IRIS VAN HERPEN HAUTE COUTURE S/S 2012

Allow me a moment to pause, catch my breath and recollect on the sheer wonderment that graced the catwalk during the Iris Van Herpen S/S 2012. As far as style stands, I am binded to the idea of effortless simplicity, mustered from chic, staple pieces. However once in a while, designers remind us that fashion is not merely the art of crafting and expressing one's sense of style. It's an art form. It comes from the inner musings of a designer's ability to translate dreams, imaginings and depictions of the ethereal into reality. 


Combining industrial materials such as recycled plastic and hand-carved wood with innovative takes on the female silhouette, Van Herpen has created a paradoxical collection which in my own interpretation can be pinned as digital yet dreamlike. Ever-daring and whimsical, Van Herpen's show at the Mercedez-Benz fashion week in Berlin is awe inspiring. From structured ivory to molten metal lustres, the 3D inspired collection is bold in its choice of palette and structure. I'll leave you to froth...

(All images credited to Dazed Digital)

LOVE LOCKS

Hair is the irremovable accessory to the way in which a person expresses themselves. I honestly believe that no matter what a woman is wearing, if her hair is devoid of love and pride, she carries herself somewhat less eloquently than a woman who looks after her tresses. After a few hideous haircuts and disastrous experiments with colour (black to blonde equals a garish orange), I have finally come to grips with the fact that as much as I love the idea of cropped locks and platinum blonde pixie cuts, my personality is complimented by long layers and silky chocolate tones. I've always been terrible at styling my hair because I'm an uncoordinated, fumbling mess and always end up with my hair caught in the hair dryer or burning myself on curling tongs. However lately, I've been experimenting with styling techniques whilst blow drying my hair and I've been picked up an idiot proof curling iron from my local salon that has made such a difference in my day-to-day life. 

I'm incredibly inspired by hair; the tangible feeling of infinite confidence when someone walks out of a salon with a gorgeous head of hair speaks for itself. As for style, I am a die hard fan of bold locks - overstated, blow dried barrel curls, backcombed beehives and rollers. Take the time out to take care of your hair and you'll instantly feel better about yourself. Remain on trend but know what suits you - the currency of style transcends merely one key fashion statement. Personally, I'm inspired by The Olsen Twins and socialite Olivia Palmero...

Images: 

Vogue Germany

Blogger

A Lover's Anthology

SEASONS GREETINGS

I'm writing this post from the confines of my bedroom, tucked snugly in my bed, with the air con and Regina Spektor blasting, enjoying some festive overcast weather and slipping into a turkey-induced food coma. Slightly sad that Christmas is over and done with for another year, yet overjoyed with the goodies that I unwrapped from under my tree. 

Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation

Chanel Mat Lumiere Powder

YSL 'Arty' Ring in Green

Chanel Nail Polish in 'Peridot'

MAC Blush in 'Pinch O' Peach'

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

Enjoy the rest of this festive season and all the best for 2012!

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Firstly, I'd like to apologise for being missing in action these past few weeks. It's safe to say I've been incredibly busy delving into seasonal festivities and preparing for Christmas and NYE. After a few days and nights spent at the beach with my friends downing Southern Comforts and ginger ale, I'm feeling refreshed and inspired to present some carefully crafted gift ideas during this season of sharing. 

Before then, I just thought I'd share with you The 10 Commandments of Fashion PR, which I found on one of my most religious (forgive the pun) reads, the dkny pr girl blog

Season's greetings!

GPV GOES FLUORO

Fluorescent fashion brings on a wave of nausea for me, as heinous flashbacks of my fourteen-year-old self haunt me. Those were the days when my besties and I would collectively customise trashy, oversized singlets from Supre, (the Australian equivalent of Tammy, or one of those shops you'd never be caught dead walking into after the age of thirteen), to create matching outfits for a school disco. 

However, fluoro is a trend that's caught my eye over the past couple of seasons, creeping back into fashion's good books with subtlety as its secret weapon. Gary Pepper Vintage is an e-boutique that snaps up style ruthlessly in an instant, so it's no surprise that their blog follows suit and makes me froth over seasonal trends during my coffee break.

Their latest spread pays homage to the most coveted blast from my wardrobe's past, but hallelujah, there are no leg warmers or sweat bands in lieu with fluoro's revival. Featuring the the most stunning citrus coloured tailored suit with a a structured lime green jacket slung over the shoulders, Gary Pepper Vintage has made realise that mistakes do deserve to inherit a second chance, because this is fucking (whatever, colourful language is all too appropriate here) phenomenal.

PURITY

Angelic, immaculate and uh - daring? White palettes have become somewhat of a paradoxical statement floating graciously down the runway of almost every designer this season.

I say this because it's easy to inject oneself with the vivacity of colour, or slink into the chic of a strictly black mantra.

And yet, what about white? Where does it fit into the scale of chromatic camouflage? There's always that innocent sense of purity when opting for white. Think whimsical brides and Sunday schools.

Givenchy S/S 2012

Chloé S/S 2012

Chloé S/S 2012

Chanel S/S 2012

Designers have really transformed the essence of neutrality in fashion this past few seasons. It's all about exquisite structure, minimalism and contrast. Plum coloured lips and smokey eyes against the crisp, clean glow of a white blouse. 

Perfection.

ADVANCED STYLE

After my too much coffee and dwelling on amaaaaaazing beach times over the weekend, my wonderful friend JoJo posted a video link on my facebook page and instantly propelled my spirits into infinite happiness.


Advanced Style is a blog that captures the essence of style and age and reveals that some of the most well-dressed women we see on the street are also the oldest.


I don't know about you, but I often perpetuate the idea that with age invites succumbing to the inevitability of a drab and lifeless wardrobe, as one lusts over the colour of their youth. There is an inescapable fear of growing old and losing touch with the little pieces of ourselves that made us feel somewhat electric. 


I watched one of the many short excerpt's that Ari Seth Cohen, the curator of Advanced Style, has put together to inspire both young and mature women to hold onto the vivacious sense of life that we can create through our own style consciousness. 

So inspired by the fearlessness with which these women approach age. It's a testament to the way people's attitudes towards life are reflected in the way they dress themselves. 


I'm going to keep my eyes peeled on the streets of Brisbane to see how many mature women are living by the mantra that style and grace defy the limits of age.