Top 5 Looks from New York, Milan and Paris

For the second Sunday in a row I have been having a thorough look at the Autumn/Winter '12 collections and picking out my favourite looks from all fashion weeks. To choose just five looks from each was, I must say, so difficult but I eventually narrowed it down to just 15 looks, 5 each from New York, Milan and Paris. 

Carven was absolutely gorgeous- I adored the retro aesthetic, laser cut detailing and A-line mini dresses. Balmain was amazing- the skinny fit trousers, jacket and skirt combos and embellished jackets were all favourite pieces of mine and the overall cool, effortless uber stylish feel to the collection did it for me. Alberta Ferretti's collection was beautiful and again, so hard to choose just one look. The decision lied in the lace. I loved Peter Som's sheer, feminine peplum dresses, would happily wear any piece from Victoria Beckham's sister collection and Oscar de la Renta, although refined, was a lot of fun. 

Do you agree with my choices? Which were your favourite looks?

Which was your favourite collection overall?

 N E W   Y O R K

Look 20

Peter Som

Look 20

Thakoon

Look 15

Preen

 Look 19 

Oscar de la Renta 

Look 8

Rodarte

 Look 8

Victoria, Victoria Beckham

M I L A N 

Look 6
Jil Sander

 Look 5
Emilio Pucci

Look 37
Gucci

Look 40
Alberta Ferretti

Look 50
Salvatore Ferragamo

Look 34
Versus


P A R I S

 Look 24
See by Chloe

Look 10
Carven

Look 17
Balmain

Look 18
Stella McCartney

Look 29
Roland Mouret

Look 22
Alexander McQueen



 And the best little look of the week...

 Look 22
Chanel








WONDER FULL

She knows what women want

I can honestly say I have never taken an overt interest in the DKNY collections, although the memorable campaigns are always flawless, interesting and beautiful, like this one, for Resort 2010. And the same goes even for New York Fashion Week for that matter. I have always felt an attachment to London, being British, and the emerging and refreshing talents of those showing there, which is exactly what London is known for. But this year in particular I've been immersed by all of this season's fashion weeks and have really got stuck in, having been working on the fashion/editorial desk of social, shopping and fashion site Motilo. I attended the Maria Grachvogel A/W '12 show held at the Lancaster ballroom of the Savoy Hotel and I adore the crazy, exciting, stressful atmosphere pumping through the entire Capital when the catwalk shows, streetsyle photographers etc. etc. are in abundance. It literally takes over for 5 whole days.

Having been checking the LFW schedule constantly and admiring the collections on STYLE at every chance I get, I have been jotting down a mental list of my favourite collections and specific looks. My favourite are there- Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Victoria Beckham, but it can be that a new entry will make it into that list and there were three designers, including DKNY that for me, really shone, after spotting certain looks from the stylist's top 10 picks from NYFW on Motilo, of which you can view here.

As for the collection, it focused very much on the wardrobe of the working woman, which is a component Donna Karan adapts so well to a sleek, sophisticated and always uber fashionable look. It was black. It was simple. It was classic with a touch of elegance and fun with sheer panels on billowing, yet soft loose fitting wide leg trousers, impeccably tailored fitted leather jackets and structured outerwear. Then pops of vibrant colours- rich burgundy in the form of an incredible fur and python coat, soft fuchsia pink flare hemmed and cobalt blue maxi dresses. As well as a pretty head-to-toe floral printed trouser suit and the most beautiful coat with fur collar. Then colour popped back several looks later in the form of patent leather 2 tone platform ankle strapped shoes teamed with a variety of the most elegant ruffle dresses: one skimming the shoulders, one bandeau, the other roll neck.

I personally love the oversized roll neck jumper, the addition of leather lapels, panelling (fur, leather, darkened tones) dark piping and the simple grey above-the-knee pencil skirt. I love the collection and it's overall shiny, polished finish and the combination of fun prints, overly womanly components and luxurious exterior. A really gorgeous, wearable presentation of clothing. 

What are your opinions of the collection? Do you have a favourite look? 

Which collections have you been coveting this season?  

All images from STYLE.com

WONDER FULL

Fashion Trio

1. Now that I have an iPhone it is easier than ever to give into the social networking phenomenon that is Twitter and it's app and today whilst I was flicking through latest tweets, I discovered the ultra girlie, sixties inspired new line by Victoria Beckham, aptly named Victoria by Victoria Beckham. Read the full story from The Telegraph.

 

2. Also on Twitter, I learned of the latest Miu Miu handbag range for A/W '11, as posted by F.Tape named The Matelasse- chunky chain handles, large silver buckles and beautiful ruched leather, available in a variety of colours. The cream patent leather is my personal favourite. I'm wondering whether it will gain "It-bag" status next season...

3. Gwyneth Paltrow (an absolute favourite of mine as you may well know) poses topless in Vanity Fair's August issue for their annual On Jewellery calendar. Famed and personally liked due to it's detailed and interesting interviews, I will certainly buying this one even if just for the beautiful pictures of the Hollywood stunner.

WONDER FULL

Dress Up

As you are all fully aware, I have a long love affair with the once poshest woman in pop and now the most coveted in the fashion industry if you are woman who wants to show off her figure to the maximum and flauting it in all the right places in one of her dresses. It is of course, Victoria Beckham, who looked serene and subtely gorgeous yet eye-catching at the Royal Wedding in one of her own fluid loose-fitting creations teamed with glossy pony-tail reminiscent of the look she so confidently brought to screen during her Spice Girls days. David also looked very handsome indeed. Whilst in New York I had no interest in catching the Royal Wedding and as I explained before, felt rather relieved that I was not at home for the 'occassion' and have to confess, was also more excited about seeing Victoria's outfit then any other aspect.

Another outfit which completely blew me away was worn by Christina Ricci at the Met Gala (as previously posted), who was wrapped up in a dramatic Zac Posen gown. Seriously, she looked insanely stunning and so petite as I watched her be whisked from her car before walking to the entrance for everyone to see. For me, she was the best dressed as she was discreet and demure; it makes me like her even more. Gothic black lace has always suited her but this was sexy, grown-up red carpet glamour at it's best and she stood out beautifully. My new girl crush!

WONDER FULL

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

After a discussion at the dinner table tonight about who was the most attractive English beauty on viewing the new Lancome advert with Kate Winslet, it got me thinking about my choices and who others think. My sister was adamant that it is Kate (she is utterly stunning, an amazing actress and the English Rose), although Thandie Newton sprang to my mind and I'm completely in love with Emma Watson. My Dad didn't know who Thandie was and as for the other names I thought to be the most stunning; Victoria Beckham, my Dad didn't agree and Keira Knightley, whom I loved with short hair, my Mum strongly disagreed (think she has a problem with that exaggerated pout of hers) but who do you prefer?

Or is there someone else?

WONDER FULL

Legs Eleven

Eva Longoria (another one of my favourites and by far the funniest desperate housewife) has recently got into the habit of showing off those amazing pins of hers. This week it was for the promotion of her new cookbook (she has been known to share with her Twitter followers many of her culinary delights) in a slightly shimmering navy short-suit and matching six inch satin heels after her appearance on The Late Show. They do say, if you have got it, flaunt it and she most certainly does. Glossy hair effortlessly styled in a casual but chic ponytail (think those with longer locks should adapt this trend more), heavily smoky eyes and a perfect smile to complete the look. Although not a considerably fashion-forward outfit, she does look great and stunning as always.

She does often, however, look amazing in some of Victoria Beckham's designs, notably a simple pink t-shirt dress this week for The Early Show, which is certainly something I would wear, unlike the matching navy combo.

What do you think of the short-suit?

WONDER FULL

GIRL POWER

I must say, I am really happy that Lady Beckham is having a baby girl- she really will be the most stylish celeb baby going (I don't care what anyone says, Suri Cruise is just plain annoying). Their sons have clearly followed in their father's footsteps, looking so dapper in their suits and brogues.

I must be one of Victoria's biggest fans- I absolutely adore her. The fact she revolutionized the short haircut (before going back to the nasty extensions), she always looks amazing and she has a figure that puts most young women to shame and here she is having a forth child whilst managing the clothing line that showcases her stylistic talent even further. Always elegant chic and flawless looking, she is, in my opinion the epitome of fashionable glamour. I could have used a thousand images what with the amount of glossy covers she has fronted over the years but here are just some of my favourites.


I simply cannot get enough of her...


Who are you obsessing over at the moment?

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RTW... (well, not quite yet)

I have had a lot of things going on recently; it was back to Uni last week and the start of my Final Major Project and in between going out and commuting on the tube, it has been a go-go with internship hunting and dreaming about where I want to be for my 21st.

All of the above are the reasons for the lack of posts and I feel more and more guilty every time I am thinking less and less of Uni work. I have had an idea for a while now and some feature ideas have recently popped into my head so I am quietly confident and excited (if a little scared) about beginning the last project at Uni.

Even though it was surprisingly sunny on Thursday it was straight back to the wintry British weather- all grey, windy and freezing cold by Friday morning. So this is just a little post to brighten up these weeks leading up to the nights when it will still be light at 4 in the evening. I share with you, some of my picks of the best S/S ready-to-wear catwalk looks of 2011.

What were your favourite S/S looks?

Chloe

Flowing Femininity

Victoria Beckham

Structured Elegance



Stella McCartney

Cutaway Shine

Valentino

Peach Ruffling

Chanel

Fluffy Bandeau

D&G

Floral Arrangement

WONDER FULL