Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 Ready to Wear

Emilio Pucci

Peter Dundas' Spring 2011 Ready to Wear Collection had a divine 70s, bohemian luxe, feel to it and he injected yet again, a touch of youth into the Florentine house.

There were cascading, floor length gowns, ruffles aplenty, complete with chunky crosses, falling above the models navels.

The colour palette consisted of sapphire blue, white and shades that resembled Indian spices, think burnt orange and cinnamon.

There were swirling, large paisley prints on billowing sleeved kaftans that laced up from the navel to the collarbone. Pucci's signature print made an appearance on fitted, hipster trousers and body con, jersey, floor length, thigh splitting gowns.

Peter Dundas had a certain woman in mind, a young, sexy, hippy, holidaying in the Mediterranean. There were also references to India with exotic, embellished scarves, soft, beige, suede pant suits.

Models glided down the runway in deep tan, over the knee, leather lace up boots and high heeled tan sandals, with wrap around leather straps. Accessories included chocolate, tan and navy fringed saddle, shoulder bags, woven shoulder bags and scarves adorned models foreheads.

Signature cut out, one pieces, with plenty of flesh on display, would look ultra glam poolside.

Altuzarra Fall 2010 RTW

Altuzarra Fall 2010 RTW

Joseph Altuzarra's Fall 2010 RTW collection was everything from goth to warrior to vampire to Matrix to Edward Scissorhands to military.

The collection was fierce with strong conceptual ideas.

The dominant colour on the runway was black. There were goats' fur coats and collars adorned with fur. Ultra long, sleek, leather skinnies with slashes and lace up stitching.

Statuesque Abbey Lee, strode down the runway looking ready to pounce in an eye catching black, leather, catsuit.She looked very much like a sleek, modern day, cat woman.

There were fetish, black, lace up, leather boots with ankle cut outs.

Coats that had voluminous silhouettes were belted with corsetry style waist cinchers. Plunging V neck blazers, laced from the clavicles to the navel, wreaked of dark, sexy, goth.

There were also nude blush above the knee skirts and draped dresses.Deep scarlet made an appearance on thigh, splitting, evening wear. Raw, unfinished, hems were found on snug, panelled, pencil skirts.

Hair was scraped back, fair skin pared with a smoky eye and a neutral lip.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010

Another collection that had many covetable pieces was Christopher Bailey's Fall 2010 Burberry Prorsum show.
The standout pieces were amazing leather and shearling jackets with oversized collars and buckle detail. These voluminous, shaggy jackets were worn with lace pencil skirts and black, snakeskin, platform, stretch, thigh boots.
The jackets reminded me a lot of Nicolas Ghesquiere's Balenciaga shearling jacket in his Fall 2004 show as modelled by Ann Catherine.
There were quilted jackets and military inspired jackets, in deep chocolate, khaki, black and navy. These were teamed with black, opaque, tights and chunky, buckle, shearling, ankle boots.
The colour palette consisted shades of chartreuse, mushroom, burgundy, taupe, mustard, deep fuschia, royal blue, deep chocolate, khaki, black, buttermilk cream and navy.
There were sheer, bandage style tops and chiffon, knee length skirts, with plenty of ruching and pleating. Skinny trousers made a strong appearance and there were also button up, lace shirts in blue.
Accessory wise, models strode down the runway carrying oversized, leather totes.
Hair was tousled with an off centre part. Make up was kept natural and to a bare minimum.

ACHTUNG Baby.............Action!

Achtung Baby.........Action, Military Chic

There was a strong military influence on the Spring/Summer 2010 European runways. Models were ready for combat, decked out in khaki micro shorts, shirts, trenches, anoraks, ponchos,vests and dresses.

These looks were paired with tough accessories such as multiple chains, luxe dog tags (Gucci), studded cuffs (Hermes)and chrome aviators.

Military inspired footwear was embraced by the following designers: Gianvitto Rossi, Balmain, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Chloe, Isabel Marant, Max Mara, Bally, Sportmax and Vic Matie.

Shoes included peep toe, suede, lace up ankle boots, wedge heels, camouflage, wrap stilletto heels and plenty of tough, studded heels. There were cone heels, cuban heels, stiletto heels and flats. My personal fave were the lace up, khaki boots from Gianvitto Rossi, beautifully crafted.

It is easy to achieve the military look, which can be worn all year round, no matter what season it is. Look to the following designers for key wardrobe pieces: Jean Paul Gauliter, Max Mara, Sportmax, Phi, Burberry Prorsum, Balmain, Zadig & Voltaire, Chloe and Celine.

For lovers of high street bargains be sure to visit your local army surplus store. There you can find shirts, hats, cargo pants and jackets all for under $80 AUSD.

Wardrobe staples include: leather tees, canvas ponchos, lace up sweaters, oversized shirts, worn as dresses with Balmain's ammo belt, leather skinnies with military blazers, lace up boots worn with a thick neutral sock, worn 2 inches above the boots.

Louis Vuitton monogram accessories work extremely well with khaki as does anything burnt orange, which makes the shade of khaki pop!

The military look can be adopted by any age and made to reflect your own personal style, be that preppy, rock, alternative, bohemian or conservative.

Paris Vogue February 2010

Paris Vogue February 2010

I had been waiting with great anticipation for this issue to arrive in Australia.

I felt so inspired when I read this mag.

In this issue Daria Werbowy is on the cover and shot by dynamic, photographic duo, Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. She is wearing Prada's plexiglass shift with a white bandeau hipster bikini underneath.

Inside the Zoom story, features Maryna Linchuk in Double Denim.She is sporting wild locks, like a lions mane and rocking denim cut offs, shirts, jackets, overalls and rolled up jeans.

Her jewellery included bold Navajo cuffs, bangles, rings and necklace in shades of brilliant turquoise. Definitely my kind of jewellery.

Anja Rubik modelled in the Bijoux shoot. Her main accessory was a diamond python wrapped around her neck and head. She looks so comfortable in front of the camera. This is an exotic shoot featuring python snakeskin, bangles and cuffs, bold, chunky, statement making tough necklaces.

The beauty section was all about the key make up trends of the Spring / Summer 2010 shows. Backstage looks included Chanel, Dior, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent.

The main focus of this issue was the Vogue Collections spread. There were some amazing shots of Daria Werbowy. Models in the shoot included: Raquel Zimmermann, Lara Stone, Isabeli Fontana, Naomi Campbell, Tanga Moreau, Freja Beha Erichsen, Dree Hemingway,Bridget Hall, Talisa Soto, Anna de Rijk and Daria.

Some of the standout designer's featured included Balmain, Miu Miu,Oscar De La Renta, Christian Dior,Celine, Louis Vuitton, Etro, Donna Karan,Fendi,Rick Owens,Isabel Marant,Loewe,Emilio Pucci and John Galliano. A lot of the shots taken had a Middle Eastern feel to them. The colours are magnificent, the azure water with the sandy plains and the different styles of clothing all work well with this environment.

Pick up a copy of this magazine. You'll love it, it's totally worth it, trust me.

Balmain Fall 2010 RTW

Balmain Fall 2010 RTW

Rock Royalty is what this collection was all about. Rich brocade suits, which look fit for a king, silver thread, pinstripe, skinny trousers worn with the Balmain staple, ankle boots and leather leggings.

There were sumptuous suedes and luxurious furs in leopard, snow and jewel purple. Worn underneath were sheer, pussycat chiffon blouses in black and white.Rich, regal fabrics were aplenty.

I have pictured some of my favourite looks off the catwalk. Sasha Pivovarova looks gorgeous in this purple and gold sequined, peak shouldered, mini dress. Magdalena Frackowiak shines in this gold, fringed ,plunging mini dress and Anna Selezneva sizzles in this purple, fur chubby complete with skinny, leather pants and low slung, hipster belt.

I want all of this collection in my wardrobe! So amazing!

D&G Spring / Summer 2010

Hello Sexy Westerner!......was the running theme in D&G's Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

The collection featured faded, bleached denim shirts worn with leopard neckerchiefs and bronze aviators.

Ultra short hemlines were a plenty, with lace mini shifts, petticoats and strapless, white, ruffled mini dresses. All these looks were paired with rustic leather, fringed boots and sandy desert suede boots.

There was also a strong theme of Dolce and Gabbana's love of lingerie. Looks on display included corsets, one with the word "rodeo" emblazoned across it and sandy broderie anglaise bras with matching ruffled skirts.

There was a lot of emphasis on the waist with lots of denim and taupe shirts drawn in with a tan buckle belt, or a stretch tassel belt.

A very wearable collection from Stefano Gabbana & Domenico Dolce with many of the garments ideal as separates for Summer.