Trend Report FW2016: Velvet revival

Oh yes, we do like ourselves a good piece of red velvet cake from time to time. And Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope is still one of our favourite albums of all time. But except for the word ‘velvet’ that’s where the similarity ends. Cause we’re talking a different kind of velvet this time. In fashion terms, that is. Head-to-toe-velvet looks made a huge comeback into our sartorial lives and are totally coveted right now. Because when you see three, call it a trend. So we did, here it is. One of the most touchy and soft fabrics in our wardrobe got upgraded big time, getting the 2015/16 treatment. Emilio Pucci’s wide-legged trousers, Dries van Noten capes and blue booties, wrap skirts and all-black ensembles at Lanvin, the bags from Antonio Marras and black velvet jumpsuits at Sonia Rykiel. And who wasn’t surprised by the rich coloured velvet from Christopher Kane and Armani?

The big question is not so much íf we love it, because we do, but hów we love it. As in: without looking as a Christmas-groupie. Velvet looks its most amazing in deep colours: red, orange, blue, green or black.
And probably one of the most sexy options for NYE woud be a) the velvet pantsuit (another major hit this season) or b) the velvet tuxedo jacket-dress. If all this makes you quiver, take it down a notch and start with the shoes or bag. I mean, don’t we all want to wear Wang’s velvet hiking boots? What better way to add some urban luxury to your winter (party)wardrobe.

Beauty Trend Report FW2016: If you’re a lip girl…

I’m sorry, but did we just hear a sigh over there? A slightly annoyed sigh, breathing ‘here we go again, red lips bla bla’. Red lipstick doesn’t sound all to ground-breaking these days. But let’s not judge so quickly, shall we? Cause aren’t we as women just lucky bastards that we get to wear red lipstick every season, adding some extra something something to ourselves. Something that makes every woman slightly more attractive, sexy and elegant. That adds a little colour and sparkle to our sometimes hung-over pale faces (especially after last night during winter) and is the perfect compagnon to any nighttime (NYE!)event. For some it’s even a signature that really pulls us together. And if you’re not much of an eye girl, a red lip is your second best option. And the best part: it’s easy to recreate at home (bingo!). The only extra thing we need to do for now is tap into our 90’s mood again (I know it’s been long) and choose how deep and dramatic we’re prepared to go, because it can go quite deep this season. Follow Carolina Herrera’s and Donna Karan’s lead with Berry lips, or plum black lips as seen at Marc Jacobs. And what about a vivid crimson pout like Phillip Lim’s models? Tip: skip the red lipliner and use a clear lip pencil instead.

Trend Report FW2016: Shine your way into the new year

Fall season represents the end of bikini’s and other sexy summer wear, but it has its charme on its own. And that brings a noticeable -and likeable- shift in the amount of clothes and fabrics we wear. Of course, we need to get more warm and comfy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be alluring. For the women who love anything shiny, the designers haven’t let you down. On the contrary, the catwalks were dripping in shiny fabrics. Some went for full-on, dazzling (Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Cavalli) others more demure and sophisticated (Margiela, Philipp Plein and Liselore Frowijn). Translated through metallics, satin, brocade, soft silks, sequins and sparkly embellishment. But the main thing to remember for this trend: it’s highly wearable. You don’t have to be a model to pull this one off. You don’t have to pretend like you’re walking on a catwalk or you’re about to attend The Grand Ball. Any of that, most of these looks are suitable on a daily basis (okay, the dresses might be quite challenging at the office) and especially this december month. So don’t be afraid to throw on a shiny bomber jacket as seen at Alex Wang or a toned-down shiny wintercoat spotted at Valentino. So chop chop, get on it and make some space in your wardrobe for this holiday-ready fashion statement.

Beauty Trend Report FW2016: Flushed, dewy skin

One of the biggest -and trickiest- beautytrends for this fall concerns our skin. Our white canvas, the one we get to paint so many times. Like true Picasso’s we paint it every single day, even on our most natural days. You can use the most beautiful and bright colours and the most expensive make-up, but without a proper background you’re getting nowhere. And that’s where this one come’s in; dewy, toned-down skin. When it comes to radiance it’s very precise this time, only the high plains of the face. A semi-glow, like you’ve just been doing a very heavy and sweaty yoga glass. Like you’re shining from the inside out (which we hope you do). And the good thing is: it’s not too hard to pull it off ones you know the tricks. It’s all about hydration, good cleaning in the morning and before going to bed (otherwise it’s baaaad behaviour!) and the right use of sheer foundation. A touch of cream blush to create a natural flush to your face and cheeks to finish it off. Look at all this bright faces at Jason Wu, Stella McCartney and Chloe. Who doesn’t want to look like this on a daily basis? So let’s just all quit yoga and get this thing going.

Oh yes! God put a smile upon your face

Yes, fashion is a serious and sometimes hard job. You have to work hard, have awful party’s every night (no sleep at all), make long days and there’s quite some pressure (and deadlines, aaah!). But just as in many many other jobs. Sometimes we forget how important it is to keep smiling during stressful times or when we have so many things on our minds and the to-do list never seems to come to an end. Luckily during fashion week, one of the most hectic but also fun times, we spot lots of happy and crazy faces in the streets. Because laughing is so so important guys, it’s essential to our health and existence. Especially these days, where there’s a lot of anxiety and hatred in the world. Like Coldplay sings: Got put a smile upon your face, so let’s use it as much as we can.

Louis Vuitton Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear Spring 2016

“Let’s get digital, digital. I wanna get digital. Let’s get into digital.” The first song (a parody of Olivia-Newton John’s ‘Physical’) suddenly popped into our minds by seeing the Louis Vuitton’s newest collection, showed in the brand’s brand new Louis Vuitton Fondation. Perhaps it was slightly to bubbly for this considerable tough collection. They choose Moderat’s ‘New Error’ as the (yes, perfect indeed) soundtrack to compagnon the big screens beaming futuristic outer space lights. The fully packed front row (Catherine Deneuve, Miranda Kerr, Michelle Williams and many more A-listers) was about to take off and rise up into, well, the future perhaps. We were looking at the frontiers of the digital era and took a trip into sci-fi. It was one of the few shows that didn’t look back, but forward. Way forward. A theme like this can be quite challenging for such a big and established brand like Louis Vuitton, but it has proved many times it can translate its heritage from the past into the future. Any future so to speak. Nicolas Ghesquière did a great job finding a in between way making a clear sartorial statement. He opened the show with a a bubblegum pink leather jacket edged up with patent black tape, a black patchwork skirt and heavy black sports-sandals. It set the tone right away: this girl is a tough one (literally, the models had their hands bound like boxers). Even so is her wardrobe. Dazzling silvered dresses and coats, ‘oily’ holographic sheen, metallic puffball or bubbled skirts, shiny knits, in-your-face zippers running over a leather skirt or on the frontside of trousers. But if we’re talking about IT-items for next season, there might be a good chance the biker jackets with monogrammed sleeves and LV prints will be a huge hit amongst their more youthful and experimental customer.

Valentino Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2016

Taking inspiration from etnic cultures is something quite familiair for spring summer collections. What can we say: in summer we mostly prefer wearing bold colours, playful prints and anything that makes us feel ready for summer. Creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli took us to wild Africa. Or they took wild Africa to Europe. Or not they, we did. Cause their inspiration is some with a heavy and controversial undertone, it was about the thousands of African refugees that have made their way to southern Europe, Italy in this case, to save their own lives. We were not only witnessing pretty dresses and must have shoes and bags, but also the humanitarian crisis that Europe is facing right now. What does fashion have to do with this? It gives a message. In this case: tolerance. As Maison Valentino described it on Twitter: “Primitive, tribal, spiritual, yet regal” and the collection was a “journey to the beginning of time and the essential of primitive nature.” They translated this into a mix of Italian en African essentials. Roman influences with tribal treatments. We saw Masai-style beadwork, bone necklaces, raffia, laser cut leatherwork, feathery details, micro studs and beading on tulle, white ceramic neckpieces (chockers), embellishment, embroidering and fringing. Not to speak the countless floor sweeping translucent red carpet ready show stoppers at the end of the show. The models wearing cornrows. Bongo drums as musical background. There was so much eye for detail (the mask details on the bags), craftsmanship, grace and elegance. It showed the best of both worlds, easily joining forces to create breathtaking beauty. It may not work like this in the ‘real world’, but it was the best message to put out there right now.

Saint Laurent Paris Catwalk Fashion Show Womenswear Spring 2016

The pitch-black story continues. After the rock stars slash groupies from the fall 2015 collection and the dark menswear collection from last season, LA-based designer Hedi Slimane decided to roll out the black carpet even more. It felt like diving deeper into this young rocker chick’s wardrobe. Add a splash of Courtney Love (who was actually there at the show) and Kate Moss and you’re ready to bake the cake.

When we heard that the primary source of this collection was the everyday wardrobe we were kind of surprised. Because everyday it was: a white cotton camisole teamed up with a regular jeans and trenchcoat or a biker jacket with jeans. We even spotted blue denim dungarees with wellie boots. Everything but the familiar Slimane DNA. Luckily for the true Slimane admirers and buyers, between the more casual garments, there were plenty of sexy I-dont-give-a-fuck dresses, half hanging on your shoulders, and little nighttime pieces that leave your breasts out in the open. All silky, glittery or covered in animal print. Yet again we saluted the mini slipdresses (a huge trend for next spring!), but also drapey bias gowns and the finale existed of almost all-black gowns with high center-slits that will make you wanna find (not wait for) a party. Any party, that is. Or throw one yourself. Add a oversize denim jacket, motorcycle jacket, golden varsity jacket, or furry vest and you’re ready to go. Oh wait, before we forget: perhaps lose the frown and pout. You can wear the most gorgeous dress and even a crown, but in the end it’s the face everyone will remember.

Stella McCartney Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2016

Check, check, check. That’s how Stella McCartney opened her spring 2016 show. All in vivid colours such as red, green, black and yellow. Some of them as preppy polo shirts, as one shoulder dresses or maxi-skirts and tanktops. It was the perfect start to give you this relaxed, summer vibe.

It was a typical McCartney collection: sharp, simple tailoring with a feminine touch and a considerate approach to wearability. Because she knows like no other how to design clothes that actual women really would like to wear. In Dutch we have a saying for this, and it sort of sounds like: from a nice plate you cannot eat. Which means: only beauty won’t work. But that doesn’t seem to be the problem for McCartney. Her collection breaths comfort, and we were breathing ‘oooh’s’ and ‘aaah’s’ of excitement. The plissé pleated top over a plissé pleated skirt both in contrast zingy colours, the asymmetrical poloshirts worn over body-con stretchy skirts, and raw indigo denim looks. The familiair elliptical hemlines and slouchy tailoring was there as well. The collection ended with a range of lovely black and white, orange, yellow and blue (evening)dresses, providing discreet glimpses of skin and with sporty mesh inserts. Super sexy and feminine, but no I-cant-breath-or-move-in-this-dress situations. And that’s what we thank her a million for.

Celine Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2016

Before the show even had started, the Celine team had people already talking about the huge tented space in yellow, orange, red and blue. It was designed by the Danish artist Fos, also known as Thomas Poulsen, and a longstanding collaborator with Philo on furnishings in several Céline stores worldwide. The backdrop is always one of the first signs to see what’s on the menu for spring 2016 and this tent symbolized the feeling of freedom. Pack your tent and you can go anywhere you want.

But although you’re on holiday and decided to go camping, you still want to look your best. Philo understands like no other. The main question for this collection was: how do clothes make you feel? Or more importantly: how do you want them to make you feel? According to Philo, it’s powerful, strong, sexy, feminine and free. She doesn’t only creates clothes she likes to wear herself, but simultaneously the kind of clothes that other women might actually want to wear. From the fashion editors to the main stream audience and from New York to Japan. And we’re sure same goes for this spring collection. If you were wondering how to combine soft refinement and duty or how to balance between strong and feminine, take a close look. We counted many strong and structured silhouettes layered over soft and fluid garments, like a leathery tunic worn over a soft blue flowy t-dress or a minimalistic halter top teaming up with classic checked trousers. Philo also did a turn with lingerie, like she did for fall 2015. The lace-trimmed black and white silk slip dresses that opened the show are the perfect comfy summer wear, surprisingly combined with sturdy ankle boots and a perfectly strong tailored coat worn over it. But it could be easily worn as negligees as well. The smooth braids, bold red lips and eye graphics only empowered every look even more.

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