Topshop Rocks LFW

Today as I subconsciously veered towards the Topshop store in Birmingham's Bull Ring I announced: "I love Topshop.  I know that's stereotypical but I do.  And you know what?  There's a reason people see it as stereotypical now...everyone loves it because it's bloody brilliant."

Well...turns out the fashion world agrees with me.  My Twitter homepage has been filled with London Fashion Week tweets but more than any other show Topshop Unique has been the one that's got people talking.  After my last post on Dande Maestre's nature inspired statement jewellery antlers are making their way onto my blog once more...

Topshop Unique's models reminded me of Mulberry's Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 look with bedraggled hair, knitted accessories and beautiful worn leathers.  That and my local forest, Cannock Chase.  As well as the faux fur animal headgear animal imagery is mingled with animal print for a primal, rustic look.

I'm wishing this winter away already but maybe I wouldn't if I had easy access to cable knit tights, contrasting chiffon, lace and leather, faux fur, work boots and bags belted at the waist.  The throw-it-on imperfect look is perfect for me at the minute.  Sure there's more to it than it looks but I'm willing to invest in lots of hairspray and some nature inspired accessories.  I have a bone cuff from Ghana that'd fit in perfectly with this colour palette.

"Are you sure shoulder pads are back in fashion?!"

Whilst discussing the multitude of shoulder related items in our wardrobes over lunch, my friend suddenly piped up: "I went shopping with my mother the other day.  She brought her first item in 20 years with shoulder pads and even as she was paying said "are you sure shoulder pads are back in fashion?!" I think you need to tell her because she doesn't believe me!"

You see whilst the younger generations pick up the shoulder pads in River Island (ready to be taped into blazers and tops sans shoulder pads) the older generation has seen this all before and, quite frankly, don't seem to understand how on earth it's been allowed to come round again!

Power Dressing at Balmain and Yves Saint Laurent:

According to the trend gurus at Viewpoint "53% of millionaires in 2020 will be women" and currently "52% of men in key European capitals say they live by women's rules."  Therefore, it's simply really...it's all about power.  Power dressing is not a new concept so many people can see how exaggerated shoulders (whether billowing or sharp) form the basis to this trend.

Vogue assure that this trend, which was first spied at Christophe Decarnin's Balmain catwalk for Spring/Summer 2009, is going nowhere in Autumn/Winter 2009/10.  Embrace it ladies, shoulders are back!  Though, if you're scared, you could enhance them in a slightly more subtle way....think asymmetric one shoulders and bustiers.  Sound better?

Strong Shoulders at Zac Posen and Roksanda Ilincic:

 

All images taken from Vogue Online

A Gothic Winter

With the impending release of both Dorian Gray and Twilight: New Moon, teamed with the Autumn/Winter 2009/10 offerings on the catwalk a gothic twist on street style seems eminent.



Street style is key in leading fashion at the moment, with blogs such as The Sartorialist highlighting the importance of what real people wear. The Victorian literary genius that is Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray still has the power to ring true centuries later, with people more than ever striving to remain young and beautiful. Similarly, Robert Pattinson has got the heart of every teenage girl beating with his striking looks and broody character. Not to mention the amount of adults I have seen clutching copies of the Twilight books.

All Images taken from Vogue Online

From Alexander McQueen's Dickensian mens catwalk, very dark 19th century London, to Bora Asku's womenswear collection, supposedly inspired by "the anonymous muses of many artists in the late 19th Century." A vampiric essence is seeping into our wardrobes...give it a few months and we'll see velvet teamed with ribbed woolen tights and oversized overcoats hanging over mens shoulders. I for one can't wait, everyone loves a bit of drama.