The Sound Of Fashion

Since the dawn of television, artists have been scrutinized for their fashion sense. With this summer's hottest trend being the 'New Grunge' look, however, the fashion v. music battle seems to have gone full circle as designers are now having to take their lead from musicians themselves.

RIPPED DENIM

Summer sorted.

The days are getting longer and skirts are getting shorter. With yet again so many Summer styles trying to emerge, it is difficult to know which to choose and how to get it right. I have picked out a few key trends and how to wear it;

One that seems to struggle through every year is 'Safari'. This trend never really seems to take hold but every designer throws a few into the mix each year. This year, however, it seems to be the 'done' thing, with designers wanting to be a bit more grown up and sophisticated. Ralph Lauren has been building up to this all year, changing their signature colour scheme from blue and white to kharki and beige. Chloe is also using this trend for a reinvention so classic neutral coloured pieces will be most covetable. If you want to embrace this trend, be sure to make it 2009 specific; there are elements never before experimented with which you should take note of to look modern. These elements are more ethnic inspired, and must haves to make this trend work. Look out for pieces with;

- Fringing. This is going to be big this summer so scarves, bags, shoes will all have this detailing. The more extravagant the better.

- Embellishment. Dior started the trend with their studded boot range but it's going to stick around for the Summer so invest in some more Gladiator sandels but this time make sure they're studded; Office have a great range.

- Big bracelets are earrings are going to be the big jewellery pieces this Summer. The key metallic for this look is Gold and keep colours in the classic safari shades; kharki, dusty orange, creme. Anything wooden or wicker looking will also be a good piece.

- A good piece to buy to complete any Safari inspired outfit is a hat. An advancement from the straw trilby's that were everywhere last Summer, buy a similar style but in white for that real colloniel vibe.

- Animal prints are always a good call too, but don't go overboard; only one item should bear an animal likeness. A typical piece would be leopard print, but if you really want to make a roar, try zebra print.

- Finally, buy a pair of boots in a thick brown leather, perfect for stomping through the Savannah land and you're good to go.

The other trend that you will note is 'New Grunge'. This trend started out in the Winter, with lashings of black, black leather, and more black. For the Summer, this trend has been combined with acid-wash jeans, ripped up a treat, or even better; ripped into shorts. This trend is less designer inspired and more the result of all those Camdenites being thrown into fame. Think Agyness Deyn, Coco Sumner and Lily Donaldson. This is a much darker, edgier version of the king of 'alternative' scene we've seen so far. The favorite of the bunch is Alice Dellal, who puts an 80's spin on her rock-chic look. Ket pieces to make this look work for you are;

- Wet-look leggings. No fashionista is complete without them

- Bondage heels. A nod to Vivienne Westwood's 'Punk' collection from back in the day, anything with a slight bondage appeal is a yes. Heels are my favorite option for this; think sky-scraper high, patent leather with lots of straps.

- Acid-wash denim. Shorts, jackets, jeans, anything! Denim is back and it's on acid! 

- One important point to note is that anything remotely girly is a no-go. Dresses and shorts will not fit in with this look. Instead, invest in high-waisted shorts, jumpsuits and playsuits.

- The key metallic colour for this look is Silver. Keep jewellery to a minimum but favor long, thin necklaces with vintage charms.

- Just remember to keep everything in muted colours. No bright colours will fit in with this style, unless in make-up - red lips are a must for nights out. 

Those are my two favorite looks for the Summer. I'll post some links for the best items soon.

The first of many

For my first post, I thought that I would celebrate our modern Bible; Vogue, specifically, the editor, a Miss Alexandra Shulman. Sitting in possibly the most covetable seat in the industry, nay, the country, she seems to understand her public. Unlike her American counterpart, Shulman realizes that the majority of people who read Vogue cannot buy the clothes their eyes linger over, especially in this current economic climate. I was delighted to read her editorial this month (April), which opens; "When I was a teenager, I would spend hours poring over the "More Dash Than Cash" pages of Vogue. Not only might I conceivably have been able to afford the clothes, but it was the styling of the models that particularly engaged me". Hurrah!! What an enormous comfit it is to know that someone who works at Vogue is someone who I could relate to! Further more, there is now to be a regular feature on affordable clothes! I remember my excitement when Kate Moss appeared on the front of Vogue in her own collection; and yes, I naturally bought said dress, for who wouldn't want to own an item sprung from a Vogue front cover!? Raking this 'More Dash Than Cash' section, it is true that there are many affordable pieces, granted mostly from TopShop, but the excitement of being able to purchase an item is still very much present. I wonder, however, if this feature is slightly less glamourous than other photo shoots because of the two figure price tags. Maybe such a fashion giant such as Vogue should remain an elitist, unreachable source; something to aim for. Perhaps that by showing these cheaper, less glamourous items, they are in turn demeaning the magazine. 

Overall, I like it, but I do ponder the meaning of fashion. Surely fashion by definition excludes high-street products, as they take their inspiration from the designers. But in this credit crunch, can one afford to be fashionable? Must we all turn to style instead? And by saying that, have I implied that style is fashion's lesser, poorer friend? Or perhaps we must all find our 'inner style' and not squander money on five minute fashion trends. Or maybe finding cheaper alternatives to designer styles will bring out a more inventive, cleaver shopper. One thing is for sure though; that TopShop scarf on page 104 sure looks good...