The A/W12 collections are officially lining shop floors so you know what that means. Now is the best time to start picking up those pieces that you've been lusting over for the past six months after the shows before they all disappear (coats especially). As you would expect, my shopping list is large. The winter collections are always my favourite and tend to have the best pieces and this pair of dungarees from Topshop is at the top of my list.
In the past I've made a point about staying away from dungarees. The denim styles don't seem to go away (thanks Alexa Chung) and while they may look nice at the front, they're far from flattering at the back making me committed to the idea that they're a style best kept in childhood photos. As you can see, though, the Unqiue style are definitely worth embracing. First up, they're not denim so avoids the whole long bum thing that denim tends to give. The dark velvet will work (and look) brilliant in winter and if you're still not convinced, the easiness of them should persuade you. I mean, all you need to do is pick a shirt to go underneath and you're good to go. What else do you need?
The dungarees are on sale now in Topshop stores and online priced at £175.
Alongside all of the embellishment and prints this season thanks to Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs, black leather had quite the comeback. I know what you're thinking: when did it ever go away but if you cast your mind back to this time last year you'll remember that block colour was still having a moment but black leather is officially back on the agenda this season.
This season was just a lot darker on the whole. Riccardo Tisci, who is undoubtedly the king of all things darkly romantic, was one of its biggest protagonists teaming his equestrian themed collection with those heel-hidden boots that everyone's rightfully raving about right now. Gareth Pugh is someone that always plays with leather and this season it came on more wearable asymmetric jackets with oversized lapels and at Gucci, Frida Giannini incorporated it on outerwear too but on cropped bell shapes instead.
As with everything, this is a trend that you can embrace with varying degrees. If you're not afraid of going full hog, invest in a coat like the ones at Versace or do like Kate Moss and buy a long sleeved bod con dress but beware. If you're going to go that way make sure to invest in quality pieces as they can quickly start to look cheap. For those of you that aren't so bold, opt for a shirt with a leather collar or follow Kanye West and Kate Moss by bagging a pair of leather trousers. That's one piece that you can count on season after season.
Topshop are a busy bunch. Fresh off the announcement of their make-up partnership with Louise Gray and bridal line with Richard Nicoll, yesterday the high street retailer confirmed that they are working with JW Anderson on a capsule collection.
The collection, which is set to drop in September, features everything from denim to outerwear to memory sticks, photography books and pencils. 'I am very excited to collaborate with Topshop. It gives me the opportunity to reach a much wider audience with my designs,' Anderson said in a statement. 'It has always been very important to me that my collections are made accessible to anyone interested in fashion and design.'
Clothes-wise, the collection is said to offer the 'best of all his design ideas to date, a sort of must have wardrobe of covetable pieces,' the press release reads. How the stationary and books work into that isn't clear.
The high street have been the subject of a lot of criticism over the years, especially in so far as waste is concerned with their fast turnovers. Topshop has decided to do something about it by collaborating with Reclaim to Wear on an eco-friendly capsule collection.
The line, which drops on June 15, sees the high street giant make good use of their production cut-offs, discarded material and surplus stock by up-cycling them to create a range of summer must-haves. The eight-piece collection ombré denim and simple colour blocked dresses that will be perfect in the warmer months.
'We are very excited about the launch of the first Topshop Reclaim To Wear range,' Emma Wisden, Topshop's buying director, said in a statement. 'The blueprint that Orsola and Filippo have developed with us will hopefully allow Topshop to scale this project and apply the learning across a broader section of the supply chain, for the next collection.' While the pieces aren't the most exciting thing the store has released recently, the idea definitely makes sense and hopefully the launch will encourage other retailers to follow suit.
Topshop have been really busy. Last week they confirmed that they have partnered up with Louise Gray an a capsule collection and make-up range and recently they announced that they are teaming up with Richard Nicoll on a bridal collection. Buying your wedding dress from Topshop might seem strange on first thought but considering that the prices are accessible, it's undoubtedly going to do well and today, the first images of the collection dropped.
The range, which is priced from £75 to £350, features everything from simple slip dresses to a lace-bodiced gown. Unlike everything else in store though, these pieces will be limited edition with only 50 being produced in each colour way, which will go a long way in avoiding having just about everyone else having the same wedding dress as you.
Some time ago reports started to emerge about Louise Gray partnering with Topshop on a make-up collection and yesterday it was confirmed. Gray has partnered with the retailer on a range of make-up pieces that will hit stores in August.
According to Diary, the range features everything from from 'glitter pots to fluoro eye colours' in a similar vein to her clothes. 'My idea behind the collaboration was to design for the Topshop girl a range that was fun, similar to both the fashion and make up I wear already,' she explained. 'My mainline collections have always been about pushing optimism, colour and fun. I want her to experiment with the product, be daring and have fun with it.'
H&M has been on a roll recently, especially with the launch of their red carpet worthy pieces and last year Topshop forayed into dressing celebrities for the red carpet too. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jessica Szohr have sported the brand's red carpet looks in the past and on Monday both Dree Heningway and Jamie King wore Topshop to the Met Gala.
‘We feel incredibly honoured to have had the opportunity to dress these two amazing girls with such differing style,’ Emma Farrow, Topshop's Head of Design, told ELLE UK. ‘The antique gold sequin and distressed mesh shift dress came straight off the catwalk and was simply lengthened to Dree's requirements—it was important to retain a simple modern feel.’ For Jamie the approach was different. 'We wanted to keep with her ‘30s siren glamour so worked along more traditional vintage lines with bold silk satin devore in a beautiful rich crimson that came from our original AW palette.’
2012 seems to be the year of the high street. Take H&M for example. As well as getting ready to open a new high end store they have also just launched their 'Conscious Initiative' collection, which features red carpet ready pieces that are all made with sustainable fabrics. But they're not the only high street store expanding because today, Topshop confirmed that they have a bridal line in the works.
The wedding collection will reportedly be designed by Richard Nicoll and will come under their Studio brand umbrella. As you would expect, the price points are going to be relatively affordable but at the moment the chain is staying silent on the exact prices. What we do know though is that the collection will be available as soon as June and is said to feature pieces that play on Nicholl's signature sculptural aesthetic.
When Isabel Marant does something, it catches on and her wedges sneakers are a case in point. Since appearing on the runway the style has become a firm favourite amongst celebrities off-duty like Beyonce and Miranda Kerr. Even more interesting is the fact that many editors have swapped their Louboutin's and incredibly high heels for comfortable variations on the style to attend the shows too and it's clear why.
I have never been a big trainers girl - despite being inspired by Taylor Tomasi Hill to buy a pair - but this is something that I have decided to invest in. Like the pyjama trend that I wrote about recently, the Marant style wedged trainer signals a move even further towards the current concern for functionality and comfort in fashion, which many brands are tapping into at the moment.
While they do have a heel there is no denying that the subtle wedge straddles the perfect balance between an informal trainer and easy to wear wedge and besides, they're perfect for those busy days pounding the pavement. What more could you need?
