#016: Academy Awards: Red Carpet: Review...

Last night was when the award season concludes. The biggest night in Hollywood where cinema and fashion join hand-in-hand...The 87th Academy Awards. There is no denying that designers and stylists pull out all the stops for the penultimate and prestigious award ceremony!

Okay, so all in all, it was quite the night in terms of fashion. Allow me to begin with the best dressed.

There is no denying that Emma Stone is one of Hollywood's most beautiful beings. Last night she wore a rather striking Elie Saab Haute Couture gown. At first, I had reservations on whether or not I liked this gown. Yes, the colour is somewhat unconventional, especially for the Oscars of all places. However the shade of her hair along with her completion is the perfect combination. Adding the peach lip was necessarily otherwise she would have looked washed out. Stone once again cements her place on my Best Dressed List.

Do you ever look at a face and wonder "where did I see her?" yes, that happened to me. Not to offend her, her as in Margot Robbie it's just I'm terrible with names. It's rather embarrassing actually, especially when starting your first year in college. Anyways, wouldn't she be the sight to cure a hangover? Wearing a $1.5m Van Cleef and Arpels zipper necklace to accompany her Saint Laurent gown, Robbie looks stunning; showing resemblance to a modern-day Marilyn Monroe. Typically long baggy sleeves never float my boat, because they often look unflattering, but my oh my. She does look dazzling thanks to that beautiful necklace.

Despite there being a handful of Best Dressed Actresses, I was quite disappointed in several ladies from Anna Kendrick to Scarlett Johansson, and I'm pretty sure I'll have my head on the chopping block for having Christy Teigen. It does boil down to personal preferences, right?

When it comes to reviewing red carpets events, I'm such an ass. One minute I'm totally in love with dress then the next it's the most hideous thing I've seen. Often vice-versa. I'm sure we're all like that...I hope. Anyways, Christy Teigen is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful woman in the world, and she always looks ravishing in whatever she wears. Unfortunately, this time I wasn't as "blown-away" as I had anticipated. On the runway, the Elie Saab gown is magnificent, but on Teigen, it looks cheap and honestly unflattering. Whether that's down to her styling team with make-up I don't know. It seems messy. I know a quite a lot of people like this look, but I personally find it a cliche gown worn by a performer/nominee's wife/partner. Oops....

There is the same amount of plastic injected into Nicole Kidman's face and the number of sequins on her dress. Words can not describe how disgraced I am about how horrible this dress looks. Nicolas Ghesquiere is probably one of the most talented fashion designer of this century, but could never really understand the red carpet - this dress certainly proves that. I know I'm quite harsh when it comes to this look, but when you're creative director for the most powerful brand in the world, Louis Vuitton, there is no excuse to send a dress like this down the most prestigious red carpet. I don't know whether its the sickly flem colour or the distracting Vuitton trunk clutch. I personally don't mind the red belt at her waist, because it complement's the colour of her hair.


This year, I guess my expectations have been set too high...maybe next year!

#015: Fashion Week: Day 3: Victoria Beckham: Review

Another day, another show to review. Today I've decided to review Victoria Beckham, why? because I believe she can do no wrong. Every season she grows and grows as a designer and a brand. I guess you could say I'm biased, but there is no denying Buckram's blossoming talents.

Along with the brand, Victoria's personal style has changed over recent years, and this season just shows that. From mini-skirts to long-skirts. Maybe she's maturing as a mother or would frankly like to keep her legs warm; and sleeveless sleeves to figure-tip length sleeves. I got strange vibe throughout the collection. It reminded me of the woods from the wooden paneling of the runway and the warmth of the palette. Unlike previous collections, this season its less clean-cut and structured and more relaxed and draped. (reminded me a little of Celine's spring/summer 2015 collection) For me personally, the collection didn't take off until the 10th look where the continuation of the wool stampede develops through layered skirts and curvaceous oversized coats. This season, it was more about layers and comfort where the wearer doesn't seem too restricted, but not in a literal sense of stock piling numerous amounts of clothing on top of one another, but in a way - overlapping fabrics that already exist from garments. What I love most about the collection is the coats. The coats are perfectly tailored in a way that look disproportionate yet mimics the shape of the shoulders that are the same width of the hips. The collection concluded with patchwork skirts and dresses of mismatched fabrics from velvets and satins all of which were truly beautiful!

The two looks above are two of the many favourites I have for this collection. The first one to the left features a wool turtle neck, sleeveless sweater with a wrap-skirt in a monochromatic stripe, completing the look with a pair of patented leather boots. I love this look for many reasons, firstly the colours, or lack there of. Anyone who knows me knows black and white are my favourite "shade" combination. It's so elegant and timeless. Strangely enough, over the past season, I've been loving the turtle neck. As for the second look, I love the sweater. It's a continuation of the wool sweater from last season that featured a ribbon lace-up on it's side. I think it's extremely elegant and a sweater that I haven't seen before until now.

#014: Fashion Week: Day 2: Jill Stuart, Alexander Wang: Review

Today, I originally planned on reviewing the collection by Christian Siriano, but after seeing a few snaps of Jill Stuart on Instagram, I had to voice my opinions once again. I guess you could say I was equally happy and taken by the collection. Firstly, let me begin with the elephant in the room; doesn't it kinda remind you of a certain collection; created by a certain creative mastermind; for a leading luxury fashion label...? Nicolas Ghesquiere, yes? I thought so too. Once Ghesquiere made his fashion-return for Vuitton, it was inevitable that he would, once again be totally ripped off. Whether that's a good thing or not, we'll ever know. I would personally find it as flattery. But I didn't just get the Ghesquiere vibe, I also strangly enough got the Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent vibe. Whether thats from the mismatch of prints or quite bluntly cutting and pasting the silhouettes we've seen a mere- 6 months ago. But the resemblance of Vuitton is uncanny.

Having said that, it is in fact a great collection. Throughout, there isn't a fluid theme besides checks and stripes in an array of colours and fabrications. As per usual for at least all autumn/winter collections, coats where on almost every girl, some above the hips, above the knee and my personal favourites, mid-calf.

The two looks above are my personal favourites, simply by how simple they are. The look to the left includes a chevron mini-skirt, a nude sweater, fascinated by a brown suede belt and of course an above the knee coat. Despite being a literal copy of Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2014 look, it is quite stunning and very retro, which is a trend I'm loving right now. As for the second look, words can't describe how much I'm loving it. A black velvet skirt and blazer combo with rich silver metallic thread creating a pinstripe skirt-suit. Over all, it was a great collection and will certainly sell and we'll most likely see it on the streets come next autumn/winter.

Talk about intense. When watching the live stream, I honestly had no idea what we were in for. I guess the Punk/Gothic era has risen once again. As soon as the pounding music began, my back instantly tensed up and with reason. This season, Alexander Wang didn't give us the Raver Girl from last reason, basically the complete opposite. The juxtaposed palette of black and a smear hint of red is not exactly refreshing, anything but that, but a girl and mood he has never known us before. It's strange, despite the punk era growing tremendously in the late 70s, it's a huge testament that Wang has taken the very "trendy" 70s movement but doing it in a way that is frighteningly brilliant. As previously stated, the palette wasn't exactly diverse in exception of the fabrications, ranging from valves, leathers, metallics, silks and satins and of course the brilliantly executed knitwear.

Typically, the whole gothic/punk idea doesn't interest me, if anything it repulses me. However, ever since myself and a few of my friend's got our new college project, my friend, Aoibhinn, who has decided to focus her studies on the idea, I slowly but surely found an interest. Although, the collection Wang just showcased, it's growing much deeper. It was pretty hard to pick two looks that I really liked, therefore I've decided to insert a few.

Seeing as I loved basically all the collection, and have carefully selected a few of my favourites as shown above, I will only analyse two just like my other posts. Firstly, allow me to talk about middle look on the top level. It consisted of a knitted v-neck sweater where around the collar is detailed with silver metallic studs. Underneath was styled with a leather turtle-neck top, the leather trousers are cut at 3/4 length. And to conclude the look, a pair of rather sticking snow boots decked out in of course more metallic studs. I love this look. I have been noticing these deep v-neck sweaters around ever since Rag & Bone shown them in white for their sprint/summer 2014 collection. And finally, one of the finale looks which is shown from the far right in the bottom level. The coat is EVERYTHING. Shown in metallic gold foil with a fur trimmings on the hood. The look is completed with a chainmail skirt with silver metallic balls hanging off the hem with a velvet bra-top. 

#013: Fashion Week: Day 1: Wes Gordon, Jason Wu: Review

Today, 13th of February marks the second official day of New York Fashion Week where the likes of Kate Spade, Zimmermann, and Rebecca Minkoff showcased their latest Autumn/Winter 2015 collections. But for today, I will be reviewing both Wes Gordon and of course Jason Wu. The reason I chose these two specific designers, is that they embody the classic "American Fashion", sexy with an injection of a sportswear influence.

It's no secret that New York is notorious for their commerciality and Wes Gordon certainly proved that with this collection. The collection spammed 32 looks. The first quarter of the collection consisted of the same cliche New York Fashion Week separates; the charcoal and grey wool mimics the tough surroundings of the 'concrete jungle where dreams are made of' (sorry, I had to). Personally, from look 15-24, the collection was perfection; 70s prints enthused with lace trimmings. The hand-painted aesthetics adds a personal touch the otherwise boring collection. The pinks, yellows and oranges adds a refreshing approach to an autumn/winter collection. Which it needed. The finale looks included lace tops, doubled slitted skirts. There were two looks specifically I thought were beautifully designed. One being the look to the left below. An embroidered deep v-neck shirt dress complemented by a boxy dinner jacket and a pair of ankle boots. As for the second look below, one word comes to mind, which is DEVINE. The skinny-strapped black dress with two pretty high slits with embroidered lace gracing from the legs up could easily be mistaken for a Spring/Summer dress.

Overall, the collection didn't exactly spark too much excitement other than about 5 looks. I understand that the label Wes Gordon is still growing as a label, but hopefully over the course of the next few seasons he experiments with more experimental fabrications. 

As for Jason Wu, one word is simple enough to describe the general, well everything, which is "wealth". The collection began with rich shades of military greens, with crocodile embossed leathers, courageously large fur coats and scarves. Wu is genuinely known for his extremely luxurious fabrics and body-commplemeting silhouettes. As for the palette, it isn't too exciting or "out there" other than the shades of berry red. Another thing Wu decided to continue with is the hem length. Mid-calf is very flattering and could easily be pulled off by both the older generation and also the younger, which he has achieved numerous times in sales for both Jason Wu and Hugo Boss. 

The two looks above are my favourite from the entire collection, why? because they look extremely expensive. For example, the first look on the left is very modern. The whole black look is very Kanye West x Prada. The cropped jacket is very suiting to the collection making it look as young and youthful as possible, because Wu has the tendency to dip too much into the more mature customer (I know they are most likely his key-clientel) It's very working-girl. The look on the right is my number one favourite. Despite my hatred for real fur, I really love this look. The satin jumpsuit is truly beautiful. It is very smart and could easily be worn from day to night which everyone likes, right? I just hope Dakota Johnson wears it to a 'Fifty Shades of Grey Premiere'. Let's be honest, she'd look incredible!

Overall, it hasn't been a too shabby day for fashion. I just hope it gets more exciting tomorrow with Alexander Wang who always delivers and Christian Siriano. 

#012: Trends, they're not always good...

neglect

nɪˈɡlɛkt/

verb

1. 1.

   fail to care for properly.

   "the old churchyard has been sadly neglected"

   synonyms:

   fail to look after, fail to care for, fail to provide for, leave alone, abandon;

_______________________________________________________

There is no denying that I have neglected this blog over the past few weeks, if not months. I guess starting collage was a more demanding responsibility that I was not prepared for. Thankfully, I've fashioned myself a timetable where once a week I'll create a blog post. Who knows what the subject will be. Only time will tell. 

Some of you may not know the struggle for a boy who's friends drag him into high-street shops (like River Island & Topshop); the activity itself, I love, but being an active fashion follower, the ability to reference basically 80% of the stores items to designers is irritating both for me, and I'm sure them. I don't know, I guess it has become an unhealthy habit that I can't seem to shake. I guess it could be worse, I could be an active cocaine abuser, right?While the four fashion weeks progress from day to day, one can see a handful of trends developing. Once the images hit the internet, the design teams from the major fashion highstreet chains are on the ball before the runway garments even hit production. 

#1: Thigh-highs

Olivia Palermo wearing 

Stuart Weitzmen thigh-highs

Anyways, enough of my life anecdotes of my daily struggles. I've created this post to express both my concern and sheer delight of the trends that have grown over the past month or two. Let's begin with the good then the bad & ugly. Firstly, thigh-highs...need I go on? As you know, they've been around for decades, but it was only been a few seasons where I've seen them raise again. One would naturally associate thigh-highs with Kat Slater, the street's hoe (for you known UK/IRL folk, she is a character from the soup-oprah, Eastenders).

The likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Olivia Palermo are notorious for wearing the "trendy" staple. Clearly they've made a huge comeback, but will they survive several years, who knows? They're clearly not functional for the summer seasons so it's a guessing game. We'll just enjoy them now that we have them. In spite of being the shoe of the season, it's essential that they're worn in a heel or wedge; we don't need a baggy flat situation like the early 2000's, kay? Also, the tighter the better.

#2: Ripped Jeans

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley styling
the jeans more casually.

Kim Kardashian taking a more
aggressive approach to the trend.

Now onto the next one. I'm a bit indecisive about this trend. It has been around for many years, like the thigh-highs but recently hit the fashion-lot's radar again. Ripped Jeans. More specifically, black skinny jeans with a rip in both of the knees. At first, I was against the entire concept, lets be honest, some take took it to a whole new level. It would be safer if I didn't get too much into it. There was a brief stage where I actually quite liked the trend but as people took notice, you couldn't turn a corner without seeing a poor teenage girl trying to pull the look off. Frankly, it was a despite attempt. Sadly. All I can say is that I wish it doesn't follow into the Spring/Summer months. We don't need to see them in pretty pastel colours. Let's just keep them for the autumn/winter months. Chewing on the idea, don't they defeat the purpose? Jeans are warm, multiple holes will surely send a breeze up your, you know what...?

#3: Juju Shoes

A caption isn't necessary... 

There isn't many things that I HATE, but my God. Even though it's Winter where the temperature is in it's low-teens, people still find it socially acceptable to wear these horrid shoes. My personal opinion, I find them uglier than Crocs, yes, Crocs. I never thought it could be possible, but there you go. They come in an assortment of colours from the brightest pinks to the darkest blacks. They're typically a shinny and sometimes transparent rubbery material. They are indeed very 90's early 2000's. They don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I guess when the summer months hit, I can only make eye contact with the wearer (I should be doing that anyways, oops).

#4: The Blanket Cape

Olivia Palermo one of the first to wear

the stylish Autumn/Winter staple

On to a much lighter trend: The Blanket Cape. From the moment Cara Delevingne set her foot on the Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 runway, I knew we were onto a winner. Despite the practical aspect of the blanket cape, it's also very stylish. If you're not prepared to settle with the est. £1,000 price tag, the highstreet have rinsed the trend by recreating the cape with many prints and patterns. There isn't must more what I can say about the blanket cape without pouring my heart out. I lurrrve it. You should get on. 

If you think I'm missing out any other trends that are equally brilliant and horrifying, make sure to leave a little comment. Please follow this blog too to say up to date.

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#011: Fashion Week Chit Chat PART3...

So yeah, Fashion Month is almost over. Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my sobbing eyes! On the plus side, Paris just started so YAY! As for now, let me focus on Milan Fashion Week were fashion powerhouses like Prada and Roberto Cavalli were the latest to presented their Spring/Summer 2015 collection. Milan is never a city that excites me unlike London and Paris. They're more money driven; leathers, furs among many other fabrications are always on show. Not typically my thing, but I guess they're someone else's. Before changing my mind, I was planning on giving a short review on Moschino's latest collection created by American designer, Jeremy Scott, but let's face it I'll be here all day expressing my inner anger at how disgusted I was. Maybe another time. Most likely not. Today I'll be giving a short brief on both the Versace and DSquared2 shows.

Asking someone with very little fashion knowledge where the house of Versace is from, 95% of the time get it correct with Milan, Italy. You can't have Italy without Versace. It's like Britain's Burberry. America's Oscar De La Renta, and  Frances' Chanel. It's their country's trademark. Despite being one of the more "tacky" brands, you can't deny the luxury seeping from safety-pin dresses. Each item is incredible crafted to last you a lifetime.

This season, the Versace collection was a somewhat interesting. They suffered a little identity crisis. At this stage of the brand's legacy, should this be happening? The collection began strong with tailored pieces from fingertip length blazers to boxer brief elasticated waist mid-length skirts. They could have easily have been backup pieces from the Versus Versace show in New York. As the collection progressed, a much stronger sports reference what we've seen at 3/4 of the cities from leather lazer cut skirts and crop tops. Thankfully, the icon that is the Versace silk skirt made a few appearances; one in pastel tones and another in bold. The final looks where the pieces that generated the most buzz both inside the Versace show and the online world. There is no denying that they're Versace is there? Colour coated in thousands of Swarovski crystals, models walked with the sass they bring for Versace - thinking about it, it's not surprising; it's Donatella Versace, you guys!

 

Dean and Dan, both brothers, both twins. The pair are Canadian fashion designers based in Milan. Season after season, they've became Milan's show of theatricality. Where models portray characters the pair set them. It still baffles me as to why the pair continue to show in Milan considering how "American" their style is. They stick out like sore thumbs in Milan because of the culture clash between the two cities. Maybe that's their plan. Showing in America, they would sink into the background like most brands.

It happens season after season, so I'm not going to go into much depth, but in each collection, there is always so much going on. Too many ideas that don't make sense when you connect the looks together. It begins to look out of place and more often than not, it destroys the collections general mood. It's always difficult to pinpoint what may or may not have been the twin's inspiration. Judging by the opening looks, it's pretty much clear that Popart as played a part in the collection. Priemerly based on the colours and geometric shapes that fills the silhouettes. Choosing lighter in weight fabrics would make the opening looks more appealing rather than look thick and stocky. The collection progressed with a huge tangerine orange skirt that was dripping in huge floral-like ruffles; just a little misplaced if you ask me. Maybe for another collection, boys. So yeah, it was rather confuffled. The final two looks where just WOW, I'm still trying to process whether or not that's a positive or a negative. They featured silhouettes and colours opposite from the remainder of the collection. It's strange, because I don't think the same woman would buy the some looks from the start-middle and the ending. For a commercial brand, their identity seems to be bundled up. They seem to sell so what do I know.

PART4 will take slightly longer giving the fact that it's almot 2 weeks long. On the plus side, I'll be uploading a new post this weekend on my 'Top Picks #1' for Autumn/Winter so make sure you follow!

#010: Fashion Week Chit Chat PART2...

Typically, London Fashion Week is the most creative of all four cities. But what happened this season? Some exceed where as some feel flat.

Mary Katrantzou in recent seasons became one of my all time favorite designers. The mix of bold prints with colours brighter than the eyebrows at Badgley Mischka with silhouettes channeling those who wish to look like lampshades. There is no stopping the incredible Greek Goddess that is, Mary Katrontzou. Judging by the the textures and silhouettes used throughout, it's pretty clear, Katrantzou was inspired by the underwater world; Mermaids to be exact.

This season, I was pleasantly surprised, sort of. Like every other season, prints is what sets Mary apart from the rest of the designers in London. Although, this season, her signature prints were not as loud or noticeable as previous seasons. What I found most interesting is her use of texture, manipulating small fractions of textured lace mimicking the seaweed from the ocean; in an array of colours from black to pale, pastel purples all of which adds to the fantasy world under the sea. Despite the influence of the sea, a rather strange and off-topic print of a chameleon was randomly placed. It's a great print and a wonderful silhouette, but a little random if you ask me. One thing I was hugely bothered by was the final five looks. Unflattering, disheveled and pretty much a huge disappointment, just a select words I would best describe them. I totally understood the idea behind the cutouts placed on top of sheer fabric, but the result what not good. In the slightest. At all. The colours, textures were on par, but the execution was not.

For my second designer, I wanted to report on someone who isn't as well-known in comparison to other mainstream luxury brands like Burberry and Christopher Kane. Ashish Gupta, undoubtedly one of London's growing stars. One of the many incredible things about London based designers is that they don't an f-ing care just like Alexander McQueen's early days. It's hilarious. Gupta first hit my radar last season where extravagant, and extremely tacky 'VOGUE JEANS' graced the runway. I had to watch the entire show. It's so bad and so ugly that it's incredible. True London style I guess, right?

For his Spring/Summer 2015 collection, Gupta decided the dance floor was the place to be, quite literally. Both male and female models walked the runway in technicolor shift dresses and saggy [another sports reference] shorts. I'm personally not a HUGE fan of sparkle overload, unlike Gupta. In a way, it's like movies that use a massive tune of product placement...It's a little overkill. It's like Swarovski crystals threw up on everything. Everywhere. But who am I to judge someone's personal style. We all have one. Saying that, I have to applaud Gupta on giving a well rounded collection where sweaters of Kimye sat rather candidly. Despite the crystal/sequin overload, denim has played a role where jeans smerd in the faces of One Direction, some were even faced backwards (genius, right? I didn't see anything like that before, and it's rather obvious too). I'm sure when the collection goes into production, some of the items will be dumb down, you know, for the every day person to wear. I'm really excited to see what else Ashish Gupta has in store for us in the future.

PART3...is coming very soon! Make sure to keep up-to-date with me on social media. Instagram: eamonncollins // Facebook: Eamonn Collins' // SnapChat: eamonncollins