Max Mara Catwalk Fashion Show Milan Womenswear FW16

You can never have too much of a good thing. Especially when we’re talking about the most perfect, envious and comfy winter coats. What else could you expect from Max Mara? Well, nothing but their signature coats. And of course their famous camel palet. The Italian label has proven to not just design easy, trendy clothes, but items that actually work and are highly valued in any woman’s wardrobe. Although, any, you have to have some big money to spent. The label sent oversized outerwear (of course) in varying shades of camel, beige (of course) and even some soft pinks down the catwalk. Pretty descent and office-ready you could say. But never judge to early folks, because those dark lips and golden shiny sequins (even a nipple gate) were the most in-your-face-sign that there was more going on underneath that classic camel coat.
And soon enough it was spiced up by some heavy splashes of bold colours such as orange, blue, green and yellow. Sometimes all in one outfit. The striped prints, fluffy sweaters, furry floor-lenght coats and pentyhose made it more playful. Same goes for the oversized suits and the huge striped pockets on blazers and jackets. Although the previous fall collection, inspired by Marilyn Monroe and embodied by Gigi Hadid, felt more sensual, this collection felt more like a “I’m not trying to be really sexy, I just am (and please, don’t take me too seriously)” It may not be the most entertaining and talked about show on the Milanese fashion schedule, but they certainly know how to stay true to their signature aesthetic, which is still one of our favourites.

Alberta Ferretti Catwalk Fashion Show Milan Womenswear FW16

Although the day was about to end for us, slowly drifting into the night, the Ferretti show was just starting and took us back to dawn. Looking at the wintry woods backdrop, a new day is about to start. Nature is unfolding, slowly waking up. That quiet moment in the early hours, it breaths nothing but romance. And that’s exactly what she took in mind when designing her winter collection, bringing together the Italian Renaissance (yet again, just like in her previous fall collection) with a bohemian touch. The harshness of today’s society was completely forgotten by the the sophistication and softness of the materials, giving the whole collection a light and airy vibe. Like some sort of fashion meditation, cradling you into a peaceful (although aware) state of mind. You could almost smell the intense craftsmanship. We wanted to push our noses into the beautiful brocades, velvets, and jacquard patchworks, the embroideries on the feather light dresses, flowy lines that sculpted the womens bodies perfectly. The touch-me textures, lace details, see-through tops, PJ-like suits and the fur-collared capes. The whole collection was impregnated with her well-known and acclaimed signature of softness yet assertive femininity. And that’s why we all want to be, and can be, a Ferretti woman. Every woman is craving for this perfect balance between romance and feeling too fragile. The intrusive iPhones in the audience taking pictures, they almost felt so inappropriate and weird in this Italian Renaissance theatre. Or wasn’t it? Not, according to Ferretti, who built her collection on image building and how we communicate image building these days. The leap between images from the Renaissance and the modern day snapchats and Instagram posts, both having the exact same function but in a completely different way. There is a huge leap in time for sure, but only in time, not in fashion sense. Because we can definitely imagine lots of modern day women in these fashion pieces.

Recap New York Fashion Week Womenswear FW2016/2017

New York, New York. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Especially fashion dreams that is, for the last few days at least. What a week! While London is already strutting and twirling down the catwalk, we quickly look back on some of the biggest trends and most spoken and surprising moments (Lady Gaga! Marc Jacobs! Oh my god!) of the sartorial event. Study up and get ready.

1. Yeezy madness
Instagram. Facebook. Snapchat. Twitter. Medison Square Garden that was exploding with excitement. Kanye took over the whole universe. What can we say? We completely ran out of conversation topics except for this. His beautiful dark twisted fantasy got him in one straight line to No.1 on every surface (the clothes, the album) and beyond.

2. Lady Gaga on the go
Okay, so we couldn’t stop talking about the fully packed A-list front row at Marc Jacobs show and the crazy shoe platforms (especially how to gracefully walk on these), but the actual talk of the town was -of course- Lady Gaga making her New York Fashion Week runway debut. ‘Lady Gaga on the go’ as some of them stated.

3. See now, buy now
The world of fashion is changing more than ever and we notice and increasing number of brands going for a ‘see now, buy now’ approach. Focus is shifting towards consumers instead of the fashion professionals, which is why collections are shown in current season, aligning with its retail schedule, rather than six months from now. Which makes it possible for us hungry fashion buyers to order the collections and our favourite runway pieces as soon as they hit the runway. Like Proenza Schoulers ‘The Early Edition’ and Michael Kors ‘Ready to wear, ready to go’ collection, and many other commanding officers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford and Rebecca Minkoff.

4. Riri’s Runway
Yep, the American superstar couldn’t make it to the Grammy’s, perhaps it had something to do with her catwalk debut. It’s hard -okay, impossible- to top the Kanye Yeezy madness, but still she got the whole fashion crowd buzzing over her Fenty x Puma collection. All the important ingredients were there: Anna Wintour in the front row, Naomi Campbell on her side and Gigi Hadid as her muze. The collection was not very surprising (black and white sporty-sexy looks with a huge street wear factor mixed with gothic elements) yet it was in some looks (giant grey furry bumbags and rucksacks and sweatpants worn with suspenders and fluffy hoodies).

5. Let me entertain you
Of course, the clothes itself make your succes. But the importance of entertainment must not be underestimated. It’s 2016 for god’s sake and everyone has an Instagram that needs to be updated. So bring in the show elements and theatrical settings. Like Thom Browne’s walk in the park, the choreography at Moncler and, sorry we have to name him again, Kanye’s incredible show/album release.

THE TRENDS
1. That socks!
It’s not that often that socks play such a prominent role in our outfits. Let alone on the catwalk.
But you better change your mind and score some sporty, chic or doll-like pairs that perfectly match with your shoe collection.

2. Shine on
Sequins and shimmers for winter? Oh, yes! Take a look at Joseph Altuzarra, Michael Kors, Derek Lam and Rodarte to check out some new and unexpecting ways to integrate them into your winter wardrobe. And what about the metallic suits and dresses at Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs, the almost floor-length gold swirling skirts at Ralph Lauren and J.Mendel’s glimmering dresses? It definitely lights up the long and dark days.

3. The statement coat
Preparing for winter means finding you the perfect coat. And once you’ve found it, you most likely will cherish it forever (we do!). No wonder the main piece of almost every winter collection is a good -corrrection: outstanding- coat that needs to have a head turning elegance. What else helps you bare against the frigid temperatures and makes you feel sexy and confident at the same time.

4. Protect your neck
While Busta Rhymes was more into breaking things, Wu-Tang Clan made a track that perfectly rimes with one of the biggest trends for upcoming winter season: protect your neck with fashionable garments like polo necks, scarves, chokers (no joke) and especially turtle necks under sweaters, jackets and dresses (huuuuge trend!).

5. It’s shearling my darling
If your statement coat isn’t supposed to be long, lean and classy, than perhaps you have to think more towards the classic but always cool aviator-style jacket seen at Lacoste and Altuzarra. But we definitely dig the bomber style version of Rag&Bone too.

6. Blackout
Black lips, black eyes, black clothes. Get ready to get in touch with your darker side, wether in a gothic, chic, romantic or street wear cool ambiance. Check out Marc Jacobs, Rihanna for Puma, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte and Philip Lim to choose your exact direction.

7. Jolly Jewelry
Bring in the statement pieces to adorn yourself with, like Rodarte’s cuff of calla lilies, silver beaded nineties chokers and swinging look-at-me bell earrings.

8. They plaid us
But for once, in a good way. Take a look at Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, Rachel Zoe and Rag&Bone on how to wear the plaid in a much simpler and cleaner way than you might used to. Check check check.

9. Brush off your shoulder
Get ready for some sexy silhouettes. Shoulders are still the erogenous zone if you ask the fashion forecasters. If you’re not the type of person to show too much bare skin, this way of dressing might be your call.

10. Follow the furs
Wether it be real or fake, make sure you cover yourself up in some fluffy garments that make you the perfect victim to cuddle (how fun!). Opt for a full-on furry coat or a classy collar. You thought this was already pretty striking? Hold on, you’re not there yet. Because make sure it’s very colourful too. We put all our money on Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Rodarte and J.Crew.

Want to dive a little deeper into every collection? Check out all our show reviews.

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.

Paris Milan Womenswear SS2016 Trend Round-up

Another fashion month has come to and end. With Paris Fashion Week just wrapped up, we’re excited to make up the bill and compare scores. We’ve listed our favorite shows and selected the most remarkable trends du Paris for next summer. Cause on top of some of the trends we spotted in New York and Milan, like mesh, waistbelts and slipdresses Paris had some fresh elements to add to the fashion game. A vibrant positive feeling, more than anything. In SS2016 fashion can be upbeat and abundant again. The designers did and we may too express our feelings and personality more than ever. It’s about celebrating fashion, showing (your true) color and accessorizing to the max. Fresh off the Parisian runway here are 9 trends to look forward till Springtime.

Disco dresses
As seen at Sonia Rykiel, Mary Katrantzou and Lanvin

XL earrings
As seen at Loewe, Chanel, Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood and Balmain

Gladiator sandals (revised)

(Rock chicks with) tiaras
As seen at Chanel, Saint Laurent and MiuMiu

Colorful leather
As seen at Courreges, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, MiuMiu and Mugler

Night gowns (gone wild)
As seen at Balenciaga, Dior, Givenchy, Dries van Noten and Rochas

Choker focus
As seen at Balmain, Anne Demeulemeester, Christian Dior, Lanvin, Elie Saab and Junya Watanabe

Faces of art
As seen at Givenchy, Junya Watanabe, Gareth Pugh

Gone to waist(coat)
As seen at Manish Arora, Stella McCartney, VanderVorst and Louis Vuitton

New York Womenswear SS2016 Trend Round-up

A fresh season has kicked off with an explosive week filled with fashion. So while you’re packing up your wellies and trenches to head over to the next fashion capital (London calling) we’d like to look back on the biggest trends from the big apple. We’ve filtered what caught our eyes from Givenchy’s most impressive show to Marc Jacobs’ One Night Only spectacle. Here’s a first look on 9 summer trends for 2016 you don´t want to miss.

 

Shiny, silky satin
As seen at Philip Lim, Alexander Wang, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and Prabal Gurung

Suede
As seen at Philip Lim, Derek Lam and Victoria Beckham

Asymmetric
As seen at Philip Lim, DKNY and Proenza Schouler

Cropped tops (it aint over till it’s over)
Philip lim, Alexander Wang and Givenchy

Mesh (from sporty to dress-y)
Alexander Wang, Carolina Herrera, Marchesa, Proenza Schouler and Rag & Bone

Sequins
As seen at Altuzarra, Calvin Klein and Vera Wang

Loose straps
As seen at Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Michael Kors

Pinstripe prints
As seen at Givenchy, DKNY and Philipm Lim

Ivory slipdresses
As seen at Givenchy, Calvin Klein and Victoria Beckham

Round Up Paris Menswear SS2016

While Western Europe is taken by it’s first heat wave and wearing as little clothes as possible is all we want, next year’s menswear is on our minds. So what should men be wearing in the summer of 2016? We’ve made a recap of some of Paris Fashion Week’s highlights. Trends to anticipate, items to chase and style splurges to aspire. Here are eight menswear trends for spring/summer 2016.

The utility jacket
Junya Watanabe, Ann Demeulemeester, Balmain
As a man you’re gonna want one or more sleeveless jackets, with lots of pockets. A so called utility jacket, yet note that all of these pockets should stay empty. You don’t want humps and bumps in your perfectly ironed jacket. That’s not cool. There are men bags for keys, wallets and iPhones.

Shiny & Silky
Saint Laurent, Dries van Noten, Louis Vuitton
While men are getting in touch with their feminine side more and more shiny and silky becomes more mainstream. Just look at how the models at Dries van Noten and Louis Vuitton pulled off those extravagant, luxurious attires.

Camouflage
Dior, Saint Laurent, Valentino
Camouflage prints still are a thang. Not too blend in though; these items are meant to be noticed. Festival thrill or business vibe; the camouflage print isn’t too picky when it comes to dresscodes.

Super loose
Walter van Beirendonck, Dries van Noten, Raf Simons
Pants to give you legs for days are not just for the ladies. Next summer your man is gonna want a pair of his own too (wedge sandals excluded). Shirt tucked in and belted; that’s the way to go.

Souvenir jacket
Valentino, Louis Vuitton
This fashion piece may appear like a baseball jacket, but it’s in fact a whole different ball game. The souvenir jacket is shiny, printed, with a sporty touch and goes well with jeans and sneakers.

Heavy on the hardware
Haider Ackermann, Comme des Garcons, Lanvin
Zippers all over, big buckled belts, studs or spikes; going heavy on hardware is key. For all you cool kids out there: even if it’s 30 degrees outside; wear leather and heavy metal details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eighties revival
Lanvin, Dries van Noten, Paul Smith
It was about time for it; an eighties revival. We starting subtly though; with short jackets, loose pants and pops of color. More will follow next season, once we’re completely recovered from our seventies syndrome.

Trend Report SS15: The iPhone generation

Bags. Shoes. Glasses. Accessories. Cats. Men. Oh yes, we women have enough important accessories in our lives. But there’s one more appreciated, overly used and crucial accessory that secretly made it’s way to our top priorities and it sometimes even wins over having a lovely (offline!)dinner with your date: our phone. Yes ladies and gents, it seems to be one of the most persistent and denied addictions these days.

When we go on the hunt for our favourite street style icons, crawling down the streets of the fashion capitals, our eyes come across hundreds of models, fashion editors and style influencers holding their phones like it’s their new it-bag they’ve just picked up from the store. Keeping it close to them like it’s matter of life and death, which is true (crossing the street while texting or calling on your bicycle) when it comes to the rapid world of fashion. That small boxy thing that we call our phones, nowadays stores our complete lives in it: phone numbers, pictures, videos, agendas, music, secret messages, important notes, creative ideas, not to mention the incredible amount of time we spent on posting every single bit of our utterly interesting experiences, foods and OOTD’s on social media. And we spent even more time on following our favourite fashion icons and editors.  Sometimes that often, that we seem to forget we actually also have a online life to live ourselves. So what about you? Are you still able to spend a day without your phone?

Round Up Milan Menswear SS2016

It’s a man’s world. For a little while, if we may say so. We’re in the middle of the Spring 2016 men’s show hurricane. The Italian runways getting wrapped up again and the fashion scenery is moving on. But boy oh boy, Milano has given us some pretty good things for next summer season. Time to look back on some of the most inspiring and exciting trends to have on our future plate.

What can we say? It seems BLUE is bubbling up as a main theme of the season. It’s one of the strongest and coolest colours for men. And we’re not talking small details here, that’s for sure, get the whole package. Dress in blue from head to toe, layer it down and let the details, fabric and silhouette do the talking. Also seen at: Etro, Bottega, Calvin Klein.

Men may not always show it, but just like every human, they also have a SOFTER side. And for SS16 they’re not afraid to show it.  Velvet continues to pop up, just as silks and even lace was part of the deal. And who else than Miuccia Prada to turn men’s fashion week in Milan upside down. You can’t call the season until Miuccia has shown what she’s thinking. And she was thinking about soft silken shirts open to the belt and part-tucked in. Also Gucci opted for silken suits with a comfy pyjama feel to it and Versace’s strong men showed their mild side in bomber jackets. Also seen at: Etro, Burberry, Prada.

To master the art of proportions is one of the most important thing for men’s fashion. For a few seasons now we slowly shift away away from tighter, form-fitting tailoring and see more voluminous and RELAXED SILHOUETTES based on the traditional basics in a men’s closet. Also seen at: Vivienne Westwood, Marni, Versace.

Several fashion houses took us across the world, TRAVELING through cultural differences and details. Tomas Maier’s collection for Bottega Veneta showed his army of men ready for a walk up into the Bavarian Alps, that included Lederhosen on lambskin suede trousers and sandals featuring rope details or even hiking boots, all worn with wool socks. Missoni designed a collection based on the modern-day nomad. But aren’t we all, nowadays? There’s seems to be an interesting fashion conversation between the Eastern and Western world which is translated into long beads, tunics, big scarves, Chinese flower prints, and travel footwear. So get packing fellas, we’re about to go on a trip. Also seen at: Versace, Dolce&Gabbana, Jil Sander.

Bomber jackets, graphics, colour splashes and childish symbols; the more playful and BOYISCH, the better. Why always act like proper adults? Prada was all into racing cars, rocket ships and Energizer Bunnies, all the while Ferragamo was spelling out the alfabet on it’s sweaters. And what about the bold patch trend seen at Moschino? Say it all out loud, dear man. Also seen at: J.W. Anderson, Antonio Marras, Coach.

Already this one seems to be the look of summer/spring 2016. Whether your jacket is patent leather or suede, it doesn’t really matter as long as you can ZIP IT UP. Wear it super clean and office-ready or a bit off-shoulder. Seen at:Neil Barrett, Prada, Emporio Armani.

Let’s keep it SHORT: it’s obviously a huge trend on the catwalks and a summer classic. Don’t be afraid to show off your legs gentlemen, whether you go to the beach, having a stroll around the park or even taking the dogg out. Seen at: No 21, Marni, Coach.

Round up Milan Menswear Trends SS2015

The menswear shows of Milan Fashion Week have come to and end. So while the fashion crowd moves on to Pareee we’re taking a quick look at some of the Milan menswear trends. Which – apart from the regular slim suit, the stripes and the checks – was about sensuality (so many torsos at sight at Armani Dsquared, Fendi and Versace) and things less sexy (Teva slippers combined with suits, as seen at Fendi, Prada and Armani). In between: some great denim variations (paint splashed, with leather details, destroyed, bleached), nude and sand colored looks (Calvin Klein, Jil Sander) and a wide selection of new & improved sweatshirts at Bottega, Calvin Klein and Antonio Marras (we just can’t seem to get enough).

“Teva” slippers

Denim variations

Nude/Sand colored

The sweatshirt 3.0

All eyes on the torso

« Previous Page — Next Page »