Nude red

Back to basics. Almost. I love this almost unexpected take on the continuing nude trend- pairing it with red. Red, especially in the lovely coral shade as seen on Frida and Jac at No. 21 by Alessandro Dell'Acqua breathes a life of fresh air into the continuing nude obsession. The delightful pairing instantly transforms those nude pieces that for the winter were more suitably paired with charcoals, khakis and camels and gives it a summer twist. I first noticed this pairing at Valentino AW 2010 (Lagerfeld ahead of the game, again? It cannot be) where the trademark red ruffles were interspersed with the sheerest of nudes, making for a softer, more subtle take on the siren shade. Trust Miss Olsen to already have jumped on the bandwagon; she paired her couture Christain Lacroix gown with a red furry jacket for the 2010 ELLE Style Awards back in February. Not to sure how to mix the two shades into an outfit on their own? Make like Abbey Lee and add a simple slick of coral lipstick to brighten up the beige backdrop- and newly bleached blonde hair. on a side note- also loving her Australian-designed Willow jacket. 






via: alltheprettybirds, Hanneli, Style.com, tFS, zimbio

Alexander Wang + Abbey Lee

[Alexander Wang. Fall 2010. Campaign video. Abbey Lee. Made Infinitely better (if that's possible) by the xx, remixed by Flufftronics]

Animal Instinct

This trend needs no introduction. Animal print. It's always been around, and it's making a revival. Whether it's out in full force at Roberto Cavalli or in the details and mixed prints at Dries Van Noten, there's no escaping it. And when it looks like this, why would you want to?

Animal woman: Natasha Poly for Roberto Cavalli Fall 2010

It's all in the details: Karmen Pedaru and Alanna Zimmer at Dries Van Noten Fall 2010

Vogue Germany's newest covergirl Abbey Lee. This girl's on fire: as well as the Vogue Germany cover she's got this month's Vogue Nippon; as well as recently being lensed by Lagerfeld for Numéro Homme, and has a bundle of fall campaigns including cK Calvin Klein, Jaeger London, Chanel and Mulberry.  

 Proof it's everywhere- Isabeli Fonatana in head-to-toe leopard print shot by Mario Sorrenti

photos: Fashion Gone Rogue and Style.com

Aussie ads

Miranda Kerr isn't the only Australian featuring in the latest campagns for the Fall 2010 collections. High-fashion favourite, fellow Girlfriend Covergirl Model Search winner-turned-runway-darling, Abbey Lee Kershaw snagged a spot in the coveted Chanel campaign, shot by Mr. Lagerfeld himself. Starring alongside fellow-Lagerfeld muse Freja Beha Erichsen, I posted some behind-the-scenes pictures of the Chanel campaign on set in New York, when they leaked earlier in April. Abbey-Lee also features in the latest campaign for British brand Mulberry, and is one of the faces of Fendi's new fragrance Fan di Fendi, along with Anja Rubik and Karmen Pedaru.

Last but not least, Cat McNeil contines with her return to the modelling world with none other than a Givenchy campaign, shot by Mert & Marcus. Cat returned to the catwalk (no pun intended) for a select few shows during the fall season, including Louis Vuitton and Prada: both of which, interestingly, were reponsible for this season's "curvy" movement. 

Photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Karl for Abbey = Abbey for Chanel

It doesn't take a genius to realise Abbey Lee Kershaw has been a favourite of Chanel's creative director for quite some time now. Karl Lagerfeld makes no secrets of his favourites, and fellow teacher's pet (if that's what they can be called, although- with their shared penchant for piercings and motorcycle boots- I doubt it) Freja Beha Erichsen and Abbey Lee are set to feature in the latest ad campaign for the luxury house. Freja featured in the barnyard romp for Chanel's country-inspired Spring/Summer 2010 show, closed for Karl's self-titled label in the same season and closed for Chanel's latest fall show. She also featured in Chanel's S/S 2010 campaign (and their S/S eyewear campaign), as did 90s supermodel Claudia Schiffer.


This is the first Chanel campaign for Abbey however, and she also happens to be the first Australian to feature in a ready-to-wear campaign for the house. I say ready-to-wear as most who watch TV will remember Nicole Kidman running around in a ball gown spritzing on Chanel No. 5 (and as far as the fashion counsel is concerned, beauty contracts DO NOT count as high fashion campaign coups). Abbey gained favouritism status by opening and closing for Fendi (another label Mr. Lagerfeld is creative director of) during the S/S 10 season, as well as opening the latest Chanel fall show (yes, the very same one Freja B closed. See a pattern here?)


Anyway, what I'm TRYING to say (if I haven't been nearly obvious enough for you) is that it's pretty darn plain to see who KL will pick to champion his brand over the line. And if their resumes-to-date (and the previous behind-the-scenes snaps) are anything to go by, they won't disappoint.



Pictures: fashionising.com and Grazia

Spring Fever hits Bryant Park

The buzz surrounding the month of September isn't just from the bees outside. It's been a busy month in the fashion world of late, with the major fashion capitals hosting their latest round of fashion weeks. Mother of all fashion festivals- Mercedes Benz Fashion Week- kicked fashion season into gear in New York two weeks ago, and ever since there’s been a non-stop fashionable whirlwind of runway shows and exhibitions.

New Yorkers proved why they've kept their "fashion capital of the world" tag, where the designers weren't the only ones showing off their fashion credentials. The fash-pack was out in force, with actors, socialites, on- and off-duty models, fashion-kids, stylists and, of course, The Anna Wintours of the world arriving at the Bryant Park tents in droves for their favourite week of the year. If the dresses didn't wow, the front row more than made up for it.


Celebrity Stylist Rachel Zoe with Elle's Joe Zee and model/actress Milla Jovovich

French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld

Aussie actress Rose Byrne was spotted front row at Calvin Klein, with a neat little posse of fellow screen stars including Kerry Washington, Eva Mendes and Thandie Newton. Even tennis player Serena Williams took time out from abusing officials to catch a few shows with model slash wannabe Oprah, Tyra "Bankable" Banks. Gossip Girls Blake, Vanessa and Taylor were also spotted sitting front row at Dianne Von Furstenburg, Rag & Bone and Erin Wasson x RVCA. With the designers madly congregating their celebrity clientele it seems to make it in this industry all one needs is an A-list front row. Good clothes can't hurt either.



Front Row at Calvin Klein

Gossip Girl's Blake Lively at DvF

Familiar faces were seen strutting their stuff on the catwalk too, with local favourites Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn and Karlie Kloss on high rotation after wrapping up the European fashion season. Other in-demand girls to walk for the likes of All-American (all stars?) Zac Posen, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors were Natasha Poly, Sasha Pivovarova, Lily Donaldson and Aussie model of the moment Abbey Lee Kershaw.


Natasha Poly for Michael Kors

Abbey Lee for Isaac Mizrahi

In terms of trends, New York did what it does best; forecast. There was definite carry-through from the power-loving fall ‘09 season, especially with draped jersey, cut-outs and bondage style straps done Rodarte-esque. Tommy Hilfiger kept true to his famed All-American style with his Beachside Romp collection retaining its classic simplicity, but injected with youthful glamour and modernism. This was achieved through sharp tailoring offset by more slouchy, free flowing pieces, (nautically) knotted up with a crisp colour palette. This sure was a running trend for the week, with similar casual yet sexy tailoring at Rag & Bone and Christian Siriano (one of the rare gems unearthed by Heidi Klum’s Project Runway).


Casual cool at Tommy Hilfiger

Other refreshing shows were Isaac Mizrahi, were we saw the mixing of deconstructed masculine silhouettes with understated fifties glamour. The eighties revival is still going strong, with an almost harlot-like rock chick theme at Jill Stuart, featuring mesh filled cut-outs, hardware embellishments and the obligatory of-the-minute spandex body con. Balenciaga-inspired draped dresses were also a standout at Rachel Roy, while the draping and strong ‘80s power suit was reinvented at Donna Karen. Tribal warrior met hippie lover at print- and accessory-heavy DvF, with the adventurous designer proving, like many others, although the economy might still be lagging, fashion definitely is not.

Pictures from Zimbio