London fashion week is over, seemingly in the blink of an eye. But before Milan swoops in and steals all the glory, we wanted to give a shout out to the 10 collections we loved most in London. Brit designers gave us a lot of pastel and florals, a lot of color, and a lot of cheekiness.
Click through to see the ten best spring 2012 collections from across the pond.
The latest batch of London shows bring the term “English Rose” to the next level! Check out Matthew Williamson bold, digitized florals, Erdem‘s muted (but oh-so-pretty) wallflower prints, and Pringle of Scotland‘s arty geometry. See them all on our lovely Fashion Week page!
The whirlwind of fashion week continues; this show included a scenic dash past the London Eye, over London Bridge and up to the Tate Modern, the artistic home for the modern the new, and, now, Matthew Williamson’s spring show.
Outside, an ice cream van and tourists jostled with the fleet of black cars (and women in black) that had descended for Sunday’s show, as inside the iconic turbine gallery lit up with purple hues of light. Racing down the sloped hallway (killer for heels) and up to the gallery, I saw some of fashion’s greatest–Anna Wintour, Anna Dello Russo, Hamish Bowles–sitting front row with Matthew’s “beautiful friends”–Jacquetta Wheeler, Tallulah Harlech, Poppy Delevingne, herself a recently appointed Ambassador for the British Fashion Council, and her ‘bestie’ Sienna Miller, who needs no title to be one of Matthew’s great muses.
The collection was a joyful mix of oranges and yellows, silk prints and sophisticated soft draped silhouettes.
It’s hardly news considering the rumors that Giambattista Valli was up next to design a line for Macy’s have been circulating for some time, but today brings the official confirmation from the mass retailer that it’s actually happening. And sooner than we thought. The collection is set to hit Macy’s stores on October 26, WWD is reporting.
Valli might not have the name recognition of Karl Lagerfeld, whose collection for Macy’s Impulse line goes on sale on August 31, but he appeals to a more discerning in-the-know-type fashionista and gives the retailer some serious fashion cred.
According to WWD, the line will be priced between $50 and $150 and is comprised of “cocktail dresses, skirts, blouses, lightweight jackets, edgy pants and graphic T-shirts” all done in the designer’s signature bold color and texture combinations and ladylike style. For our part, we’re hoping to see something like the look above, left, that Emma Stone recently wore on the red carpet.
It goes without saying that the world (us included) has gone a little mad for Kate Middleton. The Duchess’ high-low accessibly style has earned her spots on a bajillion Best Dressed Lists, including Vanity Fair’s, as well as a cult-like chronicling of her daily outfits on countless blogs (again, ours included). She’s so popular that it seems not approving of her would be akin to social suicide. However, not everyone is a fan. Check out our roundup of those who’ve dared to diss Duchess Catherine and what they’ve had to say.
Vivienne Westwood
After the Royal Wedding: “I would have loved to have dressed Kate Middleton, but I have to wait until she catches up in style a bit.”
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times “I think she’s got a problem with eye make-up! The sharp line around her eyes make her look hard. Either she should be smudgy or wear none…Let me put it this way. It seems to me that her image is ‘ordinary woman’. Therefore, high street shopper. And I just think she should be an extraordinary woman, wherever she gets her clothes from.”
via The Cut
Don’t let the name fool you: The Teen Choice Awards are not just for the tweens anymore. Actually, over the past few years the Teen Choice Awards have emerged as one of our favorite red carpets to watch because celebrities take more risks on this carpet, new starlets make their debuts, and the prizes are surfboards, for god’s sake. Need we say more?
The only thing that bummed us out this year is that some of our favorite actual teen stars–Elle Fanning, Hailee Steinfeld among them–were absent.
Check out our favorite looks from last night’s award show.
Matthew Williamson is not afraid to experiment with his very specific design aesthetic at different price points. Witness his new collection, MW by Matthew Williamson, which just bowed last week.
MW by Matthew Williamson, the designer’s latest lower-priced collection, follows closely on the heels of his recent one-off Macy’s capsule. This line, however, is truly a diffusion line–just don’t call it cheap. While the prices are more accessible than the main line, a cute metallic thread cheetah print coat dress will set you back more than $500.
I caught up with the designer at his colorful Meatpacking District store, where he was celebrating the launch with some fabulous friends (like Dree Hemingway.) Of course I wanted to get the scoop on the collection, but I also wanted to drill him about Cat Deeley. (Ed. note: Leah and I both have girl crushes on the now Emmy-nominated host of So You Think You Can Dance. She’s so pretty. And so nice. And so normal. So when I found out they were friends, I couldn’t resist. Anyway. You’ve been warned.)
Mikimoto
Deal: Markdowns on pearls at the “employee” sale, which is actually open to the public. Last time, discounts were 50% to 80% off.
When/Where: Saturday, June 11 through Wednesday, June 15. Sat—Tues 9am—6:30pm, Weds 9am—4pm. Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves (718-747-1656)
Link: www.mikimotoamerican.com
Ends: Wednesday, 15 Jun 2011
Ritual Vintage
Deal: Major blowout sale on vintage from the 1880s to the 1960s. Labels include YSL and Ungaro, and prices run from $10 to $50. On June 15, everything gets re-priced at $20.
When/Where: Sunday, Jun 12 through Wednesday, June 15. Daily noon—9pm. 377 Broome St between Mulberry and Mott Sts (212-966-4142)
Link: www.ritualvintage.com
Ends: Wednesday, 15 Jun 2011
La Perla
Deal: Up to 80% off sexy lingerie
When/Where: Sunday, June 12 through Thursday, June 16. Sun 1pm—5pm, Mon—Weds 9:30am—6pm, Thurs 9:30am—7pm. 225 Fifth Ave at 27th St (212-725-5400)
Link: www.laperla.com
Ends: Thursday, 16 Jun 2011
Matthew Williamson
Deal: Subscribe to the newsletter and enter code PRESALE30 at checkout to save 30% off full-priced merchandise
When/Where: Online
Link: MatthewWilliamson.com
Ends: Tuesday, 14 Jun 2011
ASOS
Deal: Enter code DRUMSDENIM at checkout to save 20% off men’s jeans
When/Where: Online
Link: ASOS.com
Ends: Wednesday, 15 Jun 2011
Mara Hoffman
Deal: Deals on psychedelic dresses and bikinis. The twist-front maxi dress will be $200 (was $561), while a short peplum dress will be $100 (was $301.40.) Bikinis range from $25 to $85.
When/Where: Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12. Fri 11am—8pm, Sat 11am—7pm, Sun noon—5pm. 236 Elizabeth St between Prince and Houston Sts (no phone)
Link: www.marahoffman.com
Ends: Sunday, 12 Jun 2011
Matthew Williamson was on hand at Macy’s flagship Herald Square store last night to celebrate the launch of his Impulse capsule collection for the mass retailer. So was Dree Hemingway, who stars in the line’s campaign, as well as Kelis, to provide the soundtrack. We sat down with the Brit designer, who is no stranger to high street collaborations having done one for H&M a few years back, to find out why he decided to pair up with Macy’s, how he found a muse in Dree, and, most importantly, why he thinks everyone should “get over” Kate Middleton.
Check Out the Complete Matthew Williamson Collection for Macy’s: The London designer’s latest capsule collection includes brightly colored blouses, 70s inspired dresses, and rompers in signature Williamson prints. Prices for the line start at just $24 and hit stores April 13th. {InStyle}
Alexander Wang’s Budding Empire: Wang discusses his rise to fashion fame and hopes his brand will have a life longer than his. {Telegraph}
Lindsay Lohan for Ungaro Now On eBay: For $450 or your “best offer,” you can own a dress from Lohan’s disastrous collection for Ungaro. {Imaginary Socialite}
Why Kenneth Cole Hearts Twitter: The designer uses Twitter as a form of year-round advertising. Though he admits that now, in light of his Egypt comment that outraged many last month, his tweets go through a filter. {Glamour}
Johnny Depp Takes Home an Award for His Dedication to Headwear: Johnny Depp’s been awarded the “Hat Person Of The Year” award by the Headwear Association. We nominate Anna Dello Russo for next year’s award, in the category of “Fruit Millinery.” {VogueUK}
Matthew Williamson Thinks Kate Middleton Isn’t a Fashion Bunny: Matthew Williamson just launched his bridal line, but we suspect he won’t be dressing Kate Middleton. “Kate isn’t a fashion bunny,” [Williamson said.] “I don’t know why everyone in fashion is waiting to see what she wears. I’m, like, thinking: get over it.” {Telegraph UK}
Karl Lagerfeld Shoots Rachel Bilson in a Tiara For an Ice Cream Commercial: Rachel Bilson was snapped in Paris on the set of a Magnum ice cream commercial which Karl Lagerfeld is directing. She was wearing a bathrobe and a tiara. We are anxiously awaiting the final product. (And suddenly want an ice cream bar.) {PopSugar}
