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 WAY TO WATCH SS13

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's a whole six months since the last round of shows. That's an age in the land of the internets and some of the industry's key websites have had quite a makeover in that time. For anyone dissecting the shows from afar, that means new ways to experience the collections digitally. Over NYFW, Melanie and I have found our own ways (aside from Twitter, of course) to see what's going on. This is our favourite...

The New York Times magazine dedicated fashion site, The Cut, has had a major spruce in the run-up to SS13. We're loving their back and front images of each look, as well as close-up bag and shoe views. It's not just their pictures which are brilliant- each show page has the editor's favourite looks and a one sentence review to sum up the show's vibe. If you'd like a bit more than one sentence then head over to SHOWstudio.com where industry experts are partaking in panel discussions of a number of shows- click here for yesterday's ninety minute extensive discussion of the Rodarte show.

Three way Thakoon...

Nipped at the front...

... loose at the back

Three way Alexander Wang..

White shirt at the front

...Cut out at the back

Two way Marc by Marc Jacobs

Collar at the front...

.... Collar at the back

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK AW12: HIGHLIGHTS FROM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY RODARTE! PROENZA SCHOULER!

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

New York is over for another season, save a few presentations taking place today. Here at FEAL, we're gearing up for the first day of London Fashion Week tomorrow. In the mean time, here are some of our favourites looks from the final few days in NY.

RODARTE

The Mulleavy sisters adopted the mid-century silhouette which has been prevalent for SS12. There were plenty of thick wools and knits alongside pretty prints and delicate frilled evening gowns. The show's first section had a Little House of the Prairie feel, but this gradually toughened up to include shearling and leather on more structured silhouettes. The show ended with two hand print full length chiffon dresses which are as beautiful as they are unnerving.

RODARTE FRONT ROW...

Tavi with roses in her hair

Dakota Fanning, who apparently put on dark
 glasses  a la Wintour to watch the show.

Beautiful loose up- dos backstage

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

Marc by Marc Jacobs was trussed up geek chic, with the addition of f**k of studded bags, satin prom dresses, thick black frame glasses and...

...big, bright red lips

Xiao Wen gets her lips done...

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ

The Rodriguez show was mostly an experiment in colour block dresses in hot tangerine, oxblood and sage green. However, my personal favourite look is this two tone drop waist coat- the collar bone exposing v-neck is very chic, either bare or with a polo neck. Plus, I'm developing something of an obsession with mid-calf boots.

REED KRAKOFF

This show began in black and ended in a series of creamy white looks, via orange and maroon. The play with layers and slightly varying tones ups the appeal here. Light, bright runway looks are lovely but whether they translate to the pavement is another question.

PROENZA SCHOULER

Another show inspired by Asian art and embroidery (also see Jason Wu), specifically the fabrics which the designers picked up on a trip to Nepal. Highlights include the quilted bird jackets and panelled skirts and dresses. Amongst those eastern influences were big, cosy leather coats which have winter in NYC written all over them.

Backstage at Proenza Schouler...

Acid trip meets Hindu make-up at Jeremy Scott

hi-top wedges

Jeremy Scott in the new novelty jumper- Bart print.

All catwalk images from catwalking.com. All other images from our favourite NYFW tweeters