British fashion designer Matthew Williamson has released the news that he will be showing his Spring/Summer 2012 collection at London’s famous Tate Modern Gallery within the Turbine Hall. Located on London’s South Bank, the Tate Modern has never been used previously as part of London Fashion Week, and the designer is creating history and speculation by showing his latest collection at the location.
One of the UKs most well-known and celebrated designers, Matthew Williamson is renowned for his creative, often Eastern inspired, collections. With a following and friendship base of A-listers and supermodels, stores in both London and America, plus a signature fragrance, the Manchester born designer is proving a successful player in the world of fashion.
Williamson takes an artistic and creative approach to stage his shows, creating a dramatic look that the designer feels will capture the spirit of his latest collection. His Spring/Summer 2011 collection featured a white tent constructed within the industrial surrounds of Battersea Power Station. The show was a huge success and his collection of safari blouses, cargo pants and figure-hugging dresses had a big influence on the season’s key styles.
There is much excitement for what will be done at the Tate Modern’s first London Fashion Week show. Both the setting and collection hint that it will showcase Williamson’s most artistic creations to date, with an appeal already verbalised to show intricately detailed pieces set against a stark backdrop.
Dolce & Gabbana, a favourite designer in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, has several new men’s designs that are well worth taking a look at. Ranging from innovative shirts and trousers to jackets and coats, even the most fashion conscious man will be able to easily find clothing items that will appeal to him.
Some of the latest shirt styles include long-sleeved and button-down shirts with a neat, tailored look. If you are looking for something more casual, try one of the line’s black-and-white portrait T-shirts. There are also several types of trousers to choose from, including jeans with various washes and cuts. You can also buy trousers that are suitable for both dress and casual use, making them a doubly valuable addition to your wardrobe.
Dolce & Gabbana is well known as a good source for suits and various types of tailored jackets. The new season’s suits feature a very professional, tailored look. Since they have a tailored look, they are very appropriate for any formal occasion and you can easily find the accessories that you need to go with any of this designer’s suits. Formal blazers also continue to be a focus of the new collection.
Several jackets are offered this season as well; these include mid-length casual jackets and down jackets suitable for the coldest weather. These jackets will help keep you warm during the winter months, while still looking stylish. If you ski or spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, you will find these jackets to be more than satisfactory on every level.
A look back at the spring collections from 2011, combined with a careful analysis of the clothing currently on sale at major retailers, reveals some surprising elements men can expect to see when 2012 fashions are revealed at runway shows across the world.
Dark shades of unusual colours appear likely to take centre stage in the collections of several designers, with an emphasis on mustard, orange, and green. These colours were last seen in the autumn/winter 2011 collection from Bottega Veneta. This new emphasis on colour also means that where white appears, it is likely to be a tinted shade such as bone or off-white, as seen last year from Dries Van Noten.
Silhouettes are likely to incorporate flowing and even free-form shapes, as designers create clothes that are both wider and longer, instead of closely fitted garments. This will be particularly evident in trouser styles, which for years have narrowed down to a “skinny” look reminiscent of the 1960s. That trend is now reversing and designers are beginning to craft wider trousers, both in suits and to be worn as separates.
Expect to see a mixture of textures making up these silhouettes, as designers combine formal luxury fabrics with informal casual elements and accessories for a “just thrown together” look. Contrary to its appearance, it is actually carefully crafted. Look to the Hermes Autumn/Winter 2011 collection for examples of this style.
Perry Ellis was an American menswear designer responsible for reinvigorating the sportswear market in the United States and Europe. Considered instrumental in elevating the reputation of casual clothing to designer levels, Ellis earned a master’s degree in retailing from New York University, then worked for John Meyer, a sportswear company in New York. By 1978, he had launched Perry Ellis International, serving as both chairman and head designer.
His menswear line, marketed as the Perry Ellis Menswear Collection, was instantly successful and focused on ‘non-traditional, modern classics’. By 1986, the company had wholesale revenues in excess of $250 million. When Ellis died in 1986, industry insiders questioned the future of the company without his leadership.
Those fears have proven unfounded. Today, almost 30 years after his death, the Perry Ellis line earns more than a billion dollars each year in retail revenue, with garments distributed in more than 50 nations around the world. The line has 36 licensees, in addition to its own 12 international Perry Ellis brand stores.
The brand’s design aesthetic continues to be inspired by beachwear and the American culture, with today’s designers striving to keep each garment looking both masculine and modern. Other important considerations are that pieces appear timeless and sophisticated, yet remain unpretentious. Ellis once claimed, “I don’t make fashion. I make clothes,” and the company he founded has continued to use this philosophy as its guiding principle.
Well I think we have seen the last of summer weather wise, in the past couple of days the temperature has started drop and its defiantly feeling cooler, I have had to pop a hoodie on a couple of times. So now might be the best time to invest in a new autumn/winter coat or jacket.
There are numerous different women’s clothes trends this season, you have Androgyny, Heritage, seventies looks and forties looks to contend with so there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to find the perfect coats and jackets this season.
There hardest part is choosing which style suits you, not everyone can pull off the overly heavy masculine androgyny trend, which features a lot of masculine tailoring, with minimal lines and formal jackets and coats.
The same can also be said about the resurgence of maxi coats, shorter people may struggle not to look drowned by maxi coats; however this won’t be a problem for taller people.
If you want to emphasize your curves look for fitted coats and jackets, nipped in at the waist with a belt or with feminine detailing.
For easy wear you could also opt for a blanket coat, or poncho, or a cape great for a minimal look to pop on over a vest top or tee, and worn with skinny jeans and boots.
One of the biggest fashions of the year so far has been colour blocking, and glimpses of autumn/winter catwalk shows suggest that the trend is here to stay for a while yet. Whether it takes the form of top to toe rich jewel tones or an assortment of contrasting bright neon shades, colour blocking makes a bold and exciting statement and is sure to draw attention.
For the more daring, an outfit made up completely of contrasting bright colours can be very dramatic. Colours that work well together include blue and orange, pink and purple and blue and red. For this style to work best, however, it is important to take the plunge with the brightest colours possible – opting for lighter shades will not have the same impact. For an easy option there are plenty of dresses and tops in the shops at the moment that feature brightly coloured stripes, and these are a great way to follow this trend with little effort.
If you are not brave enough to dress from head to toe in clashing bright hues, there are still plenty of ways you can channel the colour blocking trend. Team a dazzling pair of trousers or skirt with a neutral top, or stick to just one colour such as emerald green, bright red or vibrant pink. Accessories are also a perfect way to add a little colour to your look, and neutral outfits can be livened up with a brightly coloured bag, shoes or jewellery to create a very on-trend look.
You get a great mixture with preppy, it’s good for those guys who like a slightly unusual look but parts of preppy can work well for less fashion forward men, who like smarter attire. It takes a step up from the college trend championed by brands such as Franklin & Marshall, Soul Cal and Jack Wills and adds an air of sophistication to it. Think Ivy League College looks mixed with a bit of the Upper East Side style.
Make sure you stock up on colourful sweaters, jackets, shirts and polo shirts that you can mix and match. These look great with denim 883 Police jeans and will see you right through till the spring. Blazers with emblems were also seen on the catwalks, you can rock these with coloured trousers, straight leg with a turn up at the bottom.
Adding to the colours this autumn/winter are patterns, check is popular as is a tweed look, and these will ensure you stand out from the crowd. Plus designers such as Etro and Vivienne Westwood are also still championing the drop crop trouser, which seems to be the next go to style, since skinny jeans have been losing their appeal recently.
My mum always says that today’s fashion is just a rehash of decades past, a lot of time I have to disagree with her, however for autumn/winter 2011/12 I can’t, because the fashionable seventies are back baby!
The era that first brought ups the flare, palazzo pants, maxi dresses, playsuits and jumpsuits is in the full fashion throws this season. Decadent style of the era and plenty of colour around make this season one of the most interesting I think we have seen for a while. I could be quite biased however because I have always had a thing for all things seventies!
With this trend it can be quite hard to know where to start, highstreet shops are awash with women’s clothing in seventies styling, so it can be quite hard to know what to go for first.
If you have maxi dresses from summer, don’t pack them away you will be able to get use out of them for autumn/winter too. They look great layered with a blouse or a cute jumper or cardigan, adding a layer of warmth when it gets cooler. The same applies to your playsuits and jump suits and a pair of tights and a jacket can help you make an easy transition.
What you need to stock up on are wide legged trousers (palazzo pants) and flared jeans, which you can get low slung or high waisted depending on your body type. Other useful additions include pussy bow blouses and sheer tops. Accessory wise, you want to opt for chunky heels, wedges and platforms and oversized clutch bags. Floppy hats and sheers scarves are also great accessories that will complete your look and make sure you opt for plenty of jewellery, including dangly earing’s and rows of beads.
We saw it appear on the legs of Rihanna and Zoe Kravitz last season and we see it on schoolgirl kilts every day: the ‘ole knee high and ankle socks paired up with heels, and even open shoes. The verdict may still be out on this trend’s wearability, but runways have confirmed; this past trend may be around for just a bit longer. Runways somehow seem to make this once fashion faux pas a fashion faux. So if you want to layer your best heels over your ankle socks, go right ahead.
Wearing this look can instantly update a shoe, even an older one. There does seem to be rules on how to wear this trend properly, however, without looking like a laughingstock. Take note.
Opt for iridescent ankle socks to add a bit of fun and style to basic heels. Your socks will act like an accessory, especially when combined with nude or ivory heels. Dress up your open toes and let your sandals take you into autumn with short ankle socks combined with bare legs. This look goes great with coloured sandals in the evening. Also spotted on the runway: thick chunky and even army socks paired up with simple styled sandals. There is margin for error here, so take a close look in the mirror first. You can also continue to wear knee high socks to help balance out platforms, laceups, and the ever so popular wedge heel this autumn.
As designers play around with conventional fashion ideas to create new looks, fashion lovers will notice more male-inspired designs for this autumn. Loose fitting, masculine type outfits such as felt suits and trousers with white shirts will be dominating the fashion scene. Other things to look for include pinstripes, coats, riding jackets and tuxedos.
How to Bring out Femininity
Since these pieces are deliberately cut to be rigid and big, they carry a very masculine look and feel to them, especially when on a small frame. For this reason designers like Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana have added sequins and embroidery for women who need that feminine touch. Aside from this women can use accessories to bring out their softer side.
Heels, silk scarves, purses, brightly coloured lipstick and jewellery can also give a feminine touch. Women can pair regular sexy, close fitting tops with trousers or wear deep V neck tops, these also make great inside blouses for suits. Some outfits by Michael Kors use this idea along with shiny trousers to soften or complement the look. Based on runway presentations, women can also pair close fitting pants or leggings with baggy shirts and jackets.
Wearing the Look Without the Designer Price
Hats, suspenders, handkerchiefs and belts are all great ways of turning existing outfits into the season’s latest fashion. Also a regular men’s suit or pants that fit well matched with the right accessories can be used to achieve many of the looks debuted in the runway. Another alternative is to go for a regular pair of leggings, white male shirt and an overcoat.