Cracking Bit of Fashion...Balenciaga Fall 2013

“It’s a prologue,” said Alexander Wang of his quietly respectful debut collection for Balenciaga. “It was about really going back to the house, to the archive, and the codes that were so true to Cristóbal Balenciaga—with dynamic new materials.”

My first thought when I saw this catwalk show online..OMG what an amazing floor, CAN I GET THAT MUM? Through the pristine white of the runway floor is jagged lines of black jutting out in every direction. It looks like an earthquake has just hit the room.  

I'm going to come straight out and say it...I am CRUSHIN' on Balenciaga's Fall collection so SO bad. Although I am loving the sunshine at the moment I can't deny I want Autumn to get a wriggle on... so that Selfridges can start stocking some of these beauties, for me to drool over. Debuted at Paris Fashion Week in February 2013 this was Alexander Wang's (below, the cutie) first collection for the Spanish fashion house. After viewing the collection, many fashion critics has praised him for his use of the trademark rigid angular design, of the brand's founder, while still managing to apply innovative, pattern and detailing to each piece.

My favourite from this range is the 'cracked' effect tops which, although they look like they are made from cracked leather material, they are actually a skinny ribbed knits were submerged in gesso paint, covering the surface and forming interesting craquelure effect (like you would get on an oil painting). The collection is indeed very sculptural as even cropped tops seem to be crafted so that they ballon (like founder Cristóbal Balenciaga's classic bubble skirts) away from the torso, remaining rigid as the female moves; the resulting silhouette created is therefore very masculine and bold. 

If (like me) you have fallen under the charm of this collection - it's beauty, it's innovation - yet aren't too keen on the steep pricing then I would suggest looking to high street stores such as Mango, French Connection and Zara, who already have a wide selection of clothes for the suprising S/S13 trend of Monochrome. 

Here is a selection of my favourite pieces from Balenciaga's Fall 2013 collection:

All pictures are taken kindly from Vogue online. Comments are always welcome! 

Your thoughts on the collection? Comment below! Hope you loved it as much as me!

S/S13 Trend Forecast- Electric Pastels

Vibrant and Pastels? Slightly oxymoronic..but hear me out.

The sun is certainly shining over here in Brum (Birmingham) which calls for one beloved trend..PASTELS. Being a massive fan of them I was excited this month to see some of my favourite brands like Equipment (above) and Topshop sporting a whole load of pastel pieces ....jazzed up with a vibrant Ibiza kick! The Equipment sleeveless blouse above, sold on ASOS and Oxygen Boutique, is on my wishlist- I adore the intricate coral detailing of the palm trees! Wear floaty tops like these, slung over pastel shorts and with skinny heels for a perfect summery outfit to hit the town in!

To get the look above and similar items, I've created a mood board of all my favourite key season pieces. This month I am championing the great British high-street- there is some amazing covetable gems out there! 

(Expand image to make it clearer)

{Created using Microsoft Word and the images of the websites Topshop, ASOS, Warehouse, H&M and Oxygen Boutique. All Rights Reserved}
Please do not use these two images without my permission. Thank you.

June Style Inspiration

Anyone have a girl crush on Audrey Hepburn? YEAH! Me too! This month is looking *crosses fingers* like it will be beautiful! Cannot wait to get out and soak up those gorgeous warm rays! For some inspiration for how to dress for this gorgeous weather I've taken some of Miss Hepburn's timeless style and matched it with some modern pieces. Any fans of 1950's cinema will know that Roman Holiday was a delightful rom-com starring Audrey as an adventurous princess alongside Gregory Peck, as an American reporter who sets his eyes on courting her. This deliciously indulgent flick is set against the beautiful backdrop of sunny Rome, providing the perfect inspiration for our summer wardrobe. In order to channel your inner Italian, I've picked out using my ASOS fashion finder account some gorgeous key pieces worth checking out. Think pastel pink tops and snake print accessories.




VINTAGE PRINT FLARED SHORTS
£95.00
VISIT STORE: reiss

   

Women's Yorkshire Stone Beige Box Satchel Bag

£130.00VISIT STORE: van mildert

Embroidered Stripe Silk T-shirt by Sophie Hulme

£278.00

VISIT STORE: my-wardrobe.com

All Pictures belong to ASOS fashion finder

S/S13 Trends- Achieving Pastel Perfection

 Through the narrow slits in my window, glints of summer sun are peeking through. This can only mean one thing..THE RAIN HAS FINALLY GONE (temporarily). To celebrate why not whack on some pastel pieces, and get out in that gorgeous buttery sunlight?!

Here is a selection of my favourite outfits of the week, compiled and created on my ASOS Fashion Finder Blog (I shall put the link up to my page soon). Key aspects of the spring pastel trend this season has to be the patent wedge (as seen right) and the light floral clutch (below)- such lovely statement pieces that can be matched with a wide array of outfits (especially if any of you lucky things are going away on holiday this year!). 


To achieve the full pastel effect I would suggest visiting stores like Reiss, Vero Moda and French Connection who all have leapt gallantly into this super-feminine S/S13 trend. 

If you are looking for the perfect cotton shirt I would highly recommend the gorgeous 'Floral Flirtation' shirt from French Connection (£55) with delicate tiny eyelet detailing; a stunning piece that could easily be matched with light blue cropped trousers and ballerina flats for a casual day look. 

Photo copyight: (C) ASOS Fashion Finder. Outfits created by me (Han02nnah)