WHAT I WORE - A PRINTED SHEATH DRESS BY MARY KANTRANTZOU

The first time I set my eyes on MarY Katrantzou dresses, I was lost for words and that does not happen very often, let me tell you.  But this time I was absolutely mesmerised by the richness of the prints, by the juxtaposition of colours and textures, by the level of creativity and imagination.  Her collection of dresses was the most exciting among anything else hanging on the racks around me.

Sadly, I found that some of them were a tad too elaborate for my taste and even though they were absolutely beautiful, I knew that I could hardly wear them.  So I settled for a less grand but still totally adorable and hugely adaptable day dress. 

Since the digital print is the focal point of any of MarY Katrantzou creations, this symbol-laden "Julie" cotton printed sheath dress is no different - a simple non-dominant cut that allows the print to make an effortless statement.

Because my dress has such a strong pattern, it is very important to choose the right fashion accessories to create a look that is put-together without being visually overwhelming.  With that in mind, I chose a simple set of sterling silver earrings and a matching ring.

The same consideration should be given to the shoes and the handbag.  If in doubt, my suggestion is go for a nude or neutral colour shoes. 

If you are not sure what shoes to wear with the printed dress, use the colours in the print of your dress as a guide.  If you, like me, have a taste for strong bold colour combinations, choose the shoes in a complimentary colour to the dominant colour of your dress.  (Complimentary colours are any two colours which are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel.  They provide high contrast and reinforce each other brightness). 

Hence, my choice fell on a pair of playful low heel bright red shoes (green and red are complimentary colours) by Chloe, a matching purse and a smear of bright red lipstick to complete the look.

Linking with Fashion Should be Fun

SPRING/SUMMER FASHION TREND 2015 - GREY IS NEW BLACK

Grey is yet another colour that has taken centre stage this season, in fact it was declared the season’s new black (see my previous blog on the colour blue).  Grey is a neutral intermediate colour that sits between black and white and this is the reason why it has such a wide range of shades to play with:  from dark moody charcoal to a light, fluid aluminium, or a futuristic stainless steel, as described by the Pantone Colour Institute, it has been used by many European fashion houses and has become one of the dominants in their 2015 fashion shows.

This is such an adaptable colour that even in cheap fabrics it still looks expensive, elegant and classy.  It is great for layering, texturing and colour popping.  What I like about grey it that it works perfectly with contrasting colours enhancing their hues and allowing them to take centre stage.

Coat:  Top End

Dress:  Lanvin (I wore it here)

Shoes:  Christian Laboutin (i wore it here)

Bag:  Chanel (I wore it here)

 True to my shopping mantra, the first thing I do before rushing off to the shops, is to check my existing wardrobe and see if I can find something in grey that, with the help of fresh clothes and accessories could be brought back to life.  Even an old t-shirt could look modern paired with white skinny jeans, a great pair of shoes and a blazer.

Pants:  Lee (I wore them here)

Shoes:  Ted Baker (I wore them here)

If the minimalistic approach to clothing is your style, think about an elongated coat that will always look classic and chic with a white crisp blouse and a pencil skirt underneath. 

Knit:  Sportcraft

Skirt:  Zara

Shoes & Bag:  Louis Vuitton

Long knit turtleneck jumpers and cardigans are among this season’s must have essentials, they have a lot of textures without being bulky and look great with slim cut pants and skirts.

T-shirt:  Sportscraft

Pants:  Gladstones

Shoes:  Lee

Cardigan:  Lounge

If you are not a fan of wearing brights but still want to break the monochromatic streak of grey, you can pair it with pastels; they go with grey very well, especially dusty or light pink.

Accessories such as scarves, shoes, handbags and jewellery speak about your personality, your tastes and style type and help you to make your outfit feel complete and polished.

 

One more thing, crimson lips is the greatest accessories of them all; paint your lips read, dress yourselves in fashionable grey and you are bound to look fabulous!

SPRING 2015 FASHION TREND 2015 - FEELING BLUE

If you follow the fashion trend for spring/summer 2015 (in the Northern Hemisphere, that is), I am sure that there would be a few of them that you particularly like and although, we, in OZ, are on the brink of winter, that does not mean that we can’t embrace some of the current trends and weave them into our winter garments.

Let’s start with the colour blue.  It is making a strong comeback this season and was a very noticeable street-style trend during the recent fashion week shows.  From icy blue to teal and turquoise - such an extended range should be able to satisfy every fan of this popular hue. The European runways saw a lot of denim, but blue was also present in flowing dresses, skirts and jackets. 

I don’t think it would be able to replace black entirely (since monochromatic black and white remains the most popular combination) but blue is a great alternative for black and is usually a much better colour to wear for most women than the harsher black and that is exactly what I like about this new trend.

Of course, I am not suggesting that you should plunge into this trend head on and drape yourself in denim from head to toe.  What I suggest, though is to look closely into your wardrobe and see if there is anything there that you have not been wearing for a while due to the new fashion, it could be brought back to life.  Sometimes, just  modern- looking, cutting-edge accessories could revive the garment and give it a completely new look.  If it fails, you can buy a few key pieces that are interchangeable and could be easily fitted into your existing wardrobe. 

If darker blues do not agree with your complexion, you can always settle for lighter hues and choose patterns over solid colours.  Take advantage of the cooler months and wear a blue scarf or even a hat. 

A classic-cut pair of denims and a t-shirt also look cool and relaxed during the day, but could be easily glamorised with a jacket and a pair of killer heels for a night out on the town.

A well-cut jacket is a great example.  It could last you for a couple of seasons and will help your outfit to be effortlessly transformed from casual to chic in no time. 

Top:  Sportsgirl 

Jacket:  Zara

Jeans:  Bettina Liano

Shoes:  Donna Karan

Bag:  Louis Vuitton

 Anyhow, wear something blue this winter season and you are bound to look fabulous.

And If you want to ask me anything at all, please drop me a line and I would be more than happy to reply.

RED DRESS AND THE NIGHT AT THE OPERA

If you want to make a fashion statement - wear a red dress, chances are, you will probably be the only woman in the room who does.  The truth of the matter is that red is a very strong, bold colour and because of that not many women have enough confidence to wear red.  Of course, it is not a hue that you see as often as say, black or white.  As with Red Carpet events, this hue is destined for a special occasions.

 A great Italian designer Valentino has become know for his red dresses known in the fashion industry as “Valentino red”.  It became one of the pillars of his collections and according to him, the only colour worthy of competing with black and white.

From the Valentino's collection "45 Years of Style"

And for me, that special occasion was the night at Sydney Opera House for the opening of the season and a new production of Faust, an opera that is a tale of romance, temptation, and the age-old battle between satanic powers and religion – a perfect opportunity to match the red flames of hell with my special red Lanvin drape dress that I bought recently in a boutique shop in Hyde Park, a popular fashion shopping and dinner destination in Adelaide. 

Dress:  Lanvin, Shoes:  Bally

Visually, a red dress makes a bold fashion statement and draws a lot of attention, it is important that the accessories should not be flashy and destructive, leaving a dress to be a focal point of the outfit.

With that in mind, I chose a simple set of long gold earrings and a bracelet together with a small black handbag.  As for shoes, there are a few options here:  black for contrast, or nude or soft pastels to keep it elegant and classy.