Déjà vu

                                                         

Yesterday saw Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciolo debut their first collection for Valentino in Paris. 

The collection definitely pleased the houses' namesake Valentino Garavani, who leapt from front his seat in front row to applaud:

"They did a very good job. It is a collection that is perfect for this very moment.  It was quite emotional to see all myclothes, done by these people who loved me for 12 years, and they are really sensational. They were always staying with me during my fittings of haute couture.”

Feel like you've seen elements of the collection before? According to fashionologie.com, the general feeling amongst the fash pack was that the show paid homage to the 'Valentino archive'  and the design duo failed to make a stamp on the house and did not take on the responsibility of moving the house forward. 

After seeing the collection I feel completely different. I loved the cream suits with the beautiful stand up collars, and the draped dresses and ruffle detailing on the ensembles. The jewel tones in red and aubergine were beautiful and classic but very cautious compared to the extravagant nature of the Valentino house. What more of a development is that. The designs moved away from the over-the-top excessive nature of the house, without compromising on the craftsmanship and detail we all love and expect from a couture show. I honestly think this is a positive mood for the house. The dresses and suits were very elegant and classic making it very relevant in the light of the current economic climate. 

Is it right of us to be so critical of the design duo so early into their job at Valentino? I don't think so. It reminds me of Frida Giannini's first few season's at Gucci. Wasn't she criticized in the same way for trying to copy Tom Ford's aesthetic at Gucci? Her recent success at Gucci is a far cry from this early criticism. I say, give them a chance to find their feet. Critics should save judgment and allow the duo to find their own comfort zone in the brand. 

Kate fights Back

Kate Moss really looked fashion fantastic as she stepped out in this gorgeous grey mini. Kate was recently kicked off the number one spots on the best dressed lists by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Agyness Deyn, but the supermodel really brought 'sexy back' in this grey number.

I love the shape on her. It completely transforms her from her usual petite frame by giving her some womanly curves.

Kate is currently in Berlin promoting her second fragrance, Velvet Hour

Sorry

Many of you have emailed me to ask where I have disappeared to but don't worry because I am back.

I've been so busy finishing exams and starting an amazing new job in the fashion industry, that I really have not ha time to post but I am back and ready to stay.

With that in mind, here's a 'Sex and the City' treat.

What did you think of the movie? 

It was very predictable but I fell in love. Shame we had already seen most of the outfits already in the celebrity magazines though.

Balenciaga Goes Online

Tredding the pavement for the latest installement of what the amazing Nicolas Ghesquière has to offer for Balenciaga is now a thing of the past. You can now enjoy searching for and buying the latest bags, ready to wear and accessories that Balenciaga has to offer from the comfort of your home, as the label announces that their online e-commerce website be available from the 15th May.

"It is an extension and adaptation of the existing BALENCIAGA.COM site," a spokeman for the design house.

I can't wait

Street Style Put to the Test

If you really think you're style is worthy enough to mix it with the best of them, be sure to make your way down to Knightbridge's Brompton Road today, where mega-label DKNY jeans is planning a 'cool hunting' competition. Staff are looking for trendy, innovative members of the public who could give Kate Moss a run for her money in the 'cool' stakes. All the staff will be out with their camera phones looking to find stylish people to appear in a NYC-style collage in the store's window, which will be created by the talented fashion illustration students from our own London College of Fashion.

If that doesn't sound amazing enough, the chosen few will even recieve free DKNY Jeans and T-Shirt to go home with.

RESULT!!!!

Eye Candy

Can't wait to the spring/summer 09 collections? Me too, but even more so when I discovered on Vogue.com that Stella McCartney has just signed a deal with eyewear firm Luxottica for the design, production and distribution of Stella-branded sunglasses.

The highly anticipated collaboration will begin in January with the first collection becoming avaliable for the spring/summer 09 season. According to vogue, the contract has been signed for an initial six-year term, which then becomes automatically renewable for an additional five-year term.

This means that we have a long installment of eye candy to look forward to. What better way to look glam at the shows. I'll have mine. Will you?

Lily's New Do

I'm still undecided about the new blonde do' that Lilly Alen is sporting at the moment.

I'm norally such a Lily fan but wasn't wowed when I saw her new hair. But now after seeing these pictures I'm slightly convinced. Sporting a simple shirt dress and fun shades, Lily looked hapy for the first time in long time since her break-up with Ed Simmons of the Chemical Brothers and her miscarriage.

Looking good Lily

What does everyone else think of her new do'

Gweneth Paltrow- Vogue May

Gweneth Paltrow is the epitome of glamour shimmering, like the star she is, in a gorgeous silver dress for the magazine's 'Shimmer and Shine' issue

“I simplify everything,” Ms. Paltrow tells Vogue on juggling her kids, career and husband Chris Martin.
According to FWD, the 35-year-old actress is wearing a gold, tissue-lame, embroidered Pre-Fall 2008 dress by Oscar de la Renta and Robert Lee Morris cuffs.

Loving Gwen on the cover but is it only me or does she look a bit over airbrushed?

Dunn Does It

Recently in a magazine, new It model 17 year old Jourdan Dunn, boldy touches an issue that many are scared to talk about.

The article titles 'Why are the catwalks so white?' sees Dunn speak openly about the lack of black models on the runway. This comes at a time where recently, supermodel diva Naomi Campbell spoke out about the lack of opportunities for black models in the fashion industry. Many people in the industry have avoided the recent controversy choosing not to comment on it so this is a brave move for Dunn, who is still relatively new to the model world. But like many argue, it's about time someone made a stand and who better than the designers present favourite clothes horse.

Early this month black designers like Duro Oluwu openly spoke out about the hard time even black designers are given trying to break out in the industry, crediting the help of American Vogue for seeing the quality of his clothes rather than the colour of his skin. He goes on to say that it was the help of both American and British Vogue that helped prevent further prejudice in his career and made buyers stand up and take notice of his designs.

In a society governed by tolerance and acceptance, why is it that the fashion industry has followed suit? Is the industry really suffering from racisim.

Fashion designer and former editor of style magazine Super, Super Kesh argues that "Being black in the business people instantly class you as 'urban', whereas a white person will be classed as high fashion'.

Why is this?

When I looked into this for research for this blog, I suddenly realised that there isn't many black people in authoratitive figures in the industry. Naomi Campbell, American Vogue's Editor at Lage Andre Leon Tally and now Duro Oluwu. Is that all there is out of the thousands of fashion positions globally. If that is not evidence that something needs to change, I don't know what is.

The Water Effect

I was lost for words when I laid eyes on this pictures on Fashion Ivy, which is a rare occurence.

I love the way the photographer captures the light. The movement of the models is so elegant and striking. It reminds me of the opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film '2001:Space Odyssey where the satellites are in orbit with non digetic classical music, creating the idea that they were dancing in space.

It's funny because this type of shor has been attempted every season in both American and Britain's Next Top Model and none have managed to get quite like this.

What do you think?