I'm not calling you a liar... but don't lie to me

I know that the world and his wife (and their children, the dog and the nosey neighbour next door) have already blogged about this collection, but you know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, get a bigger baseball bat join 'em, so here I am, jumping on the bandwagon like a big, bandwagon-jumping maniac.

Chloë Sevigny is one of those people who can do no wrong, she is just cool. It's the kind of cool that cannot be learned or developed over time, you either just have it or you don't and she has it. By the bucketload. And the bucket is leopard print. And really cool.

This is her third collection for Opening Ceremony and it's so incredibly simple - it's all stuff we've seen before; leopard print, florals, polka dots, flippy skirts, cut off tee-shirts, standard stuff that's been very 'current' for a while now. And yet, Chloe waves her magic (cool) wand and it suddenly all looks so fresh and new and I literally want to own all of it.

I don't really need to say much more; the images speak for themselves, but

THE SHOES

THE TIGHTS (especially the floral ones)

THE SUNGLASSES

AND ALL THE DRESSES. ALL OF THEM. I WANT THEM ALL. NOW PLEASE.

images from style.com

Ooh la la

The Resort 2011 collections are upon us and I've not been particularly fussed on many of them so far. Last year, I did several posts on Resort 2010 because there just seemed to be such an amazing array of colours and prints and shapes and I had so much to say, but it feels a bit like this year, a lot of designers have done a complete one-eighty and are now in a very minimalist place. While minimalism can be great, (less is more and all that) sometimes, I just want to replace 'minimal' with 'boring'.

Fortunately, one of the labels that never fails to impress, is Dior. Oh how I love Dior. I think, out of all the fashion houses out there, Dior is probably the one I look at most and think "yeah, I LOVE this collection". John Galliano is my hero.

This collection had a 60s 'mod' theme with beehived hair, big sunglasses and lots of bright block colours with white details. There was also a French influence, with chic tailored trenches, Breton stripes and sexy little neckerchiefs and chokers. With regards to styling, there was something for everyone, with both masculine and feminine looks making their way down the catwalk; dotted amongst the super-pretty dresses was a selection of boyish blazers and trousers, topped off with fedoras (or trilbies? I never know the difference) and baker boy caps. Of course, for me, it's all about the dresses; Galliano seems to be really celebrating the female form, with lots of nipped in waists and short, figure-hugging skirts. 'Sheer' was also a theme here, with organza and chiffon playing a big part (I'm not entirely sure what would be the best kind of underwear to wear with some of this stuff). I'm also loving all the cute, girly details - Peter Pan collars, embellished roses, pleats and frills. And of course there's loads of lovely couture gowns for us all drool over - long, feminine and floaty, in ice cream colours such as mint, peach and pink. It's just a gorgeous collection - I've only posted a few pictures, but I urge, if you haven't done already, to go here and have a look for yourself!

All images from style.com

Resort 2010 - Laid back and slouchy

All this Resort-ness is killing me; I still have loads of pictures to talk about plus I just looked at the Isaac Mizrahi collection and fell a little bit in love, so might have to mention that too...*sigh....my work is never done*. Seriously though, the more of this stuff I write, the more I realise how much I bloomin' well love fashion!

I thought I'd focus today on some of the most casual and wearable looks I've seen, starting with ADAM.

What I like about this label is that it's easy. No mess, no fuss, just striking pieces that are interesting and wearable. As much as I love seeing crazy concoctions of colours and shapes and patterns, it's sometimes nice to see something thrown into the mix that is just a bit more chilled out. Despite this relaxed feel, I still think there's something edgy and different about Adam Lippes' designs and the overall styling of this collection.

Love the idea of throwing a slouchy sweater over a maxi dress.

Alexander Wang also went for cool and casual with his collection, featuring lots of wardrobe staples such as jeans, white t-shirts and little sporty jackets. Seemingly basic pieces in light denim, soft grey and stark white were given the edge with the addition of clever of details such as cut-out shoulders and interesting draping. The word that's been constantly thrown around in reviews is "effortless"; these are the sort of pieces that are modern and stylish, but still give off that "I really didn't try AT ALL when I got dressed today" feel.

There's something incredibly sexy about the thrown-together, tomboyish look of Rag & Bone's Resort collection. With a pallet of dark and smokey shades of grey and navy, the collection had a rock chick, urban feel, although some of the pieces erred more on the preppy side with over sized denim shirts and little blazers featuring throughout. This collection has been accused of being a bit too 'safe' but while it's hardly 'high fashion' I wouldn't go so far as to say it was 'safe'. Like with Alexander Wang, I think the designers were definitely going for something more relaxed, but there's still plenty going on here to warrant some interest; for example the skin tight leggings with a twisted seam and those low crotch long john type things that are really only for the very thin (I don't think they'd be too forgiving on those of us who are more generously proportioned in the derriere area...) There's also some cool style choices happening here too, with footless tights worn underneath cropped trousers (the YSL Resort collection has done something similar) and those big, wide pashmina-style scarves tied round the head like bandanas.

Is that literally just a massive grey blanket with a handle? Is that what we're carrying instead of handbags now? Where will my purse go?

Resort 2010 - Colours and patterns and prints, oh my!

Onto my fourth post about Resort 2010 and there is still more to come! I admit, I did go a bit mental when it came to saving pictures, but there was just so many wonderful things!

Now I hold my hands up, I quite often err on the safe side when experimenting with my own clothing. As much as I can admire crazy combinations of colour and print, it's unlikely that I'll be emulating such styles any time soon, as I just don't think I can pull them off. This in mind, I'm sure you can understand why my reaction to the Prada show was somewhat mixed. I can accept the subtle combinations of soft camel baige blocked with pastels. I can even go so far as to accept that sometimes, when you're on the beach, you might just get the urge to throw a preppy tank top over your bikini and just be done with it. But THAT many patterns and colours in one outfit?! Surely, surely that's just madness?! I thought outfits like that were only worn by old women who had paid their dues to the world of conservative fashion and just didn't give a damn anymore and, well, mad people. That being said, it was kind of a case of something being so wrong it was right and while I may not be seen sporting an outfit that basically screams, "hey look at me, I'm mad!", I'm sure there will be many folks, much cooler than I, who will wear a Prada-inspired, clashing outfit with style and joy.

I do like the 70s hair though. And the pretty, pretty shoes.

Kids, don't try this at home.

Now let's talk about Miuccia Prada's other brand; Miu Miu, which had a cool, sporty feel to it. Keeping the silhouette simple and casual, the collection consisted of halter tops, flouncy skirts and long, printed chiffon dresses. The pallet was mainly a selection of pale nudes and while, like Prada, the prints were mixed, the print itself (an interesting, oriental-style floral) was kept constant with only subtle changes made to the colours, making the collection as a whole, much more wearable (at least to me and my non-madness).

And look! Boxing boots!

And finally, Zac Posen. Oh Zac, my offer of marriage is still standing...

Now I've read quite a lot of criticism of this collection, firstly because it's not very "Resort", and secondly because some of the pieces were a bit random and, well, horrible. Case in point;

Well it really is horrible isn't it?

But you see, I love Zac, and I have come to the decision that he must have put a few stinkers in there as a joke, in the hope that some ridiculously stupid rich woman might actually buy them and wear them and then, then my friends, Zac and I will laugh heartily.

Disgusting polka dotted legging and cardigan combinations aside, what I really liked about this collection was the use of colour. While I'm not condoning the wearing of those two prints together in the first photo below, when separated, both prints are lovely. I love the combination of the very rich blue with that zingy green in the third shot, just LOVE it. And of course, Zac's a bit of a showman really, so he had to put a few wonderful dresses in too. While that pink dress is really VERY pink, I think that, as long as the rest of the styling was kept very subtle, it would make a lovely red carpet number. And the black dress with one slashed sleeve? Just perfect.

(photos from style.com)

Hold me closer, tiny dancer...

I love Diane Von Furstenberg, I really do. She seems like she'd be fun to hang out with. And she gives very good advice (see the final episode of The Hills where she tells Whitney "the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself" - yes Diane, you are brilliant!)

The DVF resort show featured cheerful 50s style bathing suits, cheeky mini dresses and billowing maxis, in an array of brightly coloured floral, polka dot and striped prints. Keeping up her penchant for massive headwear, every outfit was accessorised with a matching bow, big enough to make even Minnie Mouse jealous.

That floral and polka dot print dress is to die for!

Another designer big on the headwear was Michael Kors, whose collection had a glamourous 70s feel to it. Those kind of turbans always make me think of that madwoman from Sunset Boulevard... you know, the one who says "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr DeMille"? I could totally see her rocking up in Kors' combination of black turban, diva-ish shades and lots of heavy gold jewellery. There was also an Asian twist in some of the tailoring, for example a white trouser suit with a wide tie-belt and extreme shoulders, not to mention the super high, buckled platforms which brought to mind the effect of foot-binding (not sure if that was intentional but that's what it made me think of...). Some of my favourite pieces were the printed shift dresses, specifically the zebra print one with matching turban.

Norma Desmond, eat your heart out...

I know it looks like I'm a bit obsessed with Chanel Iman here, but they put her in all the best dresses!

As usual, all photos are from style.com. And this is only the beginning; there is a lot more to come!

"Did you see my party dress?"

So I logged onto style.com yesterday to find the Resort 2010 page literally bursting with new collections for me to ogle. Last week there was three shows listed. This week there is maybe twenty. This suggests that this week may be the official week for Resort 2010 collections and that those other three shows were just being cheeky little early birds. I have no idea if this is really the case; is there an official fashion week for the Resort shows? I could probably quite easily find out if I just Googled it, but, well, I'm not going to.

As I said, there are a lot of new shows to talk about. But sadly I just don't have the time to go into detail about them all (the New York Fashion Week post I wrote back in February very nearly killed me, so I vowed not to do anything like that again. I made a vow. That's serious) So I'm going to feature two today and then maybe, if you're all good little puppies, I'll post some more later in the week.

First up - Donna Karan, whose collection, entitled "Manhattan Tango", was full of floaty feminine pieces in black, white and neutrals, with the occasional juicy pinks and reds thrown in for a laugh. As you may know, I love me a designer who knows how to drape, and in this collection, Karan showed herself to be a woman after my own heart by doing complex things with fabric but still keeping the pieces wearable and elegant. For me, (as it quite often is) it was all about the dresses, the favourite being the black one, third picture down.

Anyone else think there's a bit of an oriental theme here? The round shouldered jacket above and the billowing tunics below remind me of kimonos...

LOVE that black dress!!!

Oscar de la Renta continued on from the super glamourous looks of his Fall collection but added a distinctly Parisian twist, with berets a plenty and sweet little black dresses. (is anyone starting to get the feeling that I'm obsessed with LBDs?!) He also went all out with embellishment, with dresses trimmed in an assortment of ruffles, lace, silks and sparkles. Delightful.

When I first saw the third dress in the picture above, I whimpered a little bit - SO PRETTY!!!

And of course no de la Renta collection would be complete without a few fancy schmancy gowns - Cecilia Mendez (the dark haired one) looks stunning.

This is all getting a bit too much, just went back to style.com and more collections have been added!!! I will return with another load of pictures very soon.

(all images from style.com, obviously)

Resort 2010 - the story so far...

Hello my little loves! Apologies for not having posted very much lately - haven't been feeling particularly inspired (this mainly comes from the fact I haven't been shopping in a LONG time -trying to be good and not spend money in the frivolous way I usually do).

Don't fret though, have got a few posts coming up which should be quite interesting. I'm working on something in particular that will probably be a big'un, not sure how long it's going to take me, because I want it to be well-written, but soon, children, soon. Anyways, over the past week or so, a few Resort collections for 2010 have popped up, so here's some of my favourite pieces so far...
Compared to the Bottega Veneta and Chanel collections (which I'm going to talk about in just a moment), Erdem was minimal to say the least. The pieces were relaxed yet elegant; lots of feminine, wearable dresses and skirts, which not only looked stylish, but also really comfortable. (does that make me sound like an old women? "Oh it looks SO comfortable!") I love the floor-length cocktail dress with the slouchy t-shirt neckline. The floral prints reminded a little bit of recent Basso and Brooke collections, but then, Basso Brooke are print fiends so it's easy to make a connection...

The Chanel show took place in Venice, one of Coco Chanel's favourite locations, and the show itself, according to style.com, was full of clever references to the city, most of which I would never get because I'm not very up on my knowledge of Venetian history. Regardless of references, this show was ridiculously good and I'm particularly loving the 1920s-style hair and makeup; those dark, smudgy eyes look FA-HAB-ULOUS! Also really enjoying the nautical feel of the beachwear and quite desperately want the bag in the first photo!

So, this is a reference to gondoliers, right?

Other highlights for me, include, this incredibly decadent, dirty gold dress with matching cardigan type thing (it's hard to tell from the picture, ok?!) and that lovely, uber-1920s lacy number.

And finally, proof that Karl Lagerfeld is not only a genius, but also has a sense of humour;

Sunglasses, on a stick! Like a masquerade masque! How can nobody have thought of this before?!

Despite Chanel's crazy eye-wear, my favourite collection so far has been that of Bottega Veneta, as it made me have one of those moments where I just kept going "Oh, but I love it all!" Very chic, very simple, very cool. Tomas Maier went in a very different direction with this show, opting for vibrant block shades of oranges, pinks and blues, rather than the usual, more subdued tones. I just love the really relaxed tailoring of these first pieces;

After the smart stuff came some playful beachwear and killer accessories. Massive necklaces are well and truly here to stay - they're everywhere! Also, isn't it weird how, what is ultimately a black pair of Bridget Jones pants, can look so glam?

Last of all came these beautiful gowns. Sometimes less really is more - no frills, no embroidery, no fuss. Just lots of lovely, floaty fabric. Imagine being clad in that much pink!

Chanel Iman has stolen my heart a little bit - she is truly FIERCE! And with a name like Chanel Iman, it'd be a crime for her not to be...

So that's what we've got so far from the Resort shows. There will surely be more coming soon - I'll keep you posted!

(all photos from style.com)