London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2005

We just had to remind everyone that this week is going to be the London Fashion Week, held at Battersea Park in London. The fashion shows run from Feb 13 to 17. London collections are always worth noticing because of their individualness, and that they seem less commercialised than fellow American collections.

Also, London fashion weekend will be held from Feb 17 to 20. For those unfamiliar, London fashion weekend is an event during which you need to purchase a ticket (10-15 pounds) to enter, and you get to admire the sacred venue of the fashion week.
"This fantastic event is London’s ultimate designer shopping experience with over 100 London Fashion Week designers selling their collections at fantastically reduced prices......you can find high-end designer fashion at exceptional prices, enjoy a day of pampering..."

This year, being my first time being anywhere near a fashion week venue, means that I MUST attend London Fashion Weekend and have a look around. Hopefully, I will even find a few bargains, especially since I desperately need a bag.

New York Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrap-up II

So the "ready-to-wear" (as the fashionable likes to call it) Autumn/Winter 2005 fashion show has already ended in New York. Most of the RTW looked really wintery, black and dreary. And personally I'm not quite in the mood yet for fall and winter, esp when I haven't even been able to wear the colorful spring clothes we've been looking at for the last few months. But here are some of my favourite shows this week, mostly because they still have a hint of spring/summer in it or because they're simply timeless.

Our fellow Fashionista, Pinkmirage, was right. Luca Luca is indeed a brand of great potential and beautiful things. While the color of this dress has been toned down for the season, it still carries a hint of the floral pattern that is so trendy this spring. Even Anna Wintour was moved to come see this show after Luca Luca went to see her and showed her samples which she thought looked interesting.

The Matthew Williamson show was awesome as well. He too combined the flowing spirit of spring into his fall/winter collection with slightly toned down colors and a more autumn-y style. He obviously knows what he's about, no wonder Sienna Miller wants him to design her wedding dress.

I just can't help but LOVE the Nicole Miller show this season. Especially this dress, there's something sooo lovely about this empire waist dress, it reminds me of a modern version of a medieval princess dress.

This Sass & Bide outfit is incredibly stylish and cleverly combined, kind of like an autumn version of the nautica theme this season.

And one cannot help but love Oscar de la Renta's collection of expertly cut outfits of stlyish, elegant and timeless designs. The gorgeous green outfit above is an excellent example of this.

And last but certainly not least, is "Sweetface" by Jennifer Lopez, her new line will have higher prices and a more limited distribution then her current JLo line. The fashion show was split into the 3 stages of her life and featured a lot of fur (as seen above), jeans, jumpsuits, halter tops- all very JLo. And judging from the finale-a lot of whites. Overall it wasn't too spectacular a fashion show (and was even boo-ed by excited fashionista's outside the venue), but it was still quite a show and display of star power.

But alas, as I said before, its hard to get into the spirit of autumn and winter at the moment. . .perhaps in a few months time when we all get fed up with flip flops and shorts, and can't wait to wear boots again?

New York Autumn/Winter 2005 Wrap-up I

New York Fashion Week just ended last night with a long anticipated show by Jennifer Lopez's Sweetface. The New York shows were, well, just what you would expect from the New York shows. Although Barneys Girl and I didn't want to confuse fellow readers with what season we are in now, I can't possibly not tell you which shows were my favourite in New York! But I was very disappointed that a lot designers seemed to have treaded on familiar grounds, or even combining what had been in trend in the last few seasons to form this new season.

Favourite collections this season:
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Next season, the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection will be all the typical apperal you would expect from this line. The style is familiar and gives off a super fashionable young vibe. As usual, this collection is full of vibrant colors and Jacob's signature patchwork. The clothes were very eighties. Important features include black knee-high socks, ankle-high suade boots, full volume skirts and dresses.

Anna Sui

The Anna Sui collection was once again a delightful treat to one's eyes. The clothes came and went on the runway in a ordered, but colorful way, starting with brown and green, progressing to gold and orange, then to green and purple, and finally to black and white. Imporant features to look out for in this collection were the hats, the Anna signature prints & patterns, tweed (slightly different from last season's tweed,) and boho & ladylike twist.

Diesel

Diesel has presented its first runway show in NY, as part of its campaign to renew its brand image as a higher end brand. I thought the first half of the show was uninteresting, and basically said that you should be anorexic looking and midriff-baring to wear the renewed Diesel. However, the second half of the show was much more creative, involving clothes that you would not expect to see by Diesel, such as this outfit:

Valentine's Day What To Wear

Oh my gosh, Valentine's Day is almost here and you still don't know what to wear? Luckily, you have this weekend to buy your last minute outfit. We know its hard to pick what to wear on this oh-so-important day, so we thought we would give you a few ideas.

Date in daytime
Dressing flirty and casual is the theme here. We suggest matching a simple camisole with a shrug. Jeans are sexy enough without being overwhelming, such as Blue Cult jeans. The bag must be cute, and should not be the ones you usually go shopping in. (We suggest the Juicy Couture ones below.) Finally, a date at daytime is not the right time for heels! Flats are perfect. Remember to choose girly and feminie ones, and no sneakers! (unless you are your guy are both very sporty and bond because of that.)
from Urban Outfitters
from Guess
from Guess
Jeans by Blue Cult
Juicy Couture Heart-shaped Wristlet
Maloles ballet flats
Irregular Choice flats

Evening Date
The dresses we chose are for different dinners, depending on which restaurant you are going to and how formal you are required to dress. Wear dresses that are feminie, pretty, but NOT too revealing. You do not want to look like a slut, or too desperate. Match the dress with an elegant bag. We especially like the Kate Spade bag. You get more freedom with shoes, although heels are definately preferred, (unless you are already taller than you guy.) Choose from a sparkly, glamourous pair, to a simple, stylish pair.


D&G Dolce & Gabbana Lace-Trimmed Dress

Sue Wong Beaded Slipdress

Y-Yigal Matte Jersey Dress
by Kate Spade
from Miu Miu
from Miu Miu
from Chloe
Good luck finding the PERFECT outfit!

Glamour Magazine's Best-Dressed List 2005

Yes, we know that we are uncharacteristicly late to report this piece of fashion news, but this list is really worth posting, even if it is a few days late.



1 Kate Moss (1) - Need I say more? She is THE original boho chic. The stylish model has her own unique style that is so loved by the public that her just-worn outfits can be seen in many high street shops.

2 Sienna Miller (47) - Also named the most stylish couple of the year with Jude Law. But I do agree with general consensus of her copying Kate Moss's style.

3 Sarah Jessica Parker (2) - Ah well, it seems like the Sex & the City effect is starting to fade.

4 Victoria Beckham (3) - I have no idea how she even got on the list.

5 Jennifer Aniston (11)- Although without Brad now, she is still one well-dressed lady!

6 Nicole Kidman (10) - Our modern icon of elegance. Chanel No.5 anyone?

7 Gwen Stefani (8) - Funky, unique and L.A.M.B.

8 Gwyneth Paltrow (7) - The celeb who first dared to wear jeans on the red carpet. Blue Cult even has a cutting named after her.

9 Mary-Kate Olsen (new entry) - My FAV style inspiration. There is just no comparison to how skillful MK mix & matches all the clothing layers and accessories she wears. And it seems that a Starbucks takeaway is her favourite companion, well, second to Ashley of course.

10 Kirsten Dunst (9) - This girl has become a favourite to style magazines in the past year for her funky, vintage style.

... ...

17 Madonna (45) - Glamour mag must have put her on the list to applaud her ability to sometimes use her outfits to skillfully hide her manly arms.

24 Sarah Michelle Gellar (17) - One of Barneys Girl's favourite actress.

25 Mischa Barton (new entry) - One of our favourite, well-dressed young stars.

28 Keira Knightley (5) - She is so beautiful and model-like that she will probably look good in a potato sack. Although this statement can also be applied to a few stars here, such as Mischa.

And we just couldn't resist listing the worst dressed celebs:

1 Jordan, 2 Jodie Marsh, 3 Paris Hilton, 4 Britney Spears, 5 Christina Aguilera

We mostly agree with this list. Although there is no denying that Paris Hilton's style has improved a lot recently and probably doesn't deserve to be on the worst-dressed list.

The Shirt Dress

Having done a lot of online-window-shopping lately, I have come to the conclusion that shirt dresses are quite the thing this spring. And they're quite versatile too if you think about it. You can wear it on its own, as a long jacket, with a belt, over jeans. . .the possibilities are endless. Here are some of the features this season:

By Paul Smith. The blue floral prints are just gorgeous.

By Ben Sherman. With such a very versatile color, this can take you all the way til fall.





By Diesel. Gotta love this retro totally-diesel version of the shirt dress.





From Urban Outfitters. This too is in floral prints, and is oh-so-cute!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

There's only one week until Valentine's Day, and if you know your boyfriend hasn't gotten you a gift yet, or if you have no idea what to get your girlfriend, then here are some fantastic tips to what a girl (or basically, any normal human) wants/ do not want: (Remember to direct your partner to this site, or drop LOTS of hints about these tips.)

1. Contrary to what department store websites such as Nordstrom.com tells you, your partner would NOT appreciate receiving boring and unromantic things such as slippers or even clothes. Besides, how pissed off would your partner get if you get her/him the wrong size or style?
2. DO get something that is more romantic than just a piece of chocolate, no matter how branded the chocolate is, (btw Barneys Girl and I only ever give Godiva chocolates to anyone for all occasions.) Plain chocolate will not make a girl's heart melt, especially in this diet-obsessed society.
3. Real flowers are great. Really. But girls will definitely appreciate something more permanent, on top of those beautiful flowers and chocolate.
4. If your partner is very intelligent and enjoys literature more than anything else, then by all means, get him/her a book (or anything equally genius-like). But do remember to write a sweet message at the front, and maybe even add a heart-covered bookmark to the gift.

Here are some wonderful items that we would LOVE to receive from our partners:

Prada Rose Trick Charm $138 at most Prada shops. The most chic and prettiest of all charms. No fashionable girls can help but love Prada charms, and the rose is perfect for Valentine's, (besides, the rose charm won't die after a week like real roses do.)

Prada perfums $95 at major perfume counters. The most romantic perfume scent, not to mention it comes in an irresistibly classical perfume bottle of the year.

A flower $49.50 at Swarovski crystals. Another specimen of flower I have fallen in love with.

Roberto Coin Gold Heart Necklace $800 at Neiman Marcus. Classy, yet not too traditional looking. Perfect for the trendy twenty to thirty something girls.

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask $75 at SK-II counters. "A reviving, relaxing full facial treatment which literally drenches your skin in Pitera, and gives you an immediate youthful glow. The Facial Treatment Mask boosts radiance and moisture levels..." Suitable for all skin types. Busy and stressed out girls really appreciate this treatment mask - I know I do.

Tiffany & Co Art Deco Style Cocktail Watch $38500 at Tiffany & Co stores worldwide.

"Darling, this is THE most thoughtful and romantic gift I have EVER received in my life! I love you too!" (He must really love me! I will definitely be admiring and loving this watch more than I will ever think about you. Who was that idiot who sang My Love Don't Cost A Thing anyways?)