Tuesday 14 December 2010

Hurray for Howell!!






































The British have landed - thank goodness. This woman has the most beautiful subtle designs. She knows about art, structure, fashion, and design. I think her Fine Art degree has set her up to look in her own way to have her own view without copying the trends, yet remaining contemporary and original. She uses luxury fabrics which suit the structure of the clothes, effortless but make you feel good. People say she creates an androgynous look but I think it's a wearable yet feminine and sexy without the overstatement of the Barbie tag (see how nice the models look). She should be even more renown for her work but I love her quintessential englishness. If Isabel Murant designs with the french in mind Howell reflects on her english roots. I'd love to wear her clothes because they would NOT restrict my way of life.

Friday 10 December 2010

Christmas dresses



Where to look for Christmas dresses? Obviously depends on your income, spending allowance or compulsion. I did notice average prices and with some originality and quality yet remaining contemporary in Zara. I didn't see this dress in the shop, I saw it on line, but I think the tulip shape is interesting and it looks amazing on the model - (this picture might be a fridge sticker over Christmas - I don't think father Christmas will get me this look at least I'll make some attempt) . It's red, its, short, its pretty and its Christmas!!

I think the red lipsticks reflecting the dress helps to make the whole image look incredible. What do you think. Please feel free to leave a message.

Monday 29 November 2010

Proud Pringle



Pringle of Scotland 2011

Pringle of Scotland 2011 this label is so exciting, timeless and subtle yet modern and beautiful, in fact very modern without the fancy dress element. It's so much harder to make modern, interesting clothes in this subtle way using so many creative elements - fancy dress stuff is much more obvious and easy.

At first, I thought the s/s 2011 Collection was not as exciting as a/w 2010 as this was amazing full of luxury and strong dominant ideas but the more I looked at s/s 2011 Collection I realise how beautiful, light and worthy of attention it is.

In my view Pringle of Scotland Collection is probably the best work on the catwalk, just look carefully and find the subtly within it.

Monday 22 November 2010

Irish Influences in Fashion






Just been having a look at some Irish dancing costumes - they would make an




interesting start to some design ideas. Dismissing the obvious decoration (which I know is a very strong statement), or this can be used subtly working around this for ideas for my designs. Lets see what happens? I'll be looking at shapes, textures, trims/embroidery and colours and see if anything else pops up.

Thursday 14 October 2010

Anna's Advice










I wasn't surpised to read about the Rodarte sisters' comment regarding Anna Wintour stating she has given the best help in the fashion industry by advising them to keep control of their work - they've followed this ethic allowing them to remain creative and consistently develop each collection. I love the way they investigate and push boundaries it stops the dullness that



we can allow in our lives by conforming and and accepting. We can all push the boundaries.

Anna Wintour is more than just a Fashion Editor she has proven invaluable to the world of creativity with the outstanding knowledge it's no wonder she has no time for pretense. It's good to see she does have time to encourage young designers.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Kane's Catwalk





Kanes

Christopher Kane S/S2011 Ready to wear

The clothes speak for themselves. Apparently the best quality materials are used, cashmere, leather, silks, hand embroidered work - well that's a good start. Although his collection shadows a conservative twist, it's brought up to an avant-garde and totally original collection.

He has a daring and experimental use of colour, fabrics and the mixing of colours and and fabrics. Just above-the-Knee skirts are evident. Reminiscent of Pringle Twin-set Cardigans are part of this Collection. He seems to have introduced at least 3 themes into this collection.

It would be good to see the images first-hand , getting a close-up of the fabrics and the detail in the material is all important to actually see the quality of the clothes. He looks to me like his status as a fashion Designer has just got even stronger.

Monday 4 October 2010

Marant's Models




Marant's Models

Isabel Murant states, she wears her clothes for the evening and if it's not comfortable it doesn't go in the collection. She does have a great ethic, to consider the female figure, although if a lot of models buy her clothes, (her comments) that doesn't account for the rest of the female population. She does make some lovely feminine twists in her collections but I think a lot of her work does cover the tall, slim, model-like figure saying that I haven't been in her shop to see how 'real the clothes are', ie., do they actually fit the less catwalk worthy? mmmmmhhh, I wonder! I've just seen her Spring/Summer collection skateboard and soccer influences, some nice stuff, especially if you're a 14 year old skateboarder or a 6' model.

Thursday 23 September 2010

London Fashion Week for 2011


OK, first review Jonathan Saunders, beautiful light prints with shots of colour, yellow, orange and light blue. The colours are not boring even though they have subtly and class as he does have an aesthetic eye for colour and naturally understands how to use it. Although, he states he used art influences, such as, Pollock (also known as, 'Jack the Dripper' - you'll see why when you look at his work) and Allen Jones. I'm not seeing these obvious influences in his in prints regarding colour, line (Pollock) and primary colours Allen Jones liked to use but Saunders is clever enough, not to let himself copy these artists but trigger a starting point, as he conveys, using the freedom (Pollock) in some of the print patterns but tames them with constructed, thick, bold lines of colour (Allen Jones).

After al the 'bunff' in the above paragraph I like his work, as it's wearable, individual and yet classy. I particularly like the white-on-white print on one of the dresses, almost looks embossed - nice!

Tuesday 21 September 2010

All Vogues




Just been researching French Vogue Editor, Carine Roitfeld, she sounds quite interesting, imagining stories for her shots. Now I would like to read the French Vogue to see her style. I don't get the American Vogue but I have seen the film, "The September Issue", which gives me some insight into the very strong character of Wintour and quite rightly so - you can't be a 'drip' running a magazine like that, although she's amazingly like a headmistress that I know. Shulman, British Vogue Editor, in my opinion, should not be overshadowed by any of these. She offers, not only glamour and culture but creativity and good, well-written articles. The creative side to her gives her an imaginative, artistic, then becoming personal and intelligent eye - she is, in my view, our, 'English Rose', we should be proud of as we have the best Vogue!

All the research does make me realize that I would like to read all Vogues to see what they have got to offer and the differences between them. I don't know if it would make any difference to any of the magazines or indeed the industry, promoting brands etc. but it would be fun!

Monday 20 September 2010

British Vogue October Issue 2010



I haven't read it all yet, as I like to take my time and enjoy the magazine, even study it, Yes I admit I do! I'll tackle the front cover first. Sadly, the very recognizable Cheryl Cole, although looking pretty in such beautiful, ultra-feminine dresses also looks vacant (and in the words of the very controversial band, I shouldn't even have to name them) leaning more towards, "Pretty Vacant". As I flick through he mag. even the Dries Van Noten Parka stands alone as a better model than the vacancy behind Cheryl',s 'hazy, gazy' look. The Vanessa Bruno ad. makes me stop and turn my head on its side to view the image almost like like the reaction you get when you look at George Basalitz's upside-down art work. I realize the difference in the professional models, such as, Karlie Klass on page 280, as the puppet, Petrushka, angle poised, is subtly clever and makes you understand why she is at the top of her game. I think this is an image takes her and Vogue through to a higher level.

Love the images and title of, 'Quiet Storm" particularly page 293, as the model's pose echos the almost silhouette tree whilst wearing the beautiful, sculptured skirt designed by Yohji Yamamoto.

Go Marc Jacobs with your witty, daring, yet just keeping your modesty, 'Bang' campaign - you SpongeBob fan you and no squarepants in sight, although I don't know what's lurking under your kilt.

There are lots of beautiful things in the Vogue, the mag. is still well worth buying, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it and the article on Pringle always interesting in my opinion.
love Maria xoxo

Since then I've found out Cheryl Cole was practically dying of malaria but still managed to complete her job. Well done Cheryl for your guts and determination she has staying power that's why she's where she is now. Although I think she's pretty I still don't think she is a good model.

Friday 17 September 2010

spring tasters 2011 Rag and Bone and Pringle of Scotland





Just had a look at a taster for spring Rag and Bone website and the dastardly duo strike again! They show hints of warfare in strapping, strings and angular lines along side the peace and naturalness of the feminine flowing chiffon: The youthfulness of layering and their signature tailoring

of jackets. Bravely, they enter the realms of metallic and somehow make it cool by adding a white trim to some of their garments.

Pringle have there usually classy, experimental and individual look, mixing pinks and red so beautifully and the keeping the little black dress modern and fresh.

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Pringle or Primark?


Well, do I really have to ask? Yes, that's why I'm writing this. Pringle's trousers, black, cashmere - just beautiful! the kind of garment that you put on and it wears well... always. I could have these trousers for years and they would always look beautiful. That's what fashion and identity is about not just following the next trend but reinventing something beautiful when you wear it. The pattern cutting is probably fitted to compliment the human form not to massacre your figure by outlining last night cheesecake or cutting the crutch area in two just to squeeze into your normal size: unlike Primark's which is always on the ungenerous side to save a bit more of the blended nylon fabrics they use. The materials Pringle uses are luscious and soft next to your skin. Ok, so now I'll tackle Primark. Of course it's fine for a few cheap tops, bedsocks and the odd thing. I will buy some cheap tee shirts from there so I have plenty of choice of colours but will want to save for at least one nice garment so my wardrobe won't look so full of tac. We can't always buy all expensive but the at least one garment a season or a year is well deserved it does make a difference. I'm usually shocked to see how many garments and how much money people spend in Primark and wonder why don't they just buy one good thing and still have plenty of money left over for lots of Primark basics? Fashion, to me, is not just about running out and buying the seasons trend but buying beautiful garments that suits you.
Maria xoxo

Thursday 9 September 2010

Design ideas


Thought I'd download some designs I've made for christmas

Seeing what the fabric can do for itself.

Been busy lately designing clothes and will put them on my blog when I've finished. Looking at the Vogue of an evening studying the construction of garments it can be so specific and detailed there's a lot more to a pretty garment than meets the eye. My lesson yesterday was letting the fabric work for itself so stand back and see what the fabric can do and nice surprises can happen. OK back to work now find more surprises! bye xoxo

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Stories in Fashion

I watched a Paul Smith video on utube referring to his latest collection. He found a second-hand tailored jacket in a market, looked in the lining and discovered a title Lady's name and... voila! built a modern day story from his imagination. This is why he remains a forerunner in fashion - he hasn't left his collection in the past, he's modernized it, added twists and delved into his imagination creating his story about this lifestyle.


Tuesday 31 August 2010

Who am I today? Eclectic Taste







Vogues catwalk special for Autumn/winter 2010:

Such choices… On occasions I want to be the Jane Eyre, 'All Woman', in the black buckled and buttoned up Dries Van Noten, stating most categorically, my thinking serious days but still remaining a woman. The no-nonsense, stylish, yet, get-the-job-done look as more pressing issues ensue.

Why do I love the "Lace" pages? The Valentino maxi flowing with luscious lace and hints of pink flesh underneath steaming with femininity. Roberto Cavalli's creamy/pink maxi glides up the catwalk like the princess we all want to be – not today though, right place, right time. Marc Jacobs has the edge with the dress I would like in my wardrobe because it can cover all occasions as well as being beautiful and original – This one goes on my fantasy list.

My special night out I would want the Louis Vuitton pink background with attached black, what looks like chiffon subtly swaying as I walk (or possibly fall over in my high platforms and heels).

Mostly I want to be the girls in the Marc Jacobs mustard glamour grunge jumpers and skirts and the Dries Van Noten purple maxi with the brown tee shirt not forgetting the cool sunglasses. The pairing of the contrasting fabrics, the hard and the soft remind me of the functional and feminine. The freedom of movement in wearing these clothes provide this function and the beauty and femininity of them is the essence of pleasure. So I win on both accounts.

Why shouldn’t we be… Whatever we want to be on that day.

Pringle Autumn 2010



Pringle Autumn 2010- Not much makes me look forward to winter but this is very close.

Just looked at Clare Waight Keller’s Pringle Collection Autumn, 2010. Sooo imaginative and unusual. Mixing fabrics, hard and soft seemingly sitting together like they were made to be there. Shapes, angles of straight lines unevenly placed with pleats when it suits and turned back edges revealing the inside of the garment and the prominent zips with no apologies for the flaps shown this reminds me of the architecture of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, not so much transparent but showing the construction of the building revealing the workings of it – maybe used a decorative feature – I don’t know, but it works, it really works.

What I want to know is why Clare Waight Keller and the Pringle Collection isn’t even more renown for her/their work, it’s not only beautiful but functional. Pringle should be Proud!