Finding that perfect Christmas party dress has almost become a modern-day guaranteed nightmare for most of us - there is the question of what colour, shape, length dress to wear, and the dreaded risk that someone may have the same show-stopper as you. For both Fall and Spring, designers have made an easy option for us, the new, little black playsuit. Glamorous with a twist, the LBP comes in many shapes and varieties, making it easy to find a shape to suit. Our favourite is the velvet one-shouldered Topshop version with a Lanvin-esque bow, ticking three trend boxes being velvet, one shouldered and an all-in-one. If you're not feeling brave enough to flash those pins, longer length playsuits are equally as elegant, as demonstrated by actress Jessica Stroup.
It goes without saying that there isn't an investment buy like a classic coat, especially one that will last you not only AW09, SS10, but years to come too. Without a doubt, the camel coat fits the description. If camel isn't your colour, stick to neutrals for a classic investment piece, and pick a shape to suit. This season there's been a fair share of the new cocoon shape, but we'll be going with the timeless trench - and how could we not after seeing so many global trench styles on the new Burberry Art of the Trench website?
The latest style to invade our wardrobes this season is the menswear trend. From boyfriend blazers and tailored suits, to classic shirts and brogues, it is all about the boy. The easy glamour takes it cue from the laid back style of mens fashion. Chloe's creative director, Hannah MacGibbon says ''the focus is on an effortless and uninhibited attitude with luxurious fabrics borrowed from men's wardrobes.'' Stella McCartney is also known for her love of masculine tailoring, with classic cut blazers and elegant suits being her signature styles. She says ''I like to play on the masculine and feminine and try to find ways to modernise it.''
Versace is a brand which is known for it's uber glamourous ready-to-wear designs and has gained a strong following for its show-stopping, eye-catching and sometimes over the top 'recession-proof' evening gowns. So imagine our surprise when we heard that the label will be axing around 350 jobs, which make up approximately 26 percent of its worldwide workforce, in addition to closing down any underperforming stores such as stores in Japan. Drastic, huh? Well it seems that the current economic climate is to blame for these far-reaching changes, which is said to be having adverse effects on the luxury goods industry as a whole, to the extent that the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Chloe and Givenchy have lowered their prices in a bid to lure shoppers back into their stores.
Karlie Kloss is definitely proving her model credentials this season. With a rate of appearances so high in the September and October issues of Vogue worldwide as well as the long list of campaigns she stars in currently, it is questionable as to how long it will be before the 17-year old beauty reaches supermodel status. Appearing in over 23 images in the October issue of American Vogue - including a spread styled by the one and only Grace Coddington - and having landed the front cover of the October issues for both Vogue Italia and Vogue Portugal, Kloss' youthful beauty has taken her a long way since being discovered at a charity catwalk show aged 13, which lead to being signed to Elite Model Management in 2007. Add to the mix ad campaigns for industry giants such as Alexander McQueen, Chloé, Marc Jacobs and Pringle, as well as a spread in Vogue Italia's September issue, and it is without doubt that Kloss is on the top of her game. Naomi, Kate and co, watch out - there's a new girl in town, and she's here for the long run.
Seen on the Spring/Summer catwalks of DKNY, Chloe and Graeme Black this trend is one to serve you well throughout the year. A smarter alternative to jeans or leggings this look can be teamed with sandals, boots or brogues. These London trendsetter's all work the look in their own individual way, whether its quirky coloured socks or smartened up with a blazer.
Fashion and beauty go hand in hand, so it comes as no surprise that we're eager to know what we'll be wearing on our face next season, let alone our bodies. Besides the usual summer beauty trend- beach hair and tanned limbs- we've got the run down of all the newest looks to emerge from the SS10 runways. The only question is, which one will you be wearing come spring time?
Just as all the chaos and madness from the various fashion weeks begins to die down and editors and buyers begin to breathe again, designers unfortunately are not quite so lucky as they must begin to decide on who will star in the ad campaigns.
John Galliano at Dior was the first to reveal who his 'chosen one' will be for Dior's forthcoming ad campaign. Having opted out of the 'ad campaign festivities' last season, Galliano confirmed that this season, Karlie Kloss, who walked in pretty much every major show this season including Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano to name but a few, will be his girl du jour. Karl Lagerfeld also confirmed his choices for the Chanel ad campaign, and not one to do things by halves, has decided to keep his trio theme as seen on the Chanel runway earlier this month. He has chosen Freja Beha Erichsen, muse-of-the-moment Baptiste Giabiconi and supermodel Claudia Schiffer to front the campaign, which is to be shot in Buenos Aires. With rumours that Nick Knight and Raquel Zimmermann will also be collaborating on the campaign, the fashion houses can expect stiff competition from one another and we can expect to be blown away.
D&G SS10 took us all the way back to the wild wild west, minus the barns and straw seen at Chanel. Denim ruled the runway in the form of shirts, playsuits, dresses and raras, all showing that mixing it up is never a bad thing. Fringing and ruffles also added to the theme with tan accessories finishing off the look. With denim making an appearance at Chloe and Marc by Marc Jacobs, it is safe to say the rage is not dying down, and how grateful we are.
Dolce and Gabbana told Vogue they took inspiration from ''young British women and their instinctive ability to mix and match denim, streetwear and formal wear with a typical blasé attitude.'' We found exactly that at London Fashion Week. This girl teamed a denim playsuit with black tights, taking the look through the winter weather. The patterned head scarf and gold tipped boots add the perfect quirky edge we just can't get enough of.
