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A/W 11 Ankle boot trends: ACNE is top of the list!

 

Acne was founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1996 by Jonny Johansson. The self-taught designer’s aim was to create a fashion house which incorporated art, fashion, music, and advertising, thus the label was called Ambition to Create Novel Expressions. The brand started out with a collection of a hundred pairs of raw denim jeans with red stitching which he gave to friends and family. Soon after, the brand worked on various collaborations including projects with Lanvin, Bianchi Bicycles, Fantastic Man magazine, and jewelers Mikael Zobel and Husam El-Odeh. Acne has shows and installations in New York, Paris, and Stockholm and to top it off, also produces bi-annual magazine Acne Paper.

 

Acne’s A/W 2011 collection features killer shoes from boots and oxford wedges to strappy heels, all inspired by mens shoes, rainboots, and athletic footwear. Velcro straps and drawstring closures make some shoes sporty, yet chic while stacked heels and hidden platforms make all the heels an edgy alternative to pumps and stilettos. Acne covers all the fall trends with ankle booties and oxfords. Beautiful wedge ankle booties featuring circular laser cut detailing, stacked heels, and lace-up front are a play on the classic mens wingtip brogue. Slingback square toe heels with crepe platform look amazing in royal blue patent leather. If you’re looking for something classic, go for their pewter Vega pumps with a rounded toe and square stacked heel—a modern take of office appropriate footwear. Acne’s latest shoes are available in warm hues like honey, chocolate brown, and caramel; neutrals like black and brown patent leather; and metallic silver to perk up your look. For extra coolness factor, just pair them with ankle socks. With these darlings on your feet, you’ll stop everyone in their tracks!

 

http://shop.acnestudios.com/

 My favorite  ACNE ankle boot styles for Fall

Bernhard Wilhelm: RTW Fashion to collect!!!

 

While Bernhard Wilhelm studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, he worked for Walter Van Beirendonck, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Dirk Bikkembergs. In 1999 the German designer started his own label together with business partner Jutta Kraus. Bernhard Willhelm was later named creative director of Capucci from 2002 to 2004, designing the Roman house’s first RTW collection. After Wilhelm left the house, he focused on his own line and opened his first flagship store in Shibuya, Tokyo. He has designed all of Björk’s outfits for her world tour “Volta” and has also created costumes for theatre.

 

Bernhard Wilhelm loves to make a statement with his clothes and accessories and that’s putting it mildly. From graphic tees with phrases like “This is it” and “No limits!” to mesmerizing prints on tunics, leggings, and wrap dresses, Wilhelm’s streetwear is quite a sight to behold. His designs are childhood memorabilia, cultural commentary, and magazine collage all wrapped into one. Wilhelm’s urban creations champion youth, anarchy, and self-expression with their bright patterns and stripes, athletic shapes, and deconstructed silhouettes. With a dash of humor and a lot of color, keeps a smile in the rather serious arena of the Fashion biz.

 

http://www.bernhard-willhelm.com/

 

Handbags, Sunglasses and High Heel brand to watch and own!

Clothing and accessory line Slow and Steady Wins the Race produces innovative, yet timeless pieces that break away from the rules and procedures of the fashion industry. The line’s designs, both past and current, are available to consumers year-round. Each collection is dedicated to a sartorial category such as “No. 5 Pockets” and “No. 10 White T-Shirt.” A new set of garments is produced at a regulated pace throughout the year—a great contrast against the regular seasonal schedule that the fashion industry relies on. Discarding the idea that fashion must constantly change, their pieces work for any season. Slow and Steady Wins the Race has been featured in a number of publications including Vogue, WWD Fast, Nylon, The New York Times, and Style.com.

 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race’s bags are a play on grocery bags but are even more convenient and definitely more stylish. The Bodega Bag, Kraft Carrier, and Drawstring Sac from their No. 13 Standard Bag Collection come in leather, suede, and lambskin. The showstopper has to be their four-sided leather Birkin bag with top handle straps and a square-ish silhouette.

 

The line also has awesome sunglasses that will have you looking oh-so-cool. The six styles include a basic circle frame and a basic square frame, and for the more adventurous, there’s shades with geometric lenses and frames. Get them in red, black, white, clear, grey, or tortoise.

 

The No. 17 Jewelry line is so ingenious and makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner! A bracelet, necklace, and pair of earrings are fashioned out of traditional jewelry components like jump rings and earring backings while freshwater pearls get revamped in a brooch, necklace, and set of earrings. These are definitely not your grandma’s pearls!

 

The verdict? Slow and Steady Wins the Race holds true to its name, creating clothes and accessories that can be worn and admired for years to come.

 

http://www.slowandsteadywinstherace.com/

Love and Love this bag!!

Iris Van Herpen's Skeletal inspired couture graces Bjork's "Biophilia"Album cover

 

One can hardly believe that Iris Van Herpen started her eponymous label only four years ago. The Dutch designer implements both traditional and innovative techniques, resulting in beautifully crafted designs that defy the concept that form follows function. Van Herpen studied Fashion Design at ARTEZ and interned at Alexander McQueen and Claudy Jongstra. She is the recipient of multiple awards and has shown exhibitions all over the world. Her admirers include Lady Gaga and Björk, who wore van Herpen’s Synethesia dress on the cover of her Biophilia album.

 

Iris van Herpen’s latest Haute Couture collection named “Capriole” illustrates the strong connection between architecture and fashion design and how they continually influence one another. Her designs rely heavily on intricately structured silhouettes that exude the appearance of exoskeletons. Van Herpen’s love of form and movement can be seen in the juxtaposition of sharp angles and fluid swirls. Crystal triangles in black and opaque materials fan outward to create stunning silhouettes that mimic armor while high collars and bodices constructed of metal give the pieces a slight futuristic edge without overwhelming the body. Garments of fine leather and metallic textiles with gorgeous sleeve detailing also pervade the collection. Two of the most jaw-dropping numbers are an elaborate skeleton dress that seems to cling effortlessly to the model and a dress with translucent material that emulates splashing water. Never letting commercial value completely dictate her work, Iris van Herpen always creates statement collections that explore and stretch the boundaries of form, function, and beauty.

 

http://www.irisvanherpen.com/

 
 

Craig Lawrence knitwear adorns the racks of Florence Welch, Bjork, Lady Gaga

 

Craig Lawrence knows knitwear and the Central St. Martins graduate from Ipswich, Suffolk has the awards and celebrity enthusiasts to prove it. After producing knitwear for esteemed British designer Gareth Pugh for over six seasons before even graduating, Lawrence set up his own eponymous label. His collections have received numerous achievements including NEWGEN sponsorship for four seasons running. Lawrence has received much support from and worked closely with Katie Shillingford, stylist and Fashion Editor of Dazed & Confused. His knitwear has been featured in various international magazines including the limited edition front cover of AnOther Magazine with Tilda Swinton as the cover model. i-D Magazine labelled him as one of the leading creative forces in London.

 

Craig Lawrence uses unconventional materials to create beautifully crafted knitwear which never ceases to amaze me! He has wowed many with his avant-garde starting collections and has been able to use his eye for drama to design more commercially accessible, yet unique and glamorous pieces. While Lawrence’s earlier work often times included voluminous and extravagant knits, many designs from his recent collections hug the body and drape ever so gracefully. His spontaneity is not lost, however, since many pieces dazzle in rich metallics with slashing details while gauzy textiles are tailored into gorgeous mermaid silhouettes. Lawrence’s alluring creations always maintain a sense of fluidity, something quite difficult to achieve when working with knitwear.

 

Lawrence’s designs have been spotted on Lady Gaga, Florence Welch, Bjork, Daisy Lowe, Skin from Skunk Anansie, and Patrick Wolf. He has collaborated with Levi’s under the Cassette Playa label and worked on the Alexander McQueen’s McQ internet campaign. His six-piece diffusion line for Village Bicycle, a new London boutique, launched this summer.

 

http://www.craiglawrence.co.uk/