The Cocktail Dress vs baby doll

If there was one cocktail dress to buy this season, I would go for this Sonia Rykiel Number. The cut, the flowers detailing, the length, the material, everything screams "stylish"and "timeless".

Sonia Rykiel seems to be inspired by the 1920s but adds a modern twist to her collection which more women should be inspired from... This current trend of Baby doll dresses which, I reckon are comfortable, don't do the trick when it comes to be stylish and remarkable.

This dress suits many occasions such as New Years Eve but also any occasions such as weddings with a long collar free coat and a tiny hair piece.

The cleavage is very low but could be sewn in...

LONDON FASHION WEEK: Award to Top (Marketing) Shop

There was a time when Fashion week was the occasion to show great creativity and disruptiveness (Chanel, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Viktor & Rolf, Giles Deacon) but the interest for fashion by the majority has led the fashion week to showcase a bit of everything. Many understood the marketing value of the fashion catwalks. After all, if Haute Couture doesn't make money but feeds sales of the Ready-to-wear and cosmetics, the fashion show could be used as marketing for other non descript brands and Top Shop management is not one to be lost on the marketing... Well known to make loads of profits by copying fashion designers' creations, Top Shop now also has its fashion catwalk which goes hand in hand with its collaboration with the top model Kate Moss. The Kate Moss collection for Top Shop aims at featuring items copied from her own wardrobe, a wardrobe constituted a lot by top designers.

So, to sum up, Top Shop aims at positionning itself closer to the High Fashion and give a sensation of edginess and fierceness. Hence their presence at the London Fashion Week, featuring new up and coming designers. Unfortunately, if it looks great in paper - and it does, after all, the mention in newspaper is worth millions of advertisement - the result in clothing is rather disappointing: Plain vests and cropped shapeless trousers. But it does make sense: after all, had they copied from the greatest designs, everyone would have protested and complained while doing nothing extravagant if not having a catwalk, no bad thing could be said.

I have to say that, if Top Shop is not great in designs, the grand designs of their communication team is very creative and worth the creativity of the greatest designers.

LONDON FASHION WEEK

At the London Fashion week, all eyes were supposed to be on Christopher Kane's 3rd collection. After his graduation Show at St Martin's School of Art, the designer became the new favorite of London for as long as 3 seasons...

In this spring2008 collection, floaty chiffon ruffles, slouchy tops and snake print vests in washed colour annuled the disruptiveness of his previous shows. And rumour says the fashion prodigal son lpuzzled the fashion crowd...

It is very interesting because this collection lacks of luster, of imagination and disruptiveness. However, it usually takes a few months before stylists get what is so cool about it. I reckon that, if the collection is not a big hits, a lot of ruffles might be seen on the fashion scene anyway...

Just wait and see.

Designer to follow

I was told about a watch maker based in Isle of Wight who, in 60 years of career had crafted 60 watches only.

To the example of this english watch maker, Garnazelle is not prolific a jewel designer but to arrive to such beauty might require a lot of thinking...

These beautiful "Boules d' Amour" ( "Love Balls"in english) are absolutely gorgeous and can be found in a variety of stones: onyx, catseyes, pink quartz etc.

So far, the designer is only to be found in France but I am sure such sexiness is bound to cross the channel or the ocean...

WHAT TO BUY ON THE HIGH STREET: SHOES

Style is not a matter of financial means. Some people are born with it and can make a £20 dress look very chic, surpassing any label around.

Thanks to good purchasing skills, high street brands sometimes do wonders in terms of line and proportions. This is why we are launching this new "chronicle": what to buy on the high street.

Today's post will be about these brogued T-Bars from Dune ( on the left) . At £75, they give the for example 365£ Sandie Jimmy Choos a good run for their money ( black shoes on the right)

Why are they worth buying:
1. The height: from the design, it is quite obvious the arch support will have the perfect curve.
2. The sole: it is large enough to make the shoes NOT to resemble a cradle which makes any woman look ridicule.
3. The colour: the fauve colour is a hit and it is just discreet enough to be worn with anything dressed up or casual such as jeans.
4. The shape at the base of the T-Bar is lovely and they will lengthen the legs and make any ankle look thinner
5. The heels: although not delicate, they fit the design perfectly, since being in proportion with the general design of the shoes.

The difference with Jimmy Choos which still is obvious in the sense where the Choos are more refined. Their front sole is flat and there are refined details and materials but with these T-Bars, Dune shows they can do well.
Don't miss them, these are keepers. You won't regret buying them.

Black in White

It is quite rare nowadays to spot a very elegant or stylish woman on the streets. When it happens, it often is in the posh areas of London, the pricetag being so obvious though, it doesn't really express natural elegance.

Last night, I had to stop to take an appreciative look at a beautifully stylish woman.

She was wearing a toffee cashmere top with fluid wide leg trousers (wool Crêpe), a beautiful silk chiffon scarf and matching contemporary jacket. On her feet, creamy flat ballerina shoes. The effect was stunning and probably even more so because the woman was black.

I realised that among my african friends, rare were those who wore white/beige which is a shame because it suits them so much! This is why I did this little photomontage on the left with famous beautiful black women ( Iman, Tyra Banks, Liya Kebede) and dressed them with white clothes to illustrate how classy and elegant they are...

It also reminded me of that Gucci ad with the baby...
I wish I saw more black women work on this look because it truly is inspirational!

Top at the bottom

Recently bashed by the press for having put on weight, Tyra Banks, ex Victoria's secrets model and now producer of America's Next Top Model, has shed the extra pounds for the New York Fashion week... Or at least, most of it.

I like Tyra: she has a sort of candor in a cynical business. This sort of candor however, is quite unexpected in terms of fashion! She, who gives advices to Top Model Wannabes, should know better, and especially, how to hide the remnants of the nachos bingeing located on her thighs and arms...

Tyra certainly looks lovely but she could look perfect if she had followed simple rules:
1. The dress's length: Tyra's thighs are much bigger than her - very thin- calves. She should have gone for a knee length dress... Since the dress is A-Shaped, it wouldn't make it less sexy.

2. The arms: it is tricky with arms, especially when left falling along the body! She should either strike a pose with both arms on the hips OR wear sleeves, even short. It is a matter of proportion. The best would be sleeves up to the elbow. Elongates the upper arm...

3. The shoes: although she made a right choice by wearing chunky models, she however, should have chosen black or off white, to recreate a balance in the silhouette...

Maybe she could ask some help from the professionnal fashionistas such as Nicole Richie, who almost never fails on the red carpet... Irony! Irony!

WOMAN OF STYLE

It seems, as far as pictures tell, that Eva Mendes never fails to look stylish. Not only is she always appropriately dressed ( relaxed and yet stylish for laid back events, beautiful in more exclusive situations) in all circumstances, but she never is wrong when shot in everyday's life.

Here she is sporting wide leg jeans ( Dolce&Gabbana?) before it even was 'In".
I am enclosing a few pictures to enjoy a true style icon!

STYLE SURGERY: CURVY & STYLISH

Flipping though the pages of an old magazine, I came upon a heading dedicated to "Curvacious women". The article was illustrated of a so-called Size+ model, who looked rather " normal" to me but never mind, magazines won't go too far, will they.

It is quite clear that rounder women are getting in vogue, and I personally find them more colourful and having much more presence than many frail girls.

However, my curvacious friends tell me that, not only do they find it difficult to hit clothes on the high street retail that fit them but more importanly, because of a self image issue, as per the ideas that are vehiculated that one has to be deadly thin to deserve beautiful clothes, they find it hard to dress in stylish way.

I might not be THE asbolute style reference but there are a few principles that are common to most stylish and not so thin women :

1. Pure lines: minimalist and well tailored garments are the best ally to curves. Cocoon shapes this winter are ideal because it celebrates the curves and it is superb. The Calvin Klein number above might be expensive but soon, it will be copied in all Zara and Cie...

One might retort that it will create a huge mass of fabric but I disagree: voluptuous women are not to be hidden, they should expose their curves and the fact that they are visible. Moreover, the wide shapes help to create balance in the spatial contours of the silhouette. Don't hesitate to wear oversized attributes such as collars, pockets, etc.

2. Avoid fabric with too much spandex that hug curves too much and especially in indesirable spots, even forming exaggerated rolls... Privilege crisp materials, cottons, wool etc.

3. Work on spatial balance and contrasts: create symmetry and equilibrium in shapes. If the curves are mainly located around the hips/ stomach, favour trapeze shapes and / or emphasize the waist with cinched products or belts. Hourglass is sexy. If curves are also on the top: wear V-Neck tops or enhancing V cleavages. Groom this head carriage!

Work on contrast in terms of colours as well as shape.

4. Accessorize and don't be afraid to do so: wear chunky jewellery, again, it is a matter of equilibrium: small chains and tiny details will only emphasize the curves whereas big necklaces such as multistrands or heavy beads create a portly effect. If wearing heavy earrings, wear no necklace and vice versa. Wear cuffs. Wear oversize shades. Wear colourful accessories and notably, beautiful and elegant motives ( If you cannot afford the Hermes stoles and other high end brands, ask your family to gather for really high quality presents) .

5. Groom your face and don't be shy about - even original but classy- hairdos... You are not tiny, be stunning and be noticeable. Do wear make up.

6. Buy wide leg trousers: all types. Make sure you don't buy low cuts which, even on skinny girls can cut the hips, thus a terrible muffin-top effect! Wide trousers can be 3/4 long, denim, wool etc. Always choose great cuts.

7. Invest in good underwear: Round and firm breasts always force envy. But heavy breasts can also fall, make sure your bras don't cut in the middle. Make sure they are the right size (70% of women wear bras of a wrong size) . When going out, why not wear shapewear? Spanx for instance makes very minimalistic briefs and waistshaper.

8. Wear wraps tops. A bit of drape at the front helps to hide the tummy. Kimonos are a lovely alternative

9. Cinch: wear wide belts on long sweaters or shirts.

10. Don't wear tiny shoes. Make sure your shoes don't have a "craddle effect" sole, it makes the curves look slightly childish which is not stylish! Really, dead serious on that one!

11. Skirts: A-shape either under the knee or to the ankle with flat shoes.