NYFW - A/W '13

We're only just to say seeing the back of winter and (sort of) gearing up for Spring/Summer, when Fashion Week kicks off, showcasing the trends for A/W. These shows are usually my favourite as there's a lot of black, leather, dark colours, layering and some amazing outerwear that I fall in love with and weep over because I don't own it. Moving on...

Here's a few of my favourites from New York Fashion Week for A/W 13:

Katie Gallagher

One of my favourite designers that I've discovered in the past year is Katie Gallagher. I'm completely in love with her designs and this season is no exception. It's totally black on black on black (that's it, I'm sold) with only the slightest hint of deep navy, there's laser-cut details that look like twisted and gnarled tree branches that create an extra witchy vibe and can we just talk about that jacket with the hood for a second? Y'know the one piece of outerwear I was talking about just now? Yeah. That's the one.

Prabal Gurung

I also fall in love with shoes a lot while looking through the FW shows. These shoe/boot/leg armour beauties from Prabal Gurung are just screaming out to me. The collection had a military feel, with a lot of khaki green and fitted jackets while the leather skirts, jackets and harnesses added a slight fetishistic edge. Also, peplum keeps cropping up again which isn't something I'm a fan of, but it's probably going to be sticking around for a while.

Rodarte

Oversized pieces with a lot of layering and draping doesn't really sound that appealing in theory, but Rodarte actually make it look quite nice. I'm always a fan of sheer pieces, here the shirt sleeves adding a subtle flash of skin, the pattern of the dresses with shades of dark blue and grey add a grungy feel while the peach toned blouse and floaty skirts create that feminine balance. Once again, it's the shoes. Those white creepers? Please and thanks. 

The Blonds

Now this, this is it. I'd heard of The Blonds but never knew too much about them (they've created all kinds of crazy, diamond encrusted corsets for the likes of Katy Perry and Rhianna), but I saw some photos of their A/W collection online and knew this is right up my street.

I'm calling it horror-movie chic. The references are so obvious they're printed onto the dresses. A 'Psycho' print mini-dress and Jack Nicholson's "Heeeeere's Johnny!" face on the bodice of another? Here, just take all of my money goddamnit. Heavily embellished corsets, a dress made from belts, fur, sequins, feathers.. I just died. Everything about this collection is over the top, weird, crazy and stunning and I'm completely in love with the clear rain coat that looks like it has fake blood inside of it. They even took the theme right through to the smallest detail with jewelled, dripping blood and 'Psycho' inspired nail art. Someone get a DIY tutorial up, stat!

The Blonds

(photos: style.com and The Blonds facebook)

Which collection[s] from NYFW have you seen that you've fallen in love with?

UNIF Das Boot - Unboxing/First Impressions

 Oh sweet lord have mercy on my soul. 

Ever since I bought a pair of Hellraisers last summer, I've grown more and more obsessed with UNIF and their amazing pieces, especially the Hellbounds. Unfortunately, everywhere was sold out of my size in the colour I wanted (black - obviously),  and I'd kind of given up hope of ever getting a pair. Until the Das Boot came along and I fell in love. 

Gorgeous black leather, with an exposed zip fastening on the front with all the party in the back in the form of the chunky gradient plastic heel. Oh. My. God. I don't think I've ever been so excited to own a pair of shoes in my life! And much like the Hellbounds, these shoes are monsters. With a 3 inch platform and a 6 inch heel, these babies make me taller than I probably need to be. But y'know what, fuck it. Who says tall[er] girls can't wear amazing shoes like this?

I ordered these from dollskill (the same place I bought my Hellraisers) on a Wednesday evening and they were shipped the next day, despite me being an international customer. Honestly, I think it's great that they send orders out so quickly, regardless of your location. I received them Monday morning (Feb 11th), which is a great delivery turn-around, and I've been clomping around my room in them ever since (except to take photos of them, naturally.)

The box they came in has some damage/tears/scuff marks to the corners, but that's down to them being shipped from the US to the UK and it has affected the shoes at all. As usual, the shoes come in their own separate dust jackets, with tissue paper inside to maintain their shape and a foam layer to stop the shoes rubbing against each other in the box. Just like my Hellraisers, I plan on storing them just like this to keep them looking their best. (My Hellraisers are still in almost-perfect condition, in case anyone's wondering!) 

So far, they feel pretty comfortable. The only issue is the zip feels a little tight while zipping them up, especially on my left foot, and once they're on but after wearing them for a while, that feeling goes away. (I'm not sure if it's just my feet, but it's something to bare in mind I suppose).
These shoes are real leather, so I'm expecting them to stretch a little over time. Even just walking around the house I feel quite steady on my feet and not like I'm going to trip over, I'm still a little weary of stairs, though they are manageable, however I'm not sure how long it'll be before I dare venture into the outside world in these. I'm also planning to use these in a photography project for uni, which is what I'm kind of using as an excuse for buying such an expensive piece, but honestly I just really, really wanted these shoes.

Side note:

 This is only a 'first impressions' post and by no means an extensive 'worn-them-for-weeks' review. I was really excited to get these and it's probably going to take a while to get used to walking around in them. Although I'm not used to wearing heels that often, let alone platforms this high, I can say that my feet aren't aching after just wearing them around the house. So if you wear heels a lot, you can probably venture a guess as to how comfortable they would be for you.

I also bought the UNIF Abbey skirt which was on sale on dollskill. It's a beautiful, floaty, hi-lo skirt with a black floral print and feels very gypsy-esque which will be perfect for spring/summer. I haven't photographed it in full because this post is aaaall about the shoes. 

Click here to read my review of the UNIF Hellraisers!

'Dreamland' - Neil Francis Dawson

via hunger.tv

"Witching Hour" - Topshop AW Lookbook

Just in time for Halloween, Topshop have released their "Witching Hour" collection. Leather jackets, plenty of black and ghostly white lace, skull prints, rich, burgundy accents paired with studded accessories and creepers, it's perfect for this time of year.  I'm also really into the dark red/purple lip for autumn/fall and the intense, smoky eye adds an extra touch of dark gothic glamour to the look.

shop the collection here

riverisland.com

Katie Gallagher

details at Gareth Pugh SS13

London Fashion Week - SS13

I feel like I'm behind with the Fashion Week posts after moving in and getting settled in the new place at uni and whatnot, but never the less, here's a quick round up of some of my favourite shows from London. 

I really like the futuristic vibe from the Burberry Prorsum show, reworking their classic mac with metallic fabric in two-tone shades of electric blue and turquoise. The metallic lavender shirt teeters on the edge of looking too much like tin foil, but the dusty pink and grey in the skirt balance things out.

There's a great use of colour and pattern from Matthew Williamson, lots of sky blue, navy and turquoise with bright pops of fuchsia dotted throughout. The patterns on shorts and cropped trousers create a bleeding out effect, the colours slowly 'dripping' off into white towards the hem of the garment.

Topshop Unique kept things very clean and simple using monochrome and linear patterns to add detail to dresses of sheer fabric. The garments also have an oversized, slouchy look to them, which is something I've noticed popping up in a number of FW shows.

Burberry Prorsum

Matthew Williamson

Topshop Unique

Vivienne Westwood Red Label was as wacky as ever, (painting models faces green and blue) but there were some great dresses with ruched hems and gorgeous patterns, along with expertly tailored jackets, shirts and cropped trousers. Also, an honourable mention to the amazing dangling skeleton necklace (add to: list of things I want, but can't have!)

Another favourite was House Of Holland with a slightly darker, grunge-ier collection than usual.  Oversized checks in navy and contrasting black and yellow were featured on dresses and shirts, while the amazing rainbow floral trousers injected some colour. There was also a few pieces with a murkier, splatter print which added to the 90's grunge throwback vibe. (side note: I'm a big fan of the H! by Henry Holland collection at Debenhams) 

Finally, Acne hit the oversized-trend nail on the head with this collection. There was an oversized denim coat with exposed belts tightened to give the garment some shape, maxi shirts slashed at the knee and a jacket with large roll-up cuffs and featuring a thick, black and white stripe pattern that reminds me of Beetlejuice. I also really love the shoes in this collection and the use of buckles on the garments to make the oversized pieces more fitted.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

House Of Holland

Acne

Acne

A review of the Milan Fashion Week shows will be up soon!

all photos - style.com