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