Muse of the Month: Julia Restoin-Roitfeld

As far as fashion offspring go, Julia Roitfeld (29) is one lucky girl. As only daughter of famed Vogue Paris editor-in-Chief and style icon Carine Roitfeld, Julia seems to be following in her mother's Alaia clad footsteps into the world of fashion. Roitfeld has only come to the attention of the fashion press in the past few years, most notably after her graduation from Parsons School of Design in New York back in 2006. Since then she has been a front Row fixture on the fashion scene, attending countless catewalk shows as well as having her face embellish multiple campaigns, most notably Tom Ford's first fragrance 'Black Orchid' and Jil Sander's debut fragarance, 'Jil'.

In recent years Roitfeld has wowed us with her unique and edgy style which is distinctly similar to her mother's daring taste. Her style has a slightly more feminine edge, all the while still retaining the sophisticated sexiness, her mother is known for. Recently short, sequined and Balmain are thes words of choice, with Roitfeld turning up to numerous events tightly wound in a Balmain bandage dress. But sexy is only one of the many personalities of Roitfeld's style. It's hard to pinpoint an exact look with this girl, with her turning up at Donna Karen all casual in a pair of jeans and a coat, at Calvin Klein in denim cut-offs and a leather jacket and then at DVF in a flirty white eyelet dress with a pin stripe waistcoat. She is a fashion chameleon, never one to stick with one look for too long, always keeping us on our toes, and never a slave to trends.

But while fashion is key to her social existance she also understands that clothes are more then just something you wear. Speaking to to the UK Times she said "some people think that clothes are just things that you wear to cover yourself but i'm blown away because clothes to me are a sort of new pop art. Clothes can be either art or design but need a real purpose". This is a girl who not only exudes style but understands it as a form of art and self expression....a true style maven.

Model of the Month: Lily Donaldson

Flick through any fashion magazine with their sumptuous and extravagent advertisements and editorials and there will remain one consistent face in the overcrowded world of modelling, that of Lily Donaldson. The 22 year old model has graced the covers of countless magazines, the catwalks of numerous designers and is the face of limitless fashion houses. Last thursday night at the unveiling of the new Burberry US headquarters, which is now the newest member to illuminate the New York sky line, Donaldson reined supreme, nearly overshadowing the man of the hour, Christopher Bailey (Burberry’s head designer). The self declared Burberry girl and face of the brand for over 2 years hung onto Bailey's arm for the night, draped (of course) in head to toe Burberry.


But while being a self described member of the Burberry family, the model has graced the campaigns of many competing fashion houses. As well as being the main face of the British luxury goods label, last year Donaldson scored the highly coveted position as the face of iconic label Gucci. Since, Donaldson has earned her supermodel status with the past 5 years being a whirlwind of prestigious international cover shoots and gracing the catwalk for many esteemed designers.

Donaldson started her career in a typical fashion, after being scouted in Camden market while
shopping with friends at the young age of 16. Only 2 years later she was catapulted into the spotlight as she scored her first Vogue cover (UK), which was shot by iconic photographer Mario Testino. Since she has since been featured on covers and in editorials for the leading international fashion publications including Vogue (UK, US, Chinese, French, Australian, Italian and Nippon), W, Harper's bazaar, I-D, V magazine, and Numero. Her presence has also graced the catwalks for a diverse range of designers including Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Chloé, Dior, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hermès, Jil Sander, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Missoni, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Rochas, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino, Vera Wang, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and Zac Posen.


But what makes Donaldson stand out in the modelling world is her vast portfolio of advertisements for renowned high fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, MaxMara, Jill Sander, Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino which embellish the pages of international fashion bibles.

With the re-emergence of the model as key, it is Donaldson's time to shine.

Met Gala

The Fahion event of the year, The Metropolitina Museum Costume Institute Gala took place monday the 5th of may. The theme this year was "models as muse" and was attended by some of the most celebrated faces of fashion, music and movies. However controversy sparked over the absence of designer azzedine alia, whose work was ommitted from the event. He along with some of the worlds most recognized supermodels (Naoimi, Linda and Stephane Seymour) who he designed gowns for failed to make an appearance in a protest against the ommission and described "dictator" Anna Wintour. He told womens wear daily how she has ignored his work for 15 years and how "“She behaves like a dictator and everyone is terrified of her . . . but I’m not scared of her or anyone.” While his absence didnt go unnotived there was plenty of fashion to make up for his lack of attendance.

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.