03/10/2013

Spring Denim

Historically worn by Genoese Navy sailors in the 1500s and then popularized by Levi Strauss during the 1870s gold rush, the robust cotton fabric has been reimagined countless ways since its laborious beginnings. The denim was available just in few washes, sizes and without stretch. Thankfully, all that’s changed and now the variety of Spring looks from our favorite designers is delightful and refreshing; it’s no longer confined to a pair of jeans. From boldly striped trousers to boyfriend shorts to the dress you can wear to the office or for a night out, here are the top denim trends for Spring Summer 2014.






Chiara Tiso 
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20/09/2013

Milano Fashion Week SS14: Costume National

Yesterday it was time for Ennio Capasa to make his addition to the Spring/Summer 2014 collections, and after showing in Paris for 23 years, he brought Costume National back to the show scene of Milan. The Blogazine caught a moment with the designer backstage after the show.



What are your first feelings now, right after the show?

They are positive feelings! I’m happy about it and I think the vibration, the energy, was good and this place is just amazing! I feel good.

What was the initial emotion that started this collection?

You know, when I start a collection I always think of construction and deconstruction, and because of this beautiful building that was barely just finished, I tried to think if there is something that has the same value, the same energy and if there is some kind of possibility to translate that into clothes.

You tend to implement menswear elements into the women’s wear collections. Is it a result of your love for tailoring?

I cannot say that this is a masculine collection, but I can say it’s a modern collection and I can say that tailoring is a treasure of Italy! This is the one place in the world where one has great suit tailoring. I think it’s something fantastic and I like to touch that part. Actually, what I like is when we can touch the past but merge it together with the future, and that is what’s very very important to me.



Your work is famous for its innovative approach but also this passion of yours for Italian tailoring. What’s the trick for finding the perfect balance between the classic elements and the evolution and innovation of things?

Oh you never know how it will go! Sometimes it turns out better and sometimes not, one collection is more successful than another but it’s this balance that you talk about that is the achievement, the point I want to arrive to. I think this collection was quite well done in that sense, there was a good balance. I’ve been working in fashion for many many years and some collections have of course been less balanced. This time I think the collection is very strong.

When you first live streamed a fashion show you were a pioneer in spreading fashion that way. What are your thoughts about the extreme width that new media has created in the fashion landscape today?

When we made that streaming, it was the first in the world. We, my brother and I, believed, or smelled, that it was the future and we are very happy about being the first ones in the history of fashion live streaming. I think it’s like when the first people used electricity. It was something incredible, but now it’s part of our daily lives and it’s something natural.

Your reality on the runway is very much the reality and experience of the clothes that your end customer receives too. Is it important for you to create clothes that work as well on the runway as on the street?

For me it’s absolutely important! I think the ‘catwalk fashion’ is coming to an end. Fashion should be strong and there must be innovation but in the same time it has to be fashion for the use in the real life. It can be for a special occasion or a party, but it must be for real occasions.


Interview Lisa Olsson Hjerpe – Images by Agota Lukytė 
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20/09/2013

SS14 London Runway Trends

London SS14 runway shows are wrapped up and here at The Blogazine we have pulled together some of the key trends which we feel will be hot next SS14.

We saw the importance of pink at the Autumn/Winter shows but it is clear that pink is not going away. A palette of soft pastel pinks, sugary and sweet hues and bubble gum are applied to soft clean shapes in rich qualities.

Metallics are set to be strong next Spring/Summer with a playful use of shine and shimmer, which are used in sportive styles that create a new edge to sportswear. Christopher Kane approaches shine in a rainbow mélange of bright shiny colours.

Bold text and messages are clearly here to stay for another season continuing the 90s inspired trend. The collection at Ashish manages to draw a fun youthful edge to the trend but still keeping the outfits alive and modern, with exciting fabric and colour mixes, the collection is an exaggerated view of youth trends right now.

Denim seems to be a firm favourite with designers for SS14. It has been used as a base fabric to create another dimension, with brocade, embroidery, layering and texture, which means denim takes a new turn. Holly Fulton plays beautifully with embroidered geometrical shapes on basic mid-washed denim.

What would summer be without flowers? For the floral lovers out there, you can be sure to see some strong floral prints and patterns for next summer. Eudon Choi updates the classic biker jacket with a beautiful floral pattern, making the style more feminine than ever.


Tamsin Cook 
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16/09/2013

London Fashion Week: Paul Smith SS14










Backstage of Paul Smith by Luca Campri 
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13/09/2013

New York Fashion Week SS14

Autumn may be fast approaching but the fashion industry is focusing on what to wear in Spring/Summer 2014. This past week America’s finest have presented their views. Here are some key trends spotted in the city that never sleeps.

THE COLOR
As expected, the most popular color of the season is white, worn from H to T or paired
with a black shoe. As seen amongst others at Diane von Furstenberg, BCBG Max Azria and Reed Krakoff.

THE MATERIAL

Organza, mesh or anything else that is sheer. The cut out trend and cropped top have received a partner in crime in a sheer overlay. Several designers showcased a desire to give the illusion of covering up and give a twist to the geometrical minimalism.

THE PRINT

Botanical and pinstripe. Think floral water paintings and/or classic menswear pinstripe which is a continuation from the fall season. Playful use of the stripe shirt – on top as well as bottom – could be viewed in many forms at Altuzarra.

THE ACCESSORIES

The fur wrap is not just limited to colder seasons. It has now also a place in the summer wardrobe thanks to Michael Kors. Another unexpected accessory was the fanny pack. At Tory Burch it was seen swinging from the models’ hips in a hard case leather form in tone with their modernized 60s look.

THE SILHOUETTES

The rear window seems to be focused on two eras: the 50s and 60s. Many interestingly shaped dresses walked the runway in combination with voluminous coats and small hats, as well as with a few A-lines, they created almost an escapism to yesteryears.

Hitchcock’s leading ladies – like Grace Kelly and Tippi Hedren – should in other words be kept in your inspiration folder. In contrast the embrace of menswear for women is also a trend being kept. Underwear as outerwear was used to update the menswear trend in a “conservative” way at Alexander Wang and a daring 80s way at Rodarte.

Googler’s guide for inspiration:

THE MATERIAL:
Philip Lim – Look 25 (White cropped top with purple printed skirt)
Lacoste – Look 18 (Peach colored dress) 
Vera Wang – Look 9 (Black sheer long sleeved top with black skirt)
Narciso Rodriguez – look 14 (black skirt with white part sheer top)

THE ACCESSORIES:
Tory Burch – Look 9 and 20 (Fanny Pack)

THE SILHOUETTES:
Badgley Mischka – Look 8 ( “open” peplum top with hat and skirt)
Alexander Wang – Look 12 (blue pinstripe shirt with pinstripe underwear) 
Rodarte – Look 12 (Vest and Jacket with animal print briefs)

THE COLOR:
BCBG Max Azria – Look 11 (white cropped top with white Suit pants)
Prabal Gurung – Look 3 (White sleeveless shirt with white skirt)

Victoria Edman 
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23/07/2013

Hats – A Personality of Their Own

There’s something about a hat. It’s a mysterious item which has a personality of its’ own; happy to be worn or simply proud to hang on a hat stand. The type of hat you choose to wear sends out many signals, the wearer wanting to portray a certain image. But what is fun and quirky with a hat is that you can twist the predictable and create a paradoxical image, creating a unique stylish twist to an outfit.


History has shown us that hats were a way of expressing social status. Not only status, but also rank or religion could be recognized by a hat, and there is also the protective and practical element in it. Sunshine or rain, a hat can be a nifty best friend.

The big 90s trend which has taken a big comeback over the last few seasons has brought back the baseball cap, worn not only amongst the young sporty generation but established now as a staple item in any fashionista’s accessories wardrobe. The fedora hat is an easy piece to add as an extra touch to any outfit. The beanie is a fun detail, dressing down an outfit, giving a hint of street style to even the chicest of dressers.

The latest catwalk shows for SS14 resort have shown scarves being a key styling item which wrapped up in a number of ways create a relaxed and hip mood at Fendi and Roksanda Ilincic. A summer straw garden hat sets the scene at Acne Studios which gives this directional line a recognizable and familiar look. At Phillip Lim, his cut out top asymmetrical straw hats added an instant modern avant-garde approach to summer dressing.


Tamsin Cook 
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