Just scrolling through my Instagram stream before I went to bed this evening (as I do - what on earth I did in the times mobile phones could only make calls or text I don't know), I came across a couple of images posted by a US based fashion editor, of a couple of outfits from an Yves Saint Laurent catwalk show. Except I couldn't tell you what those outfits were because my attention was demanded instead by the frighteningly skeletal frames of the models wearing the clothes.
When will these designers stop doing this? Not only do these poor girls look like they're swamped by the clothes and about to keel over through starvation, but the clothes just look shapeless and no better than they would look if simply presented on a shop hanger. Hardly the way you'd want to present something you've worked so hard on for womanly, curved bodies to wear, surely?
And just for the record, yes, I do mean poor - I don't believe for a second that any of these skeletal, sinewy looking models are naturally so thin if they're maintaining a remotely healthy lifestyle. And I think it's absolutely disgusting that any model agent, designer or otherwise should be allowed to put pressure on any of them to reach such a weight.
This just cheapens any attempt the fashion industry makes to convince us - usually with a token "plus size" model here and there - that they're trying to change the way things are. Here, one of the world's most prestigious designers, turns all those efforts right on their head.
What happened to the beautiful, slim and healthy look of the original supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista et al? They'd still look far better on the catwalk showing off designer creations at circa 40 years of age than these super SKINNY models nowadays do.
I've said my piece. It probably won't make a morsel of difference, but one person continuing to harp on about it is better than none.
Last week saw the highly anticipated Harvey Nichols Birmingham Autumn/Winter 2013 fashion show. My previous blog mentioned how its popularity had been growing fast over recent years and this time was no different. With the 'frow' seating a host of footballers, WAGs (including Danielle O'Hara) and other local celebrities and more people than seats, the pressure was on for the sell out event to showcase the top fashions available to those who want to stand out from the crowd over the coming season (purse strings allowing of course).
With both menswear and womenswear being strutted down the catwalk, it was clear to see which emerging trends are set to be the focus for customers of the luxury designer store.
With a personal passion for shoes, naturally my eyes would gravitate to the feet clip clopping down the runway. But even those who aren't bothered so much about shoes (how can you not love shoes?) couldn't miss the footwear on show; some of it was certainly eye-catching. Take the fluorescent yellow men's high tops for example or bright pink ladies high heeled sandals. Lush!
Now Harvey Nichols have always been good when it comes to eveningwear and yet again they didn't disappoint. Surprisingly however, my favourite outfit wasn't from the womenswear department, but from the men's. A rather dapper, yet slightly quirky suit from Vivienne Westwood got my vote in this department, with the cane by Alexander McQueen taking the prize for best accessory. I love something a little bit different. Don't take my word for it though, check them out below.
Left: Vivienne Westwood suit, Christian Louboutin shoes. Right: DSquared jacket & bow tie, Givenchy shirt & trousers, Christian Louboutin shoes, Alexander McQueen cane.
A firm favourite in ladies eveningwear will always be Philip Armstrong, and his distinctive style stood out once again in a beautiful purple dress below:
Philip Armstrong dress, Sophia Webster shoes
More ladies eveningwear:
Left: Jenny Packham dress. Jimmy Choo shoes & bag. Right: Rachel Gilbert dress. Jimmy Choo clutch
A big trend I see coming out for AW is leather. It's already creeping into high fashion stores all over the place and Harvey Nichols had some fantastic pieces to offer the girls from a gorgeous leather panel dress by MuuBaa to leather jeans and leather skirt. Teamed with a fake fur jacket - as demonstrated - this is certainly a trend for the fashion forward.
Left: SGM coat, Muubaa leather trousers. Centre: Unreal fur coat, MuuBaa leather panel dress, Jimmy Choo shoes. Left: Unreal fur jacket, Pinko leather skirt, Jimmy Choo Shoes
Casualwear also caught my eye this time, with my favourite look from the show being a bold zebra knit by Escada Sport teamed with T by Alexander Wang leather jeans. The causal jeans, knit and stilettos (below) was also an easy, but great look. As with all jeans though, it is of course all about finding the right fit for you.
Left: Escada Sport cardi, T by Alexander Wang leather jeans. Right: Acne jumper. Rag & Bone jeans. Sophia Webster shoes. Stella McCartney bag.
Finally, there's been much of a hoo-haa about 'the pink coat' proving very popular as a trend this season. Not one to miss out on this hot seller, Harvey Nichols also pulled out this gorgeous hot pink wool coat by Marlene Birger.
Marlene Birger coat, Escada Sport trousers, Paul Smith jumper, Stella McCartney bag, Alaia ankle boots.
Other trends featuring throughout were prints - clashing and mixed - for ladies and there were several pieces in mens casualwear featuring skull designs.
All in all a fantastic show from Harvey Nichols. Now if you will excuse me whilst I go and argue with my bank manager over how much money I'm planning on spending...
September is always a good month for the style queens and fashionistas of Birmingham, and this year it's going to be bigger and better than ever.
We have Style Birmingham Live taking place towards the end of the month, the Bullring and its iconic Selfridges store celebrates its tenth birthday (which also makes me feel old as I was a student working in a store there when it opened)... but first up is something I always look forward to: the Harvey Nichols Birmingham Autumn/Winter Fashion Show.
Once held in store with just a rejig of space, the event keeps on getting bigger and bigger. It's now become so popular that the Spring/Summer show earlier in the year had to be moved to a huge space in the Old Post Office building within the Mailbox complex, where it will be held again this time.
Set to showcase
the very best in designer collections, the catwalk event will be staged this coming Tuesday September 10 and will feature striking new season ranges from
Christopher Kane, Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Markus Lupfer, Christian
Louboutin and Philip Armstrong.
Always an event that manages to pull out a few well known faces from the football world (and, of course, their 'WAGs'), for
this event the luxury store has gone one step further, teaming up with Professional Player – the magazine delivered to all UK professional
footballers. And quite frankly, they might as well - the number of Guccis and Louboutins these so-called WAGs - and no doubt the footballers themselves - are rumoured to splash out on, they'd be missing a trick if they didn't make it an official partnership!
Harvey Nichols have, incidentally, also recently announced their expansion plans for the Mailbox site, so the catwalk show should hopefully give us a taste of things to come.
Richard Vickery, General Manager of Harvey Nichols
Birmingham commented: “This
will be our biggest show to date in such an amazing venue.
“We are expecting the most exclusive front
row yet – it certainly will be the event to see and be seen at.”
That's good enough for me! Roll on Tuesday!
INFO:
Tickets
cost £15 and the evening will kick off with a Champagne reception at 7pm.
Following the show, guests can enjoy an exclusive 15% discount in store. There
will be a charity auction, hosted by TV presenter Nick Hancock, with money
raised going to the footballers’ charity XPro.
Vintage lovers and new-only-fashionistas alike will unite as one with a new shoe collection launched this April.
agnes & norman is a stunning collection of footwear, taking its inspiration from a bygone era. Designed by designer Rachel Simpson and carefully handmade by skilled craftsmen in Spain, the emphasis is on simplicity and quality.
If you like the style, shape and idea of shoes from past decades, but want the endurance of a good quality shoe, or you just simply don't like the feeling of wearing shoes that have been worn by others before you, then agnes & norman might just be the collection you've been looking for.
The spring/summer collection is made up of fifteen styles; perfect for work, play and everything in between, the range is full of spicy, rich tones and earthy neutrals in leather and suede, finished with delicate stitching, metallics, flattering straps and cute bows.
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Much more affordable than a designer collection, but with no compromise on quality, the agnes & norman range is available exclusively online and already counts Izzy Judd - wife of McFly's Harry, and star of Mr Selfridge, Lauren Crace amongst its fans.
The best thing about the collection? The range includes footwear for men AND women - so for once you guys can get in on the exciting action!
Visit agnesandnorman.com to see the full collection!
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