari inspired tunic, think Veruschka does Paris and the time honoured leather motorcycle jacket, cropped and shrunken in all its sublimity. Polished beatnik perfection came in the form of a wraparound leather mini with subtle paper bag waist. A transparent, spiderweb knit complete with opaque knit panelling across the bust and a voluminous woven cocoon overcoat accompanied the look. These pieces offered endless style combinations for the ever elusive outfit of the day.

IRO is stocked at David Jones City and Bondi Junction stores and selected online boutiques nationally. IRO will be launching their highly anticipated flagship boutique in Double Bay later this year.

By Courtney Jones.