Tanya Taylor Presents Spring 2014 Collection in Calgary

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New York based designer Tanya Taylor came to Calgary this past weekend for a private preview of her spring 2014 collection – which received glowing reviews at New York Fashion Week last month. Local media, bloggers and buyers enjoyed an intimate setting Saturday evening where the collection was on display throughout the beautiful home where the event was held. Taylor’s collection for spring 2014 was light, fresh and reflected her impressive artistic flair. The combination of organza and painted fabrics were interesting and unique. Crayola-like colours were also carefully incorporated throughout. Seeing the clothes and accessories in person was especially cool because you could see and feel the texture, quality and attention to detail of every piece.  Continue reading “Tanya Taylor Presents Spring 2014 Collection in Calgary”

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Emilio Pucci

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Similar to Frida Giannini’s spring collection for Gucci, Peter Dundas’ latest collection for Pucci also had a super sexy and sporty vibe featuring pieces such as mesh tops and very short shorts, workout-like pants and belts that resembled championship boxing belts (is that what they’re called? – I wouldn’t know).  There were some incredible short and colourful beaded dresses, beautiful draped skirts and some very chic and structured sequin jackets. As well, this being Pucci, the collection also included pieces with the graphic and psychedelic patterns the label is known for. This was a body conscious collection that’s going to be popular with stars, models and those in the fashion crowd who are in great shape and like to show it.  Continue reading “Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Emilio Pucci”

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Gucci

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Another strong collection from Frida Giannini. Although this collection was a lot sportier than we’ve seen from Giannini in the past. There was a lot of mesh and pants that resembled track pants. It was a lighter, less intense collection and it’ll be interesting to see how well it does in the stores – while the mesh see-through shirts with exposed bras may look hip on the gorgeous models strutting down the runway, it’s not the most wearable look. But having said that, there were quite a few wearable pieces (the more casual dresses, the shear loose blouses and the chic kimono inspired jackets) and some evening wear that we’re likely going to see a of on the red carpet. I particularly liked a few of the sparkly pieces near the end.  Continue reading “Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Gucci”

Legendary Fancy Versace Mansion Sells For $41.5 Million

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The famous Versace mansion on Miami’s prestigious Ocean Drive, sold recently for 41.5 million to the to a business group that includes the owners of the Jordache denim label. The price seemed like a bargain considering the home was originally listed for $125 million in June 2012 then later reduced to $75 million. The 23,000-square-foot notoriously opulent home, known as Casa Casuarina, has 10 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a huge courtyard and a 54 foot-long pool lined with 24 karat gold. Gianni bought the home at the height of his fame in 1992. He apparently spent 33 million on renovations and added another wing. Sadly the home is also the location of the legendary designer’s tragic murder when he was shot on the front steps in 1997. The Versace family sold the property three years later.  Continue reading “Legendary Fancy Versace Mansion Sells For $41.5 Million”

Gwyneth in White Lanvin & Red Lips

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Gwyneth Paltrow may seem a little painful sometimes, but like her or not, it’s hard to deny the fact that she’s an awesome dresser (thanks likely in most part to her talented stylist). I mean, could this look be any better? At the premiere of her new movie Thanks for Sharing, the star looked beautiful in a white Lanvin dress from the Resort 2014 collection. The look is super feminine and flattering. While the dress has a bit of a retro vibe, the cut and length is very current. The minimal accessories and very cool Nicholas Kirkwood ankle strap heels keep the look modern and clean, and is totally in line with what we just saw at New York fashion week. And the vibrant red lips add a pop a colour and are perfect with the whole look (I sure think that red lips are underrated – the colour works so much better than most women think). This is also an easy look to emulate. A simple cocktail length white dress, awesome ankle strap heels, minimal accessories and red lips. Just don’t wear something like this to someone else’s wedding – that would be bad. Although Jennifer Lopez totally would.

Photos from fashiongonerogue.com and redcarpet-fashionawards.com

London Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Mary Katrantzou

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Katrantzou has acquired quite the following lately. And it’s not hard to see why – she has an aesthetic not like many others. There is a uniqueness to her clothes. It’s all about the incredible digital prints and the technology used to create them. For the spring collection, she opened the show with a series of prints that featured extreme close ups of shoes. It was a little trippy but pretty cool. The colours were strong and saturated. I particularly liked the pieces that combined her signature paring of fabrics (like, could the jacket above be any cooler?). Although the show began on a high note, it took a strange turn near the end. While she did show some of her signature digital flower fabrics that she’s known for, many of the cuts of the evening dresses didn’t work and were awkward. And if the clothes don’t look good on models of this calibre, then it’s highly unlikely they’re going to work on anyone else.

Photos from style.com

London Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Tom Ford

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Ford’s spring presentation was super different from his elaborate and indulgent collection last fall. This was Tom back to being Tom and doing what he does best – crazy good looking and EXPENSIVE clothes. He has a unique aesthetic – luxurious, sexy and refined. The leathers used were unbelievable and are going to come at an extremely high cost. But that’s what we’ve come to expect from Ford. This time Tom went for more monochromatic colours and the tanned leather pieces that opened the show particularly stood out. The slightly shear and slouchy tops were super cool as were the incredible wool coats. And loved that he’s bringing back the turned up collars. While he showed some interesting and very sexy pieces made of fabric that resembled spider webs, he also showed some glamorous and super sexy suits (no one does a pencil skirt like Tom). These are clothes for the power players – women who are super successful, sexy and RICH. And we’re going to be seeing a lot of the fractured mirrored dresses and boots that closed the show. In fact, I can’t wait to see who the lucky ones will be who’ll get access to this collection first. Let the popularity game begin…

Photos from style.com

London Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Mulberry

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After designing the label for six years, this was Emma Hill’s final collection for Mulberry. Over the last few years, Hill has helped transform the line and Mulberry has become a highly anticipated show each season by its many devoted followers. The first look on Cara Delevingne said a lot about the collection as a whole – it’s London chic and totally wearable. And it’s going to sell. Most of the silks Hill used for spring were soft looking and the tone on tone pattern was pretty and light, although I imagine it looked better in person. Many of the cuts, lengths and the floral patterns gave the collection a distinct 60s vibe that Hill seems particularly found of. I loved the leather and sheer striped outfits as well as the similar outfits done in leather and suede. Hill went super bold with one of the floral patters but it was nicely balanced when paired with the soft black leather skirt. The collection also included some great bags and shoes that will go over well with Mulberry fans. And let’s not forget the sweet bulldog that made a couple of runway appearances – and wore the clothes particularly well.

Photos from style.com

London Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Burberry Prorsum

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Like Antonio Berardi’s spring collection, Christopher Bailey chose to use light colours (mostly pastels) for the Burberry Prorsum spring collection. It was an original choice of colours considering the frequent use of black and white we’ve seen so far this season. Bailey featured a lot of lace and sheer fabrics (which will only be popular with a very select group of people) but he also included some super good looking draped skirts and dresses paired with flowing knits and jackets. Most of the coats were less structured than we’ve seen from Bailey in the past so it felt fresh. And the stripe and polka dot pieces were strong, especially when paired together, but they seemed a little out of place – hopefully it’s just a taste of what we might see more of in the fall. One thing’s for sure – the plastic cape at the end on model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne (below) will have many Burberry lovers talking and will get a lot of editorial coverage.

Photos from style.com

London Fashion Week Spring 2014 – Antonio Berardi

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After seeing so many shows in New York that didn’t really feel like spring, Berardi’s collection was refreshing and pretty. The colour combos worked really nicely together – pink, red, cranberry and coral, while the use of black, white and silver was relatively minimal. The embroidered fabrics were outstanding, giving some of the pieces a couture feel. One fabric in particular looked like alligator skin and was especially cool. And how great did the vibrant red lips look – amazing right? It’s a powerful lip colour when done well. The collection also included some beautifully tailored suits, and the long flowing dresses with zippers up the front were chic and modern. Berardi also showed tops resembling oversized sweatshirts that we’ve seen a lot this season but he did it in a way that made surprising sense with the rest of the collection.

Photos from style.com