Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop

Topshop does it again as today marked a new addition to it's spring/summer collaboration collections. Barbara Hulanicki the legendary designer of the seventies cult label, Biba, debuts her capsule collection for Topshop, which hits stores today. Following her illustration exhibition The Art of Barbara Hulanicki last march, Topshop approached her to "to do a collection that didn't look like Biba" says Hulanicki (Vogue.co.uk).
(Biba Clothing)

Biba encapsulated the look of the youth generation of the 60's and 70's. Based in London, it's signature stylings consisted of mod-con dresses, mini skirts and uni-sex t-shirts. It was a cult among teens and young adults, and allowed them to wear the latest trends from the Paris runways at affordable prices. Musicians, models and Hollywood stars alike such as Mick Jagger, Twiggy and Bridgette Bardot etc, found solace in the store's art deco, Hollywood golden age and nouveua mix of decor."Freddy Mercury lounged on it's leopard print chairs, Lou Reed wore it's black nail polish , The New York dolls played a legendary 2 night-stint in the upstairs rainbow room and David Bowie regularly took tea in its roof garden" (thebibaecxperience.com). By the Early 70's, the store had completely altered the London look, transforming the city into a fashion capital of the world. The 7-story shop sold everything from feather boas to children's clothing to pet food. But the dream was shattered when the shop closed it's doors in 1975. The label has since been relaunched by designer Bella Freud in May 2006.

While Barbara's Topshop collection differs from the designs of Biba's heyday it still manages to incorporate the boutique's quirky stylings with the use eccentric prints varying from bees, a girls face, animal spots and stars which are emblazoned on everything from shoulder padded dresses to trousers and bikinis. The line manages to maintain the Biba tradition of producing cool clothing with affordable prices, and has already been seen on the likes of Mary Kate Olsen, who was spotted in a blue star and bee spotted blouse. While the Biba of the 70's may be gone it manages to live on its modern day reincarnation, Topshop.

Kate Moss for Topshop S/S 09 Collection

All Vogue.co.uk

Its collaborations galore at Topshop this summer with an invasion of British designers, such as Preen and Johnaton Saunders releasing new capsule collections that hit both the US and UK stores on April 2nd. But the most highly anticipated collection is nearly here, , you can only expect the best, as Kate Moss unveils her latest Topshop collaboration on the same date. Making a personal appearance herself at the US opening, Kate will be there to reveal her Liberty (iconic British department store) print inspired dresses and camisoles, beaded jackets, ruffled maxi dresses and lace body suits. This is her 9th collection to date, for the British store and is one of the most colourful and detailed to date with intricate beading on dresses and spectacular embroidery on jackets as well as Ms Moss's first foray into lingerie.

Expect this one to move quick. :)

Topshop Hits NYC

Some of my current favourites, all available at topshop.com.

(That pink top is very Philip Lim S/S 09 dont ya think!?)

Clear your schedule and set your alarms because come April 2nd at 11 am, Topshop-mania will begin. The extremely popular British chain store is branching out for the first time in the US by setting up one of its flagship stores on Broadway and Broome. Synomous with its cool stylings, Topshop's clothes have been seen on everyone from the British fashion pack (Pixie&Peaches Geldof, Daisy Lowe, Alexa Chung etc.) to Hollywood celebrities (Keira Knightley, Paris Hilton). But what makes this store so popular is it's accessibility. One is able to to pick up Topshop's take on all the latest fashions at a reasonable price. Topshop doesn't do catwalk copies. It takes a trend and adds it's own spin, whether its by adding unexpected detailing such as fringing to the side of a tunic or doing a series of t-shirts on famous rock couples, you wont't find anything else like it on the High Street. But its not only the shop's own brand range that has people talking, topshop has collaberated with some of the coolest designers on the catwalk, from fashion's latest it-designer Richard Nicoll to Marios Schwab, Johnaton Saunders, Preen, Sass & Bide, J Brand and of course Kate Moss.
At the moment the shop is bursting with wardrobe staples, well-fitting basics, and the best collection of shoes you've ever seen, as well as the highly anticipated Kate Moss S/S collection on its way . As the day American fashionista's have been anticipating comes even closer, all i can say is recession? what recession? :)

Matthew Williamson for H&M

After a string of very successful, sold-out collaborations, H&M does it again with the announcement of a capsule collection with Matthew Williamson. With highly received collections from Comme Des Garcons, Viktor & Rolf and Roberto Cavalli, the British Designer has a lot to live up to. But after a highly acclaimed S/S 09 collection it doesn't look like Williamson has a lot to worry about. The capsule collection is as Matthew himself (for vogue UK) put it: "a strong urban collection fused with the brand's signature symbols and shapes". Colour is a main theme along with his trademark peacock print which is embellished on everything from candy coloured cardigans to harlequin print bags. However the collection isn't all sugar coated colouring and charming prints, the inclusion of leather items such as a brown zipper induced jacket and black studded vest along with a brown silk jumpsuit and a sequin covered mini dress really toughen up and add variety to Matthew's feminine styling.
My personal favourite? The pink structured mini-dress.
The Collection is out April 23rd, and for a H&M first is available at all its outlets. Don't worry however if you miss out on this collection a second more summer inspired collection is available may 14th.

The Trends S/S 09

One thing i love about the spring 2009 trends is how fun they are to wear. This season, Runways looked more like a costume party then a compliation of chic designer ensembles. The season is all about self expression, its exciting, its bright and its a whole lot of fun. Sure some would call the trends tacky, garish and even a little ugly, but in the words of former American Vogue Editor Diana Vreeland: "Never fear being vulgar, only boring". Of course if your not into the whole looking like a fancy-dress-shop-threw-up-on-you look, there are a whole lot of more subtle less in-your-face trends to embrace such as innocent nudes, colour blocking and tribal. So anyways here's a round up of the best.


Denims:

(Balmain, Topshop, Diesel)

Denim has never been more relevant then now. The spring 09 runway has unleashed denim in every form, from dresses to jackets, and shorts to the dependable jeans. But the s/s shows have really changed up denim's position as an old reliable. This season's denims were studded, torn, acid washed and ripped. The best of the bunch looked like they had seen better days, such as Balmain, where the jeans were tattered and bleached. The high street has really embraced this trend, with everywhere from Miss Selfridge (acid washed peplum dress anyone?) to Forever 21 really taking hold of this look. My personal favourite product of the season, Topshop's now sold out bleached denim high waisted shorts. Add a tucked in tunic and fringed ankle boots and your all set.

Colour blocking:

(L.F. Markley)

Colour blocking was seen at every major fashion house worth it's value, Luella, Richard Nicoll, Alexander Wang, Ferragamo, Dries Van Noten etc. etc. But it was Lanvin and L.F. Markley (Fashion Fringe) that stole the show, especially with Lanvin's yellow-black combo and really the entire Markley collection (above). The whole colour blocking trend exudes a youthful and slightly sporty vibe. The whole idea of the trend is separates and potent colour combinations, such as fuchsia and orange, purple and blue, black and yellow. The total effect is one that is show-stopping, powerful and vibrant. For high street reincarnations, there is not a store which hasn't produced its own version. For the best check out Topshop's colour blocked skirts and taffeta dresses or surprisingly enough M&S.

Nudes:

(Chloe, Herve Leger, Thakoon, Prada)

From one extreme to the other. At one end of the fashion spectrum citrus yellow and cobalt blue reigned supreme, at the other, the catwalk was bathed in a Delicious palette of peachy blush tones and creamy browns. Nudes took shape in anything from ruffled full length evening dresses at Thakoon to Bandaged swimsuits at Herve Leger. But while some designers chose to convey a more innocent image, others took the oppurtunity to make this look a whole lot sexier. Take Chloe, who covered a cropped nude bustier modestly with a knee length skirt and peach scallpoed jacket. Sheer also became the word of the day at Just Cavalli and C'N'C Costume National, as well as an innocent crumpled look at Prada. The look can be left soft and romantic or subtly sexy...your choice.

The 80's:

(House of Holland, Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, 3.1 Philip Lim)

This has to be one of my favourite trends of the entire season. Its trashy, its gaudy...i love it! The era that fashion forgot has made a return. Every show of the season had an 80's vibe going some way or the other. Even designers renowned for their touch of class such as Chloe and Lanvin went a little 'bad taste' on us with gold lame Hammer pants and purple leopard print party dresses. Its all about neon leopard print, ripped denim, shoulder pads, tunics, zips, clashing and mismatching prints, hammer/harem pants, cropped tops (oh hell no!) and body con. Herve Leger, king of the 80's did whats he does best with his skin tight bandage dresses. Alexander Wang pitched in with his colour blocked sport inspired outfits which looked straight out of some 80's fitness video. While everyone from Versace to Philip Lim offered us a jumble of zippers. House of Holland presented us with Henry's trademark crazy ensembles, that only Agyness Deyn can pull off. On the high street i don't think there was a shop that wasn't laden with 80's inspired goods.

Tribal:

(Louis Vuitton, Junya Wantanbe, Miu Miu, DKNY)

Tribal is a pretty standard fare trend in every s/s runway with Safari Jackets and cropped military pants featured in most shows. This trend is never really translated well off the catwalk and never really grabs the public's attention. But spring 2009 is a whole other story thanks to none other than Louis Vuitton. LV was an orgy of leopard print, feathers, phyton, crystals and bangles with a dash of 1940's Paris thrown in, it was a complete culture shock. Accessories was key here, with the Japanese inspired obi-belt taking centre stage on most of the shown ensembles. The leopard bags and feathered shoes wowed, while the chunky statement necklaces and earrings stunned. All i have to say is 4 words: Thank you Marc Jacobs.
Of course Louis V. wasn't the only designer to embrace this trend in a whole new way. Junya Wantanbe's collection was completely African inspired with a range of printed head scarfs and blouses; and Miu Miu, who's abstract print dresses offered us a different perspective on the Global tribal theme. For an extremely wearable version check out DKNY's leopard spot mini dresses.

Spring/Summer 09 vs. The Recession

The spring/summer 09 shows offered us one of the most difficult to pinpoint season yet. Unlike the traditional fashion seasons, there wasn’t a focus on a handful of consistent trends, which the high street will eventually start to devour over the next few months. There was nothing that put designer's shows into easily identifiable slots. According to Elle this season is one that is trend less. In keeping with the economic times all it will take is a few items to up date your look to this season. This season designers kept to the basics and did what they knew best. They played to their strengths. Fashion editors alike were leaving shows with comments like: “Lanvin is soo Lanvin” or "that was classic Chanel". At first glance this season doesn’t seem compliant with the 'save your money for a few investment pieces' theme of the a/w 08 shows, but take a deeper look and this is one of the most investment worthy seasons yet. This season is strong with forever pieces, you buy a piece from Chanel, such as one of its famous boxy tweed jackets, which emerged hugely this season, and you will have it forever. In other words it is season-less. We want clothes that will endure fashion season after season, which we can keep forever and that will bite back in the face of the recession. And it is the spring/summer collections which offers us this, overflowing on a platter of bleached denim and tribal prints.
But there was a number of themes loosely linked from the shows which will satisfy the taste of any trend slave. 80’s fashion victim, African safari, floral feminies etc. were the standouts of the shows but again the standard spring/summer fare that seems to emerge very year. But it was Colour who remained the consistent link throughout all the shows and dominated the season. Instead of keeping with the basic and black of a/w 08, colour was fashion’s weapon of choice to fight the economical gloom with colour-blocking a major themes of s/s 09 shows. Cobalt, coral, burnt orange etc. intertwined the collections and offered us a beacon of optimism and hope, which is desperately needed. This season has taught us that In dark times such as these, only fashion can emerge as our saviour, even if it is clad in a leopard print tunic.

Hi!

Hey, My name is Lola (well no not really) and welcome to fashion storm. Well at the moment I'm an undergrad student studying liberal arts and although my taste ranges from Alexander Wang to Gucci my budget is a little more on the primark/target/some cheap chain store from whatever country you come from side. My blog is generally just my opinions on fashion, trends and celebrities as well as advice on how to live the designer lifestyle without paying the designer price tag. So If your just here to just look around or add a comment, enjoy! xx Lola