Fashion Week is the source for heaps of amazing nail art and gorgeous polish ideas, and the Fall 2012 shows were idea gold. Sushi nails, ombré glitter manicures, fishnet-stocking French tips, crushed glass: this season had it all, and now you can, too. Here's the scoop on the hottest manicures from Paris, Milan, London and New York. What's your favourite look?
2012 A/W London Fashion Week showed some covetable trends to try out come A/W 2012. While brands like Erdem, Mulberry, and Moschino Cheap & Chic showed off their penchant for modern lace, Burberry and Topshop Unique opted for a military influence. Furthermore, we spotted a lot of pink hues, interesting fur detailing, and brilliant digital prints. Want to get the complete lowdown? Click to see our comprehensive round-up of London Fashion Week's top runway trends.
For his first showing at London Fashion Week, local designer Dion Lee delivered yet another standout collection. It was evident in the 15-piece presentation that sculptural suiting remains his forte, in black, white and a pop of cherry red, while laser cut-out panels infused with nude mesh panelling reflected Lee’s inspiration — “lungs, and the way air moves through things.” Sheer, floor-length, organza overlays with subtle graphic print were worn over skirts and trousers, while figure-hugging dresses and monochrome suits were given an injection of shine via metallic fringing and mirrored detailing. Other key pieces included the oversized grey marle knits with shimmering accents, and classic femme pumps with cut-out ankle straps by none other than Kanye West.
Celebs are flocking across the pond to enjoy the London Fashion Week festivities, and while they're checking out the runway shows, we're taking notes on their standout front-row attire. So far, we spotted Kate Bosworth, Clémence Poésy, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at Burberry's A/W show (did you catch our live stream?), Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Olsen in sleek LBDs at the Mulberry dinner, and Rose Byrne donning a chic asymmetrical sheath at Pringle of Scotland. Want to see more celebs making their rounds at London Fashion Week? Just click the slideshow for more stylish snaps of Olivia Palermo, Victoria Beckham and Alexa Chung.
Cold shoulders? Roksanda Ilincic's answer is a A/W 2012 collection of sheath dresses, tailored trousers, and slouchy sweatshirts all topped with fur trim. It's the modern girl's cold-weather wardrobe — complete with the most sophisticated play on buffalo plaid (yes, sophisticated plaid) we've ever seen embellished onto deep burgundy dresses and bold bright blue pencil skirts. Silhouettes, too, speak to that modern proportion — slouchier tops and slim-cut skirts. Nothing is too literal; while sporty references abound with hooded sweatshirts, relaxed trousers, or full jumpsuits, Roksanda counters with luxe fur trim on the same laid-back toppers. She always remembers her clientele with the feminine allure they crave. To that note, there are the classic ladylike silhouettes — sheaths finished with a flutter of ruffles at the hem or a sharp little dress with just the right draping. It's not hard to imagine Roksanda's fans like Kate Middleton or Michelle Obama slipping into any of the designer's perfectly crafted dresses.
Mary Katrantzou didn't shy away from her signature look; in fact, she turned up the dial on the bold prints she's become known for — the same ones she's crafted for her own Topshop collaboration. Her Fall '12 collection had no shortage of neoprene colour, nor full-bodied patterns crafted in the most sculptural of silhouettes and body-conscious forms. Katrantzou revealed to The New York Times that her way with print is not without purpose: "With print, it is about educating the customer to try it on and see what it does with the silhouette . . . trying to do with print what a black dress would do onto their body. And it works!" If you see the line through her eyes you begin to understand her body-conscious strategy. It's not just about the whimsy of the print; every detail of design works together to highlight the shape of a woman. You see that in colour choice, in silhouette, and in the widening or narrowing of her patterns — how it may open up in a cheeky timepiece at the waist, but taper in a tighter pattern at the hip; you can't discount even the smallest details when taking in the collection. But the whole is greater than the sum of its parts — Mary is a master of illusion with a talent for print-making that makes this collection not just playful, but oh so smart.
The McQ by Alexander McQueen lineup was a breathtaking showcase of stylised beauty and fashion fantasy. Immersed in dark tones, rich fabrics, and even richer embellishments (think velvet embroidered onto sheer lace), each nipped-waist dress marched out onto the leaf-ridden runway with just the right amount of retro nostalgia and tough-girl attitude. If the impeccable designs alone weren't enough to move you into a state of awe, then tales of the spectacular finale certainly will. As model Kristen McMenamy took her final turn in an ivory lace gown, all went dark except for a spotlight overhead. From there, gold flecks were showered over her from above, she found a rope hidden beneath the foliage, and she pulled herself to the end of the catwalk where a dark enchanted forest awaited her. High drama and poetic undertones aside, this collection was exquisite and featured all the tell-tale tailoring that we've come to revere from McQueen wares. Our full runway report is coming shortly, but click through to see all the looks.
Burberry took a walk on the quirky side for A/W 2012. Stripes, bow-tie belts, owl-print tops, and bomber jackets made an appearance, sometimes layered together for something that was like Christopher Bailey's take on street style. It was a definite departure from past collections that hung purely in the sleek and sophisticated category. This collection felt younger, almost teen-like. Individually, there are covetable pieces, like the cropped bombers and the owl sweaters. Arguably the biggest show of London Fashion Week finished on a sweetly dramatic note: faux snow, which fell from the ceiling, while the models walked underneath with pretty umbrellas.
Erdem has had a huge year — multiple celebrities have been spotted in the signature florals and feminine dresses, including Kate Middleton — and the line embodies the ladylike aesthetic that's dominated fashion of late. For A/W 2012, the collection continues with floral prints, but this time they feel a bit more graphic, and there are some more structured silhouettes that give the collection a slightly '60s vibe. More pictures to come, along with a full review, but for now, check out the florals and lace Erdem will be giving us for A/W.
For A/W '12, Christopher Kane brought a decidedly Gothic vibe to the runway, returning to the leather, leopard, and PVC detailing he's used in earlier collections. Known for combining the futuristic with classic feminine details, Kane showed many looks that could be considered signature — there were knee-length dresses with supersexy cut-outs, paisley-print skirts teamed with chunky cable-knit sweaters, and sleek, pinstripe leather trousers that gave a dose of Dick Tracy-cool to an otherwise subversive mix. Get the full breakdown below.
