Naturally Fashion: June 2011

Sunday, 19 June 2011

Naturally Spain

I have never been to Spain - never met anyone who comes from there (until earlier this afternoon). So it would be an understatement to say that I was a little surprised when I was kissed on both cheeks by a Spanish journalist today.

But it got me thinking... I've never heard of a Spanish fashion designer. Following this concern, I researched Spanish fashion and actually came across some very interesting designers.

The first is Amaya Arzuaga, one of the leading Spanish fashion designers. She was born in Lerma (Burgos), in 1970 and finished studying Fashion Design in 1992. In 1994 she opened her own firm after working at her parents' enterprise, Elipse, for two years. She now has more than 200 boutiques in Spain.

Left, right and above are some of her designs which I found the most interesting. As you can see, most of the colours are neutral, white, black or red which I like about the designs.

Another Spanish designer is (thank you to Wikipedia for this) 'Doña Ágatha Ruíz de la Prada y Sentmenat, 12th Marquise of Castelldosrius, Grandee of Spain and baroness of Santa Pau (born 22 June 1960), a Spanish fashion designer who is one of her country's best-known personalities in the clothing industry.'

Her designs feature a fun, flirty array of motifs of moons, stars, suns and hearts, which are also transferred to her designs for furniture, carpets, crockery, lamps, pens, pencils, lip balms, scents, sleeves, towels or bed linen as well as clothes for women, children and men.

Find her official website at www.agatharuizdelaprada.com

And finally Cristóbal Balenciaga - a Spanish Basque fashion designer and the founder of the Balenciaga fashion house. 'In 1951, he totally transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1957.

Photo © wikifashion.com

1956 Black Cocktail Dress

Eventually, in 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. His often spare, sculptural creations were considered masterworks of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s.'

And... it turns out, there was one Spanish designer I did know about. Those of you that have watched 'The Devil Wears Prada' will know what I'm talking about!

I never really knew about these designers, but they have really inspired me and I think their designs are amazing. Let's share our knowledge with the rest of the world...

Naturally Lace

Lace Dress, Photo © H&M

Dusky Purple, Photo © H&M

Two keywords this season are 'white' and 'lace'. Personally, this delighted me because not only is white one of the colours I wear most, but lace also gives me an excuse to dress up girly.

So to make this short and sweet, here are some of my favourite clothes which you will be seeing me wearing a lot:

First, and probably my most favourite is the H&M 'Lace dress with a seam around the waist and a gently flared skirt.' It is available in two colours but I prefer the Natural White (find it at www.hm.com).

Photo © office.co.uk

Photo © foldingbike.org.uk

It would look great dressed up or down, but if you're not the girly type then try and combine it with some rough combat boots, a pair of boyfriend-style shoes or the all-favourite 'All Star.'

If you don't want to go for the full-on lace detail then try the Miss Selfridge 'White Lace V Bodysuit.'

Photo © missselfridge.com

Or if you just want to accessorise your favourite outfit with some up to date lace then try the Miss Selfridge 'White Lace Scarf.' Both are available at www.missselfridge.com

Perhaps a pair of great wedges are the thing for you. I especially like Miss Selfridge's 'Black Weave Lace Up Wedge.' I love this shoe because it would look great with jeans or a dress, and because it's also a wedge it is all-so summer-y.

Photo © missselfridge.com

There are so many ways that you can wear this season's favourite fashion, so don't waste the opportunity to make it fit your style.

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Naturally Posen

Zac Posen

OhMyGod! I am in love. The last time that my head was spinning out of control like this with pleasure and excitement was when I allowed myself a bar of Cadbury's after starving myself from chocolate for an entire week (yeah... I know, right - a whole WEEK).

Dress in Polka-Dot Print, Braided Belt in Blue/Pink

However, the object of my affection this time is not chocolate. I have discovered the Zac Posen collection for Target. And oh boy, let me tell you it is amazing.

Zac Posen is an American fashion designer who was born 24 October 1980. His interest in fashion started early and he designed and made ball dresses for dolls. However, his big breakthrough came in 2000 when he designed a dress for Naomi Campbell.

Floral Mini with Side Bow

In April 2008 his collection was launched in 75 stores across Australia. It is now widely available and also online.

The collection consists mostly of dresses, and some of my favourites include a sleeveless floral mini with a massive side bow (below, right), a well-cut purple polka-dot number with thick seams, and a tuxedo bodysuit and skirt in black (below, left).

Tuxedo Jacket in Black, Pleated-Sleeve Top in White

But one thing I do have to mention that has inspired me the most in this collection is the use of socks and heels when wearing with a dress... absolute genius (and so cute)!

Tuxedo

Zac Posen's designs are beautiful, so let's make the most of it...


Raincoat in Yellow, Ruched Skirt in Black

*All photos taken from fashionista.com

Sunday, 12 June 2011

Naturally Burberry

Photo © Gucci

As I watch the British weather changing day in day out, first rain, then sun and a bit of hail to follow, (still can't believe they had snow in Wales, yes SNOW and in June) I wonder... has there ever been a designer to master the art of dressing the modern, fashionable woman without the weather getting in the way? I mean... really?

There have been thousands who have tried, yes. Think back to Gucci at the London Autumn/Winter fashion show of 2010! The designer label brought the evening trousers back.. and hooray that it did. But is it really worth buying the perfect fit for the perfect night out when, in the end, it's going to be dragged through a puddle in downtown London?

Photo © Chloé

Or what about Chloé's collection for Paris' Spring/Summer catwalk earlier this year? Sure... the long, flowing skirts in camel and the draped dancer's dresses were amazing creations but can you image wearing them out shopping with the wind coming from all directions? They would be blowing all over the place. And with the inspiration obviously coming from ballet, I'm not sure this makes practical outer wear.

However, there is one label that has achieved elegance and practicality at the same time. Burberry, the 155-year-old luxury retailer and perhaps most well known for their collection of classic trench coats, has inspired us all again.

Photo © Burberry

Not only, this year, have they successfully released a new range of coats, but they are also the perfect style for the festival season. My favourites include:

'Double Breasted Cotton Trench Coat' (left) with the price starting at £450.00 and available in the colours black and dark trench.

Another favourite from the Burberry collection is the 'Zip Front Metallic Finish Parka' (right). The price starts at £495.00.

The 'Short Cotton Rain Coat' (below right) in the colours black and trench is another one of my favourites. The cinched in waist makes it a stylish, feminine piece and if the price wasn't a whopping £595.00 then I would probably own both colours.

Kate Moss at Glastonbury

In order to achieve the festival look, think Kate Moss or Alexa Chung style - trench coat, shorts and some Hunters (try the red one's for a bold statement) and you're ready to go.

For some cheaper alternatives (not everyone can fork out on a £500 coat - trust me, I know the feeling) try: topshop trench coats (www.topshop.com). I like the 'Stone Faux Leather Arm Belted Trench Coat, which with it's leather-style arms makes a great change to the classic trench.

And since it's just started raining again I think we are going to have to get a classic trench coat in time for the bad weather. When we have no other choice... let's at least fight the rain in style!

Saturday, 11 June 2011

Naturally Bold

As summer is edging closer, wardrobes are beginning to brighten and the bold colours are slowly relieving the overcast of the dark, dreary colours we have become so well acquainted with during the cold season. Never having been one to prefer bold colours, the change I saw on this spring/summer catwalk was not really a promising sight for me.

Rimmel London - Coralicious

People that are close to me can probably confirm that the key colours in my wardrobe are white, beige and grey. When I was 9, I remember my friends were prancing around in pretty pinks and sunny yellows while I refused to wear anything but black.

So if you, like me, are one of those people who can't become accustomed to the big change that comes over us every year, then here are some of my favourite clothes and accessories that I like to add to my summer wardrobe but still stay true to my style:

One of my favourites, which I will use a lot this season is the Rimmel London nail polish in the shade 430 'Coralicious'. Not only is this nail polish a great colour, but it can also be worn day and night.

Another, recently found, favourite of mine are the satchels at The Cambridge Satchel Company (you can find them at www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk). This company has taken every woman's classic wardrobe staple and transformed it to suit this season's funky style.

Photo © Zara

Not to disappoint, I have also found some great clothing choices. At Zara there are a great selection of dresses and I prefer the 'Back Neckline Dress' which is a bold shade of coral/orange, but when accessorised with neutral colours can make a stunning ensemble.

(find it at www.zara.com )

Another website which I found in the June edition of ELLE is jonesandjonesfashion.com. This website specialises in edgy, feminine clothing and has an amazing range of beautiful, fitted dresses to suit any shape or taste.

My favourites are the 'Jones & Jones Michelle Dress' and the 'Jones & Jones Liberty Print Lauren Dress'.

So what are you waiting for? Finding the perfect look for you has never been this easy...