MEET THE NEW WEDGE HI-TOP: THE WEDGE TRAINER

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Way back in 2007, Victoria Beckham strode onto the field at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the LA Dodgers to do the ceremonial first pitch. At the time, if my memory serves me correctly, the press had a lovely time talking about how VB was so dedicated to her heels that she couldn't even bring herself to wear flat trainers for her sporting appearance. Fast forward over five years and Mrs Beckham has come a long way since those peroxide crop days. I can't remember the last time we saw her in anything approaching a hot pant and there have even been forays into ballet shoes, biker boots and gladiator sandals. The Victoria Beckham in the photo above is almost unrecognisable from the chic designer we see today, even if the footwear was by Dries Van Noten . 

British Vogue, January 2013

And yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that those bright white wedges might have crept onto the mood boards sketching out fashion for 2013. In case you hadn't noticed, last year was dominated by the wedge trainer; Isabel Marant's Bekket and Ash's Bea sparked thousands of imitations and some even said that these were "new Uggs". The evolution of the sporting wedge has now taken a seriously high end swerve, much like Posh Spice herself. In a colour blasted, Paul Weller inspired Patrick Demarchelier shoot starring Karen Elson in January's Vogue, Lucinda Chambers was clearly so taken with Jil Sander Navy's wedges that she used them in every single full-length shot of the 12 page shoot. Yesterday, Celine's pre-fall collection was unveiled complete with several rifs on the wedge trainer. Unlike their high top relations, the new wedge sport shoe is clean and rather smart with tight laces best worn in a neat bow. The curve of the wedge is in full view, instead of muffled under padding, and they are seriously high. Certainly no contender for Ugg replacement. Get yours at Saks or Solestruck, white hot pants not advisable. 

Celine Pre-Fall 2013 (style.com)

Celine pre-fall 2013 (style.com)

FASHION FOR 2013: NEW YEAR, FRESH BEGINNING

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

In her column on Fluffy Jumpers-which let's face it, we've all been living in for the past two weeks- Jess Cartner-Morley warns that their time as our sartorial go-to is limited, that the trail of fluff we leave is "fashion's way of telling you the post-Christmas hibernation period is over". When a mere month ago it was hard to see past the fuggy forthcoming swing between cosy knitwear and party dresses, now is the time to get our look together again, wipe the slate clean and perhaps try out fashion's new soft pared back mood. Gone is the austere sharpness of old school minimalism, in its place something inspired by  the soft curve of a Givenchy or Balenciaga Spring/ Summer flounce or the delicate twist of a Celine bow shirt.

Gently minimal... Celine SS13

Filippa K, one of the lesser known but nevertheless well established Skandi brands, sent me these quite beautiful images of their SS13 collection back at the beginning of December when all I could really think about was cocktail rings and glittery socks. Today, however, they seem completely perfect and very much in keeping with fashion's new direction. Everything looks buttery and luxurious, like a gentle, hand held, fresh start. Nothing that's too much of a shock to the system, which is surely what January is all about? Of course, Julia Stegner's mussed up Germanic blondness helps too. It looks to me like by far the best selection of the brand's cocooning but smart knits and no-nonsense cropped trousers will be at one of their stores in Denmark, Sweden and the like. If that's not on your 2013 agenda then Anthroplogie, Nelly and Atterley Road make a good start.

Images courtesy of Filippa K, by Lachlan Bailey

Top five fashion moments of 2012

The dynamism and unpredictability of ever changing fashion trends are the major factors that intrigue the fashion enthusiasts from all over the world. Like every year, the year 2012 also witnessed some fantastic sartorial moments that created a special place in our hearts. 

Among those awe-inspiring fashion moments of 2012, the closing ceremony of London 2012 Olympics can be deemed as the best. The celebrity studded event saw a bevy of supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell strutting in exotic Alexander McQueen outfits and to take the glamour quotient a notch higher there was a live show by Spice Girls, who appeared in a variety of sexy gowns designed by the likes of Giles Deacon, Suzanne Neville, Maggie Cooke and Zuhair Murad. 

The second best fashion moment of the year was certainly the emergence of the Duchess of Cambridge Katherine Middleton as the perfect example of sophisticated royal fashion. The beautiful lady’s eclectic choices of elegant dresses, designed mainly by Alexander McQueen and Prabal Gurung, worn in all public appearances, made her a global style icon.

James bond 007 Daniel Craig's impeccably tailored slim suits, designed mostly by Tom Ford, in the latest blockbuster movie Skyfall holds the third place in the list of best fashion moments of the year.

Another star struck fashion moment came through the pouty beauty Angelina Jolie’s iconic right leg exposing black Versace gown with a thigh-high slit. The sleek, simple off-the-shoulder fitted gown, worn by the actress at the 84th Academy Awards, takes the fourth position in the best fashion moments listing of the year.

 

Read More about Top five fashion moments of 2012  @ Fibre2fashion

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FEAL

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's nearly time to hang up our stockings and settle down to Love Actually, Quality Streets and just one more turkey sandwich. Before that though, I'll whizz you through the week's fashion happenings...

There'll be no Givenchy couture show in January, the Parisian house announced this week. However, that doesn't mean there'll no representation of Riccardo Tisci's designs on red carpets as commissions will continue to be taken for celebrities and other special clients.

Cate Blanchett  in Givenchy Couture

The Beckham fashion world takeover continues with plenty of stories from the family this week.  Not only is Romeo the star of Burberry's SS13 campaign but his Mum is launching an e-commerce site in the New Year while David has apparently bought his wife some silky Olivia Von Halle pyjamas for Christmas. Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman was quick to point out that Romeo doesn't meet Vogue model standards so a cover is a little way off yet.

Gwen Stefani graces the cover of American Vogue's January edition. She's wears Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent, which is quite a statement of support for the collection which caused such a drama when it was shown in September. Fashion observers are now labelling Saint Laurent as the go-to for musicians while Raf Simons' Dior is for princessy actresses apparently.

Gwen Stefani images via Vogue.com

In other ad campaign news, Prada has switched from the usual course of telling stories in its ads- recall the models at the petrol station, or playing chess?- and gone for a series of pared back images for SS13. Steven Meisel is, as ever, behind the camera. Prada say the new approach is about reflecting "confident individuality". Meanwhile, I would love to know the story behinds Marc Jacobs and Juergen Teller's SS13 Marc by Marc Jacobs ads which feature grafitti and a toilet. 

Prada SS13 (Image via Prada)

Marc by Marc Jacobs (image via highsnobette.com)

Finally two big publishing industry stories this week which you should certainly cast your eye over. Thailand and Ukraine will get their own Vogue editions next year, which can only mean one thing, reports Jess Cartner-Morley. Also this week, Vice Media bought i-D magazine. Andrew Creighton, Vice's President said "What i-D has not necessarily done, by accident or design, is move into the digital area in a big way." Watch this space.

Melanie and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year. Thanks for helping us have an awesome FEAL year, bring on 2013. We'll be back in January

XXX

THE LADY WEARS MIU MIU

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Staying in is quite clearly the new going out, according to Miuccia Prada. Today, images for the SS13 Miu Miu advertising campaign, shot in new York by Inez and Vinoodh, were released, full of beautiful people languishing on beds made up with pretty silk eiderdowns, leaning across tables adorned with dying flowers and slumped against red painted walls. It's almost like these ladies were all dressed up, ready for tea at The Ritz perhaps and then there was a sudden flood warning so now they are all dolled up with nowhere to go. They do some posing, drink a little wine, feel saucy and drowsy in equal measure and dress up in even more of their slightly off-kilter elegant wardrobe; there are furs, crystals and a demure pencil skirt, but hold on, it's denim?

Miu Miu describe it as a "mysterious domestic setting" which provides a "fresh view of contemporary femininity". Given that in many of the poses, the girls look either bored or sleepy, let's hope it's not too close to what Miu Miu really thinks being a girl is all about in 2012. There are also lots of seductive gestures and come-to-bed eyes among the shots, suggesting that some girl-on-girl action is on the agenda, an intelligent spin in its itself given that this Miu Miu collection reminds so clearly of the trussed up, fabulous yet sex-sceptical look of the mid century. It's beautiful and elegant yes, but obviously sexy no. Well, not until now...

Bette Franke makes her move on Malgosia Bela

A Bette Franke sandwich 

Could Doutzen Kroes look more bored, or more beautiful?

A well dressed sulk

All images courtesy of Miu Miu

Miss Universe 2012 - Olivia Culpo from USA

United states Olivia Culpo was crowned Skip Galaxy 2012 at a event wedding on Wed.

Philippines’ Janine Tugonon was adjudged the first runner-up followed by Venezuela’s Irene Esser.

India’s Shilpa Singh created it to the top 16 identify, but did not success further.

Miss Galaxy 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola crowned Culpo as the new Skip Galaxy at the shining wedding organised at World The show biz industry gambling house on the Las Nevada Remove.

As many as 89 elegance a queen from all over the globe originated on Las Nevada Wed evening to contend for the headline of Skip Galaxy.

The board of 10 most judges involved musician Cee Lo Natural, Pablo Sandoval of the World Sequence champ Leaders, Metal Chief cook celebrity Masaharu Morimoto and US Olympic seaside beach ball silver medallist Kerri Walsh Jennings.

View more images from Miss Universe 2012 Event

PLAYING PRE-FALL DRESSING UP

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's nearly time to snuggle into your Christmas jumper and be done with proper fashion for a week or so, but before that we mustn't forget that the next round of collections- Pre-Fall 2013- is trickling in slowly, giving us a little taster of how we might be looking a year from now. In traditional FEAL fashion, I've got out the Big Head to demonstrate how I might possibly look in some of my favourite looks so far...

1. GUCCI

Checks and tartan are looking strong for next Autumn. Gucci's woollen dress has a strong, pulled together silhouette with a hint of kilt, the perfect balance of chic and traditional.

2. 3.1 PHILLIP LIM

This is quite possibly the archetypal example of what a Pre-Fall (or Resort) collection is all about; it would be quite perfect to put on this entire look, walk out of the studio door and go live life, rucksack slung over shoulder.  You'd be wearing key, hard-working wardrobe pieces with a fashionable but not slavish hint at trends. Winter Turquoise is looking like a big thing, following on from the Celine coat of AW12. 

3. PROENZA SCHOULER #1 and #2

As a simple styling concept, Proenza's concoction feels bang on- take a monochrome colour block sweater, add statement skirt and simple heels. Done. It feels like a wearable, day to day move on from the final looks in Raf Simons' first Dior collection- the black jumper with iridescent ballgown skirts. I couldn't decide between the artsy blue optical skirt or the burnished gold so I stuck my head on both. 

4. ALEXANDER WANG

Will we be seeing grey marl sweats on the Balenciaga catwalk? Possibly not, but Wang's Pre-fall draped luxe sport get-up seems rather fabulous to me although not sure I'd wear the whole look all together. The easy but versatile sweatshirt would be top of my list. 

5. THEYSKENS' THEORY

Oh dear, I'm going to make another Dior reference, but don't you think this sheeny dress coat is a little bit like those updated Bar jackets which Simons did? It's glitzier and comes with what looks a bit of a nasty belt however it fits perfectly into the idea of wearing a jacket as a dress which is really sexy in a Roxie Hart kinda way. 

6. CHANEL

I really ought to have picked my tartan choice from Chanel's Paris -Edinbourg collection, however I by far prefer Lagerfeld's interpretations of Elizabeth I attire, all virginal white gowns with ruffs at the neck. If only I had the photoshop skills to transport the intricate plaits which Sam McKnight created for the occassion onto my own 'do.