Mis nuevas fashion obsessions!!Espero que os gusten y que empecéis la semana con las mejores energías!

]]> http://beautydesk101.com/2013/03/09/little-miss-romance/ Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:51:43 +0000 beautydesk101 http://beautydesk101.com/2013/03/09/little-miss-romance/

Lights, camera, action…

Running from February 17^th to 22^nd, London City will become exposed to the catwalk and the most fashionable styles of 2012.  To entertain the eyes of A-list celebs from around the globe, fashion designers will play host to a mesmerising six day event which bears witness to the high street fashion labels of the autumn/winter collection in store for 2012.

 59 catwalk shows and 24 presentations are to take place over the course of six days. Some of the events sponsors include; Vodafone, TOPSHOP and Canon. Over 5,000 visitors attend LFW each year; with such audiences including a range of A-list celebrities from across the globe, while mass amounts of media coverage also evolve around the centre that is fashion

However, it cannot be underestimated that these things do not run as smoothly as one would like. In the turn out for the most talked about party of the week; Stella McCartney’s winter evening wear presentation, saw Kate Moss and Yasmin Le Bon arrive wearing similar fitted-flattering designed dresses, a total “must-not” for red carpet goers in the height of fashion festivities.

Although it would seem that it was Rihanna who stole the show taking a seat at the top table next to the hostess, the singing sensation effortlessly flaunted an emerald green, full length dress, keeping things simple with her new blonde look in a sleek position she finished the perfectly executed style by accessorising with gold jewellery.

With show stopping performances from the well-known Alexandra McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Sophie Hulme included amongst many more, some of this year’s hottest trends seem to be appearing across the board; Scarlet red lipstick against a pale skin tone and a backstage, up-style work their magic in creating an effortless yet, perfect poise, in the top looks of 2012 that already seem to be hitting the high street.

While the BFC (British Fashion Council) has announced Alexa Chung as young style ambassador. With international recognition for her style and previous winner of fashion awards, Chung represents London as an icon of fashion capability.  A British television presenter and the face of Lacoste fragrance; “touch of Pink” she is no stranger to the public eye, Chung’s well noted talent for pulling off her personal style makes it necessary for her to become the new BFC ambassador. She will continue to promote Britain as a hub for style and fashion during her role in 2012.

One thing is for sure the outrageous yet, uniqueness of the various looks presented at LFW can only be interpreted by ourselves with a trip to the main street, in a dance of retail therapy, keep in mind the hottest looks of 2012 and make them your own.

Well, I’m nearly there, and the purchase will be made in a week or so. Yippee. I was all set to go and buy this little bad boy….

…when, whilst having an idle Sunday morning Matches browse, I found this magnificent beast…

What’s a girl to do? I have neither a cobalt nor a silver bag, so which one do I get? The size of the Hulme is better for me, with my proclivity to lug the kitchen sink, yet I’m scared of the delicate suede lining. But it comes with a gold dinosaur keyring… But I do love silver for summer.

Readers, this is a serious issue, please do leave a comment and help me decide…

Last season androgyny was back at the top of the fashion agenda with Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Paul Smith womenswear adorning the runways in a masculine manner. Hard-edged straight cut suits were interjected with soft silks and sparkling embellishment to ensure that even the most fashion shy felt comfortable.

Pyjama suits were created for everyday wear, by designers such as Paul & Joe Sister and APC, giving a silky feminine look to an almost bizarre daywear combination.

And with trousers a common theme of AW , androgyny is almost subconsciously brought to the masses. A sharp collar, high neck, or an oversized garment of any kind has become acceptable, and not just in the bustling high-rises of the business districts.

Paul Smith AW11/12

Although usually teamed with a classy heel or showered with jewellery, these accessories can also be worked androgynously. Items deemed traditionally unfeminine and unflattering, such as trainers, have even been reworked by Nike and Ash to create the trainer-wedge hybrid, giving comfort and slender pins simultaneously.

Boots and more durable footwear has made a comeback, with current androgyny queen Agyness Deyn joining the Dr. Martens advertising campaigns, and such films as This is England reminding us of quirky, hard-edged feminine/masculine fashion.

And even bags have been reimagined with backpacks seen on every corner and briefcases becoming a highlight, with Globe-Trotter and Sophie Hulme teaming up to create beautiful leather cases with luxurious purple striped lining.

But of course within these attractive, iconic and opulent new pieces of the current seasons, it is easy to forget that androgyny is anything but a new phenomenon.

From Bowie to Lennox, Manson to Jones, even Swank to Chanel, its interest and regeneration has lasted not just decades, but centuries.

The suits and tailored shirts for women are undeniably influenced by decades of creativity, with Coco Chanel’s skirt suits at the height of this. ‘I wanted to rid women of their frills’ she famously stated, and she still is today.

Coco Chanel

There are many reasons for this including empowerment, sophistication and overall style. And harking back to Bowie’s height of androgynous being, Sarah Burton has noticeably channelled this 70s structuralism in McQueen’s Resort 2013 collection. High-waisted flares and textured metallics feature throughout, along with geometric highlights and accessories.

Although this may seem a little too ‘out-there’ for those that don’t feel that androgyny is fitting for their style, a key piece that bridges the gender divide without a second thought is leather.

A leather biker instantly brings a sense of chic that cannot be easily overlooked. They exude a sharpness that many adapt to create an extremely wearable outfit, including cinched in waists and cropped sleeves. Such a piece has already embellished itself with stand-out silver zips and poppers, and is worn by both sexes alike.

And although all of this is focused primarily on womenswear and it’s place on the androgyny scale, menswear designers are also harking back to the 70s and putting a risqué slant on their masculine garments.

Odeur’s A/W 12 line includes sheer shirts, a garment that many women find difficult to wear comfortably, and Religion’s cowl necklines are sinking lower, revealing the naked male torso even further.

And as us mere mortals are crossing gender lines daily, many are making a living out of doing so. Models are also crossing the divide in differing ways.

Lea T is a famous transgender model that has walked for Givenchy and adorned numerous fashion glossies, and of course Andrej Pejic, the first male to walk for both menswear and womenswear shows, embodies such a figure that women envy.

Andrej Pejic by Armin Morbach

Arizona Muse and other models are too shooting covers such as I-D Winter 2012 and Vogue Russia November 2012 in sharp tailoring and up-dos, their femininity in such garments radiates a natural beauty.

Although androgyny may instantly bring an image of beautiful models that can easily work such a ‘look’, it can also stir ideas deemed by society as ‘anti-glam’.

Lena Dunham, writer, director and actor, is a woman that is wrongly targeted as just that. She is successful, powerful and aware of the fame landslide that she could slip down at any moment.

She chooses to absorb this fame and stay as humble as possible, wearing her high-neck collars and vintage dresses, and interestingly, as powerful as possible without the power-suit obviousness.

But an icon in the fashion world that transcends both glamour and androgyny perfectly is Elle’s style director of the last 6 years: Kate Lanphear.

Her sharp monochrome ensembles ooze sophistication, glamour and power that many strive to achieve. Her style isn’t about switching between seasonal trends, but wearing garments that are simple and practical, whilst extremely stylish.

She has successfully pulled off what many spend decades doing: finding a style and image that suits her and being brave enough to stick by it, to look undeniably graceful and cool, and be happy within at the same time.

Many fashion trends are contentedly recycled every other decade; 80s shoulder pads, 90s neon and 50s waistlines, but androgyny will never fade. It’s created its place within the fashion atmosphere that some live their lives in happily and stylishly, where as others dip in and out of it without even realising.

Season after season, year after year, as many trends come and go, one thing will be for sure; flirting with different genders will be always and forever fashionable.

So here is the Ultimate One chosen from Lyst:

Flowers might not be ground breaking, but there is hardly anyone than can do them better on a jumper, than J.W.Anderson

http:// http://www.lyst.com/clothing/jw-anderson-knit-floral-jacquard-jumper-blue-floral/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

Spring is time for vivid colours but we do need some shades of grey! Bag that Markus Lupfter’s Dollar Jumper!

http:// http://www.lyst.com/clothing/markus-lupfer-dollar-jumper/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

Bring on the sexy pleats please! J.W.Aderson and Halston Heritage for the ultimate casual chic:

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/jw-anderson-spongy-pleat-skirt-pink/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/halston-heritage-kneelength-pleated-skirtblue-blue/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

And some splash of colour with Kenzo’s pumps and flats:

http://http://www.lyst.com/shoes/kenzo-pumps-deep-jade/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/shoes/kenzo-ballerinas-black/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

The ultimate little mint dress:

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/modcloth-refine-mint-dress/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

And its casual but très bien ala Thakoon mini version:

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/thakoon-peach-and-ivory-striped-lace-jacquard-dress/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

Not to forget this absolute must have romper:

http:// http://www.lyst.com/clothing/opening-ceremony-t-shirt-romper-yellow/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

And the accessories to go with it all:

The Henry Dinky Orange Leather Watch by Marc by Marc Jacobs

http://http://www.lyst.com/accessories/marc-by-marc-jacobs-henry-dinky-orange-leather-ladies-watch/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

and the bag without which we should not go out. By Sophie Hulme, obviously.

http:// http://www.lyst.com/bags/sophie-hulme-square-mini-shoulder-bag-cobalt-1/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

As for the ultimate work wardrobe, it is up to  Ralph Lauren, Jonathan Saunders, Burberry and Rubert Sanderson.

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/ralph-lauren-black-label-cashmeresilk-cardigan-blue/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/clothing/jonathan-saunders-aude-belted-mesh-dress-red/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/shoes/rupert-sanderson-cutout-sandal-pump-fuschia/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/bags/burberry-honeywood-shoulder-bag-2/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

http://http://www.lyst.com/accessories/cutler-gross-mondrian-cat-eye-sunglasses-print/?ctx=23819&lyst_source=23819&lyst_medium=product&lyst_campaign=link

Bring it On Spring 2013! We are all ready now!

Here are some fun links for your weekend:

Spruce up your living room with this DIY.

Loving this blog…so pretty!

What’s your Fashion IQ?

Lusting over this shoulder bag.

Last but not least a song.

Have a lovely weekend friends!

xoxo

Nicole

While hungrily perusing Net-A-Porter, I happened upon a scarf –no, the scarf. This scarf has the brilliant, bizarre kind of syncretism that screams “bag lady beauty.”  So, naturally, I created a look to showcase this titillating tiger print.

Horiyoshi III Big Tiger scarf, Sophie Hulme parka, The Row button-down shirt, Alexander Wang leather (bag lady) tote, Vivienne Westwood Anglophilia pants, Gucci leather riding boots, and Illesteva round-frame sunglasses.

I’m still sweating, imagining using that beautifully oversized bag every day –the things it would hold! The books, the sweaters, oh lords, it is just so big and clunky.  So much like a doctor’s bag.  I love the play on blues and browns that I have in this outfit –and clearly I print block because my Mommy raised me right; she taught me to wear the things I wanted, and never thwarted my desires to match paisley with plaids. Thanks, Mama.