Tuesday 29 September 2015

Collection: Givenchy SS16 (womanswear)

A fully monochromatic runway show with complete refusal of even a pigment of colour can easily look underdone or a little plain or just simply too monotonous. It can feel boring and dull with not even an ounce of colour to brighten the collection. But not Givenchy's SS16 runway show. If anyone could pull it off, it would be Givenchy. And creative director Riccardo Tisci definitely made sure of that one.
Whilst prints took the form of beautiful lace and stunning embellishments, and white, silver, grey and black appeared to be the continuing favoured tones, it became apparent that a bride and groom were the sole inspiration for Tisci's work this season.



Straight through the seventies timehop, Gucci ensures us that the bardot top is securely here to stay as models strutted the run way in bandeau styles finished with gathering, enhancing the hourglass feminine silhouette from the shoulders.


Thick, cross over straps make the crop top all the more interesting, whilst the silky satin sash which appears to shape the garment emphasizes the femininity of a bride on her wedding day. Doubled with a knee length tube skirt, again the feminine figure is punctuated, although this time by the cinched in waist which is created.




Effortlessly chic and sophisticated, black and white garments were often paired together, the divergent tones creating drama due to their strong contrast. Trims of lace create delicate hems and edges, stealing the attention from otherwise plain attires, preventing the looks from appearing too monotonous.





The most glamorous of the collection appeared in beautifully embellished gowns. From ombre 20s' style feathers and fringing to classy dramatic and oversized fur, the models appeared to have stepped right out of Holywood and onto the runway. Sophisticated, slender shapes allow the flamboyant enhancements to take centre stage, dramatising the embellishments.

Tuesday 8 September 2015

AW15 Trend: Red

Wine, traffic light, scarlet, blush, merlot, ruby, mahogany. Welcome the colour of the season into your wardrobe and make a style statement for AW15. From delicate prints at Dolce & Gabbana to colour block at Balmain, designers were using the varied complexions to enhance their collections for this Autumn, adding strong bursts of colour to their work. Dare to clash textures like Christopher Kane or strengthen the boldness with a jet of black like Balmain. Alternatively, soften the audacious shade with white in the style of Antonio Berardi, or follow the ways of Dolce & Gabbana by using the complexion to highlight intricate details of a print.


L-R:  Christopher Kane, Erdem, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Antonio Berardi

Shop the Trend


Culotte Jumpsuit - Boohoo
Burgundy Long Sleeve Top - New Look
Berry Spacedye Batwing Jumper - Boohoo
Laser Cut Out Top - Topshop
Bag - Topshop
Burgundy Midi Skirt - Missguided
Off the Shoulder Peplum Dress - Boohoo
Oasis Ankle Boots - ASOS

As echoed from the catwalk, the colour red has hit this Autumn Winters' shop shelves hard, exploding into an array of different shades and complexions. Opt for a brighter crimson for a louder affair, choose a burgundy or berry for a sophisticated style, or why not clash the two together for a confident chic aura? Although, yes, the option with the highstreet trend is there to dress the colour up in a peplum dress or midi skirt or to dress it down in a casual tee or jumper, but where are all the great red floral prints and the blooming geometrical sixties shapes which are also set to hit this seasons shelves? They just aren't there. Maybe more will appear as the season progresses, but this top colour trend could be all the more a little exciting on the highstreet if it were mixed and matched with other AW15 trends as it has all the potential to do so.

What do you think about the red trend?