Getting Ziggy

David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust Hunky Dory days and Frida Giannini's pre-fall collection for Gucci. Or, early '70s box pleats. One of the same.

The Olsen Influence

"We wanted to do something low-key and to the point," said Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen in reference to their very first runway show for their label, The Row, in February last year. It's not often you can say the same consistent aesthetic runs through each and every collection of a designer, but with the Olsens, this is simply case in point.  Furthermore, it's not every day that a fledgling label draws front-rowers like Chloë Sevigny and includes runway names like Natasha Poly, Sasha Pivovarova and Sigrid Agren. Simply put, the Olsens aren't your average designing duo. For a pair that established their roots within the entertainment industry, it is a testament to their fashion credentials that they are sometimes forgotten as actresses, and thought of only as designers. For me, every collection since their very first (including their stuff for secondary label, Elizabeth & James) further proves this point. Simple, easy-to-wear clothing whose focus is on cut and fit rather than unnecessary detail, is a formula that obviously works for the sisters. And they don't look like letting up soon. Here's some (read: most) of the looks for their latest showing for pre-fall. 

Burberry Pre-Fall 2011

Bye-bye biker babes. Farewell snakeskin, spikes and studs. Make way for refined, form-fitting flares, sleek tuxedos and modern takes on the classic trench, and suddenly we've got a collection Thomas Burberry would recognise. Christopher Bailey's latest pre-fall (or autumn, as us Aussies like to say) showing was a stark (and welcomed) departure from the spray on leathers and shrunken shapes of spring.  Gone are the neons and metallics, which felt more fad than fashion, having been replaced with a beautiful pre-autumnal (how appropriate) array of colours. Steel blues and greys, rusts, mustards and forest greens were combined in a way that fondly evoked a lingering summer, whilst the emphasis on black allowed for the pared-back silhouettes to take centre stage. And what wonderful silhouettes these were. 

Jackets were fitted, rather than shrunken, and hemlines moved south as coats were revived from their motorcycle counterparts. Edges were finished with sheared rabbit fur, possibly in reference to the ever so successful shearling aviator jackets of last winter.   The more subtle approach was made all the more smart when considering this is a collection that remains on store shelves for a good six months, bridging the gap between seasons. Not sure how many wool coats will sell in Australia during the tail-end of summer, but having experienced a European October, I'm willing to bet it's a different story for the brand's home country. And when it comes to coats, trust Bailey to deliver. Double-breasted, cinched, knee-length, cropped; wool, fur, puffer- talk about something for everyone (and every temperature, natch).

And finally, the flares. Possibly the standout item in the entire collection; these pants were beautifully cut slim-line versions of their 70s counterparts. The silhouette moved seamlessly from day to night, to ensure it's not just the boys who get to rock a tux when the sun goes down. And just like that, Bailey is back.   

via: style.com

The brows are her money makers

I haven't joined the rest of the blogosphere in their Bambi craze. Rather, I've been admiring from afar as she's blitzed the runways of Balenciaga and Chanel, and scowled up at me from the pages (and cover) of Bazaar. Aside from her eyebrows, those who just cannot get enough (and there must be plenty, for she was listed as a top 10 newcomer by models.com) have LOVE editor Katie Grand to thank. Katie, who styled shows for Ungaro, Giles and Topshop Unique is arguably flying the biggest flag for Bambi's international career. I saw this backstage picture of her at the Chanel Paris-Byzance pre-fall show, and couldn't resist posting it. And here's where, for probably the only time in my life, I'll let the picture (and the lighting...ok, and maybe those brows) do all the talking.

via: style rumor