Drowning in Denim

Arguably the most staple piece in history has reappeared as a statement piece for spring 2009. Denim has yet again emerged not only in jeans, but as tops, jumpers, dresses, vests and suits. Pairing denim with leather is also a popular vision shared by many designers including Givenchy (the infamous leather/denim chaps) and Alexander Wang. 

Off the runway, jean jackets are more prevalent than in recent years and is thrown over summer dresses for a perfectly casual but cute day-time outfit.

I am totally for this trend to re-emerge. It’s fascinating how cyclical the fashion world is. Vintage, 60s,70s? Love it.

images via www.style.com 

Elie goes with the flow

It is extremely windy in Toronto today, and the lake is confused as to which way its waves should go! All I can imagine wearing on a day like today, and totally impractical at that, is Elie Saab's spring rtw '09 dress collection. Colourful, light and feminine. Saab plays with single shoulders and hip-high slits, and revealing layers adding a seductive element to his delicate designs.

Imagine standing on the pier in any of these gowns and feeling the wind blow up and around your silhouette. Fabulous right? 

images via www.style.com

Dare to bare?

Alexander Wang, spring RTW 2009

Going to private school through elementary and high school we would await the sacred dress down days where we could dress in our casual wear, and show some personal style. In advance, we would receive a letter or email strictly stating the dress codes, no ripped jeans, no minis, and absolutely NO midriffs- some of the past and present staple trends. Having the “no midriff” rule imprinted in my mind, when I first saw Chloe’s spring 2009 RTW collection I was a bit hesitant. However, it truly is how you go about it that determines whether you’re dressing provocatively or fashionably.  Midriffs have can be seen in the 60s through 80s, but somewhere in the late 90s seemed to fall off the map and attain a provocative reputation. None the less, bellies are back as seen in several designers’ spring RTW 2009 collections.

How to wear it properly? Pair a cropped top, bandeau or if you’re really feeling risqué a vintage styled bra with high waisted short shorts, pants or skirts, through perforated tops or dresses and with a heavier overcoat or blazer. 

  

Verushka (above) and Lauren Hutton, US Vogue, 1968

images via www.style.com and www.vintagefashionmagazines.blogspot.com

Last Resort

Okay, I know this is not new info, but I am so anxious for summer and spring (for real...) to be here! Take a look at some spring 09 Resort wear by some of my favourite designers!

photos via: www.style.com

STYLE PANDEMIC: Balmainia

I have caught the Balmain buzz and I simply can't contain my symptoms including euphoria, mania and an unexplainable desire to find Christophe Decarnin and bow. Overreaction? Mais non, open your eyes and ears and you will come to notice (if you already haven't) the incredible buzz this french designer has created for Balmain. He has created a new edgy, elegant and ultimately sexy collection of denims, structured shoulders and glitzy form fitted dresses. His use of denim consists of acid wash and distressed straight leggers that are careful not to draw the attention away from the sgt. pepperesque military blazers that have come to be a staple item for Balmain.
Balmain's signature is placed an almost every piece- the winged and structured shoulder. Whether its on a blazer, coat or evening cocktail dress, Christophe has created a recognizable look that has been everything but ignored.

This Balmainia is extremely contagious and mark my words it will be the best stylebug to be bitten with not only this year, but for many to come.

One Sleeved Wonders

  
Hérve Léger (left) & Michael Kors join the one sleeved bandits.

Winter has passed and designers are ripping their sleeves off and baring an arm to celebrate spring's arrival! - Literally!

ONE sleeve is a look of the moment and can be seen in collections by Michael Kors, House of Holland, Givenchy, Hérmes, Costume Nationale, Hérve Léger and so forth. Designers seem to be ridding their winterous cabin fever by baring one arm just to tease us as we await the summer heat so we can bring on the minis sans tights. These solo-sleeved looks are playful, yet difficult to perfect. Some critics of this style feel it looks as if the designer simply ran out of fabric or time to finish the dress. Fair enough I suppose, however style.com reports demonstrates how most designers surpass this critique by ensuring the sleeve that remains is strong and structured. 

Will you bare an arm and join the springtime celebration?

Inspired by Laird Borrelli-Persson of www.style.com 

Chloe- spring/summer '09

Chloe's spring collection for 2009 demonstrated their ability to personalize the latest trends, delivering a selection of garments that truly take my breath away. Designers stuck to natural and earthy colours such as mossy greens, dessert beiges and of course spring’s fresh and classic shade; white.



Experimenting with fabrics seemed to be another theme using gleaming silk taffetas that added an element of light to dark hues. If you are feeling confident, have fun with your trousers wearing ballooning pants that clinch not only at the waist, but at your ankles. The more hourglass-like, the better. Another fav fabric was sheer which will be seen across the fashion maps as designers are intrigued with the idea of translucency, making for a magical, feminine look that is sheer-ly striking.

Models emerged in cocktail dresses that tribute to David Bowie and his signature shoulder exaggerating outfits. Its only been thirty years but the eighties are back, as demonstrated through the hourglass look. Its all about making the waist as slimming as possible by adding more to your hips and shoulders. Designers, including Chloe are showing asymmetrical cuts for both tops and dresses, for day or night, baring one shoulder gives you sexy, yet conservative look.

We already discussed the love of the boyfriend fit jean, and it seems that fashion gurus aren’t done raiding the men’s department. Not only should you be grabbing your guy’s jeans but while your at it you should outfit yourself in a tailored boyfriend blazer. This entails a longer cut than we’re used to in the past, but paired with mini-shorts (*another NOW TREND) and a simple pair of flats will leave you not only looking carelessly stunning, but tres avant-garde.

With yet another trend of the time, Chloe tied their collection together with nothing more suitable, than beautiful bows. Draping, oversized and flowing clothes (aka ultimate comfort- finally!) is totally in, as long as you add tie it up with a bow!
DIY, add a bow themed belt to your outfit, to add a little spring to your older looks!

I realize that was quite a mouthful so I’m going to try and sum it up in 50 words or less:

GET: creative
Sheer: please be cautious with this, sheer is only IN when you keep your parts hidden.
Hourglass: tight waist, and explode out from there in opposite directsion. Lost? Google Images: David Bowie. You’ll get it.
Asymetrical: one shoulder wonder
MINI (shorts, skirts, dresses) *flats with shorts please
Boyfriend Blazer, boyfriend jean





photos from www.style.com

Spring '09 Must-have

FLORAL PRINTS

Although this trend was origionally intended for winter 2009, the snow covered this trend but as several labels like House of Holland have shown, the peonies are peaking through once again.

Spring musthave: anything floral.

Affordable recommendation: Mendoccino is showing a lot of adorable florals right now. Check out the velvet floral highwaisted flounce skirt.

TNT 2009

Trash & Vaudeville

SPRING 2009

above: Charles Anastase

Amongst the new trends that are approaching for Spring 09, my eyes are particularly attracted to the trash & vaudeville style. Fashion's leading and most renowned designers including Alexander McQueen, Chanel, and of course the infamous Betsey Johnson all given expressed their interpretations resulting in one dark yet intriguingly sexy look.

Above: Betsey Johnson
The common theme seems to be the collaboration of dark gothic inspired look through blacks, and deep, dark and fierce colours with splashes of red and pink leather, animal print and denim. If your heart wasn't already racing, models for Narcisco Rodriguez executed this trend as they looked intimidating and prison bound along the runway, dressed in black and white stripes.

This look allows designers to release their dark and rebellious side onto the runway, as Givenchy demonstrates through leather chaps and tops intermixed with denim. Fierce.

Above: Givenchy

Above: Narcisco Rodriguez

Above: Matthew Williamson

While the ready to wear items are more tattered and vampire-esque, the evening wear demonstrated and expressed the elegant and feminine side that zombie brides have too. The 80's shoulder pads are back from the dead...literally. Balmain's and Luella's cocktail dresses are drop dead chic.

Above: Belmain

Above: Luella



More new trends for Spring include:
Depression chic
Geometry lessons
Goddess worship
Marrakech express
Sporting goods

photos from www.style.com