ACCEPTABLE IN THE 80S

So the eighties, though they may have been thirty years ago, keep popping up in our modern fashion monde. For evidence, look no further than Moschino's a/w ad campaign. For anyone over the age of 35, the idea that shoulder pads, power women and painted-on blusher are quite literally 'retro' must be a pretty scary thought. 

Not ready to re-embrace the decade that fashion forgot? Lust after Louis Vuitton's full skirted dresses, updated for modern women with saucy sweetheart necklines and contrasting black straps. Mad Men has a lot to answer for.

 

The Chloe girl is sitting pretty in the seventies this season, with luxurious satin blouses is subtle tones teamed with high wasited, wide leg trousers. Team with simple seperates in camel for an elegance like no other. 

With hints of the sixties and nineties scattered throughout the international collections this season, one question has to be asked; if we keep harking back to the past for inspiration, what will the look of the '10s be? I'd love to hear what you predict. 

PRET A PREEN

So New York fashion week continues this week, a host of designers having already unveiled their collections to the world.  But with others still hotly anticipated (we mean you, Wang!), now is a good time to take stock of what we'll all be wearing next season.

The formula for Preen this season? Mix Mark Fast with PPQ, send them through Givenchy and you're on the right track. I'm particularly taken by the nude-hued hip-ruffle cocktail dress (above right).

Charlotte Ronson showed a multitude of influences in her simple, yet detailed, collection; velvet, lace and knits made for sumptouusly slouchy trousers tapered at the ankle and playfully oversized seperates. The shots of electric blue and shimmering russets kept a youthfulness about the collection that appealed to those young enough to wear the trends of the sixties without feeling any deja vu. No wonder Peaches Geldof and everyones favourite City girl Whitney Port were front row favourites. 

With many of the major players in this beautiful game still to show, we can only anticipate what will be shown over the next few weeks. elleuk.com will be my first port of call for all the latest looks, as always, but, and I am unabashedly excited about writing this, I will be checking the site from la ville d'amour,  Paris! When I return I'll take a look at the latest shows, and also hopefully show off some Parisian chic! 

Au revoir readers, je t'aime! X

RIP ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

This afternoon I was shocked, saddened and deeply affected by the announcement of Alexander McQueen's reported suicide. At forty years old, Lee McQueen was a designer like no other, and his presence and unrestrained genius will be sorely missed in the coming fashion weeks.

The news, coming just days after the death of his mother and three years after the death of Isabella Blow, the fashion producer credited with his discovery, is being treated sensitively by the media, and this is something those close to McQueen will appreciate. The statement on his website, closed shortly after the confirmation of the death, reads simply

"On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family.
Lee's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this."

It is reported that McQueen hanged himself this morning in his London home, a thought that seems only to heighten the tragic sense of today's events. Watching his body being removed from the home bought tears to my eyes, tears for a loss resonating hugely both with me and those in the wider fashion world. The presentation of his lower priced line McQ, scheduled for this afternoon, has just been reported to be cancelled, shrouding the future of his main line and A/W '10  show, due to be shown in Paris next month, in doubt. We can all but wait.

RIP McQueen, you were one of Britain's leading lights and the fashion designer of the decade. You will not be forgotten.

  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Before I say anything, I must apologise for the severe lack of blogging this month, it seems I underestimated the amount of time and effort college is taking out of me. But I never stop watching, and if anything deserves my attention more than psychological experiments, it's Fashion Week. The opening day of the schedule has yet to reveal itself to me, but take a look at these Blumarine looks from earlier (taken from http://www.elleuk.com/). The house went for two very different looks, swinging from tie-dye delights in pastels and summer brights to a more utility-feeling look, reminiscent of last season.

The collection was fresh and breezy, with earthy undertones in simple, military inspired pieces that will work well in England's crazy climate (snow and sun on the same day?!). As always readers, I want to know what you think. What do you expect from A/W '10?

Hopefully the coming fashion weeks are what I need to get me back on blogging track!  

EYE SPY

How cute are these Giles clothes hangers? I want them to watch over my own garments!

See more pictures from Pitti fittings here, at Love magazine's excellent blog.

SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE

again apologies for the picture quality! My camera is down atm

J'adore bijoux! I love, love, love it. Bedecked, bedazzled and bewildered by metals, gems and stones, I worship at the altar of accessories. It's no surprise to those that know me, as I regularly  turn up to Sixth Form looking more like a jewellery stand than a student. But hey, jewellery is for wearing, right?!

So imagine my delight when I recieved a (belated) Christmas present from a friend of mine today, the gorgeous leopard clasp bracelet you can see in the top image. It's a quirky piece, with inky black stones and twinkling diamante set in antique-feel silver metal. Animal jewellery is always favourable in my eyes, allowing us to convey the same strength, grace and power as the beings we are wearing. Who wouldn't want to be a lioness, given the chance?! Of course, the little creatures are just as desirable. Fish are fantastic as brooches, while birds and butterflies look terrific dangling from your earlobes. I'm a huge believer in independent style, animal jewellery adds just the right amount of interest to an outfit. 

Of course, stunning classic pieces are no less captivating than their figuratively formed counterparts. The second image posted above shows my favourite piece of the minute: a delicate pair of drop earrings given to me by my mother just yesterday.  I've always loved diamonds and pearls, whether real or costume, and they work a treat together. I can't wait to wear them out. Vintage jewellery has a quality that the high street struggles to provide, with classic, sweet designs. Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette, starring Kirsten Dunst, is a delight if you're into vintage jewels! But mostly, I'm a sucker for a story. My mother wore these on her wedding day; a special occasion in anyone's books. I love the idea that these pieces had a life before me, and I'm priveliged to be the next person to take them on their journey. Who knows where they'll be in another sixty years time? 

I have heaps of jewellery, and soon I'll do post on my favourite pieces. I'd love to hear what jewellery means to you and about your personal accessorising style! But for now, revision beckons! I thank you for sticking with Bella's Boutique, and I'll leave you with a promise to blog more, blog better and blog longer! Let's make 2010 Boutique's year.    

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

temporary photos, will try and post some of better quality later!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FASHIONISTAS!

It's officially 2010, a new year and a new decade! I would like to take this chance to wish all of you a wonderful new year; let's hope it's better than the last. I'm also hoping that 2010 started as we mean to go on! It was a night with the best friends for me, with more eyeliner than I've worn for a long time and a vividly hued Christopher Kane for Topshop dress. I paired it with gold platforms after doing some research on Kane's iconic S/S 07 show. What do we think?  

As many of us will have done as the clock struck twelve, new years resolutions are entertained as we thought of fitter bodies, kinder words and more money in the bank. I chose, as usual, to get fit, work hard and expand my wardrobe with smart buys. But what have you guys decided to change in your lives? I'd love to hear.

Once again, happy new year fashion fans!