Been So Long....Went to Valentino Exhibition...

Been a long time since I made a post. Back in February went to somerset house to see the Valentino: Master of Couture Exhibition. It was really good, manage to get some sneaky pictures and did some quick sketches. Some of the dresses were just so flawless and elegant. It was a lovely exhibition and so glad I went to see it, I do like Valentino dresses a lot. There was also a room which showed different fabric techniques used to make some of the dresses, which was really interesting to see and learn. 

Hopefully will get back to blogging more again :) 

Chanel Autumn/Winter 2013-14 Show at the Grand Palais in Paris!

Karl Lagerfeld revealed his latest designs for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week 2013. The Autumn/Winter 2013/14 catwalk show took place at the Grand Palais in Paris.  A 50ft tall revolving globe was at the centre of the catwalk as models presented the collection from one of the World’s most famous fashion brands. As usual Chanel makes one of the grandest and elegant runways of Paris Fashion Week, leaving their spectators in awe! Celebrities in attendance included Jessica Chastain, Milla Jovovich and Frank Ocean.

Karl Lagerfield does it again with a ultra chic, yet modern with the signature classic tweed Chanel looks. Every detail was spectacular from the hats, to jewellery and the beautifully intricate looking bags. There were lots of classic blacks within the collection but also pops of colour which lightened the runway but Chanel's shows are always very entertaining and full of drama.

Source:Metro

Emilio Pucci Creates Rita Ora’s Tour Wardrobe

Last night Rita Ora The Radioactive Tour, kicked off in Manchester - which brought the collaboration to light for the first time. The costumes were designed to provide the "best possible freedom of movement" in order to allow the performer to execute her choreography fully

Emilio Pucci has designed the dazzling costumes for Rita Ora's new tour, where creative director Peter Dundas worked closely with the singer to create a series of outfits to "perfectly echo her unique take on urban glamour".

The idea of movement became a key creative concept behind the designs, coupled with the re-interpretation of key themes from the brand's spring/summer 2013 collection. The outfits include a metallic armour-inspired bodice, a military camouflage jumpsuit and a flowing golden cape.

"I was thrilled to design the costumes for Rita'sRadioactive Tour, from the moment I met Rita we've had a great connection and doing something like this together felt like a natural progression," said Dundas. "The costumes have impact and flamboyance in a way that feels personal to Rita whilst staying true to the Emilio Pucci aesthetic."

Personally really like these illustrations as well !

Source: Vogue

Chanel hosts another show spectacular in Paris' Grand Palais for Couture Fashion Week

As is tradition, Chanel hosts another show spectacular in Paris' Grand Palais as part of Couture Fashion Week - during which models walked through a makeshift forest, complete with leaves, trees and flowers.

There was plenty of elegance and almost whimsical floor length laced and floral dresses which graced the ethereal runway that is Chanel's signature.

The time and thought can be seen in many of the luxurious gowns and pieces, with the amount of beautiful craftsmanship which have gone into them and truly making them couture pieces.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Making Of the Louis Vuitton Miami Design District Store Facade by RETNA

 Watch the video below of renowned street artist RETNA transforming the Louis Vuitton Miami Design District store facade into a work on art. The artist has applied his usual font based designs to the entire exterior of the store front. Which you can see the final outcome above and I think it looks awesome, fun and a quirkier approach for the French luxury brand, with the bright and bold use of colours it fits perfectly for the Miami store. Rumors of RETNA collaborating with Vuitton have been floating around for a while already. We have even heard that he has worked with LV on product as well, including the scarf that he is wearing in the above video, but we cannot confirm that yet.

Tom Binns Teams Up With Lisa Hoffman to Create Scented Luxury Jewellery

 Ever feel like you lose your perfume scent during the day now there's a wonderful solution for it, with a new design innovation of scented luxury jewellery collection by Tom Binns and Lisa Hoffman, two artisans at the height of their craft. The collaboration of a special collection that marries Lisa’s ground breaking fine fragrance with designs that reflect Tom’s unwavering devotion to avant-garde aesthetics. A sublime combination of form and function, the collection is destined to become a cult favourite — and a personal obsession.
 
 Hoffman, who’s had a professional role in the beauty industry since 2007, became a fan of jewelry by Tom Binns when her famous husband, actor Dustin Hoffman, gave her one of his pieces as a present. It was about a year ago when Hoffman visited Binns in Los Angeles to discuss her idea of a fragrance jewelry line, which she told WWD that he loved because of the idea that jewelry and fragrance are worn on the same places on the body. “What was so wonderful and thrilling for us was the organic connection between jewelry and fragrance,” she said. The result is stylish scented jewelry that is designed to be as fragrant as possible in the most efficient way.
 
 What Hoffman and Binns came up with is an equal blend of both professionals. Using eco-friendly materials, Binns created pod-shaped curved pendants that encase fragrance beads and effectively emit them through small vents. The scents are creations from Hoffman’s beauty line, including Japanese Agarwood, Madagascar Orchid, Tunisian Neroli, French Clary Sage and Tuscan Fig. One challenge of creating the fragrance beads’ wood flour-based formula was finding a medium that didn’t react badly to the jewelry’s materials. Ultimately, Binns chose five metal varieties that correspond to Hoffman’s five scents, including bronze, rhodium, gold, rose gold, and brushed gold— all at $250 (Approximately £167). Cuffs for $300 (Approximately £188) and earrings for $200(Approximately £125) will be available in November and January, respectively. The designs are beautiful and to have second functionality of spreading a wonderful scent just makes them all that more special. So definitely could consider these as a great Christmas gift, also there are more scent luxury jewellery at Lisa Hoffman Beauty.

 

Raf Simons’s prêt-à-porter debut at Dior

 Dior faced difficult times with their brand image after John Galliano slightly tarnished by sweeping himself in controversy.  But Raf Simons was here to save the day and rebuild the classic brand's image. He previously worked for a smaller brand Jill Stuart but didn't stop the talented designer from picking up the pieces and taking on the challenges of designing the couture collection only six week prior to him joining Dior. The most recent collection shown a Paris Fashion Week was interesting as I personally felt parts of it embodied the true Christian Dior timeless appeal but also had a mix of contemporary movement.
Some of the looks included strapless sheaths worn over slim trousers in the show, honed and polished. But there was much more: the famous peplumed Bar jacket worn as a dress; New Look skirts slimmed down, lengthend to the ankle and doused with metallic roses, inspired by Christian Dior's flower gardens and worn with stretch tops taken from swimwear; short-sleeved silk T-shirt dresses with asymmetric trains, some veiled with tulle tunics and a line satin dresses, again a nod to 60s Dior. There was plenty of lightness and movement, courtesy of the organza layers, sometimes as many as six in a single dress, and the bias cut pleats which featured on peplumed jackets and mini skirts were inspired by Christian Dior's architectural pleating from the 1950s.
 

Source: The Telegraph

Please visit http://www.ilovebrandsoutlet.com/blog/ for more fashion related posts from me :)

Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

 London Fashion Week ended and Milan Fashion Week Started. With Italy housing many well know designers and brands such as Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Prada and Verscae just to name a few, it would wrong to not have a look. One of the famous brand and designer is Armani of course and in true Armani style the collection features a more tone down and delicate look compared to other runways. Emporio Armani has always channelled a easy city chic and does this again with the collection by using a loose silhouettes with gentle 'caffeinated' colours.
 
Blugirl which is a brand under the Italian Fashion house Blufin where the core brand is Blumarine. The Blugirl collection showcases a beautiful modern girl romance but slightly sexy with plenty of sheer looks which didn't cover up much. Even so with a bit too much exposure but the collection still was ethereal and had it's youthful sweetness in some looks.
Ermanno Scervino who has been only heating up the catwalks only a few years ago sure knows how to continue to please with this ultra sexy spring/summer collection of bright hues and long silhouettes.  The opening section was discernibly Cavalli-esque, but drenched in Capri sun the collection is hot in so many ways and exudes confidences in each outfit.

For more on all the going on at Milan Fashion Week visit: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9551251/Milan-Fashion-Week-springsummer-2013-latest.html

London Fashion Week Over the Weekend

 Holly Futon's show was slightly different by revealing in lines of four with a bright "all American" beach collection. Plenty of bold clash of prints and colours also all sporting some shades. From the pastel coloured espadrilles and funky bikini which opened the show it's sure to be a fun filled summer 2013 with Holly Futon's looks!

Issa showcases a maxi love with a floor length to match every ones need, from a timeless silk jersey to a colourful print. Each on showing a elegance and class which is still sexy for the summer. Its no wonder Duchess of Cambridge is one of their biggest clients!

Matthew Williamson produces yet another beautifully colourful collection with a fabulous range of everything, from shorts to knickers shorts to cropped trousers and maxis to minis. But not matter what since his debut in 1998 Williamson's strength has been to transport us away from our humdrum existences to exotic, glamorous, magical destinations. This 15th anniversary show was a reminder of his love of India.

Marios Schwab emphasised a very contemporary chic collection with Polynesian influence; Amazonian warriors - which was translated rather literally in to raffia trimming through out the looks which I think gave a interesting fresh detailing. The collection showed a strong yet feminine aesthetic which is a balance that's hard to achieve.

These are just a few of the amazing collections which I personally liked showed over the weekend a London Fashion Week so for more (source) visit: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Fashionably Harry Potter ?!

                                                            HOGWARTS HOUSE COUTURE

Gryffindor - The Lion - You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart

Hufflepuff - The Badger - You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil.

Ravenclaw - The Eagle - Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind.

Slytherin - The Serpent - Or perhaps in Slytherin You’ll make your real friends, Those cunning folks use any means To achieve their ends.

First was fashionably Disney illustrations and now I ve come across these Hogwarts House Couture illustrations which i thought were pretty awesome. 

Source & check out more from:http://distantdream.deviantart.com/art/Hogwarts-House-Couture-319921184

My Nail Art

Four Leaf Clover 

Lilac Flowers

Melted Strawberry Ice Cream (Ready for the summer heat which is meant to be finally here this week!)

My Rainbow Nail Art

I ve always had a love for nail art but this is the first time posting about it. I tried this rainbow design which I saw on the ASOS facebook page and thought it was simple, sweet and new! So I experimented and was success! :)

Meuse Magazine- Pretty Like Drugs

Pretty Like Drugs

Published in Meuse Magazine March 2012

Photographer: Rhian Cox

Model: Chloe Farnworth
MUA: Amanda O'Shaughnessy
Designer: Virginia Man

Editorial in March edition of Meuse Magazine, an American magazine. Rhian Cox asked to take my work for a photoshoot and her pictures got published in the magazine!

My design is the red and pink origami dress!!

Source: These are tear sheets sent to me from the photographer.

Check out Rhian Cox Photography Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhian-Cox-Photography/93863462635

LFW: Antonio Berardi, AW12 & Fred Butler, AW12

Day 4

Antonio Berardi

4 words: Boldly contemporary edged elegance

But I have to say more that 4 words for his designs what I like so much about them is that the garments are wearable and so elegant but its edgy at the same time also the strong pops of colours are just gorgeous!

I had to mention these shoes by Fred Butler because they are just that awesome !
Source: http://www.londonfashionweek.com/

Invites to LONDON FASHION WEEK

From Left to Right - Antipodium, Topshop Unique, Mary Katrantzou, House of Holland, Markus Lupfer, Acne and Mulberry

London fashion week starts on Friday 17 February, which means the invites are coming in thick and fast. Aside from an upswing in papercuts, this is the cause of much excitement among the Guardian fashion lot, because invitations usually hint at what the show will be about. I say usually because the Jonathan Saunders invite was plain white and smelt of goose fat, which is not an accurate reflection of his clothes. Mulberry have sent a gigantic golden key that's so big it could be considered a weapon, print genius Mary Katrantzou has a holographic image of crayons and Henry Holland has sent the most useful one yet - an iPhone cover

Source: guardian.co.uk

Would be amazing to receive an invite but for the mean time just knowing what they look like is cool and I find branding very interesting and how company market themselves through every little thing (which makes a strong brand) I think if I was receiving a invite based on the invite only it would be Henry Holland. That's so smart and useful! Plus I don't think they would cost that much too make and makes a unique invitation ! Although not everyone may have an IPhone !

As for clothing design wise I d love to go to Mary Katrantzou show. She does amazing prints and uses unique silhouettes! Her work is colourful and full of life ! Also loving her collection that's just hit Topshop!

Source:http://www.fashionologie.com/Mary-Katrantzou-Topshop-Lookbook-Spring-2012-21706086?page=0,0,0

Be ready LONDON FASHION WEEK commences tomorrow !

Project Runway Season 9 Final

Three pieces from Kimberly Goldson's collection (left); three pieces from Joshua McKinley's collection (right)

Viktor, Joshua, Kimberly and Anya are the final four for this season project runway !

Three pieces from Viktor Luna's collection (left); three pieces from Anya Ayoung-Chee's collection (right)


I think all four designers have a different view and aesthetic to their designing, Kimberly a urban edge, Josh with a unique use of materials, daring and boldness to his clothes, Viktor has pure class and elegance while giving a stong vibe ! I love and I mean love that white leather jacket ! Its amazing ! Finally Anya has cool easy flow and stunning use of prints in her collection. I can t decide which collection I personally like the most as there are pros and cons to each collection which i liked and disliked. I think its between Viktor and Anya's collections. Who will be the winner?..(although I already know, I leave it for my next post.)

Images from Starpulse.com

Michael Van Der Ham- Spring/Summer 2012

Designer name: Michael van der Ham

Origin: The Netherlands

Design background: Michael graduated from the MA fashion course at Central Saint Martins. He has worked at Sophia Kokosalaki and Alexander McQueen.”

How would you describe the Michael van der Ham woman? “Someone who's not afraid to wear something a little more bold.”

What is your trademark piece? “Knitwear with chiffon tops and multi-fabricated dresses.”

Three spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “Very special textiles and unusual prints as well as intricate pattern cutting. I can’t give too much away!”

Source: London Fashion Week.co.uk