2012's Fashion Round Up

From Ange's rightleg to Slimane's debut at YSL (or SLP, who actually knows), we review the best and worst of the fashion industry over the past 12 months.

Red Carpet Moment - Angelina's Right Leg.

On the red carpet for this year's Oscars, Angelina Jolie decided to flaunt her perfectly toned right leg in this Atelier Versace gown, spawning a number of online virals and even it's own Twitter account @AngelinasRightLeg.


Moment - Fashions Olympic Takeover



I'm going to admit it, I didn't watch a single event barring the opening and closing ceremonies, but judging by this, I caught the best part. David Gandy led the way for some of Britains top models during the Closing Ceremony in London this year.


Store - Victoria's Secret



Famed for their multi million dollar fashion shows and models more than the actual garments sold, the US brand launched a flagship in London's Bond Street this year. Like we needed a reason to go underwear shopping!!

Advert - Brad Pitt for Chanel No. 5

 The American Actor became the first male to front a campaign for the luxurious perfume this year. Whilst many viewers were confused as to what exactly it was that Brad is actually talking about, no one can deny that the advert gained a lot of media coverage.

Style Crush - Kristen Stewart.

With promotional tours for Snow White, Breaking Dawn and On The Road and a partnership with BALENCIAGA, K Stew discovered that fashion might actually be something worth smiling about.

Reunion - The Spice Girls

 Not only making an appearance at the Olympics Closing Ceremony, they helped launch a musical loosely based on themselves. I, for one, will never be too old to admit how much I love these girls!


Family - The Beckhams

 With Victoria being the most tweeted about designer this year and David launching his own underwear line with high street retailer H&M, Romeo joined his parents as part of the fashion elite by fronting a campaign for iconic British brand Burberry.


Takeover - Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent

Stefano Pilati's seat had barely even cooled before Hedi Slimane had taken over at the French fashion house and completely rebranded it, changing the iconic 'YSL' trademark and changing it to 'SLP'/Saint Laurent Paris. Despite his complete overhaul and impressive background, Slimane has failed to impress critics meaning both his collections and advertising campaigns have been less successful than his predecessors.


Shock Exit - Nicolas Ghesquire at BALENCIAGA

Despite being the man who finally made Kristen Stewart smile, Ghesquire made a shock exit at Balenciaga at the end of October. No official reason was given to his exit, but many attributed his quitting to the lack of creative freedom he was given compared to Slimane when taking over YSL. As to where he will end up, that’s another mystery, with some sources making suggestions from him taking over from Lagerfeld at Chanel, relaunching Schiaparelli or even just being courted by LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault (Rivals of Balenciaga owners PPR).



Book - Grace Coddington

 The Welsh born former model was reportedly approached by a publisher during the filming of R.J. Cutlers ‘The September Issue’ in 2009, and has spent the last 2 ½ years writing this insightful book, with help of friend Michael Roberts, of Vanity Fair.

Oscar's 2012: Red Carpet Glamour

After a hard weekend of partying I decided to spend the day in bed with my best friend whilst watching some of the funniest DVD's I owned, the best? Zoolander of course.  I've not seen the film for a while and it made me laugh looking at some of fashions greatest on the screen 11 years ago as cameos in the movie, from Victoria Beckham to Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld to Tommy Hilfiger.  You could without a doubt see the evolution the stars had gone through over the past decade, although none was more apparent than that of Natalie Portman.

With her crimped her, chubby cheeks and red face, the Black Swan star was a world away from her current style icon status and last night she proved exactly why she held that name as she showed off her post pregnancy figure in a stunning red polka dot, vintage Dior dress, making her my best dressed of the night.

Another star of the movie was Ukranian born actress Milla Jovovich who looked a vision in an one shoulder Elie Saab couture dress accessorized with a box clutch and some slick red lips.  Rooney Mara also looked flawless in her backless Ginvenchy dress, red lipstick and full fringe whilst Angelina Jolie ditched the white that she wore so badly back at the Golden Globes and went back to her signature black wearing a beautiful velvet gown by Atelier Versace.

SAG awards 2012

They may not be the most prestegious of awards, but the Screen Actors Guild Awrds red carpet is a glamour fest none the less.  Whilst nude was the ruling colour at this years Golden Globes, the overall pallete was a lot darker last night with many stars in black gowns, although there was the occasional pop of colour from stars such as  Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli, Michelle Williams in Valentino and Sofia Vergara in Marchesa.

Angelina Jolie led the way for those who decided on LBD's for the night, going back to her darker roots in a flawless black Jenny Packham gown, Emma Stone stepped away from Lanvin for the night and opted for a black Alexander McQueen dress, shoes and clutch whilst Tina Fey looked more stunning than usual in a black vintage Versace dress.

Best dressed of the night? For me it was without a doubt Emily Blunt, doing Britain proud in an absolutely stunning Asymmetric Oscar de la Renta gown with a long side split showing just the perfect amount of her perfect pins.

Couture Fashion Week: Atelier Versace

With Cameron Diaz and Diane Kruger both in the front row for the first show of Couture Fashion Week, Donatella Versace is showing more than even that this is her year.

Not content with two sell out H&M collections, the launch of her Childrens wear collection, she has now revived her Atelier Versace collection by showing it on the run way for the first time since 2004.

The collection was a bright one, with hues of green, orange and yellow, all shown on mirrored stairs almost as an emphasis of the futuristic/architectural silhouette to the dresses.  Whilst Donatella's models are otherwise known for their tanned appearance, these models were all but pal wonders, with slicked back hair and smokey eyed make up to make them appear that bit more sultry.

Versace's Couture collections have, for the past 8 years, shown only on the red carpet (most recently on Angelina Jolie at last weeks Golden Globes), but this was most certainly a comeback to remember.

 

 

Couture O'Clock

Hot on the heels of the 2012 menswear shows, today see's the beginning of the Spring Summer 2012 Couture shows.  With the official arrival of brands such as Giambattista Valli and Alexis Mabille and the return of the ever in demand Atelier Versace (which we have only seen on the red carpet for the last 7 years) which opens the shows today, the most controversial fashion house of the moment - Christian Dior, will also be showing.

Tuesday will see undoubtedly the biggest names in fashion -such as Chanel, Givenchy and Armani Privé with Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier following up on Wednesday.

Not that these clothes are anywhere close to what us mere mortals could afford, but they sure are nice to look at, and write about, dream about and so on.  With the year the fashion industry has had, this a guaranteed to be a good week.

Versace's New Young Face

Not content with launching their final H&M collaboration today (for which the website has already crashed) Italian brand Versace have also released images for their first ever childrens line.

The 10 year old model who front the campaign? None other than the daughter of Gianni Versace's muse - Cindy Crawford.    There's no doubt that 10 year old was thrown in at the deep end for her first ever modelling campaign, but both her mother and Cindy could not have been happier.

'I'm so thrilled Kaia was chosen to be part of the first Young Versace campaign' Cindy gushed ' I have so many fond memories of the times I spent with Gianni and Donatella, there really is something special about the House of Versace'.

Oh to be Cindy Crawfords daughter.

Versace's Cruise Line Lands

Not content with the collaboration of 2011 which saw H&M's website crash and the scarves originally priced at £24.99 now selling on eBay for almost a hundred pounds, Versace today see the launch of their cruise collection for the Swedish brand.

The original collection was inspired by the old Versace archives, particularly from the days of it's eponymous founder, the late Gianni Versace, with plenty of studs, bold colours and quirky prints.  The cruise line is an altogether more feminine and, ahem, fruity line.

Modeled by Abbey Lee Kershaw the line for women carries Kaftans, bikini's and sandals, whereas the menswear contains shirts in bright hues and pleated shorts.

The range is now sold exclusively online in the UK, lucky for some considering that two security guards in Hong Kong where hospitalised after 2011's launch - despite rules that the retailer put in place.

I'm pinning my hopes on some of the fruitful pumps, lets hope the website stands.

Payday Purchase

This weeks payday purchase was quite obviously going to be from the Versace for H&M's new range.  Due to work commitments I wasn't actually able to get down to a store, instead having to send a friend who was to scared to actually go in, then having to resort to trying to buy something online.  

The garments I wanted were sold out, and every time I would find something else I liked I'd get as far as the process payment page before the website crashed, thus causing me to lose my shopping basket, the whole experience left me very frustrated (think The Outnets' 1st birthday times 10!), however in the late afternoon I finally finally managed to get a few pieces and process the payment.

Although I originally wanted the Fur Waistcoat and a couple of dresses, I only managed to get these leggings and some jewellery - making me happy enough!  A lot of my friends have said how ridiculous and over the top the collection is, and whilst I'm not usually a huge fan of high street collaborations, this is one that I really really love.  It isn't just a high street collaboration, its a celebration of one of the finest fashion houses in Italy and a reminder of exactly why they stand where they are today.  Gianni would be proud.

Versace's Launch Party

The moment we have all been waiting for is almost here!  With one week left to go until the official store launch of Donatella Versace's capsule collection for H&M, last night saw the official launch for the range in New York, with a star studded guest list.  Nikki Minaj and Prince both performed - with Nikki even blending into the background due to her newly style green hair!

Guests not only attended the bash to see the new clothes on the catwalk, but many of them even wore pieces from the range - given us that extra little push to buy it, I know, as if we needed it!

Versace for H&M is HERE

Whilst we may still have just over three weeks before we can all spend hours queuing overnight outside H&M stores, we can now plan just how many credit cards we need to apply for after Donatella Versace has released image of the collection she is releasing for the high street retailer.

Versace for H&M: Tuesday 21st June 2011

I literally cannot contain myself upon seeing these pictures, I am in love with the whole range!  Pieces vary from studded leather dresses that imitate those of the Italian fashion houses S/S 2012 collection, to skirts that replicate exactly why Gianni Versace's iconic pieces from the 80's and 90's.  i am without a doubt snapping up these pieces below, no matter what the cost.

Printed Silk Dress £79.99

Black Silk Dress £79.99

Red Dress £49.99

Gilet £39.99

Studded Leather Dress £179.99

I've got to go back to work yet, but have no fear, accessories to follow :) 

Versace SS 2012

Versace has always been known for it's edgy and bold garments and with the designer working closely with Christopher Kane on the brands 'little sister' Versus range and having stated that Gaga is her muse, you'd be forgiven for thinking this collection was going to be even more 'in your face' than usual.

It appeared not to be the case as this collection could be described as the complete opposite.  It featured cutsey leather dresses (although given that tougher edge by being finished with gold studs) muted colours of lilacs and blues and has been described as a 'sea inspired collection'.

Whilst her Versus range seems set to steal the spotlight (Christopher Kane and Donatella Versace - seriously as a fashion minion what more could one wish for) this range is one that Donatella should certainly be given maximum collection for, you could see her in every garment.  When she stepped onto the runway at the end of the show, no one could deny that she looked a-maz-ing in the white leather dress herself.

Officially Fashions Finest - London

London has officially taken over New York and Paris as the Fashion Capital of the world.

Statistics were released today from the Global Language Monitor (a company based in Austin, Texas that analyzes trends in the worlds languages - particularly English) that show that Fashion greats such as Kate Middleton and Alexander McQueen have helped us claim the top spot after coming in third last year.

Figures also revealed that Milan had once again entered 4th position, showing that the most famous fashion capitals gained top positions with NYC coming in second and Paris 3rd.  Hong Kong has dropped from 2 to 6, but is still the most fashionable place in Asia.  Berlin also entered the top 10 for the first time, making Europe the most fashionable contintnent.

See the top 10 here.

1. London, England

Up from 3rd The home of many of fashions finest, from Kate Moss to Robert Pattinson.  it was the Duchess of Cambridge and Alexander McQueen that helped solidify us at the top spot.

2. New York City, USA

Down from 1st. The City that bought us Diane Von Furstenburg and Sex in the city.  But we have Kate and McQueen.

3. Paris, France

Up from 4th.  The city that all of us fashion lovers adore for Chanel and Isabel Marant to name a few, but maybe the media feel have fallen off of the fashion scale.

4. Milan, Italy

Up from 6th, putting the most powerful fashion cities back in the top four.  Home of the late Gianni Versace and Miuccia Prada.

5. Los Angeles, USA

Held Position.  The City that bought us Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port through the medium of The Hills.  Maybe if they hadn't also condemned us with Heidi & Spencer they'd have a higher position.

6. Hong Kong, China

Although down from number two, the Chinese city is again the most fashionable Asian city which has bought us designers such as John Rocha.

7. Barcelona, Spain

The 16th most visited and most 'liveable' city in the world which has bought us one of the most famnous football teams in the world as well as sights such as the Torre Agbar (below) has moved up 3 places from 10.

8. Singapore, Malay Peninsula

The republics first entry into the top ten after coming in at number 15 last year.  The 'gateway betweeen east and west' is home to the Textile and Fashion Federation.

9. Tokyo, Japan
Another new entry in the top 10 after only finishing 14th in 2010.  Tokyo is well known for having the largest metropolitan economy in the world as well as being the setting for many Hollywood/Japanese style horror films, from Godzilla to Kill Bill.

10.  Berlin, Germany

Up from 18, Berlin is one of the 16 states and capital of Germany and most famous for the wall built to seperate the East and West of the city in 1961 and the street art that covered the wall before it was torn down.