TREND REPORT: Shoulders are Sky High

By Charlotte Hoyle

It seems that since time began women have utilized their style to enhance their lives. Every girl has that special dress which makes her feel almost goddess like or a pair of shoes that expresses her take on the world. Most of us wear our hearts on our sleeve literally except for an actual heart it’s a Hermes cuff to die for that simply screams ‘I love luxury!’ …Or something to that degree.

We study each other’s garments because they immediately give the voyeur an idea of the wearer’s personality. The evolution of fashion can span the beginning of time; every era is marked with a new garment that represents women’s place in society and how the world sees them. Which is why it is so interesting that high shoulders have really made an impact, not only on the catwalks they graced last season but also amongst the glitterati and now the high street. What was once considered an eighties faux pas is now a super hot trend being rocked by fashion forward celebrities such as Mary Kate and Sienna Millar, but the female who is really exploiting the fierce acoustics of a sculptural shoulder is most notably Rihanna.

Since the shockingly devastating news of her attack by Chris Brown hit the headlines (along with that horrific picture) she has changed her image to represent an almost untouchable aura. Visor sunglasses, a modern take on a punk esque Mohican, blood red lips and various new tattoos are her signature along with fetish like jewelry, bandage dresses and theatrical sharp shoulders. Taking a leaf out of Daphne Guinness’s book the girl knows how to wear fashion armor.

The surge in futuristic almost costume themed fashion can be seen in any magazine or fashion site worth its salt - even December’s British Vogue, the lifestyle bible known for its ‘safe’ shoots unlike its Italian and French counterparts, features a surreal shoot shot by photographer Emma Summerton in which pale faced ice blonde models adorn interesting horn like headpieces created by designer Noel Stewart.

The trend for tiny waists and HUGE shoulders was seen at Mark Fast, Chanel, Jean Paul Gautier, Alexander McQueen and Maison Martin Margiela to name a few; it is the perfect garment to wear when one wants to be fierce. Fashion armor is back and this time it’s sleeker, sharper and more feminine than its 80’s equivalent. Think Lady Gaga rather than Lady Di and make sure you team the shoulders with a gorg studded leather or python belt to cinch you in.

Like Rihanna it’s the perfect trend to wear when you want to keep the world at an arms length but also on tender hooks whilst they worship you. This trend has to be worn with an air of ‘I’m shit hot’ otherwise fellow fashionista’s wont take you seriously and will think you are simply wearing the latest Topshop. Be ice cool, let the shoulders become you, breathe deep and repeat, ‘I am fierce, I am fierce.’

Here are the high streets offerings:

Soft: £28 ASOS Lace Puff Sleeve Top / Everyday: £40 TOPSHOP Knitted Pleat Dress

Bargain High Fashion: £45 ASOS Purple Satin Top / Splurge: £120 Paul & Joes Sister Rabbit Top

Winter Trends and How To Wear Them

By Charlotte Hoyle

Its official summer is over. However despite the chill in the air we can cling to the exciting prospect of new winter wardrobes. So as we face darker nights, colder mornings and even more rain think happy thoughts as this year sees a varied take on winter fashion.

Luella A/W 09/10 - Tweed coat with gold buttons - Image Vogue.com

Summer saw an array of 80’s inspired prints, statement jewelry and neon brights - we were all about the floral cream tea look meets House of Holland on acid, but winter has a more somber palette of luxury midnight colours complimented by heavy textiles such as leather and tweed seen at fashion brands Burberry and Luella.

Emilio Pucci A/W 09/10 - High shoulder leather jacket worn with leather shorts and high leg leather boots - Image Vogue.com, Kate Moss Starksy leather jacket - Image Marie Claire

Leather jackets are currently massive on the high street, the perfect casual cover up favored by Kate Moss and Pixie Geldof, if you don't have one invest now. Fake leather is just as good and the high street showcases various styles of the biker jacket depending on your price range.

Left SAVE: Leather look studded biker jacket New Look £40 

Right SPLURGE: Leather studded Mohan biker jacket All Saints £395

The feel is not subtle as the attitude to create a stir is still present in decorated surreal like hosiery and evocative accessories which were seen at Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton. Jewelry is almost architectural in design, a modernist take on shapes taken from punk jewelry of the 1980’s with a nod to sleek luxury. Its all about over accessorizing with statement pieces to create an almost bejeweled look.  

Left SPURGE: Emanuel Ungaro - Image Vogue.com    

Right SAVE: Bebaroque Suki Jewelled Tights £42 mytights.com

Several trends are present each a development of the former thus creating a symbiotic feel within the collections, each an inky shade from this seasons palette. Pick items that are shades of berries such as violet, blue and purple, rich regal colours to be worn alongside stormy shades of grey and black. Or take note in the opposing dreamy pastels seen at Balenciaga and Lanvin. 

ABOVE: Elise Overland Image Vogue.com, Rare by the Saturday's Purple Tulip dress ASOS £40 worn with wrap over double studded belt ASOS £12 creates the look.

Silhouettes are dramatic and highlighting the waist is key in many looks, whether through thin belts, cut of fabric or wide Japanese obi belts. Shoulders are high and sculptural with fabric spilling over in pleats or stratospheric like fur adornments; if not shoulders then arms see drama in fur or fringe embellishment. The best place to find your very own piece of couture at a fraction of the price is to either visit vintage stores or invest in a piece created by a fashion student/graduate. Stores such as Rokit (www.rokit.co.uk), Absolute Vintage (www.absolutevintage.co.uk) and Beyond Retro (www.beyondretro.com) offer an online vintage experience if you aren't in the London area. Seeking out young designers is rather more obscure, Camden Lock and Petticoat Lane markets offer a range of usual pieces for the same price (if not less) as a high street garment, however if this is not viable then check out ASOS's Laden Showroom range (www.ladenshowroom.co.uk). Situated in Brick Lane the store is a mecca of usual goods and is well known in the industry for unique finds. 

ABOVE: 1980's Black Ruche Dress with Diamate detail £65 at Rokit - www.rokit.co.uk

Continuing with the trends, femininity is present in plunge neck shapes, lucid textiles and revealing skirts; fabric is manipulated around the body to create fluid shapes in silk and organza, which are fitted to the female form. 

 ABOVE: Louis Vuitton A/W 09/10 - Image Vogue.com, Nude Ruffle Dress £40 Topshop, Mango Waist Belt £23 ASOS.com, Short Statement Heavy Link Chain Necklace £12 ASOS.com

The feel is very evocative, desirable and emotive. So take a deep breath pull on your knee high boots, grab your oversized clutch and plunge into the glamour of Autumn Winter 2009. 

Ballad Of…Trends

By Charlotte Hoyle
Recent fashion times has seen an explosion of the rockstar esque model, more IT girl than supermodel these pioneers of anti-fashion personify London's energetic fashion scene. Leading the brat pack are Alice Dellal and Daisy Lowe, both born from the glitterati of fashion they favour a grunge meets gothic style, something which recently has been emulated on the catwalk and the high street.

Above: Daisy and Alice at iD

Their look is rebellious and provocative - rubber corsets, fitted t-shirts, black lipstick and macabre jewelry by designer Dominic Jones merges the world of fashion and fetish. Now seen on the likes of Lily Allen and Lizzy Jagger the new age of the rock chic is most defiantly in vogue. Wear with confidence whilst listening to Lady Gaga who herself took on the look in her video 'Love Game'. Don't overdo it keep it sexy and wear with an air of 'who gives a f**k?' London style.

Above: Alice modeling for Dominic Jones - www.dominicjones.co.uk

Must have items include biker boots or black high shine platform boots and heels, possibly adorned with studs and spikes.

ABOVE: High Knee Resoul Boot £110 by Faith, ASOS - French Connection Sahara Double Platform Court Shoes £110, Spike gold studded platform £75 by Topshop, Punk corset Sandal £130 by Topshop Boutique

 

Accessories are key to this look, more the better.

ABOVE: Python Chain bracelet £12.99 by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tassel Zip Leather gloves £16 by Topshop, Black and gold chain belt £15 by New Look, Feather and chains necklace £35 by Topshop

If you really want to finish the look try gothic style makeup.

ABOVE: Barry M Glitter Dust £4.50, Barry M Nail Polish £3.00, M.A.C Lipstick in Cyber £12, Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara £7.82