kimberly ovitz

Reality is a funny concept, especially for people in fashion, who so often seem to occupy that little space outside that avoids the very idea. The fashion bubble, as it is known by some. Not in the case of L.A. native Kimberly Ovitz, whose latest collection (and one of the very first for the spring/summer 12 collections) was inspired by the idea of "disaster versus relief and man versus nature". Or, more simply, the tragedy that followed from the earthquakes in Japan in March. Her show was made up of 19 looks in a palette of white and red (to reference the Japanese flag?) as well as black and wafts of earthy ombre shades. I've seen pieces from her past collections in a Désordre in Darlinghurst, and the slightly cobwebbed knits and asymmetric silhouettes are definitely something I would wear.

It's not groundbreaking fashion - unlike, say, an earthquake - but that is precisely the point. Easy, wearable pieces for girls who like their clothes with a slight, but ever so sexy, edge. 

via: style.com

Nonchalant Minimalism

These photos were taken outside Le Grand Hotel in Paris right after the Balmain SS11 show in September last (last!) year. While everyone was snapping away at the Balmain-clad ADR, (including me, until I spied otherwise) Mademoiselle Agnés snuck past, largely unnoticed by the blogger throng. With her Zanotti for Balmain satin booties and that amazing leather panelled Celine coat, how could you not notice? It's quite striking when seeing these two distinct looks, fashion poles apart, in the one frame. While Anna, God love her, is proud in her 'maximalist' style, not occasionally showing up to a designer's show in one of their earlier creations (that she's never worn before, no less), Agnés' style is much more minimal. It's not refined to extent of minimalism's trademarked sleek hair and Calvin Klein, but certain elements are certainly pared back. On reflection, I understand why Agnés didn't receive the same amount of attention as ADR, and I think it has less to do with the level of fame, and more to do with the style. Something so simple (if Balmain and Celine are considered simple) are donned by the wearer more often than not to have that effect; so they are the ones wearing the clothes, not the other way around. A plain pair of skinny army-green cargos tucked into heeled boots, teamed with a loose tee the same colour as the straight-lined jacket. Easy. Effortless. Just like dressing should be. Perhaps we can coin a new term in reference to this French sort of minimalism, after all; many a French editor (Emmanuelle Alt and Geraldine Saglio to name two) have this look down to a (ripped) tee. Nonchalant Minimalism. 

Bright skirts and white shirts

Raf Simons for Jil Sander spring 2011. Minimalism's inverse. Maximalism. Couture Giganticism. Terms all considered by Simons himself when it came to describing the inspiration behind his latest collection in which no colour was spared. Fuchsia. Bright orange. Blue, green red. And in every combination imaginable. After the bright and ballooning skirts, whose tailored volume was played down with plain white tees, came the colour-blocking. A pink button-down tucked into orange flares finished with a royal purple coat. A cropped coral blazer over a magenta shirt with a burnt orange peplum. Purple over red and then pink cigarette pants, hidden beneath a green coat; red tucked into blue layers, and a splash of yellow for good measure. Colours that might otherwise be overwhelming were pulled off in the surprisingly simplest of ways. The tailoring was nothing but clean, and the cleverness was found, aside from the tricky colour combinations, in a fitted tee tucked into a puffball skirt, stiff collars with silken oxford shirting, and of course the voluminous lengths of it all. I'm not usually one for excess, but when maximalism becomes minimal - stripped back to the very basics of colour and shape and line - I'm all for it. 

via Style.com

Camilla, Queen of Soles

Saw soles, that is.

A sneak peek from Camilla Skovgaard's Spring Summer 2011 collection.

Can't help but be reminded (very slightly, mind you) of Alexander Wang's Alla Wedge Mule (bottom left) and the sole of certain Nicholas Kirkwood creations (middle four and bottom right).  The saw, however, will always and forever be the trademark of Camilla Skovgaard. 

Great Danes

When one is asked to think of a country from which the world's most beautiful models hail, Brazil is never far from the top. Gisele, Adriana, Alessandra, Isabeli...  some of the industry's most well-known, highest-paid models - their names themselves ooze sex appeal - argument enough that Brazilian woman are the most beautiful. Or so it would seem. Overt sexuality is only one interpretation of beauty, and this is one interpretation that the Brazilians can definitely lay claim to. Lately, it feels like fashion is favouring a different kind of beauty. The best way to describe it would quite simply be understated. Less exaggerated. Pared-back. Minimal. Much like the clothes we are seeing on the runways. Céline. Chloé. Calvin Klein. 

A newcomer fast becoming a favourite of mine is Caroline Brasch Nielsen, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. Making her first international appearance in Paris for Fall/Winter 2010, she debuted for Dries Van Noten and opened for Valentino and Sharon Whauchob. In the same season she also walked for the likes of Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Céline. She must have impressed Nicholas Ghesquière at least, because she nabbed a spot in Balenciaga's FW 2010 campaign- alongside Stella Tennant, Karen Elson and fellow country (wo)man Freja Beha Erichsen. She walked for no less than 60 shows in the most recent Spring/Summer 2011 season, opening 6 (including Narciso Rodriguez, Alberta Ferretti and Nina Ricci) and closing 4, one of which was Valentino. It comes as no surprise then that she was ranked third in FTV's latest first face countdown (behind Freja and Miss Kloss). Not bad for a 17 year old who has only been in the modelling game for 6 months. 

 I must say there is something captivating about these Danish girls - Freja has a similarly compelling nature. Reserved, almost to the point of shyness; but to the extent that it becomes enchanting, rather than awkward. Those insane cheekbones and solemn stare are softened with dimples, making sulky look serene. Ethereal, almost. After seeing her in Céline Resort I struggle to think of another girl who would have modeled that collection as perfect as she. She captured Phoebe Philo's minimalism to a (sharply cut) tee, and I wouldn't be suprised if some of her quiet freshness served as inspiration for Philo's (and many others, judging by the sheer number of shows she walked) latest spring collections. Fingers crossed for a campaign. To me she embodies THE Céline girl, and although 'obsession' doesn't quite seem the right word for Philo, here's hoping for something similar to Largerfeld's with Freja. Models as muses, as they say. Must just be those great Danes.  Siri Tollerød, Frida Gustavsson, Caroline and Freja, forget Brazil; those Nordic waters are where it's at. 

  

Pictures via tFS and Style.com

Spring Celine

Celine Spring/Summer 2010. One of the best collections for accessories. One the best collections, period. How ironic that some of the most coveted accessories, which by their very nature are renowned for adding that extra something to an outfit; special pieces of adornment and detail, came from one of the most refined and minimalistic shows of the season. Ever since I saw that first pair of open toe wedge clogs on Constance Jablonski, I knew. And wanted.

And they've been popping up in pared-down editorials ever since. Carmen Kass in an Alexander Wang cape in an Arabian desert? Celine was there. Paired with an Isabel Marant rabbit-fur coat and another spring favourite - socks? Celine. And adorning the dainty feet of Chanel Iman for the Spring trends round-up for Vogue Spain? Celine, of course.

As for blogs, I'm probably the very last on the bandwagon (not that I havent lusted from afar since October last year). Shoe-obsessed Jane Aldridge teamed her tan leather clog sandals with suspenders and her boyfriend (jeans, of course). What is it with clogs and blogs? I don't think the Chanel-inspired chainstore studded variety will be a trend I'll be trying soon (much less the tasselled LVs), and while the silk-printed Miu Mius were indeed beautiful, they've got nothing on Celine. Minimal, refined, simple, with the perfect wedge and that golden, creamy caramel hue; nothing can beat it. And a classic box bag wouldn't go astray... then again neither would the rabbit fur lined satin pump, the envelope calfskin bag or the gold cuffs from fall. Sigh.

 

via: TFS, FGR, Style.com, seaofshoes

Present... from Rag and Bone

Look what was waiting for me when I got home yesterday....

!!!!!!

Rag and Bone Victoria wedges from their Spring 2010 collection.

There was only my size left when I finally got around to checking out the SHOPBOP sale.

In love.

PS: sorry for the horrible photo quality, I was a little bit excited....

X

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

Fashion Week...well, one of

Alex Perry

Things have been a bit stagnant around here, but the opposite can be said for the fashion world. The last few weeks have been a non-stop whirlwind of festivals, parades and fashion shows, and it doesn't look like it's letting up anytime soon. Last week saw the culmination of Sydney's Rosemount Fashion Festival coincide with Myer's Spring/Summer Fashion Launch, as well as the opening of Brisbane's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, phew!

Never one to take a back seat, Alex Perry didn't fail to disappoint, despite claiming to "tone it down" due to the state of "our economy." The collection did have a more subdued feel to it- almost centering around the staple LBD- but the crowd definitely wasn't disappointed in terms of Perry's trademark dramatic gowns. Another standout in the Perry show was Australia's Next Top Model winner Tahnee Atkinson, who donned a sparkling (almost too short) bodiced mini (Balmain anyone?) Definitely refreshing to see such a gorgeous, healthy-looking girl in a design usually reserved for the walking twigs.

Tahnee in Alex Perry

It was a bit of a mixed bag in terms of trends in Sydney, with some designers eager to break away from the drab winter gloom and with spring (literally) just around the corner, seemed bursting to get messy with colour. Although white was a standout at Therese Rawsthorne, Kirrily Johnston's show featured a palette of sunshiney goodness.

Kirrily Johnston

The power trend is still very much in business, with the structured blazer remaining the key trans-seasonal piece whilst waiting to finally shed those winter layers. Still prominent at camilla and marc, the look for spring sees the power players being diffused with a softer edge, as seen at Manning Cartell.

camilla and marc

Manning Cartell

Uneven hemlines have also carried on from April's Melbourne Fashion Week, with Ellery favouring this flowy silhouette. Kim Ellery is definitely one to watch, with her collection featuring artistic cutouts (Wang-style) paired with this season's take on harems.

Ellery

Another favourite of mine was the Bec & Bridge show, proving our designers are still taking their cues from the best, with looks from both this and the Ellery show slightly reminiscent of the Louis Vuitton Spring 2009 collection.

Bec & Bridge



photos courtesy of zimbio.