Trend Reflections....

In my research file I favoured the trends which reflected the 1930's/40's, classic tailoring, feminine shapes and chanel inspired ideas and designs. At www.elleuk.com i have come across outfit inspirations which reflect just this!

1) A Chanel Moment

http://www.elleuk.com/shopping/instant-outfit/%28section%29/instant-outfit-a-chanel-moment/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/346862

By Nagar Ghahreman

Audrey Tatou stars in the new Coco Chanel biopic “Coco Avant Chanel”, out later this month. We can’t wait to see it, not least because Karl Lagerfeld himself personally supervised some of the costumes for the film, which include vintage pieces from the Chanel archives. Embrace the Chanel moment in Antonio Berardi’s black and white dress -a simple, minimal take on the classic Chanel monochrome look (plus it’s now at Browns for half price). Pair with Nanette Lepore’s black ribbon cardigan and black brogues to channel the masculine-feminine mix that epitomised Coco’s style and accessorise with lace tights (as seen on every model at the Chanel Haute Couture show last week.) A flash of red lipstick and a Chanel headband complete the tres chic look.

White camelia headband, £450, by Chanel (0207 493 5040 )

Perfect for my accessories research into this trend :)







Black lace tights, £10, by Jonathan Aston at Farfetch

Reflects the continuation of lace for AW10/11



2) Feminine Luxe

http://www.elleuk.com/shopping/instant-outfit/%28section%29/instant-outfit-feminine-luxe/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/446655

By Alice Watt

Right now, we're witnessing a resurgence of 1940s dressing and allure. Last week, Scarlett Johansen stunned us with her Veronica Lake inspired glamour, while the graphic houndstooth at Alexander McQueen and velvet dresses at Prada have made womanly shapes and luxe fabrics a much-coveted look. Chanel personifies luxury but a stunning- and more affordable- alternative are these statement wedges from Topshop Boutique. Loose fitting fabrics like this draped sequinned skirt from Lipsy and an on-trend Jaeger London spotty print blouse compliment the velvet and ooze laid-back luxury. A much-lusted suede clutch from Miu Miu, feathered hair clip from Urban Outfitters and a bold Bex Rox ring adds unique glamour for a truly 1940s feminine luxe look.

Quilted suede clutch, £400, by Miu Miu at Net-a-Porter

Onyx stone ring, £165, by Bex Rox at Browns

Christmas Spending.....

Christmas spending expected to fall

17 November 2009 | By Lisa Berwin

Spending this Christmas could fall for the first time in twenty years according to retail research firm Verdict.

Verdict forecasts that total Christmas expenditure will shrink by 0.7% in the fourth quarter - the equivalent of a £535m drop.

Clothing and footwear sales are expected to fall 0.1% to £13.6bn - a £14m fall - during the fourth quarter against the same quarter the year before.

Verdict lead analyst Maureen Hinton said: “Though women are much more nervous about spending than men – mainly because they usually have greater control and visibility of the family budget – we believe they will cut back less on principle Christmas expenditure than on peripheral spending such as restaurants, entertainment and big ticket items.”

She added: “Temporary recession fatigue will set in over Christmas and though 41% of women intend to spend less overall they will want to ensure they and their families look and feel good, eat well and have a good time.”

Verdict said that it expects Debenhams, John Lewis and other department stores to fair well over the Christmas period due to their extensive offer while Primark, Matalan and TK Maxx will fair well as a result of value-led, seasonal ranges. Marks & Spencer and Next are expected to buck the trend as they are up against weak comparatives and are trusted brand names.

Despite the recent postal strikes shoppers are still expected to spend £6.8bn this Christmas online, an increase of £837m.

http://www.drapersonline.com/5008100.article

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Seen it before?

New Look Shoes & Accessories

Is it just me who can see some similarities between Monsoon and New Look? Just aimed at very different target markets....


I found this article online at http://www.drapersonline.com/news/multiples/shopwatch/new-look-shoes-and-accessories-bristol/5007046.article

It comprises a shop report of the recently opened New Look Shoes and Accessories store in Bristol, the first New Look store to focus on a particular product and views on the new opening.




After reading this, i went to http://www.monsoon.co.uk/page/accessorizehistory/ to find out how Accessorize began...

In the early 1980's Monsoon started to sell a small collection of accessories which became so popular that the idea for the innovative new store format Accessorize was born.....(article continues)

Will there be more New Look Shoes & Accessories popping up around the country? Adding to the Accessories specialist market, (along with Claires Accessories and Tie Rack) and filling the arguable gap in the market for an Accessories store aimed at teens and those with a lower income who possibly find Accessorize a little over thier budget.

Watch this space

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Sequins, Shimmer and Shine!

Ok, so now I'm totally into embellishments and sequins :-D

The net-a-porter magazine 14 October 2009 featured this hot trend.
Click and scroll........Ooo and ahhh :-)

http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine#/11/2

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Let's get set to dazzle!!!!!

As a little girl who loved the dressing up box, and who still loves her box of sequins and beads :-) this article i received through Drapers e-newsletter most excited me



By Stephen Spear

Womenswear indies are backing an overload of sequins to put the sparkle into sales this Christmas.

Taking a lead from Balmain’s influential autumn 09 catwalk collection, indies told Drapers they would use the party season to usher in sequin embellishments and dramatic shoulder pads.

Michelle Pirkis, owner of Shoook in Chiswick, west London, said: “Sequins are the big thing for next season, mostly all over on the front, or on the hems of dresses for something more subtle. Lipsy is doing great sequins for Christmas. We’re also backing shoulder pads going into the end of this year, and lots of puffball skirts and dresses too. Animal motifs are also big for autumn.”

Amanda Smith, womenswear buyer at Attic in Aberdeen, said: “There is always more embellishment in the run-up to Christmas but this season the sequins and studs have gone up a gear. They come in different styles – there are sequins set with prints and also plainer versions that usually come on more structured pieces. On dresses, Motel always does very well for us – its Christmas capsule range has loads of big-shouldered pieces.”

Smith added that the look worked across the 18 to 35-year-old age range that her store caters for.

Kate Walton, owner of Havetolove in Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “It’s all about the sequins. We’ve also made sure we’re putting out a lot of party shoes and getting gift sets of nightwear on the shopfloor too.” In terms of sequined items, Walton has bought into London brand Miss Milne in order to fulfil demand for the look.

Walton said she would merchandise her store for Christmas at the end of this month. One indie told Drapers that the Christmas trend dovetailed perfectly with current trends. “What you think of as the ‘Christmas look’ is the fashion right now. It was a big look on the catwalks and for us the party season is an ideal time to get it on the shopfloor. We will use the Christmas season to kick-start the look and carry it through the winter after that.”

Drapers online, 2009. Sequins and shoulder to dazzle for Christmas (online) Available: http://www.drapersonline.com/5007398.article (Accessed 26th October 2009)

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Shop Report

During my research for my own shop reports for Monsoon/Accessorize and Next, I found these mini reports on Drapersonline.com

Monsoon:

Great embellishment and winter woolies means Monsoon comes into its own for autumn.

Product 8

Monsoon has been quietly working on expanding its autumn fodder for a couple of seasons now. This autumn is a particularly important one for the embellishment trend, which Monsoon always offers in droves, but that’s not all it has done well. Knitwear stands out, especially Fair Isle, as well as winter dresses and outerwear, including faux fur and brocade coats.

Experience 7

The changing rooms are the best in Glasgow. They are big, with plenty of room and each has a different name and matching mural inside – such as “Rose”. The store is split into a ground floor for daywear, with outerwear prioritised towards the front. A mezzanine level houses kidswear, partywear and the younger Fusion sub-brand. It’s an easy layout to navigate.

Value 7

Fabrics are high quality at Monsoon and as such the prices are a little more than at the young fashion retailers, but are still reasonably competitive against contemporary rivals. Oversized cable cardigans with Fair Isle-patterned hems are priced at £70 while a checked wool dress is good value at £55. A purple halterneck dress with beaded waist and neckline is just about OK at £150, as is a blue tweed cocoon coat for £130 and a shaggy three-quarter length fake-fur jacket for £150.

score 22

http://www.drapersonline.com/trends/womenswear/hit-or-miss/monsoon/5007421.article


Next:

A trend-aware autumn range works this good store location hard.

Product 7

Next has upped its fashion credentials for autumn 09, tapping into key catwalk trends, including the ubiquitous sequins, houndstooth shift dresses, Fair Isle knits, loose-fit jumpsuits, shoulder-padded jersey blazers and pixelated prints. Interestingly, there is a silver thread-strewn sharp-lapelled blazer which is all but identical to a River Island version, and a raft of tiny denim skirts, which suggests this branch is trying to move away from Next’s workwear reputation.

Experience 7

This shop is a nice browsing space, with product spaced just right and an easy to navigate layout, split into casual product on the left-hand side and smarter pieces and more trend-led items on the right. A nice little mid-shop insert shows off Next’s Runway collection on mannequins. The store is situated over three floors, with womenswear located in a prime place on the bottom level.

Value 8

Value for money is always good at Next, but this season seems particularly price competitive. Michael Jackson print T-shirts and slashed jersey tops are just £16, a houndstooth duffle coat is a mere £55, while a denim popper-front shirt is only £18 and both a painterly rivet top and a pixelated houndstooth tunic come in at just £20. Breton-striped 100% cotton tops with matching scarf are just £10.

score 22

http://www.drapersonline.com/trends/womenswear/hit-or-miss/next/5007430.article

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Accessories Report AW

I have been using this report to aid in creating mini-mood boards for AW accessories trends. I'm in love :-)

http://www.elleuk.com/shopping/accessories-autumn-winter-2009#

forties by (fashionstudent) featuring Chanel jewelry

Embellishments

Elleuk.com has posted Embellishments as a key look for SS10.

I love this look, and think it will be key in high street accessories- my area of focus.

Let's look forward to sparkling.....


"When Miuccia Prada sends an idea down the catwalk it is certain to become a huge new season trend. For spring/summer 2010 that trend is embellishment. Featuring crystal strewn pieces (breathtaking to watch gliding down the catwalk), her entire show was, she said backstage, inspired by chandeliers. Cue huge plastic and glass crystals on everything from dresses and tops to shoes and bags. And, she wasn’t the only designer in Milan to channel this trend. Dolce & Gabbana married black lace with gold jewelled panels, Gucci’s futuristic, body-con dresses were embellished with metal, and Marni‘s sheer tops had an ethereal edge with bronze embellishments. Get ready to sparkle next Spring."

Written by Laurelle Gilbert
http://www.elleuk.com/fashion/trends/autumn-winter-2009/%28section%29/next-season-now-embellishment-milan-s-s-2010/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/438487



Dolce & Gabbana, spring/summer 2010, Milan


Marni, spring/summer 2010, Milan

Alberta Ferretti, spring/summer 2010, Milan


http://www.elleuk.com/fashion/trends/autumn-winter-2009/%28section%29/next-season-now-embellishment-milan-s-s-2010/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/438476

Accessorize

Acessorize have put together Key Looks on thier website, English Eclectic, Parisian Chic, Grecian and Nautical.

I particularly like the Grecian products, bang on trend for Summers Embellishment Trend

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/acczgrecian&bklist=icat,5,shop,accessorize,acczloves,acczgrecian

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Polyvore Assignment

Polyvore :) Such fun

Using my chosen retailers: Accessorize/Monsoon and Dune (i had problems using my original chosen retailler Next :( - it didn't like Polyvore!), I created these two Polyvore's showing current trends, they also show my focus on accessories :)
http://www.polyvore.com/monsoon/set?id=12728432

Monsoon by (fashionstudent) featuring Monsoon

http://www.polyvore.com/dune/set?id=12729798

dune by (fashionstudent) on Polyvore.com

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The First Post

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”- Coco Chanel